Disclaimer: The Vision of Escaflowne belongs to its rightful owners.

Chapter Two

Van never thought he'd be returning to his old home. It was very nostalgic. There were so many memories… good and bad. The very moment he stepped into the house, he was flooded by feelings he left behind. He couldn't help but get out of the house. It was too much for him. Then… he saw a honey-brown haired girl with green eyes looking at his house longingly.

'Could it be…?'

Van shook his head. She probably forgot about him. After all, he did tell her to forget him. Lost in his thoughts, he never noticed the man beside him.

"Thinking is very unbecoming of you, Van."

Startled, Van took a step back. Recognizing the speaker, Van sighed in relief.

"It's just that…"

"That?"

"This place… it holds so many memories… that I want don't want to forget… yet… I also want to forget."

The man beside him just nodded in understanding. He knew he shouldn't push his brother yet. It was too early. Besides, his memories of the… he shook his head. The past is past. He should leave it as it should… past.

"C'mon, I've ordered some dim sum…"

Van looked at him expectantly. He knew Van wanted spring rolls.

"I included spring rolls."

"Thanks, Folken."

"No problem, Van. Now, hurry up before I change my mind on letting you eat…"

"Very funny."

Folken watched as his brother entered the house. Maybe coming back here would be good for Van. He might be able to recover. He might start anew again. But, then again, all Folken could do was hope.

"Hey! Van! Van! Look!"

A girl about five years old beckoned her friend to come beside her. Her honey-brown hair swayed with the gentle breeze. A black-haired boy approached her and looked at what she was holding.

"What's… that?"

"It's a kitten…"

"Kitten?"

"Yeah… I found it here. It was shivering. I think it was taken from its mother…"

"Who would've done that…?"

"I don't know," she said shaking her head. "Would you help me find its mother?"

"Sure!"

The whole day, the children spent their time looking for the kitten's mother. Crawling under bushes, climbing trees and asking people around the park. And finally, they found the mother.

"Ah! She was here all along!"

"Who would've thought?"

"Well… this place isn't visited by a lot of people. So it figures."

"Yeah."

They left the kitten with its mother under the old merry-go-round. Hand in hand they went home.

Van smiled at the memory. He was taking a stroll that day when he saw the old merry-go-round. That day was one of the most unforgettable memories that he had. He was so happy that the kitten found its mother. But, he wondered why the merry-go-round wasn't removed after a long time. Then, someone arrived. Van quickly hid behind a tree.

"Merle? Where are you? Merle?"

Van took a small peek and saw her. She still wore her hair short, yet long in the front which somehow covers her face. Her honey-brown hair still has the same luster. And she still has her gentle voice. That voice could soothe anyone's trouble. Her eyes… it's still as green as ever, like the lush green forests. Hitomi was still Hitomi.

"Merle… there you are!"

Van noticed that she was looking for a cat and now she was carrying it. Then, it hit him.

'That's the kitten! The one whose mother we had to look for! She's still taking care of it…?'

He saw that Hitomi was feeding the cat. And then she crouched down and put it down.

"I have to go now, Merle. I still have classes!"

Then she left. Van let go of the breath that he didn't realize he was holding. She hasn't changed one bit. He chuckled. And when he turned to leave, he heard a small noise. He turned around and it was from the cat.

"Oh. Hi there. It seems like you remember me, right?"

As if the cat understood him, it purred and gave him a Cheshire grin. Crouching down, Van started scratching under her chin.

"Gee… you know… at first I thought you were a tom cat. Guess I was wrong."

Then the cat looked like it was glaring at him. Then it meowed for the last time then turned around and left him. Van was taken aback. Did that cat just… glare at him?

It was late when Van got home from his stroll. He knew he would be bombarded by questions when he got home. So, he already started making a mental list of alibis.

"You're home rather late."

"I was out on a stroll. Got carried away."

"I see. Well, go wash up. Dinner's gonna get ready in a minute."

'That's weird. Folken isn't asking a lot of questions… he must be hiding something…'

But, Van knew better than question his brother. He just silently went to the sink and washed his hands. He took his time. His brother was going to ask him during dinner. The feeling in his gut confirmed it.

"Take a seat, Van."

Silently, they ate dinner. The food Folken cooked for them was delicious, as always. He ate dinner swiftly, but not too fast that he would choke. Van stood up and brought his plates along. As he was getting out of the dining room, Folken called up to him.

"Are you interested in going to school?"

"School?"

"Yes. You still need your education. But, I'm not forcing you if you don't want to go this year. I can understand that."

"No, no. There's no problem about it. I'm fine with going to school. But which school…?"

"Asturia University. I'll be waiting for your decision."

Later that night, Van pondered on what his brother told him.

'Asturia University, huh. Should I go…?'

Then, suddenly he remembered something. Something important.

It was a Saturday morning. Like they always do, Van and Hitomi went to the park on top of the hill. It was a beautiful place. It overlooked the entirety of Asturia.

"Hey… Hito-chan. Have you ever thought of what you are going to be when you grow up?"

Hitomi looked at him. And then she smiled and looked at the overlooking scenery of the city.

"I do… but I'm not entirely sure, though. What made you ask?"

"Uh… well, my mother was asking me what I wanted to be last night."

"What did you say?"

"I wanted to fly…"

Van waited for Hitomi's reaction. He knew she was going to laugh at him. After all, his ambition was rather stupid.

"That's nice, Van."

"Really?"

He was surprised. He never expected that answer from Hitomi. But, then he also considered that she would answer that way… Hitomi was no ordinary girl. She was intelligent and she understood things that others could not, most of the time. Clearing his throat he decided to ask her. She still didn't tell him what she wanted to be when she grew up.

"Hitomi…"

"Yes, Van?"

"You still didn't tell me what you wanted to be."

Twiddling her fingers, she looked up to him hesitantly. She had a faint tint of pink across her cheeks and she was fidgeting. Which led Van to one conclusion: Hitomi was shy to tell him her ambition.

"C'mon, Hitomi! There's nothing to be shy about!"

"Well… it's just that… it's so embarrassing!" she said covering her face with her hands.

"Just tell me! I won't laugh!"

"Oh… okay. Well, you see, I've always wanted to run. Running makes me feel like I'm flying. I also want to study on that school over there," she said pointing to the huge group of buildings on the other side of the city.

"That's great. Hitomi!"

"You don't think its… weird?"

"Of course not! It makes more sense than my ambition"

Van's curiosity got the better of him that day. After they went home, he immediately approached his mother.

"Mother, what's that place… um, the huge group of buildings on the other side of the city…?"

His mother turned to him. Van's mother, Varie, had long jet-black hair and chocolate-red eyes. She smiled at him softly.

"Well… that place, my son, is the Asturia University."

"Asturia University? What's that?"

"It's a school."

"A school? Really? Whoa. That's a huge place to study in!"

"Yes, it is. Now, why are you asking me this? Hmm?"

"Well… I was just wondering that's all."

"If that's the case… now go and take a bath. You smell. I'll be giving you a snack afterwards, deal?"

"Sure!"

And Van happily trotted up the stairs. His mother watched him with a gentle smile.

Now, he was sure that she would be studying there. And his gut feeling was agreeing with him.

"Asturia University, it is."

Little Notes from Little People

Hello there!

This is the second chapter of Come Back. It has been edited by the wonderful Hotari-chan! I apologize for the mistakes that I have done. I hope to improve myself so please to comment about my performance! Thank you very much for reading!

P.