Author's Note: I hope you enjoy reading "Memory of Yesterday." Please comment on any mistakes or uncharacteristic moments you find.

Disclaimer: I do not own "Tenkuu no Escaflowne," its characters, or its story plot. They belong to their respectable owners and creators.


Memory of Yesterday
Memory II: Seven Rotations


"Lord Van!"

Silence met the call.

"Lord Van!"

The response was left unanswered.

"LORD VAN!" Merle yelled as loudly as she could, annoyed. She stomped her foot with frustration while scanning the royal bedroom of her king, who had once more hidden away from everyone in the palace. Gods, why do I have to deal with such a childish king so early in the day? Merle thought with dissatisfaction, picking up Van's various belongings off the ground and all around his chambers. Lord Van is worse than any page or servant I've ever met. "Argh, WHERE ARE YOU?"

"I'm on the roof!" a masculine voice responded, the sound being carried by the wind outside. Recognizing the familiar voice, the cat woman climbed the balcony's side and quickly hopped onto the palace roof.

Merle had grown through the years, her slim teenage shape developing into a sleek womanly figure. Her orange and black fur had tamed itself and matured with her unruly fuzz, now petite stylish tufts. The only things that had not changed about Merle were her short, rosy hair and her love for simple orange dresses and comfortable sandals.

"What is it, Merle?" Van laid stretched out on the roof, his wild raven hair covering his amber eyes as he spoke. "Why are you yelling in the morning?" For one of the most powerful rulers on Gaea, Van Fanel did not look much like a king today. He still wore his casual Fanelian red shirt and beige slacks with his brown boots, an outfit meant for an informal prince of Fanelia.

Will he ever grow up? Merle sighed inwardly, shaking her furry striped head.

About eight rotations had passed since the beginning of Van's ascension to the throne, and although privately his sense of style had not matured, many aspects of the young king had grown. For one, Van stood about the same height as Folken had, not to mention that his build had grown the same way. While working and rebuilding his kingdom, King Van Slanzar de Fanel had grown in wisdom and integrity through dealing with various peoples and characters. His history as a soldier and bearer of Escaflowne credited him well, and now his just rule and handsome face encouraged a good reputation.

A number of maidens yearned being Van's wife if they had not already sent him a proposal. With Van's twenty-third rotation celebration nearing, his need for a wife would be further stressed. And there had been that one time with...But now, the only one that Van desired was not in Fanelia, or on Gaea for that matter. Pushing those thoughts aside, Merle scolded, "Lord Van, it's time for breakfast, and you're late again!"

The young man said nothing and made no motion to move. He stared into the bright blue sky where the clouds had hidden the sun momentarily. While a cool spring breeze rustled new leaves, Fanelia's king closed his eyes and imagined a smiling, sweet face with verdant eyes and a dulcet voice. He envisioned his beloved as he last remembered her. I miss you, Van groaned silently. I miss all of you: your eyes, your voice, your words, everything! Why did you leave?

"Lord Van, are you even listening to me?" Merle demanded, stomping her sandaled feet against the tiled roof. Her orange and black fur bristled at her lord's lack of reaction. "Everyone has been looking for you this morning, and the councilmen and the generals have called you three times for breakfast!"

"When will they ever stop treating me like child?" Van growled as he sat up and continued watching his kingdom from above. He shot his childhood friend a darkened glance and muttered, "I can come to breakfast on my own, you know."

Ha, as if, Merle scoffed, crossing her arms in agitation. "Well, whenever you stop acting like a child, I'm sure then they'll stop. And that seems highly unlikely since you barely do come to breakfast if you aren't called for."

The young king offered a small smile that disappeared with the passing breeze. Watching Fanelia awaken and stir, Van swooped his garnet gaze over his homeland and wished Hitomi could see how it had grown.

She would love all the people and the emerald trees surrounding us, Van smiled while turning towards the arbor barricade. Sadness penetrated his gaze when the lush verdant leaves reminded the Fanelian of the girl's eyes. Silence ruled the present moment, the only sound the twittering made by morning birds.

Observing Van throughout the silence, Merle felt a pang of hurt when she saw sadness linger in Van's expression. She instinctively knew he was thinking of Hitomi again, longing for the Girl from the Mystic Moon. How the cat girl wished Lord Van would be happy! "Lord Van, exactly how long have you been here?" Merle finally asked, wanting to take his mind off of his thoughts.

Van shrugged, briefly distracted from his woeful but endearing thoughts. "An hour before the sun rose, I think," he responded absently, taking a quick glance at the star's current position. "At least, I didn't see the sun when I first came out here."

The cat's cerulean eyes opened wide and her mouth hung wide open. Not even the hardest working Fanelian farmers awoke so early in the day! In fact, Van had practically woken during the night. "Why in the world would you wake up so early?" Merle demanded a little less from screeching.

Annoyed, Van batted the feline's face away from his, hoping he could salvage some of his hearing. "Well, the best time to see the Mystic Moon is before sunrise," he explained. "It glows so brightly then, and it looks beautiful with a little sun rays shining on it. I haven't seen it in over a week, so I decided today I would."

Merle sighed hopelessly as she shook her head. Poor Lord Van, in love with the one woman he can't have, she sympathized. Why did Hitomi leave when she knew Lord Van felt so strongly about her? She should've stayed and had many children with Lord Van! But, Merle added with remorse, Hitomi had loved ones on the Mystic Moon, a life before the one she made on Gaea. So far, she's stuck to her decision. Now, Lord Van has to stick to his.

"Lord Van, it's been seven rotations," Merle whispered, taking a seat beside the king. "It's time to move on."

Van's face grew stern and rigid at those words. "I don't know what you're talking about, Merle," he laughed uneasily, smiling weakly. "Move on from what?"

"Don't lie to me," Merle snapped, swatting at the man's arm. "Lord Van, I know it hurts, but you just have to move on. You can't just stay in one place in time. It's impossible!" She stared at her surrogate brother with pleading eyes. "And Hitomi would want you to move on as well, Lord Van. She would want you to live."

Combing a hand through his unruly ebony mop, King Fanel felt his reality slipping away. He knew Merle's words were right, but inside he did not want to let go. If he moved past his memories and his feelings, if he moved past Hitomi, Van feared he would forget everything. He feared forgetting Hitomi. And at one point, three rotations ago, he had almost done so with...But never again; Hitomi was the only woman for him.

Sighing, the young man muttered quietly, "I know that, Merle. I know Hitomi would want me to live, it's just—it's just hard to forget someone like that. Someone like Hitomi."

Merle crawled beside Van and snuggled against his arm. "I know, Lord Van, I know how you feel. I miss her, too. But that doesn't mean you should waste away pining for her. After all, you said that she herself moved on," Merle recalled indignantly. Van's shoulders slumped as he avoided eye contact. The cat girl glared suspiciously. "She did, didn't she?"

Sighing again, the king confessed, "Actually, she didn't."

"WHAT?" Merle jumped up in surprise, her tail bristling and the fur on her neck standing on end. She could not believe her ears!

"The truth is I lost contact with her," Van explained, rubbing the back of his neck. "The last time I sensed her was a little over seven rotations ago, you know, before the accident I had. She didn't want to break away, but something made her. She just disappeared after that day." Staring at the moons with another longing gaze, the young king fought back his emotions that threatened to surface. "I wish I knew what happened to her."

The fury that Merle had held back unleashed itself. She pounced on Van and pounded him with her fists. "And all this time you lied to everyone? You told me she didn't love you anymore, that she didn't want to speak to you anymore!" she cried, pummeling Van's arm with several blows. "You lied to me, Lord Van. You lied!"

"It was the only way to get everyone off my back," Van explained apologetically. He grabbed Merle's fists, irritated by her immature attack. "I'm sorry, Merle, I know I should have told you sooner, if not first. I just didn't want to say anything." Releasing Merle, who had ceased struggling, Van smiled sadly. "I felt that if I said anything, I would be admitting that Hitomi was gone. And if I admitted it, then it would be true. I couldn't do that, Merle."

"Well, why didn't you do anything?" the cat woman demanded. "You could have at least done something!"

"What was I suppose to do? Create a pillar of light and look for Hitomi on the Mystic Moon? Merle, what did you expect me to do?" Van asked in a pleading voice, avoiding his friend's eyes.

Merle nodded in understanding. Van was right, what could he have done? Van knew nothing about the Mystic Moon other than Hitomi occupied it, which even now he did not know for sure. How could Merle expect Lord Van to go to that cursed moon with ease and whisk Hitomi away to be his queen?

"I'm sorry, Lord Van. I wasn't thinking about what I was saying," she apologized, snuggling Van's arm one last time before she rose to her feet. She smiled warmly to her friend, her protector and encouragingly parted with, "Well, if Hitomi is out there, still waiting for you, Lord Van, I know you'll find her." Leaping off the roof and back onto the balcony, Merle called up, "At least come in for breakfast. The old bats are going to get mad if the breakfast gets cold. Also remember that Allen and Celena will arrive near noon." After leaving that information, Merle went inside, very hungry.

Van smiled slightly, and with one long last look at the Mystic Moon and sigh, he followed Merle inside.


"Lady Hitomi?"

The honey-haired woman turned and faced two little leopard girls gazing upwards at her with their enormous silver and golden eyes. Holding back her laughter, the lady silently admired the younger girls' adorable expressions. "What is it, dears?"

"Where are we going?" the silver twin inquired curiously, trying to match her steps with Hitomi's but falling short in strides. The golden twin copied her older sister with an amused giggle, enjoying their challenge.

Hitomi smiled amusedly at her new charges, shortening her pace so that the children could play their game. "We're walking towards the capital of Fanelia."

"Will there be food there?" the gold twin asked excitedly. Clapping her clawed hands in delight, she begged, "Can we buy some fruit once we reach the city, Lady Hitomi? Can we buy some of those funny Fanelian fruits? Please, can we?"

What a handful they're going to be, Hitomi laughed while petting the gold twin affectionately and nodding in affirmation. "Of course we can, dear. We'll buy all sorts of fruit when we reach Fanelia's capital."

"Lady Hitomi?" the other sister mewed, tugging lightly on Hitomi's cream tunic.

Turning her attention to her other charge, she grinned, "Yes?"

"What are you going to call us?" the silver twin inquired curiously, wagging her spotted tail in anticipation.

"Don't you have names already?"

"We'd rather have names from you."

Now I have to think of new names for them? Hitomi thought while slapping her hand onto her head. Suddenly, two names popped into mind. She did not know from where she had heard the names before, but they sounded like good names for this set of twins. "What about Naria and Eriya?" Hitomi asked the two cat girls hopefully.

The silver kitten smiled instantly, as so did her twin sister. "I like Naria." The eldest claimed her name and began repeating it in a pleased whisper. "Naria, my name is Naria."

"And I like Eriya!" the gold twin exclaimed, equally pleased with her name. "Eriya! Eriya!"

Hitomi smiled, pleased with the new lovely names. The question was where had she heard these names before? Had it been during her stay in Asturia? Hitomi knew she had heard the names before instead of thinking of them on her own; and strangely, the new names dealt with another set of gold and silver twins, something to do with two other people. But that's unlikely, Hitomi sighed wearily. Surely I would remember a story that dealt with cat people. "Naria?"

She ceased singing her new name for a moment and stared at her caretaker with a twinkling gaze. "Yes, Lady Hitomi?"

"Exactly how old are you?"

"Eriya and I are ten rotations," the leopard girl giggled proudly, excitingly calling out her sister's new name. She then returned chanting their new names. "Naria and Eriya! Naria and Eriya, we're Naria and Eriya!"

"Lady Hitomi?" Eriya muttered excitedly, skipping around with her sister. Hitomi shook her head, giggling slightly at the happy leaping cat girls. She felt warm inside knowing she had done something good and pleasing.

"Yes?"

"What's that?" Eriya pointed to a city nicely snuggled in a lush valley.

Turning towards what the golden girl pointed, Hitomi could easily spot the largest, not to mention the loveliest building in mountain's nest. And near the impressive dwelling a large tree shaded the kingdom with its massive branches. Taking in a quick breath, Hitomi felt warm and comforted seeing the beautiful Emerald of Gaea, the Dragon Country's finest jewel.

"That's where we're going to stay for a while." Hitomi slightly quickened her pace towards the city. Smiling and laughing together, she started skipping towards the revered kingdom and shouted, "Welcome, Eriya and Naria, to the kingdom of Fanelia! Welcome to the Valley of Dragons!"


"Lord Van, it's good to see you again," a handsome blond man greeted politely, giving the Fanelian royal a respectful bow. A kind smile filled the Asturian knight's face and a smug twinkle lit his deep blue eyes. "I see you've grown since we last saw you in Palas."

"You're right, Boss," members of Crusade agreed at intervals. Gaddes made a cutting motion with his hand, silencing the crew members. The sergeant reminded the informal soldiers to mind their manners and to remember whose country they were now in.

Smirking slightly at everyone's comments, Van stood straighter and nodded in response. He and the foreigner stood before each other face to face, equals in swordsmanship, in piloting, and now in height. Some could even argue they rivaled in looks as well. "Yes, I have grown some, Sir Allen," Van admitted with a grin. "And it's nice seeing the Schezar's and Crusade's crew in Fanelia."

Standing shyly behind her older brother, a fair-haired lady curtsied neatly. She wore a customary long, pale-blue dress without sleeves, a fashionable Asturian laced collar, and long white gloves. Giving her formal attire a quick glance, Van pitied the Asturian girl and mentally noted to give her a more comfortable dress as soon as they entered the palace.

"Thank you for welcoming us to your kingdom, Your Majesty," Celena murmured demurely, a blush covering her face. She already knew that Van would answer her prayers for more comfortable attire; they were close enough as friends, after all they had been through. "You're most generous and kind to us, as always."

"So, tell me again, Sir Allen, the meaning of this sudden visit?" Van demanded with an annoyed tone. "The Asturian merchants have just left, meaning this isn't a trade meeting, and the Alliance just met in Palas a moon ago, meaning this isn't a political delegation. So, as welcome as you and Miss Celena are, what are you Schezar's doing in Fanelia?"

The Asturian noble fought back a grin, knowing Van did not like surprise meetings and contained no patience for them. Quickly getting to the point, Allen pulled out a stamped document and read, "Their Majesties of Asturia King Dryden Fassa and Queen Millerna Sara Aston send Allen Crusade Schezar VIII, Knight Caeli, and the family of Schezar to inform King Van Slanzar de Fanel that she will arrive in Fanelia three weeks from White, the twelfth moon. Their Royal Highnesses have agreed to be present at His Majesty Lord Van's twenty-third rotation celebration."

Van raised a brow at Allen's voice, which had turned from his gentle nature to a polite mocking tone. Trying not to laugh at her brother's performance, Celena turned her face aside and stifled her giggles with her hand across her mouth. Gaddes and the others, not as well bred as Celena, laughed out loud and rather obnoxiously.


"So, Van. I've heard that you've been receiving some marriage offers as of late," Allen remarked thoughtfully while taking a sip of wine, his tone relaxed and informal. He and Van sat alone in the king's study, where they knew their meeting would not be interrupted by anyone.

Van groaned at Allen's comment, wishing his friend's words were not so. "It's the worst thing in the world," he growled, tossing his arms into the air. "First, I have to read the letters to make sure that the father won't declare war on Fanelia if I refuse; second, I have to take the time to stamp my seal on all the stupid replies; and third, I have to make sure each reply says, in a very nice way, that I wouldn't marry the girl if my life depended on it! It's all very tedious work." His rant done, Van picked up his glass and took a gulp of wine to unwind his nerves.

Four days had sailed by since Crusade's arrival in Fanelia. Immediately after their arrival, Allen, Celena, and the ship's crew rested and recuperated from the journey. On the second and third day, the visiting Asturians relayed messages to their homeland and finished any other matters of business. Now, on the fourth day, they explored the restored Fanelia: the crew observing Fanelia's merchandise, Celena befriending Merle again and polishing her already learned Fanelian etiquette, and Allen chatting and catching up with Van.

The Knight Caeli chuckled lightly and placed his glass aside. "Well, I think it's a nice experience for you, Van," Allen said calmly but with amusement lighting his cerulean pools. "You need this kind of interaction with women, since you distance yourself from every to any woman eligible to marry." He tried not to think of the fiasco three rotations ago involving Van and his sister Celena. But Allen could not help it. The incident only proved the fact that the Fanelian king pushed himself away from the opposite sex purposely.

Making a bothered expression, the dark-haired man snorted, "Yes, some interaction I'm getting. All these girls ever talk about is their looks, their family wealth and titles, or their former lovers. Having to listen to them, it almost makes me regret being king."

"Oh, Van." The Asturian noble knew Van did not mean his words, no matter how many times he had said them. All his time befriending Van, Allen knew becoming Fanelia's king was the last thing the younger man would ever regret. Silence filled the spacious study for a moment until Allen found his next words. "But you know, you're going to have to take one of these offers someday. Fanelia does need an heir."

Van groaned, sighed, growled, and nodded all at once. He also knew what Allen offered quietly: a second chance with Celena.

"Van, it wouldn't be so bad if you didn't look at the situation so negatively."

"Can I look at it in any other way?" the younger man retorted with a solemn expression. "Allen, as much as Fanelia means to me, I don't want to forever bind my will and my life to some wench that has no idea about the world other than that she exists within it. I also don't want to bind a hepless girl to my will because her family is power-hungry or because she's my last hope."

Allen released a small smile and tried imagining Van a married man. He could not see his friend happily wed to any of the princesses or ladies of Gaea and only saw Van's adoring gaze fall upon Hitomi. Even after all these rotations, she's still the only one for him, the blond knight sighed. "I see that you're not going to settle this matter very easily."

"Allen, have you ever known me to settle anything easily?"

Laughing, he replied, "No. You're as stubborn as ever, Van, the most stubborn person I know. I only know one person able to out-stubborn you, and she could make you do anything she wanted." Knowing of whom Allen spoke, Van turned his gaze towards the window and began dreaming of her. Seeing the young king's mind wandering, Allen hastily changed the topic. "How do you feel about your twenty-third rotation, King Van?"

Van shrugged carelessly. "Another rotation older, another rotation of my reign, and another rotation of listening to those old goats, nagging me about every little tradition."

The Knight Caeli chuckled and shook his head in an entertained manner. Closing his eyes, he murmured in a pleased voice, "You'll never change." Yes, you'll never change as long as you hold on to that memory, Allen thought. How long will you hold onto Hitomi, Van? How long will you allow your heart remain frozen in time? A knock upon Van's study door interrupted Allen's ponderings.

"Yes?" Van answered the disturbance.

"Lord Van, is it all right for me to come in?" a high-pitched voice inquired from behind the heavy wooden door.

Recognizing the voice's owner, Van readily excused, "It's all right, Merle. You may enter."

With his approval, Merle bolted into the study with a large bag and Celena in tow. "Lord Van! Lord Van!" the cat woman exclaimed excitedly. "We just received messages from Cesario, Basram, and Zaibach, saying that they'll attend your birthday celebration." Celena assisted Merle with emptying the bag, a mound of letters pouring from the sack. "Ezgardia's response came earlier, and Freid's answer should be arriving soon. A number of the Fanelian Lords have replied as well."

Van groaned at the sight and news, raking an impatient hand through his hair. "Great! More royalty and nobility to bore me at dinner, and more girls to nag me at the dance!" Glaring playfully at his best friend, he grumbled, "I guess I'll just runaway that day and celebrate with the people below."

Merle and Celena quietly giggled, knowing very well Van would do such a thing if pushed too far. Just as well informed as the girls, Allen tossed Van a reprimanding glance and warned, "Van, don't you dare think about skipping your own celebration. You have responsibilities that must be fulfilled as the King of Fanelia."

Sulking slightly, Van mumbled, "I was only joking."

"Well, in the meantime, Lord Van," Merle smiled while pulling on his hands, "why don't you come and help me find materials for your birthday gift?"

"Wouldn't that be peeking?" Van asked with a raised brow.

The beast woman promptly shook her head, a mischievous glint in her catty eyes. "It would be called keeping you out of the castle so you don't have get fitted. The councilors are looking for you right now, Lord Van, with the palace seamstresses not far behind them. Not even the Four Generals of Fanelia can protect you."

Rising straight to his feet, Van demanded urgently, "What are we waiting for, Merle? Let's go! I can't wait to see what you're making me for my birthday this rotation." Allen chuckled as he and Celena followed the two to the market.


"Lady Hitomi, where are we going to stay?" Naria inquired worriedly, clinging to her caretaker closely. The city excited her with all of its sights, smells, and sounds, the cat girl living in the Asturian countryside all her life. But Naria would rather not get lost in it all. She knew her sister felt the same.

Hitomi smiled. The trio had been walking for some time now, and Hitomi knew the girls were equally hungry and tired. Naria and Eriya were eager for some rest. "We'll find a place, don't worry, Naria," the young woman assured, petting the feline on top of her head.

"Where's Eriya?" the silver girl suddenly asked, searching side to side. She looked for an identical spotted pelt but found none. "Lady Hitomi, where did Eriya go?"

Hitomi scanned around and saw that she had lost her golden charge among the Fanelian masses. The situation did not look very bright. "Of all the places to get separated, it's the market place," she grumbled, marching off to find her missing cat girl. "Where could Eriya have gone?"

On the other side of the city, the golden leopard girl walked and ducked beneath people, searching for her family. "Where did Naria and Lady Hitomi go?" Eriya wondered curiously as she strolled along the busy market. She had only strayed from Lady Hitomi's side for but an instant, a shiny brooch having caught her attention. Before Eriya knew it, her sister and lady had disappeared, leaving her alone. She consciously did not worry, but subconsciously her golden tail twitched nervously. Staring at the various stalls and people, the young girl wandered through the city. Not watching where she walked, Eriya abruptly bumped into someone.

"Oof! Hey! Watch where you're going!" an angry cat woman yelled at Eriya. The cat woman's pink hair and her orange and black-striped fur ruffled, she straightened herself and tried recovering the packages that had scattered on the ground, all compliments to the collision.

"Jeez! I'm sorry, lady!" Eriya retorted sharply while rubbing the pain from her backside and tail. She shot a furious glare at the older cat. "I didn't mean to run into you, so don't throw a fit. And you should learn some manners!"

Of all the impudent things! Merle gasped in shock at the youngling's rude display. Oddly, the behavior seemed familiar. "Why you little—" Merle was about to hurt this kitten until a familiar voice called out, "Merle! Merle, where did you go?"

"Lord Van!" Merle cheerfully squealed, jumping at his call. She quickly picked up her items and rushed to her lord's call. While she parted ways, Merle heard someone cry out a familiar name.

"Eriya, where did you go? Eriya, come here!"

"I'm coming, Naria!" Merle watched the little cat girl leap to her feet and run off to another cat girl that looked exactly like her, only silver instead of gold. For some odd reason, Merle believed she had seen the two girls before. Eriya and Naria, where have I heard those names before? I'll go ask Lord Van. He'll know! And with those final thoughts, Merle scampered off.

"Merle, there you are! Where have you been?" Van demanded with a small frown, Allen and Celena walking up behind him. "For a moment we were afraid we wouldn't catch up to you. You have to remember we can't maneuver through a crowd like you."

Shrugging, the cat woman casually responded, "It's not my fault that you weren't born a cat person. Besides, I have other worries." Merle shuddered as her fur bristled irritably. "Gr, sometimes I wonder what's happening to kids these days. You wouldn't believe, Lord Van, how this one cat girl was so rude to me! I was looking around for more stuff when the little brat bumped into me. She didn't apologize properly and blew up in my face about me not having manners."

That is something to be flustered about, Van silently chuckled. He promptly erased his bemused grin when Merle pointedly glared at him, knowing what the king was thinking. "Um," he coughed nervously, "so tell me, Merle, what did you do about her?"

"I let her go, luckily for her! I think she didn't even know who I was," Merle sniffed disapprovingly. She swiveled her ears and twitched her striped tail in agitation. "Obviously, they aren't Fanelian. The kitten seems familiar though, and she had a sister that looked just like her."

An image of older cat twins crossed Van's mind, reminding him of eight rotations ago during the Great Gaean War. "What did these two cat girls look like?" Van inquired cautiously, unsure if he wanted to know the answer.

Merle huffed indignantly and crossed her arms. "They were gold and silver twins, I think. They looked Fanelian by their clothes, but their accents sounded Asturian. I'm not sure...I think their names were Eriya and Naria." She gave the Fanelian king an inquiring glance. "Where have I heard those names before, Lord Van?"

Naria, she was the silver cat woman who worked with Folken. She was the one that kidnapped Hitomi, the king remembered. His handsome features slightly darkened. They didn't survive Vione's destruction, and Hitomi said Naria and her sister had died. So the cat girls Merle is talking about can't be them. But their names and appearances are too coincidental. Frowning slightly, he narrowed his amber eyes while continuing to think.

"Lord Van?" Merle waved a paw in front of Van's face and received no reaction. When she looked to Allen and Celena, the two siblings shrugged, not knowing what should be done. With a determined face, Merle returned her attention to her lord and shouted as loud as she could, "LORD VAN!"

"Huh?" Disrupted from his thoughts, the young man stared at the angry cat woman. "What is it, Merle?"

Merle frowned while crossing her arms and tapping her foot impatiently. "You really have to quit spacing out like that, Lord Van. You could cause a war by doing that at a political meeting."

Some ways off from the royal entourage at the other end of the market, the young cat girl had reunited with her twin sister and her lady. As soon as the golden kitten was in her sight, Hitomi scooped up the girl in her arms and gave her an enormous embrace. After Hitomi released a sigh of relief, she planted the cat girl in front of her and gave her reprimanding glare. "Eriya, where did you run off to?" Hitomi sternly demanded.

Eriya's spotted ears and tail drooped, and she lowered her head in embarrassment. The concern and emotion in Lady Hitomi's jade eyes saddened the ten-rotations old girl. "I'm sorry, Lady Hitomi. I won't do that again, I promise."

"Oh, I'm not angry at you, Eriya," Hitomi cooed, lightly tapping the gold twin's nose with her finger. "I was just really worried about you. I wouldn't want to lose you, now would I?" Eriya looked cheerfully up at Hitomi, who was smiling warmly at her. "Now, tell me, Eriya. Why are you so dusty?" she asked as she patted dust off of Eriya's dress.

"She got into a fight with an older cat person," Naria answered for her sister with a worrisome sigh. "It's lucky she ran away when she did." Eriya blushed, ashamed once more by her actions. What would Lady Hitomi think of her now?

The lady stared at her charge in shock. "You got into a fight?"

Kicking the ground shyly and staring at her sandals, Eriya mumbled, "Well, not exactly a fight, Lady Hitomi."

"Then what?" Hitomi inquired suspiciously. They had just entered Fanelia's capital, and she had no desire to run away because of a civil disturbance. If Eriya made trouble, Hitomi would have to settle matters quickly to avoid any trials before the royal court, or any court.

Sensing her lady's anxiety, Eriya shuffled her feet, and her tail twitched back and forth. "Well, I bumped into this cat woman, and she yelled at me in a rude way. I talked back, and she was about to get me when—" She paused in her speech.

"When?" Hitomi pressed.

"When someone called her name," Eriya finished with a deep breath. She would tell Lady Hitomi everything; maybe then she would forgive her for running off. "I think it was 'Merle'. She then shouted, 'Lord Van!' and ran off. That's when Naria found me."

Lord Van and Merle. Hitomi fought back a gasp while recognizing the two names. She thanked the gods that her little kitten was safe and sound and by her side. "Eriya, listen to me carefully," she advised, staring into a pair of worried golden eyes. "No more talking back, and no more wondering around alone. You were lucky this time."

"Why do you say that, Lady Hitomi?" Naria asked, tilting her head slightly. Her silver ears swiveled around curiously. "Why was Eriya lucky this time?"

"Because that cat woman Eriya ran into wasn't just any cat woman," Hitomi explained while grabbing Naria and Eriya's hands and walking out of the market place. "She's Miss Merle, and the name she screamed, 'Lord Van', is King Van Fanel. He's the ruler of Fanelia, the country's capital we are currently in."

"Oh," the two cat girls simply replied.

"I've heard Lord Fanel to be kind and sympathetic, but it wouldn't be wise getting on his or Miss Merle's bad side." Hitomi shook her head while releasing a heavy sigh. "I wouldn't know what to do if one of you got hurt."


Pacing like an impatient wild animal, King Van Fanel contemplated the latest turn of events and their possible meanings. Two days had passed since Merle had seen the mysterious twin cat girls, and since then Van had pondered over their appearance. Was it possible? Could those cat girls actually be Naria and Eriya as Merle said? If they were, could Folken be near by? He shook his ebony head, checking his thoughts. No, that's impossible. Not even with the power of Atlantis can the dead be revived. What if instead the girls are an omen? What if they're a warning that something is going to happen? Something big—

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Van's train of thought crashed, and he ceased in his endless pacing. Opening the door to his study, the king glanced down at a young page. The little boy bowed respectfully, Van nodding politely in response. "Yes?" he demanded kindly.

"Lord Van," the lad muttered, somewhat shy before a great hero, "Miss Merle sent me to inform you that the Royal Asturian Carriage has arrived. Sir Allen and Lady Celena are already at the gates to greet the carriage."

"Thank you. You may tell Merle I'll be right there." Quickly pulling off his customary crimson shirt, the Fanelian sovereign dressed himself in a long-sleeves white shirt and a dark green tunic embroidered with intricate lime, gold, and silver leaves. He tied the tunic with a blue and gold striped sash and pinned the knot with an emerald brooch. With a quick glance in the mirror, Van made sure him and his hair deemed presentable and then followed the little page towards the city's main gates.

"Where is Miss Merle?" the young boy inquired his fellow pages when he and Van exited the palace and entered the enormous main square of the palace. "I thought Miss Merle would wait for Lord Van."

The other young Fanelian boys bowed in Van's presence and dutifully answered, "Miss Merle left with Sir Allen and Lady Celena. Master Gatos prepared a horse for Lord Van to follow them as soon as he was ready."

Patting or ruffling each of his subjects' hair, Van chuckled, "Thank you for telling me. If you like, you may go to the kitchens and tell the cooks I have sent you for some snacks." The boys' innocent eyes grew round and large at the sound of their reward. "And if you run into any trouble, find me when I've returned. Now, off you go."

All but one of the pages rushed towards the Royal Kitchen, and that one page had been the one Merle had sent. "Aren't you going with the others?" Van inquired, leaving the courtyard.

Shaking his head, the boy answered, "I would like to see you off, Lord Van. I've never seen you ride before." Hearing the boy's response, Van laughed and allowed the page to follow him to the stables. Some time had passed since Van had ridden a horse, so the boy had a legitimate reason being curious if his king could ride and ride well.

When the two reached the stables, the Fanelian boy pulled Van's ready horse from its stall and held it for his master. As soon as Van mounted the white animal, he offered a gloved hand to the young boy. "Would you like to come with me?"

"No, thank you," he politely declined, bowing neatly. A blush covered his face, feeling honored by his king's offer. "I will just watch you go, Lord Van, and then inform Master Gatos you have started towards the gates."

"Thank you," Van nodded, patting the boy on his head. The king then gripped his reins, firmly kicked his heels, and sent his horse galloping. He would have to move quickly since a large crowd probably had formed around the Asturian guests at the main gate.

While he galloped through his kingdom, Van beamed and swelled with pride at the work he and his people had achieved. Within eight rotations immediately after the Great Gaean War, Fanelia had risen from its ashes and now gleamed brighter than ever, rightfully nicknamed the Emerald of Gaea. The lush Fanelian forests had survived Zaibach's attack and had only eased Fanelia's reconstruction. The capital thrived with business and trade, filling the streets with people of their land and from the many regions of Gaea. With so many foreigners within their homeland, Hitomi would have felt more at ease in Fanelia than she had during her last visit.

Hitomi. The King of Fanelia frowned while urging his horse onward. How many times a day did he think of her, and how many times did that add up in the course of eight rotations? Would his heart eventually free itself and learn to love another? Would Van allow and forgive himself to love another woman but Hitomi? I couldn't do it three rotations ago...And now..."No, I can't think of that now," he breathed, spotting Fanelia's main gates.

Hearing the sound of galloping hooves, the people hastily made way for the king and allowed him clear passage to the gates. Reining his horse to a stop, Van skillfully jumped from his animal and landed gracefully on the ground. A second afterwards, a blur of blond locks and pink Asturian silk and lace attacked him. "Oof!"

"Oh, Van, it's been so long since we've seen each other," Millerna giggled, embracing her friend adoringly. "I'm so glad we'll finally get to spend time together and that I'll finally get to see Fanelia after eighteen rotations!"

"M-m-millerna. It's very good to see you, too," Van gasped after he was allowed to breathe again. He placed some distance between himself and the Queen of Asturia, a fond smile on his face the entire time. "I'm glad that you're able to celebrate my rotation anniversary with me. It'll be nice to have all of my friends together for a few days."

Playfully patting Van on the cheek, the blonde queen winked, "How sweet of you to say so, Van. Now you definitely deserve your birthday gift."

"And he had to earn it earlier?" Merle demanded incredulously, tapping her foot. She gave Van a quick glance. "Nice that you finally arrived, Lord Van."

"I try, Merle."

"Well," Millerna smiled, tossing some of her gorgeous fair hair behind her, "Dryden thought it would be amusing if Van earned his gift, but I thought it was a little cruel. But since he more than earned it with his sweetness just now, there's nothing to worry about. He just ruined Dryden's fun, no big deal."

"Feh, if only you weren't such a softy. I at least needed a little revenge for him making me travel all this way dressed like this." A tall, brown-haired man dressed in royal Asturian garb stepped forward. The sight of him forced Van to hold his breath to keep from laughing at loud. "And I see that you're already flirting my wife away, Fanel," Dryden joked, shaking Van's hand amiably.

Smiling wryly, he responded, "Well, if there was anything to take away, Fassa. I'm not interested in ladies who spend their time with dresses and medicine. I'm especially not interested in a tomboyish princess from Asturia who settles for a merchant as a husband."

Millerna playfully swatted Van with the back of her hand, "reprimanding" him about manners and reminding him of her equal status in comparison to his. After all, she had lost her title as Princess rotations ago. Shedding a heavily decorated jacket and regaining some comfort, Dryden chuckled while watching his wife and his friend. "I see you've decided carefully what kind of woman you want, Van."

Breaking away from Millerna's lecturing, Van dryly replied, "No, I've only decided what kind of woman I DON'T want. The kind I do want is left to be determined." But one thing is for certain: she doesn't live on Gaea.

Dryden shook his head from laughter, as so did Allen. "Ha, I can believe that. Send me notice when you do figure out the kind of woman you want. I have to watch the spectacle of you wooing her. And no worries, your messengers know how to find me." His chocolate pools twinkling, the merchant king continued, "So, how have you been doing?"

"He's still single and alive. Does that explain it all?" Merle asked in an impatient tone. She wanted to speedily return to the palace and settle Millerna and Dryden in their guest room before dinner, but the chance of that seemed highly unlikely.

Dryden snorted. "Ah, the world of being a bachelor: how I miss it! Van, enjoy your freedom while you can because once you tie the knot, there is no going back." Wrapping an arm affectionately around his wife's round shoulders, the Asturian king further warned, "And as soon as you're a married man, you're forever bound to your wife's endless whims and desires. You'll learn the meaning of slavery, as I have."

"Aw! You poor man," Merle cooed sarcastically. "Your wife just must be terrible!"

Van gave her stern look. "Now, now, Merle. Behave."

"No, no, let her go on. Back at Palas, there aren't personalities like her in the castle. The advisers are too stiff, and the servants mirror their ways to avoid trouble, if you get what I mean," Dryden quietly whispered.

Millerna giggled in agreement. "That also includes Myden, who's the stiffest of them all."

Shaking his head in shame, Dryden sighed hopelessly, "Can you believe it? My very own father is the leader of those old badgers. If he retired, then ruling the country would be an easier task, but my weasel of a father always needs to be scheming something. Why can't he move on already? He really should."

Van smiled. "Well, since we've all reacquainted ourselves, I suggest that we go inside to have some lunch."


"Excuse me. Do you know where I can find Nina?" Hitomi asked a local in his stall. "She's an elderly woman, kind of sturdy. She's lived in Fanelia all her life and lives in the small house by that shop over there."

The man thought for a moment. When realization hit him, he snapped his fingers and smiled at the stranger. "You're that girl she took in some rotations ago, aren't you? The one that comes and visits Nina every couple of rotations or something like that?"

Hitomi nodded, pleased someone recognized her. "I was just by her house, and Nina's not there. Do you know where she could be?" Hitomi asked again.

The man nodded, pointing down the street and towards a large structure at the end. "Nina now works at the orphanage near the palace. Sometimes she comes back and checks on her house now and then, but she usually stays at the orphanage with all the work to do there."

"But, wouldn't the people of Fanelia help out?" the young lady inquired curiously. "I thought the entire kingdom assisted in maintaining the orphanage and treating all of its children."

"Yes, we all help out, but then the number of children must be considered. Somehow Fanelia became the headquarters for all the homeless children, and that means all of the orphans from the neighboring countries come here too. A lot of youngsters lost families during that Great Gaean War, and it's hard finding enough families to take them in," the man explained. "Nina, like some other people, felt that if she didn't fully commit in helping the youngsters find homes, then their numbers would only grow."

Hitomi nodded, understanding the situation. She knew the feeling of being lost and alone, of being an orphan: a child without a family. And Nina had a big heart that comforted orphans like Hitomi. "Well, thank you for your help. I hope you make many sales." Hitomi then turned to Eriya and Naria patiently waiting behind her. "Come on, you two."

"Yes, Lady Hitomi," the twins chimed as they scampered after her. The man scratched his head, unsure of what he had just heard.

"Lady Hitomi?"