Well, hiya fellow readers and writers!  My name is Jayli and this is my take on Vision of Escaflowne if it had ever continued on.  I don't in any way own Escaflowne, it's characters, it's themes, it's plots, etc… Now that all the legal stuff is over, on with the show.  Oh yeah, don't forget to review, cuz I so do love hearing from all of you.

Vision of Escaflowne: Homecoming

Chapter One: The Past Revealed

            "Ja ne!" Hitomi waved to her friends as they exited the University.  She smiled to herself as she headed to track practice.  Now twenty, she was growing into full womanhood.  Still athletic and fit, Hitomi's figure had filled out nicely, lending just the right amount of curves to her body.  She had let her hair grow till it just swept the curve of her shoulders, which at the moment was pulled into a ponytail.  Hitomi's facial features had also matured.  The planes of her face had smoothed out and were now defined by her graceful cheekbones and full mouth.  Her green eyes had deepened in color and held the wisdom she had earned from her adventures in Gaea.  Hitomi had grown into a beautiful woman. 

            She hummed to herself a simple melody and let her thoughts wander.  Of course her thoughts traveled to a well-known location: Van.  She wondered how he was.  Last they had communicated he was telling her how well the reconstruction of Fanelia was going.  Almost complete Fanelia in his words was "the most he could have ever hoped for." 

            During her first two years back on Earth, she and Van had been able to communicate almost everyday.  As time wore on, it had slowed.  But now five years later they still talked albeit once every couple of weeks.  That was okay to Hitomi because she still got to spend time with her true love. 

            She couldn't remember exactly how it had happened, but she knew she loved him long before she had left Gaea.  Hitomi regretted not ever revealing her feelings but what right did she have to impose those feelings if she wasn't there to act on them.  Besides she didn't even know if Van felt the same way.  Hitomi knew he cared but she needed to know if he thought of her as his soul mate just as she thought of him.

            Hitomi sighed and reached into her lucky duffel bag, pulling out the feather Van had given her.  She twirled it between her fingers before caressing her cheek with its softness.  "Aishiteru, Van." Hitomi whispered to herself.  She closed her eyes and put away the beloved keepsake.  She dropped her bag onto the bench and shed her jacket.  Just as Hitomi began her stretches a familiar voice called to her.

            "Hitomi-chan!" Yukari yelled as she sprinted to her best friend.  Yukari stopped out of breath in front of Hitomi.

            "Konbanwa, Yukari-chan.  Daijobu?"  Hitomi giggled.

            "Daijobu." Yukari took in a deep breath, "Are we going out tonight?"

            Hitomi lifted an eyebrow, "I don't know, are we?"

            "Hitomi-chan!" Yukari whined.

            "All right, all right!" Hitomi gave in, "Shouldn't you be going out with Amano?"

            "Not tonight, Hitomi-chan.  That's tomorrow.  Besides I'd rather spend some quality time with my best friend."

            Hitomi laughed and hugged her friend, "Just wait for me to finish practice and we'll walk together."

            Yukari nodded and plopped herself down next to Hitomi's bag.  She watched as Hitomi raced to her coach.  It had been a while since Hitomi and she had just hung out.  It seemed as if Hitomi was always too busy.  Or at least trying to keep herself busy.

            Hitomi had explained about Gaea to Yukari and Amano after she had returned.  Yukari didn't doubt that Gaea was what Hitomi was keeping busy for.  Ever since she had come back, Hitomi had given up on Amano and even encouraged Yukari to go after him.  Hitomi had even begun self-defense classes and was earning her black belt next week.  Not to mention Hitomi's track commitment.  She had thrown herself into her sport and improved greatly.  At one track meet, Yukari had even commented that Hitomi looked as if she had just flown across the track.

            Yukari knew that Hitomi was growing more and more forlorn.  She was increasingly distant and Yukari counted herself lucky that she was able to get Hitomi to go out with her.  During the last five years they had graduated high school and were now attending the same university.  While Yukari was always looking forward to what their future held, Hitomi, she could tell, was losing faith in hers.  For Hitomi, earth was becoming less and less like a place she belonged to.  It was no longer home. 

            "Home is where the heart is," Yukari mumbled to herself and she watched Hitomi run through her laps.  The statement rang true.  If home was where the heart was supposed to be then Hitomi would only feel at home with the man she called "Van." 

            Yukari watched as the rest of the practice passed by quickly.  Hitomi had just finished stepping out of the locker rooms looking refreshed, "Yukari-chan!" Hitomi waved to her friend, "Are you ready to go?"

            Yukari nodded and handed Hitomi her duffel bag, "So where do you wanna go first?"

            "I don't' know," Hitomi shrugged.  Then after a little thinking, "How about we go and eat first?"

            After a nod the two friends began to chat as they headed off to their favorite restaurant.

~Fanelia~

            "Your highness?" One of Van's many advisors knocked then slowly opened the door to Van's study.

            Van turned slightly, "Yes?"

            "There are some contracts and laws that need your official seal." The official came in and placed the mentioned documents onto Van's desk.

            "Thank you.  Come by later and collect them." Van dismissed the official.  He watched as the advisor bowed and exited the room.  Returning to his position on the balcony Van stared into the dimming sky.  The sun had nearly finished setting and stars were beginning to peak into the dark expanse.  Soon Gaea's two moons came into view and Van found himself staring longingly at the one moon, the Mystic Moon that held his heart.  "Aishiteru, Hitomi."  Van whispered as he clasped her necklace that hung around his neck.

            He wondered what she was doing right now.  He knew that if he just concentrated enough, his mind's eye would be able to find her.  Van sighed, regret written across his handsome features.  The years had been more than kind to Van; they had been, for lack of a better term, ecstatic.  At twenty, Van stood a respectable 6'2".  Van had matured and soon was as sought out as Allen Schezar.  His chiseled features were enough to make any woman swoon.  He had broad shoulders, which he had grown into helping the reconstruction of his country.  His still had the same jet-black hair that seemed as if it couldn't keep out of his deep brown eyes.  It was those same eyes that would change shades from a deep brown, when he was calm, to a dark maroon, when his anger was imminent.  Van had grown up emotionally as well.  Gone was the brash young man and in his place was a king learning patience and a skilled swordsman.

The last five years had been a struggle and a joy for the young Fanelian king.  Van had ensured the future of his people by being victorious in the Great War.  When he began Fanelia's reconstruction Van had ensured their present.  The capitol had been restored two years ago and all that remained now was the completion of Fanelia's many small towns and villages.  Van remembered his last conversation with Hitomi.  He had told her that Fanelia had been progressing nicely and that it had been even more than he could have ever hoped for.  He smiled as he reflected how excited her voice had been as she had congratulated him and had asked him to tell her more.  And he did tell her more, but he didn't' tell her what he had been wanting to tell her since she had come into his life.  For him, Hitomi was his other half, his soul mate.  But it was unfair to Hitomi to tell her that he loved her and here he was in Gaea, not being able to do anything about it.  He didn't want to burden her with his emotions, especially since he didn't know how she felt about him.  He knew that she cared but he needed to know if she loved. 

Van ran a hand through his unruly locks, "At least I get to talk to her tomorrow, " Van said to himself remembering the date they had set with each other last conversation.  "I should at least get back to Fanelia's affairs."  Van turned away from the balcony and sat down at his desk.  Once engrossed in his work, Van felt a smile touch his lips as a quick "Hello" from Hitomi echoed across his mind.  "Hello, Hitomi."

~Earth – Mystic Moon~

            "Hello, Van."  Hitomi willed her mind to quickly greet her love while Yukari was away in the restroom.  She smiled as Van's familiar voice touched her mind.  Once the voice was gone, Hitomi stared at her plate.  She pushed the food around, not really interested in it any more.  While she was playing with her food, Yukari appeared again settling into her seat.

            "You wouldn't believe the line for the rest room!" Yukari complained, "I think some lady tried to elbow me so she could go first."

            "Huh?" Hitomi looked up at Yukari.

            Yukari gave a reprimanding look at her friend, "Weren't you paying attention to anything I was saying?"

            "Sure I was," Hitomi giggled.

            "Then what did I say?"

            Hitomi bit her lip; "You said something about the bath room having an elbow?"

            Yukari threw her hands up in the air, "I give up.  What am I going to do with you, Hitomi-chan?"

            "You're going to help me finish eating so we can get out of here." Hitomi piped up.

            Yukari sighed and she and Hitomi proceeded to finish their dinners so that they could leave.  The check was finally paid and a very full Yukari and Hitomi walked out of the restaurant.  They walked in companionable silence towards their favorite spot in the park.  Yukari remembered all the times they would go to this spot to think, play, laugh, or whatever else they could do to keep themselves from going home.  They were both famous with their mothers for always asking, "Just five more minutes, onegai?"  Yukari chuckled at the memory.

            "Whatcha giggling about?" Hitomi peered into her friend's face.

            Yukari proceeded to tell Hitomi about the memory and soon the two women were laughing.  The laughter became so infectious and uncontrollable that they had to collapse onto a nearby bench.  Soon the laughter subsided and they were once again quiet.  They both leaned back and stared at the sky.  It was a beautiful evening.  The sky was clear and earth's moon was full.  Hitomi closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. 

            "Hitomi-chan?" Yukari asked quietly, "We're best friends right?"

            Hitomi opened her eyes and stared at Yukari, "Of course.  Why do you ask?"

            "Oh nothing.  I just wanted to hear you say it, that's all."

            "Yukari-chan?"

            "Is it because of Gaea that you don't read tarot anymore?"

            Hitomi gave Yukari a puzzled look.  This was the first time Yukari had ever asked about her tarot cards.  When she had returned from Gaea, Hitomi had put away her cards telling her friends that she didn't do that anymore.  Yukari had never asked why she had given them up.  She had just accepted the decision that her best friend had made.  Then Hitomi explained about Gaea and her adventures.  Still Yukari had never asked.  Hitomi pulled her hair out of her ponytail and played with the rubber band, "Yes."

            "Are you sure?" Yukari turned to face Hitomi, "Or was it because you're afraid that they might lead you back?"

            "What!?" Hitomi's face became confused, "Yukari-chan?"

            Yukari put a comforting hand over Hitomi's, "They led you to him once.  You're afraid that they'll lead you to him again."

            "How can you say that!" Hitomi almost yelled at Yukari, "You know how I feel about him.  I gave up the cards because of the way I was changing fate."

            "Everyone changes fate everyday, with or without tarot cards.  No one's destiny is set in stone, Hitomi-chan.  That's the way life goes.  There may be purposes to be fulfilled in everyone's lives, but there are no set paths." 

            Hitomi looked into Yukari's eyes and knew what she had said was true.  She had put away her tarot cards because she was scared.  She was scared to face fate, not change it.  "The way I see it," Yukari interrupted Hitomi's thoughts, "Whoever told you that your tarot cards were changing fate took advantage of the fact that you didn't understand fate."

            Yukari reached out to wipe a tear that had escaped from Hitomi's eyes, "Fate is a guide.  It is a POSSIBLE future, not THE FUTURE.  Knowing what fate has in store doesn't place you in obligation to it.  Remember how you told me that the enemy had manipulated fate so that you and Allen would kiss and therefore distracting Van from completing his destiny."  She waited for Hitomi to nod, "Remember also how you overcame that designed fate to eventually make your way back to Van."  Hitomi nodded again.  "You see.  Fate is a name people have given to their chosen destinies.  It doesn't represent anything but the possible.  So you see, Hitomi-chan, anyone can change fate."

            Hitomi stared wide-eyed at her friend.  Everything she had just said had a sense of truth to it all.  "When did you get so smart, Yukari-chan?"

            Yukari grinned, "I don't know, maybe it's fate." At that comment the two friends burst into laughter.

            Some time later, Hitomi was at home getting ready for bed.  She thought to the moment when tomorrow she would be able to speak to Van again.  They had set the date last time they spoke.  They had discovered four years ago that they could meet in each other's dreams.  And that was how they would meet from then on.  On the specified date they would each go to bed at a designated time and meet each other in the other's dreams.  It satisfied both visual and vocal parts of their friendship.  Hitomi lay down on her bed and stared at her ceiling.  She remembered what it was like to sleep under the stars on Gaea.  There were millions and millions of stars in the sky that lit up her nights there.  Hitomi turned to look out her window.  Here on Earth the stars were still out, just not as numerous.  She yawned as she finally got comfortable in her bed.  Pulling the covers up to chin, Hitomi fell asleep thinking about what Yukari had said about her tarot cards.

            The next morning, Hitomi awoke feeling a tingling sense of the unexpected.  Something was going to happen today and she just didn't know what.  She bounded out of bed and made a beeline for her desk.  Her hand reached out to open the drawer where her cards had been kept the last five years.  Hitomi hesitated.  Although coming to some revelations from her talk with Yukari, Hitomi was still unsure of using the tarot cards.  She glanced at the clock.  It was already 8 am.  Hitomi slapped her forehead, momentarily forgetting her need to use the tarot cards, "I'm going to be late for the track meet."  The cards now totally forgotten, Hitomi rushed to the shower to begin her day.

            Downstairs, Hitomi's mother looked up at the noise coming from her daughter's bedroom.  Although her daughter had already begun university, she had refused to move out on her own.  Hitomi insisted that she was fine living with her and that she wasn't a burden.  Hitomi's mother sighed.  She looked at the test results that the doctor had sent to her.  She had been feeling as if things were going wrong for a while now and now she knew why.  It broke her heart to think about how this would affect Hitomi.  Time was running out for her and she was going to make sure that time didn't run out for her daughter.  Before she left this world, Hitomi's mother promised herself that she would tell Hitomi about her past and that she knew about Gaea.

            Hitomi rushed out of the bathroom already dressed in her track uniform.   Stopping only to stuff some essentials into her lucky duffel bag, Hitomi dashed out of her room.  A couple of moments later Hitomi darted back in.  Slowly she opened the drawer, which held her tarot cards.  Hitomi picked up the cards and stuffed them into her bag.  "Just in case." She whispered to herself as she once again dashed out of her room.  On her way out Hitomi kissed her mother's cheek, "I'll be home for dinner.  Wish me luck!"

            "Good luck, Hitomi."  Her mother smiled.  As she watched her daughter sprint out of the house, she began to prepare for her daughter's return.

            "Gosh, Hitomi should have been here by now."  Yukari said absently to Amano as she checked her watch.

            Amano pulled Yukari to their seats and placed an arm around her shoulders, "Don't worry, Yukari-chan.  She probably just overslept that's all.  It's only 8:30.  The meet doesn't start until 9."

            "I know but just look at her coach.  He's ready to pull his hair out." 

            The both chuckled.  They were watching the rest of the team warm up when a familiar mop of dark blonde hair came racing across the field.  "Speaking of Hitomi." Yukari pointed her out to Amano.  "It seems like you were right."

            Hitomi threw her duffel bag next to the rest of the teams things and quickly slipped out of her warm up suit to reveal her track shorts and track jersey.  "I'm here!  Gomennasai."  Hitomi bowed to her track coach.

            "Don't worry about that."  The coach's rough voice ordered, "Start your warm up.  The 100 yd. dash is first."

            Hitomi nodded and looked up at the stands.  She waved to Yukari and Amano as she began her stretches.  Hitomi finished her stretches and began a few warm up laps to get the kinks out of her legs.  It wasn't long before the entire track team was called to huddle up to receive a pep talk from the coach.  Hitomi quieted her mind and reached our to Van.  "Wish me luck."

~Fanelia~

            Van was getting bored with his meeting.  They were getting more and more insistent about his creating an heir to his throne.  Although they didn't have any laws that would dictate when he should get married, Van knew that Fanelia's council would not let up until he was wed.  He sighed.  All of a sudden Hitomi's voice whispered across his mind.  "Wish me luck."  He had almost forgotten that today was the day of Hitomi's race.  Zoning out the arguing council, Van cleared his mind.  "Luck and speed, Hitomi."

~Earth – Mystic Moon~

            "Thank you, Van."  Hitomi smiled.  Now she was ready.  Time to win.

            The team shared an enthusiastic cheer as the first runners, including Hitomi, lined up for the first event.  Hitomi silently recited a prayer of luck and got into ready position.  She glanced once at the finish line, visualizing her victory.

            "On your mark!" – Hitomi perched.

            "Get set!" – Hitomi stared out.

            "Go!" – The gun fired and Hitomi was out of the gate.  She quickly pulled to the front of the pack. – 10 yd. – Hitomi smiled as she felt her feet and body reach top speed. – 20 yd. – She could hear the cheers of the crowd as she pushed on harder. – 30 yd. – All of a sudden something in the back of Hitomi's mind burst open. – 40 yd. – Hitomi's body ran on autopilot as image after image claimed her mind. – 50 yd. – Back at Hitomi's house, her mother collapsed from the blinding pain in her head. – 60 yd. – Still running, Hitomi's mind, being overloaded with memories, called out for help. – 70 yd. – In Fanelia, Van stood up abruptly causing confusion among his advisors. – 80yd. – Yukari noticed that Hitomi was faltering and began cheering harder. – 90 yd. – Somewhere else on Gaea, another person's mind was being bombarded with the same memories, causing her to black out. – 100 yd. – Hitomi crossed the finish line, fell to her knees and began crying, not caring that she had just won the race.

            Hitomi's teammates noticed the reaction and all came to help her.  Hitomi hugged herself and rocked back and forth.  Yukari had watched how the race had ended and was already racing across the field, dragging along Amano, towards her best friend.  Yukari broke through the protective circle the track team and the coach had made around Hitomi.  Letting go of Amano, Yukari knelt down, "Hitomi-chan?"

            "They took her," Hitomi's face turned to Yukari, her eyes full of tears.

            "Took who?" Yukari questioned.

            "My sister," Hitomi whispered and threw herself into Yukari's arms.  Yukari held Hitomi and threw a confused glance at Amano.  Amano shrugged.  Since when did Hitomi have a sister?

            After they were able to calm down Hitomi and take her off the field, Yukari told Hitomi's coach that she was going to take her home.  The coach agreed and patted Hitomi's back, "We'll win this meet for you.  You've gotten us on a great start." 

            Hitomi gave her coach a small smile, "Arigato."  She watched as he walked back to the team and they all waved to her goodbye.

            "Come on Hitomi." Yukari put a supporting arm around her, "Let's get you home."

            Hitomi let herself be led to Amano's car.  Once they were all situated, Yukari turned to Hitomi, "What happened back there?"

            "I don't know." Hitomi massaged her temples.  "All I know is that something very bad is going to happen and that I have to find my sister."

            "Sister?" Amano inquired.  "I thought you had a brother."

            "I do.  But I think I have a sister too.  I have to get home.  I think my mother has some explaining to do."

            "It's a premonition, isn't it Hitomi-chan?" Yukari worried.

            "I honestly don't know Yukari-chan." Hitomi said quietly.  She slipped her hand into her duffel bag and felt the familiar shape of the tarot cards.  Maybe it was time to use them again.  The rest of the car ride was silent as the trio was immersed in his or her own thoughts.  The drive was over soon and Amano pulled into Hitomi's driveway.  They got out of the car and headed for the house.

            Hitomi dug out her house key and used it to open the door, "Okaa-san!  I'm home!"

            Silence greeted them.  "Maybe she didn't hear you." Yukari answered her friend's confused look.

            They searched the house looking for Hitomi's mother.  It was Amano that found her.  "Hitomi!  Yukari!  In here!" 

            Hitomi and Yukari ran to the den.  "Mom!"  Hitomi knelt down and felt her mother's forehead.  "She's burning up!"

            "I'll call an ambulance." Yukari quickly went to the telephone.

            "Amano, my brother.  Can you get him?  He's next door." Hitomi requested.

            Amano nodded and left to go retrieve Hitomi's brother.

            "The ambulance is on its way." Yukari went to kneel next to Hitomi. 

            Hitomi held her mother in her lap, "What's going on?  First the visions and now this?  What's next?"

            The ambulance came and Hitomi rode with her mother.  Amano and Yukari were driving with her brother to meet them at the hospital.  When Amano, Yukari and her brother got to the hospital, they found a pacing Hitomi in the waiting room.  Hitomi spotted her friends and went to them.  Embracing her brother, Hitomi thanked Amano and Yukari.  Then she ushered them into the waiting room and resumed her pacing. 

            An hour later and four cups of coffee, the doctor came in, "Is there a Kanzaki Hitomi here?"

            "Hai!" Hitomi walked steadily to the doctor.  The doctor pulled her out of the waiting room.

            Inside the waiting room, Amano, Yukari and Hitomi's brother (I'm sorry I don't remember his name.) watched as Hitomi's face expressed surprise, sadness, anger, and then finally acceptance.  The doctor said something else and they could tell Hitomi was thanking the doctor.  When it was all over, Hitomi made her way back to them. 

            "What happened to Okaa-san?" Hitomi's brother only a year younger than herself stepped up.  "Is she going to be all right?"

            Hitomi shook her head. "The doctor said that Okaa-san has a brain tumor.  It seems that she was being treated for this for the last three years."

            "She never told you?" Amano gave Hitomi a concerned look.

            "No.  The illness has been killing her and they had all ready diagnosed it as terminal." Hitomi gulped, "There's nothing they can do for her except keep her comfortable."

            "That can't be!" her brother yelled angrily.  "She can't die!"

            Hitomi pulled her brother close to her and buried her head in his shoulder.  He held her tears spilling from his eyes.

            "Is there anything we can do?" Yukari laid a hand on Hitomi's shoulder.

            Hitomi pulled her face from her brother's shoulder and turned to Yukari and shook her head, "Go home and get some rest.  My brother and I will stay here with mom.  They're keeping her overnight and then we can take her home tomorrow."

            Yukari nodded and after they hugged, she and Amano left promising to come and pick them up tomorrow. 

            "Kanzaki-san?" A nurse came into the waiting room. "You can go to your mother now.  She's in room 323."

            Hitomi nodded.  She and her brother walked sadly to go to their mother.

~Fanelia~

            "Sire?" An advisor peeked into Van's study.

            "Go away." Van's stern reply caused the advisor to jump.

            "Yes, your highness."

            Once the door was shut again, Van returned to his brooding spot.  Something had happened on earth that had caused Hitomi to call for help.  After hearing her call, Van had stormed out of the meeting and headed towards Escaflowne's shrine.  Merle was about to greet him, when she saw the look in his eyes and wisely sidestepped him instead.  Her instincts' telling her that something was very wrong.  She followed him and watched as he threw open the doors that led to Escaflowne. 

            Van didn't know that he had been followed and was about to activate Escaflowne again when his rational mind caught up with him.  What was he doing?  He couldn't help Hitomi this way.  He walked out of the shrine and back to the castle.  Now back in his study, Van thought.  He had calmed down enough to realize that he could use his connection with Hitomi to find out what was wrong.  When he had done that all that came back to him were what she was feeling.  She wasn't coherent enough to hear him.  He could feel the pain, anger, sorrow and confusion raiding Hitomi's mind.  What was going on? 

            "Van?" Merle finally decided to find out what was going on with her best friend.  She had long ago conceded that Van could never be hers.  His heart belonged to Hitomi and she was glad that at least he was in love with her friend and not someone she didn't like.  It eased the heartache a bit for her and helped her to move on.  Now almost a full-grown cat-woman, at 18 Merle was attracting attention of her own.  People were beginning to notice how beautiful she was becoming and she took pride in that.  At Van's insistence she had learned how to use the sword and how to use a guymelef.  Although she was growing up, to Van she was still his little sister.  And she didn't want it any other way.  "Are you all right?"

            Van shook his head and plopped himself down into his chair.  Merle sat at the edge of his desk and peered into his face, "Is it Hitomi-chan?"

            "Yes and no."  Van ran a hand through his bangs. "Her mind called out to me earlier for help and now all I get is a feeling of confusion."

            "Why don't you ask her when you talk to her tonight?" Merle suggested.

            "I guess that'll be what I have to do.  I can't seem to get through to her right now."

            Merle gave Van's hand a comforting pat, "Don't worry.  I'm sure that if something is wrong, she'll tell you all about it."

            Van nodded. 

~Earth – Mystic Moon~

            Hitomi stared out of the window.  Tonight she would tell Van about what had happened and maybe he could help her.  She was still so confused.  What did it all mean?  And who was her sister?  Hitomi turned to her family.  On the chair next to the bed, her brother had fallen asleep holding their mother's hand.  Hitomi's mother had woken up briefly to say that she wanted to talk to her and then fell asleep after Hitomi insisted that they could talk later.  Hitomi sighed. "Might as well find out what's going on with Okaa-san tomorrow."  Hitomi stretched and yawned.  After getting comfortable in the chair by the window, Hitomi closed her eyes and prepared herself to speak to Van.

~Hitomi's and Van's dream world~

            "Hitomi!" A familiar voice called out to her. 

            "Van!" Hitomi opened her eyes and ran to her friend.  She jumped into him, hugged him, and promptly began to cry.

            "Hitomi, what's wrong?" Van tilted her face up and looked into her eyes full with tears.

            "My mother is dying."  She said quietly.  "And on top of all of that I had a vision.  No I take that back.  It was more like memories, past memories."

            Van led them to their favorite spot and they sat down together.  "Are you all right?"

            "I don't know.  It's just a lot to take in.  I think my mother knows more, but I don't know how to ask her for answers."

            "Is there anything you can do to help her?"

            Hitomi shook her head, "The doctor's say that it's terminal.  She has maybe a couple more weeks."

            "I'm so sorry, Hitomi."  Van placed a hand on her shoulder.  "Is there anything I can do?"

            "No.  Just being here to listen to me is enough, Van."  Hitomi gave Van a small smile.

            "So, do you want to tell me about those memories?" Van offered with a grin.

            "They seemed as if they were memories from when I was about 8.  In all of them I had this sister.  I think she was about 5 years older than me.  I idolized her and she would always defend me, and take the blame for me when I caused trouble.  She loved me very much."

            "And you don't have a sister?"

            "Not that I know of.  I try to search my old memories and I come up with a blank.  They all have images of a brother not a sister."

            "What else did you see?"

            "Well the last memory I received was of my sister and I playing in the park." Hitomi shivered as she relived the memory. Van noticed and pulled her into his arms. "My mother and father were watching us and then all of a sudden there was a loud noise.  I heard my mother scream, my father yell, and my sister running towards me.  I saw this man and he was reaching down as if to take me.  I screamed and my sister at the last minute pushed me out of the way.  The man grabbed my sister instead, then there was this flash of bright light and they were gone.  He took her, Van."  Hitomi began crying again.

            Van stroked her hair and let Hitomi cry.  They stayed like that until Hitomi couldn't cry anymore.  "Oh god!"  Hitomi pushed herself off of Van's chest.  "I'm so sorry.  I didn't mean to just cry like that."

            "It's okay, Hitomi." Van grinned at her. "Is there anything else I can help with?"

            Hitomi blushed, "I don't think so, but I'd like for us to meet again tomorrow night.  Is that okay?"

            "Sure, Hitomi."

            "I think I'll be able to explain everything then.  My mother was pretty insistent on explaining things to me."

            "Okay then, tomorrow night."  Van helped Hitomi up.

            "And when this is all explained then you can tell me what's been going on with you, " Hitomi tried to sound cheerful.  Then with one last hug, "Thank you for listening, Van."

            Van held his love, "Anything for you, Hitomi."

~Out of the dream world~

            "Aishiteru Hitomi."  Van opened his eyes and stared at the Mystic Moon.

            "Aishiteru Van."  Hitomi opened her eyes and looked out to the stars.

            The next morning, Hitomi, her brother, and her mother were taken home by Yukari and Amano.  After a lot of fussing, Hitomi's mother was finally settled into her bed.  Hitomi thanked Amano and Yukari, promising Yukari that she'd call tomorrow when she was sure of what was going on.  They had left with Yukari threatening to take away Hitomi's favorite possession if she didn't call like she promised.  Hitomi had sighed and chuckled.  With them gone, Hitomi went to the kitchen to make some tea. 

            Once the tea was made, she set three cups and the pot on a tray and carried it upstairs to her mother's bedroom.  Already inside, her brother was busy pacing back and forth waiting for Hitomi to show up.  "It's about time you got in here.  Okaa-san's been asking for you."

            At his comment, Hitomi placed the tray down on the side table and motioned to her brother to pour them tea.  Hitomi sat herself down next to her mother's bed.  "What is it, Okaa-san?"

            "Hitomi, I haven't been honest with you." Her mother's eyes were filled with sorrow.

            "I don't understand.  What haven't you been honest with me about?"  She accepted the tea from her brother.  She watched as her mother refused the tea and instead took Hitomi's hand.

            "I haven't been honest to you about your past and your life."  Her mother took a deep breath. "And about Gaea."

            Hitomi dropped the teacup onto the floor.  "What are you talking about?" Hitomi had never explained about Gaea to her mother.  As far as she knew her grandmother was the only one who knew about Gaea.  "What's going on?  Those memories?  They're from you aren't they?"

            "There's something I have to show you."  With that Hitomi's mother sat up.  She pointed to Hitomi's brother and waved her hand.  He disappeared.  Hitomi gasped.  Then Hitomi's mother knelt down on the bed, leaning forward.  All of a sudden her mother's shirt ripped apart and a pair of white wings burst out of her back.  She turned to Hitomi, "You see Hitomi.  I'm so sorry, I never meant to lie."

            Hitomi couldn't believe her eyes.  But she didn't hear a single word her mother had said, because she was too busy fainting from the shock.

End Chapter One

Sorry about the cliffhanger folks, but I hope you liked it.  As you can obviously tell this is a Van/Hitomi fic.  There will be other romance connections and a whole new adventure for the Escaflowne gang.  Please review and don't hesitate to e-mail me at jayli123@rocketmail.com.  I'd love to hear from everyone what they think of the story.  I'm really good about getting chapters out so hopefully Chapter Two: One More Time, will be out next weekend.  Thanks to all my inspirations, you know who you are!  Till next week, Ja ne!