Well hello, I didn't see you there.

I suppose you've been wondering where I've been? Ah yes, well I took some time off...spontaneously, you see I didn't plan on being away. I suppose fanfiction and I drifted... see I am moderately embarrassed that I read it. I do love literature and a lot of the time fanfiction is...well awful and I didn't realize that before. However, I recently re-watched all things to do with Escaflowne (series, movie, interviews) and fell back in love, and the ending of both the series and movie are truly unsettling as an audience member, which I'm sure you all agree with otherwise you wouldn't know about this site now would you? haha oh dear. Anywho, I decided I write a story that is very true to the series and hopefully you will enjoy.

Three years were finally gone. That was Hitomi's promise to both Van and her parents. Seeing as she was barely a sophmore her parents really didn't agree with the idea of her dropping her education for a boy, not to mention the said boy did not want her to give up her education either. So they came to an agreement that once she was finished high school, with exceptional grades Hitomi would be allowed to make the decision of whether she would go to Gaea again or not. Now, her parents secretly hoped she would forget about him, trying to convince themselves that this 'love' she had for the boy was merely a school girl crush. It appeared that their wishes were answered when Hitomi decided to take a year of university. Unfortunately, they're hopes were crushed when Hitomi announced that as soon as she finished that year she was leaving.

"Don't you think you're being a little...impulsive?" Hitomi's mother suggested upon walking into her daughter's room with a clean basket of laundry.

Hitomi looked at her mother skeptically, "Mom, you can't do that."

"What? I wasn't doing anything!" she refuted.

Hitomi smiled warmly, "I'll be able to come back, I'm sure of it."

"When, Hitomi, you don't understand what this is like," her mother said.

"I know this is hard, I am going through it too...but I...I know this sounds naive to you, and if it was anyone else I'd be just as skeptical but... I need to see him. It's like I've been ...like I haven't been sleeping for three years and now...I'm finally able to get that peace I need." Hitomi said, trying to be as clear as she could.

"I know... it's just you're giving up so much here," her mother protested.

"I've experienced all I want to experience on Earth that I can't get in Gaea. I've finished high school, I did university-"

"One year is not experiencing university Hitomi," her mother said.

"It's all I want," Hitomi said.

Her mother just stared at her with an unreadable expression.

"I love him...and... I'm sorry," Hitomi said honestly.

The hardest part about it was that in some strange way Mrs. Kanzaki understood everything her daughter was saying and wanted to give it to her, the only thing stopping her from giving her daughter what she wanted was her own selfishness.

"Have you told your Grandma?"

Hitomi shook her head, "no, I was going to call her in a bit. I figure she'll know how to get there."

Her mother nodded silently,"this is what you want then."

Hitomi nodded, noting her mother's pain she quickly stopped her from leaving, "Mom, can you talk to me about this? Tell me what you're feeling."

She was hesitant at first, feeling as if it would have no impact on her daughter's decision, but decided to be honest with her," Hitomi, I'm afraid. I want you to be happy but I don't want to be unhappy without you as the expense. I know it's selfish of me but that is a mother's lot in life. Not to mention, I want to see you married, I want to see my grandchildren...and this sort of limits that."

"I understand. I can't not do this but I will be able to see you, I can grant you that small mercy. I'll come here to deliver my children...I'll even have a second ceremony here. There will be visits, I promise. Mumma, I need you just as much as I need him."

No matter what either of them said, it wouldn't be what the other wanted. No matter what compromise they came to, it wouldn't be a compromise at all, one would always lose.

After speaking to her grandmother Hitomi had a fairly good idea of how she was going to get back. While she had no direct connection to Gaea, she was able to share the same thought and feeling with one person in particular. She'd done it before, to come back to Earth and there was no question of her telekinetic abilities, regardless of how long it had been since she used them.

She'd decided to do it right where it first happened; the track course. All of her close friends and family were there to see her off, Yukari, her parents, her brother and Amano. There didn't seem to be any need for anyone else to be there.

"It's not goodbye, it's definitely a 'see you soon', I love you all too much to be away from you...even you," Hitomi said indicating her younger brother.

The humor wasn't really necessary and it seemed almost out of place but some part of everyone appreciated the attempt of making the situation lighter. Her mother stood there, afraid to make any sort of movement with her face for fear that she wouldn't be able to stop crying. While her father and brother both held it together quite well, and appeared their best to be relaxed. Whereas Yukari seemed to be taking every opportunity to stop herself from moving, while Amano tried to aid her attempts. As each person embraced her, both Yukari and Hitomi dreaded to second that they would have to face each other.

It was inevitable though. As Hitomi walked over to her best friend she could feel the desperation in the air. They both felt they were doing a good job of keeping it together and even as they went to hug each other they succeeded in being composed but as they began to pull away from each other a sudden force stopped them from moving. With a jolt, Yukari tightened her arms around Hitomi's neck and let out a loud sob, a war front of tears poured down her face as she tried to stop herself from becoming hysterical. Hitomi, in turn, had thrown away her vanity and cried loudly in broken heaves, neither could breathe and for a moment they were the only lifeline the other had in the whole world.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow..." Hitomi tried to joke again but Yukari only cried harder and tried not to let go.

"I love you so much Tomi," Yukari choked out.

Hitomi nodded quickly into her best friend's shoulder, "I know, I love you too."

Finally the two friends parted, while they allowed their hands to remain linked.

The fact that she wasn't having this reaction with her family startled her for a second and she wondered if there was something wrong with the situation, however the thought quickly left her mind. There was nothing she could do about it, she hadn't planned on being this emotional especially with her friend but she was and there was nothing she could do to change that. She hadn't been able to have the conversation she had with her mother, with Yukari, there had never been time and this was the only way they're goodbye could happen.

Hitomi walked to the middle of the track field and looked up then back at the loves of her Earthly life.

"Everybody smile!" she choked taking out her camera.

For some reason everybody was able to laugh through their tears to make a truly bittersweet moment.

Then Hitomi focused her thoughts and channeled all her energy into Van's thoughts and being back on Gaea with him and everyone else. She pictured the sky and the two moons, the lush open fields that reminded her so much of Van, which called back his scent; that one thing that overwhelmed her senses and allowed her to relive every detail of that beloved planet. She knew it was working because just as she forgot about what she was doing, she felt her body envelope in warmth. The pillar was upon her and her body was lifted into the air.

In almost no time at all she was traveling through the border between planets, the light was carrying her home.

The landing was right where she expected to be dropped off, Arzas; the village just outside of the Fanelian city capitol. It seemed to be just a bit later than it was on earth; the sun was setting and the two moons were waxing into view. No one was out but she could see that the city was finally beginning to really resemble its old architecture again. While there weren't as many buildings yet, it was cleaned up and there was construction undergoing everywhere, it even looked to be expanding. That was the thing, Van attracted people to him, whether he wanted them or not, he was like a magnet; he was everyone's polar opposite that he couldn't help but draw them in. He'd attracted her and she hadn't been able to forget about him, she could only imagine that applied to the Fanelian citizens as well.

Suddenly a surge of excitement intercepted her nostalgia and she couldn't move fast enough. Her heart raced inside her chest, the idea of having wings crossed her mind, which only made her want to see him more. Her stumbles and trips didn't phase her, she continued to press on with the same vigor she had started with. The tall grass irritated her bare legs while rocks and other debris crept into her sandals, her coordination and balance was flying all over the place and all she could do to express her overwhelming excitement was laugh. Her smile radiated from her face all the way down to her toes, she hadn't been this excited since she was a child. As a teenager she hadn't experienced such a pure, unadulterated emotion of happiness, it was usually clouded with some small worry or fear. Not this time however, it was like her whole body was singing and crying out to be near him. She could feel him again; the same way she felt him when she first realized it was Van she was in love with, not Allen.

She had fantasized about this moment for three years, however every scenario she had conjured up had slipped from her mind in the most perfect of outcomes. She loved the fact that she would have a completely spontaneous reunion with him.

Finally she reached the entrance of the city. For a second she stopped trying to savor the moment of joy and anticipation that tingled in every corner of her body. The smile hadn't left her face as she walked through the city walls, she relished every second of it. People were out doing evening activities but it appeared relatively quiet. However, for a developing city it was not too shabby. She continued to walk down the main road that lead directly to the castle, which appeared the only completely finished piece of architecture. The wide street was lined with buildings of all sorts of designs, that was one thing she remembered in the short time that she'd been in Fanelia, the details in the architecture were similar to that of ancient Roman or Greek design but at the same time were a completely new concept.

As she neared the castle she began to hear the faint sound of music. She'd never heard Fanelian music before aside from the fan fair Van received at his coronation ceremony; all the rest had been Asturian. Just when it seemed she couldn't exceed her excitement any further it seemed to reach a new level. The music gradually got louder and some part of her began to run again, she couldn't stop her body from acting on its own. The motion of slowing down felt so wrong and foreign that all she could do was speed up. She hadn't realized that she began to take a detour from the direct route of the castle and instead followed the music. Once she arrived at the source of the music she realized that some sort of party or festival was happening.

Street vendors were set up along the opening and lanterns were draped from rooftop to roof top. The warm glow of the colored lanterns made for a comfortable atmosphere with a decorative flare. As she passed by a vacant vendor he made a quick effort to get her attention.

"I see you looking at my stones miss, I could fashion you a lovely necklace," he offered.

Hitomi smiled, kindly rejecting his offer and thought to herself how much he reminded her of Moleman.

"What is it about merchants here, they're so creepy," she mumbled jovially.

There was clearing where quite a few people were dancing, it reminded her of a wedding. As soon as the thought entered her head she felt a sudden pang of panic, quickly she turned to the first person she saw.

"Is this a wedding?" Hitomi asked.

As soon as the woman got over her initial fright she answered Hitomi, "no dear, have you never been to Fanelia before?"

With that the woman walked away leaving Hitomi with her relief and confusion. If it wasn't a wedding, what was going on?

Hitomi made her way through the crowd to see if she could find anyone she recognized. She noticed people staring at her odd clothes and remembered when Millerna had made the mistake of assuming she was a hand maid.

Right in the middle of her memory she noticed a flash of long blonde hair in the dim lighting. Quickly, she made her way through the crowd to catch the blonde. Unfortunately this blonde was moving too fast for her to keep up with, where the hell are they going in such a hurry! It wasn't long before she had lost sight of them. Feeling a little disheartened she stopped her pursuit and made her way to a little clearing out of the way of the dancers.

'Okay, what do I do?" Hitomi mused, seeing as she didn't really know what was going on. Then she spotted the blonde again, this time in a better spot and she was able to get a good look at who they were. She was about to call over then her attention, as well as the rest of the people's was drawn to a speaker in the opposite direction.

"Thank you all for attending the celebration of our fabulous King's birth!" the girl exclaimed.

After further review Hitomi came to the conclusion that it was Merle, with that she figured Van couldn't be far, however she was disappointed when she saw him no where.

"I don't get it, where's Van?" Hitomi questioned outloud.

"He never stays for the speech," someone beside her said.

"Why?" Hitomi asked, she knew he was shy but she didn't expect him to run for the hills because of a speech.

"I guess he doesn't like to acknowledge he's getting older," they joked.

Hitomi gave them a skeptical look, "you're kidding."

"I have no idea why he doesn't stay, because he loves to mingle with his people... maybe he gets too tired." they suggested.

Clearly this person was rather useless.

As Merle continued to speak Hitomi migrated her way over to the blonde.

"Allen," she whispered coming up behind him.

Allen did a quick turn and his eyes almost burst out of their sockets.

"Hitomi!" he exclaimed a little too loudly and received a harsh scolding from the spectators.

Allen gave a sheepish expression of apology then turned back to Hitomi and embraced her warmly.

"I came back to be with you Allen, I want to take you up on your marriage proposal," Hitomi said seriously.

Allen was silent for a second and his warm, relaxed stature suddenly tensed, "uh..."

It was the first time Hitomi had seen him at a loss for words, his knightly eloquence was gone for a brief moment.

"Well... Hitomi...ohhh..." he stammered.

Hitomi allowed him to feel awkward for a few more minutes before cracking a large smile, "I'm just kidding! How are you!"

Suddenly Allen's posture slackened and he smiled back, "I was worried for a moment there. I can't believe you're here! What a day to come back-how long will you be here?"

Hitomi smiled at his enthusiasm, "for however long I'm welcome."

"Van will be so pleased," Allen smiled.

"Why does he leave?" Hitomi asked.

"I think it has to do with his humility, he doesn't feel he needs to be praised," Allen said.

Hitomi smiled more, "this is Van we're talking about, you might be confusing him with yourself."

Allen smiled, "you're too hard on him Hitomi."

"Is anyone else here?" she asked.

Allen nodded, "everyone is."

"Can I see them!" Hitomi squeaked, her excitement climbing again.

"As you wish," Allen said, "but I think we should wait for Merle to finish."

"Right," Hitomi said.

"Allen!" someone called.

Hitomi turned to see who the voice was coming from and had to stop herself from barreling the woman over.

"Millerna!" Hitomi called back.

"Hit-Hitomi? Hitomi!" the woman called back and ran, to the best of her ability to Hitomi and hugged her.

"Millerna...it's good to see you," Hitomi smiled after pulling away.

"You too my friend," Millerna beamed.

"I was about to ask how you are but I guess I can see that," Hitomi said looking down at Millerna.

Millerna laughed, "pregnant, yes. Dryden decided to come back... and I was waiting, bet you couldn't have predicted that one hmm?"

Hitomi hadn't realized how good humored Millerna was, or maybe they both grew up enough in three years.

"Is Dryden here?" Hitomi asked.

"Oh yes, he's probably discussing trade with other merchants... I guess I can't cater to that part of his brain," Millerna joked.

Hitomi smiled and drank in the moment of having both Millerna and Allen back in her life, "I really did miss you both."

They both gave her genuine smiles back.

"So have we," Allen said.

"Have you seen Van?" Millerna asked suddenly.

Hitomi shook her head.

"Oh he'll be thrilled, what a great gift, did you know it was his birthday?" Millerna asked.

Hitomi shook her head, "we never talked about things like that."

"No, I suppose you wouldn't have been able to," Millerna mused.

"Now, why would the King leave a perfectly good party?" Dryden asked walking into the group, not noticing Hitomi right away.

"Hi Dryden," Hitomi greeted.

"Well if it isn't Hitomi! What brings you to our little planet?" Dryden asked cooly.

Millerna jabbed him in the side.

"Ah right, Van might have had something to do with it," he said.

Hitomi laughed.

"Hitomi!" came Merle's shrill cry.

Hitomi attempted to turn to face the cat girl but there was no use, Merle had almost attacked her.

"Hey Merle, it's good to see you too," Hitomi grunted under the cat girl's weight.

"Oh Hitomi! We missed you! Lord Van will be so happy!" she squeaked.

In the three years they were apart Merle had done a lot of physical growing but remained the same girl Hitomi met three years prior.

"We have to get you to the castle now!" Merle exclaimed climbing off Hitomi.

"You'd think she'd have a little more decorum now, wouldn't you? But nope," Dryden said.

Hitomi laughed but Merle wasn't so amused.

"You mean we can just leave?" Hitomi asked.

"Well yeah, that's what servants are for," Merle said.

Hitomi's eyes widened at the complete lack of concern for them, "you can't really be that blase about them."

Merle shook her head, 'no, but it is their job, I think they'll forgive me for that comment."

Hitomi shrugged, Merle was right but it still seemed a little insensitive.

When they all reached the castle the halls were dark except for the random torches on the walls.

"Kind of colonial don't you think," Hitomi said.

"What?" Merle asked.

"I mean, the lighting...really?" Hitomi asked.

"Oh, we have other methods, but when it's late we just use the minimum required to see," Merle said.

Hitomi didn't argue, although it did seem a little odd.

"Will he be asleep?" Hitomi asked.

"Probably not, he's probably on the roof... training," Merle said.

"For what?" Hitomi asked.

Merle shook her head.

"It's normal for a man to continue to practice, it's not something that's easy to stop doing," Allen answered.

"Oh," Hitomi said.

Just as they reached the stairs to get to the roof Hitomi turned to face them all.

"Would it be alright if I went up alone?" Hitomi asked, "I just...I want to see him alone. Would that be alright?"

No one objected to her request, in fact they allowed her to go willingly, even Merle.

So Hitomi began her ascent up the stairs to the one person she'd been dying to see.

Step after step and it didn't seem like she was getting anywhere closer to the top, it was like an endless spiral of stairs. Her legs were growing tired when she finally felt the end approaching she heard something at the top of the staircase. She was able to summon up enough energy to race to the top where she saw his silhouette in the moonlight.

"Who's there?" he asked.

Hitomi couldn't help but smile, she had been waiting so long just to hear his voice. It didn't even matter that what he said wasn't something she'd conjured up in her fantasies, it was real and that was all she needed.

At her lack of response and continued movement, she saw him draw his sword, "identify yourself.'

"Van..." she breathed.

She noticed him falter and let his guard down slightly, even though she couldn't see his face she could tell he was struggling to believe his ears.

"Van, it's me," she smiled, "you don't need your sword."

She walked out of the darkness allowing him to see her face.

"Hit...Hitomi..." he breathed, taking a step down toward her.

She nodded and walked up to meet him, "it's been a while Van..."

They stood there drinking in the sight of each other, where each had changed and where they were still able to see the familiar person they fell in love with.

"Hitomi I... I... how long?" he asked.

At some point their hands hand found each other and were subconsciously locked together.

"I just got here and as for how long... well I'm hoping as long as you'll have me," she smiled.

Both were afraid to give themselves over completely, and were very apprehensive in every move they made. Each action motivated by love but guided by fear.

"I'd be happy to have you stay with me," he said.

They'd returned to their fifteen year old selves again, both able to be children for a second time, for Van, his first.

Then, like breathing, they were able to sense each other's feelings, and they closed the gap between their bodies. While both wanted more, this embrace was perfect for the moment; everything was said in this simple action. All the longing and love they had for the other was communicated.

Hitomi wove her arms tightly around his neck and pressed her body against him, as if trying to imprint him onto her skin, "I missed you so much." Tears began to fall where she had not planned, she did not expect to be so overwhelmed but she couldn't stop them.

He remained quiet and tightened his grip around her waist, "I missed you."

"I'm sorry it took me so long," she said.

You're still here? My goodness you are a trooper aren't you? Well thank you for reading and you know what, it sure would be super if you could review because it gets a little discouraging when no one gives you feedback. No one' s forcing you but you know that you like reviews so why not take part in a little reciprocity eh?

Enjoy the rest of your day.