Note: Italicized text will contain flashbacks, some recapping the television series and some original content. This is the second part of the rebooted chapters (all rebooted chapters have Redux in the title).

The next day Hitomi groaned as she began her morning routine. Her face washed, and her hair brushed before she started breakfast. "Yuen!" She called, "It's already a quarter to." The small apartment already smelled of eggs and vegetables by the time she realized Yuen still hadn't appeared from his room. She set the breakfast aside and with a sigh went to her son's room.

The room had just enough space for his desk and bed. She could hear the alarm on his phone going off softly. "Geeze…" she sighed with her hands on her hips. He was still fast asleep, his covers mostly kicked aside and his uniform on the floor. She touched his dark hair, "Yuen, honey… hey…" It was damp. Her brow furrowed. His forehead was startlingly warm to the touch.

He stirred. "Mom?" He asked thickly as he reached down for his blanket.

"Go back to sleep." She sighed. "Your grandmother will be over in a little while." She tucked him back in and ran her fingers through his hair before she left the room. The call to her mother was brief as she picked up her faux leather bag for the office and continued to get ready.

While she waited she gathered the papers on their finances into a folder and set it beneath a bowl on the table. ~More long hours~ She thought to herself. It was easier now that Yuen was older, but guilt always got to her. She rested her cheek in her hand, her face thinner than it had been years ago. The stillness of the room was comfortable almost sleep worthy. She wondered when she had gotten to be so tired all the time.

The knock on the door startled her as it opened, "Good morning Hitomi."

"Morning." Hitomi forced a smile as she stood up. "He has a bad fever." She sighed. "Thank you for coming over…"

"Did you call the school yet?" Her mother said with her lips pursed.

"…Yes, of course." Hitomi frowned and her mother interrupted before she could say more.

"It doesn't look good when I have to call. The school will think you're neglecting him." She said as walked over to the cupboards and started to put away breakfast. "Hitomi, did you not eat?"

"I don't have time right now, I'm sorry I have to get going." She grabbed her jacket and she slipped the lanyard with her ID and train pass around her neck. "I already called the school and Yuen can take more medication in about four hours."

A sad but patient look came over her mother's face as Hitomi headed for the door. "Take care, I'll be here when you get home."

"Thank you," Hitomi said with a breath of relief. "Love you."

"Love you…" And Hitomi was gone.

Mrs. Kanzaki looked at the apartment with its bare and aged walls and the card table with the one slightly off chair. Life had not been easy for her daughter over the last few years. First, there had been her disappearance during her freshman year of high school and her subsequent reappearance. She had returned with stories like her own mother used to tell of being spirited away. She had never told Hitomi those stories and somehow, she had known that her daughter had been telling the truth. She had told her friends so when they had come looking for her. But the situation took a turn after that.

She noticed the folder at the table under the bowl. ~She must be struggling again. ~ She thought. The day past before she realized. Yuen's fever faded some, but he was lethargic and exhausted. Now she saw why Hitomi had worried. He wasn't sick often even as a child, he worked just as hard as his mother now that he was older. A good and responsible boy, Hitomi deserved more credit than they gave her credit for.

Hitomi returned that evening, "I'm home."

"Welcome back." Her mother stood up from the television with a small smile. "There is dinner in the fridge. Yuen is already sleep. He ate a little and his fever has gone down."

"Mom you didn't have to…" She said gratefully.

"Hitomi…" She began, "if you need anything… if you need help…" she glanced at the table.

Hitomi took a deep breath, "no. No thank you. We're fine." she shook her head as she switched to her slippers.

"I know your father and I have been harsh in the past, but…"

Hitomi interrupted her, "You were right I made my choices. You helped out enough today. As long as you're around for Yuen that's all I can ask for." She tried to swallow her irritation. There had been so many arguments when Yuen was born. It had taken everything Hitomi had to keep him and raise him so far.

Her parents had refused to help at the beginning. She couldn't blame them, she could have given him up and pretended like it never happened. She could have started over then. Yet, she couldn't see him go. He was her everything right from the start. She had only hoped…. Her chest tightened and she banished the thought before it finished.

She touched her mother's shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Thank you for everything. We're okay, really." She forced a smile.

* * *

It had been a hard fifteen years. Zaibach's empire in ruins meant a lot of things, an end to terror, to Dornkirk's experiments and freedom for Van Fanel to return home. Home, he had spent these last fifteen years gathering the people of Fanelia from what felt like the four corners of Gaea and rebuilding. His allies in Austria and Fried had been instrumental in the rebuilding at the beginning.

He stood in the rebuilt dragon sanctuary and gazed upon the sleeping dragon. His hand touched the cold outer shell. "You look good old friend." He managed. His heart swelled at the memories that came flooding back as he walked the halls. Memories of his family, his mother, father, and brother. The hardest ones though were of Balgus and of Fanelia's fall.

The city in flames as invisible guymelefs like monsters swarmed. He stood in the sanctuary and took a vow to awaken Escaflowne. What had been meant to be a day of his coronation and celebration became a christening of a different kind. There had been so much noise and light as wheels around him spun and the connection between he and Escaflowne solidified. So many died that day, his teachers and protectors. He had felt her fear then and heard her screaming. Hitomi…

A shuffle behind him drew him out of his memory. "Merle." He said with a feigned gruffness.

"My King." He turned and found her on one knee with a hand to her chest. Gone was the playfulness of their youth. She wore robes that marked her as an adult and a close servant of Fanelia's King.

"What is it?" A hand rested on the hilt of his sword. He had grown taller and closer to the build of his father and brother over the years. The experiences of his youth had granted him a regal bearing that demanded obedience when he needed it.

"Forgive me… but may I speak freely?" Code of conduct was important for the newly reestablished court of Fanelia. They had to show strength, unity, and tradition, but for now, the two of them were alone.

"Speak and stand please." He gave her a smile and a shake of his head.

She smiled, albeit sadly. That was more of the prince she knew, he was in there still. Behind the formal exterior and the haunted amber gaze. "Your people worry about you." The back of her tan hand brushed his hand in a cat-like manner. "You feel so alone."

"I'm not alone I have you and the others that meddle enough." He ruffled her hair with one hand.

Merle sighed heavily. "I know it hurts. I miss her too but she's not coming back." She didn't want to say it, to see the hurt in his eyes. She regretted it the instant the words left her lips.

"I know…" he looked away from her. Van had been the one to send Hitomi home after all. He sent her to safety, to her family he imaged. He touched the collar of his dark green tunic, knowing that the pendant still rested beneath.

He remembered the warmth of her embrace for some time afterward. The pendant would glow when he thought of her. At first, it was just as they had promised. He would talk to her for hours until they both fell asleep. He told her when he was afraid or frustrated. Then, after a time he could no longer see her. He could only hear her voice. Then only feel her, her presence fearful and withdrawn. Finally, after a great feeling of fear and of pain. He didn't feel her at all. The pendant hadn't come alive since. Like Escaflowne, it only seemed to sleep.

"The Elders are talking about a bride again." Merle's lips pursed, and her ears folded downward. Van frowned. "I only mentioned it because they fear for Faenlia's security. She is still weak. And …" She looked away when she felt his glower. "And I agree. I'm tired of seeing you so alone." Her voice whined.
"Please consider lord Van." He sighed at the childhood name, she used it only when she was desperate.

Part of him understood, but some smaller part of him wondered if they had forgotten. Only together had Van and Hitomi defeated Dornkirk. Only what they shared had ended the fighting. Now she could be dead for all he knew. "Merle."

"Yes, my king" Her stripped tail swayed with hope.

"Come here." He pulled her close a moment. "I'm sorry." He drew a staggered breath. "I will take yours and the elders' suggestion under advisement." He pulled back and smiled. "Serious advisement." Merle giggled. She was the last of his family that remained. "Now, go on. You have work to do." He feigned a poor image of his earlier regal form, with his hands on his hips. There was the boy she had known again.

She scurried off, keeping herself from all fours barely. Van shook his head and turned back to Escaflowne one last time. He pulled the pendant out from beneath his tunic. It seemed to sparkle in the sunlight leaking in through an overhead window in the sanctuary. "Hitomi…" He murmured. "Maybe it is time…" He shook his head.

The Pendant then began to glimmer softly. His chest tightened, and he thought his breath would leave him.

* * *

Hitomi found Yuen asleep already as she entered his room. She frowned when she nearly tripped over his sports bag. She growled picking up the bag and zipped it back up. The contents being: a change of clothes, his track shoes (his tracksuit itself in the wash), his mp3 player, cell phone and miscellaneous things. She gripped the handle ~if I've told him once…~ she rubbed her foot.

"Hitomi…"

She dropped the bag to the floor. A cold streak raced down her back as the familiar voice sounded clear as day in the room. Her teeth clenched, and she swallowed.