Hey everyone, I know it's taken a while to update but here's the new chapter. Oh my goodness, the college has been completely messing me about I've just been so stressed to write a decent chapter, it always turns out bitter and sarcastic, so here's my fifth try, I hope its okay.

I don't feel that this story really has a purpose, its really just fluff, so I'm going to change that, I will give this story some life, but it will take a couple of chapter so please be patient. Okay enough of my ramblings.

Disclaimer: Tear does not own Escaflowne or any of its characters.

Thanks too:

Suils Saifir

loneshinobi

thepinkmartini

Lil' Dinky

Wing Goddes

jacks-peapod

Ispano-guymelef

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"Here we are" Merle announced as she approached the fenced off area "This is where Fanelia's soldiers train"

Before him was a large stadium surrounded by a fenced off sea of grass and trees that sat behind the castle. Takashi could hear the clinking of swords and the grunts from practicing soldiers hidden somewhere in the trees. Also he could feel the ground slightly trembling.

"What's that?" He asked and looked at Merle worriedly. Merle giggled a little at Takashi's expression.

"Its nothing, just some of the men testing out the new Guymelef's out to make sure they work." She explained with made the young boys eyes light up and a grin spread across Takashi's face.

"Really?! Can we go see them?" Takashi asked excitedly.

"Sure why not, Van might be there, just don't get too close okay." She sighed frustrated that Van would go off like this. "Come on then"

Takashi was impressed, the stadium wasn't as big as the ones on earth, but it was big enough to impress. In the middle of the stadium two grey Guymelef's were battling it out as the small crowd of guards watched the activities.

"Hum… looks like Van isn't here either" Merle commented as she searched the stands. Grunts and the sound of metal clashing together filled the air and shouts form the watching men echoed though the stadium.

The two Guymelef's come to a halt and cheers emitted form the crowd and the pilots jumped out. The first one had shoulder length, dark brown hair; he wore back pants and a blue loose fitting vest and had a long scar that ran from the top of his left cheek to his lips. The second had short light brown hair and a slightly tanned completion; he wore black pants and a green loose fitting vest. They both looked quite young, early twenties maybe?

The two men were standing next to each other obviously having a conversation when a child ran into the centre and jumped into the arms of the man wearing the green vest, and an older man, maybe in his 50's walked behind the child, his brownish grey robes swaying behind him. All three men were quite tall and, judging by the bulk of their shoulders and arms, Takashi could tell they were strong. He followed Merle as she walked over to the group.

"Mama!" A young girl cried out as she clung to the neck of the man. She was wearing a dress similar to the one merle wore but it was in pink with blue patterns along the bottom. Her skin was golden brown and she had pink hair with cat ears poking out, but other than the ears, she was mostly human.

"What are you doing here Hana? I hope you're not causing trouble." Merle asked eyeing the girl suspiciously as they reached the group.

"I'm watching daddy and the other Samurai train" Hana answered.

"Really…" Merle sent a dark look toward her husband, who stepped back a little.

"H- Hey, it wasn't my idea! She asked me if she could come with me" he quickly defended himself, waving his free hand in front of him. Merle eyed him suspiciously but didn't reply.

"So, what brings you down here Lady Merle" It was the old guy that piped up this time.

"Oh, that's right. Were looking for Lord Van have you seen him?" Merle asked remembering her search still wasn't over. On closer inspection Takashi could see that the man had fine wrinkles around his eyes, nose and forehead, he had a warm smile on his face but Takashi got the feeling that he was a very traditional man.

"No, I'm sorry Merle we haven't. Come to think of it, I haven't seen him all day. Have you checked his bed chamber?" the older man inquired.

"No, he is usually awake by this time. When I find him I'm going to use him as a scratching post!" Merle muttered to her self while Takashi stayed silently in the background, unnoticed by the group and forgotten by Merle.

'That little girl called her Merle her mom, so I'm guessing that's her husband. He look really strong, in fact everyone I've seen looks intimidating. Their nothing like people on Earth. I'm sick of looking round for Van, I just want to see Hitomi, everything is so different here.' Takashi was yanked out of his thoughts by someone standing over his and clearing their throats.

"I am Axil Bara, adviser to the king of Fanelia" the man addressed himself and bowed his head somewhat; the other two men saw this and followed his lead.

"N- Nice to m- meet you" Takashi stammered, not expecting the amount of attention he was about to receive, and nervously raised a hand and scratched the back of his head.

"My name is Adrian Naoko; I am a Samurai of Fanelia and captain of Fanelia's army." He bowed his head and Merle laughed at Takashi's pitiful attempts to form actual words, however his task was interrupted by the third stranger.

"My name is Julian Akemi; I am a samurai of Fanelia. I am married to Merle, if she hasn't already told you." He shot a suspicious look at the cat girl, before placing the little girl on the ground and gently nudged her forward. "And this is out daughter Hana."

"Nice to meet you" she blushed and gave a graceful curtsy.

"Nice to meet you too" Takashi blushed and earned himself a slap on the back from Merle as she laughed at his bashfulness.

"So, what did you think" Adrian asked turning to Takashi in an attempt lessen the boys awkwardness.

"It was amazing! There even better than I imagined!" Takashi answered excitedly earning a deep laugh from Adrian.

"You act as though you've never seen a Guymelef before"

"I haven't, until now anyway." The 10 year old admitted, receiving a strange look from all participants except Merle. !the only things I know about them are what my sister has told me and she left out major details. She's dim like that." He finished obnoxiously and shrugged his shoulders.

"Sister? Who exactly are you anyway?" Axil looked him up and down; he looked like a normal Fanelian child, wearing normal Fanelian brown pants and white shirt.

"Oh, sorry, that's my fault" Merle piped up and gave a nervous laugh. "This is Takashi Kanzaki." She paused and waited to see if the men had made the connection. They had all heard the story of the girl from the Mystic moon; just about everyone on Gaea knew it.

She could practically see Axils brain processing the name to find out where he had heard it, she felt like slapping her forehead when she saw the blank stares of the other 2 men. However it was the young pink haired girl who caught on first and gave a squeal of delight at the recognition. Merle couldn't help but smile. 'At least one of them was bright enough to figure it out' Merle sighed and decided to put the men out of their misery.

"He arrived here Last night with his two sisters, Mitsu Kanzaki and his elder sister Hitomi Kanzaki; they travelled here from the Mystic moon." Merle finished Takashi's introduction and surveyed the shocked faces of the three men and Hana's excited jumping up and down.

"I knew it mama, I swear I did!" Hana shouted and started tugging on Merles arm.

"I know you did Hana" Merle giggled and pried her arm away from the girl.

"Will you tell me all about the Mystic moon, please, please? I want to hear everything!" Hana bounded over to Takashi and started hurling questions at him.

"Hana! Apologize to Lord Kanzaki; it isn't polite to impose on him like that." Julian scolded the keyed up girl.

"I'm sorry Lord Kanzaki" Hana looked down; Takashi smiled nervously at the sad girl, a tad unsettled by the sudden change in emotion.

"Its okay, ask me all the questions you want." Takashi crossed his arms smugly. Hana's head snapped up and she grinned widely "But only on one condition"

"What is it?" Hana asked biting her lip and Takashi gave a smirk.

"That I can ask you some question"

"Of course" The girl beamed.

"Hana, why don't you go for a walk with Lord Kanzaki while I talk to your mother" Julian suggested.

"Okay daddy, let's go Lord Kanzaki" she proclaimed and they began walking off.

"Oh, and one more thing, please just call me Takashi, all this Lord stuff makes me uncomfortable." Was the last thing the adults heard from the pair and they were submerged in silence.

"Well… Hana seems to like him." Merle broke the silence.

"Seems so" Julian validated, staring off into the direction his daughter had taken off into.

"Is it really her, the one who saved Gaea… the one who Van…" Adrian trailed off, not seeing a need to continue.

"Yeah, it's her alright" Merle confirmed.

"How did this happen? What does it mean?" Axil asked.

"Well, I'm not quite sure how she got here exactly… I couldn't sleep and I saw the pillar of light and of course I assumed it was Hitomi. Van saw it too, I bumped into him at the castle entrance and she was with him and she has her brother and sister with her as well." Merle shrugged

"Hitomi was being weird like she always has been, but Lord Van seemed upset about something. I have no idea why she is here, maybe Lord Van finally called her back, at least I hope so, and I couldn't take another war." She finished her eyes downcast.

"We all hope there is not another war, Merle, Fanelia has just finished rebuilding. That's why the Peace treaty is in effect; to make sure another war does not break out, as Gaea may not be as luck as it was last time." Axil said solemnly.

"You never know, she may have come back just to see Lord Van" Adrian pointed out "Besides, If Lord Van can muster up the courage to finally ask her to marry him and the counsel will stoop throwing spoilt princesses at him." This gained a prickly look from Axil and an agreeing look from Merle and Julian.

"Oh, come on, everyone knows he has been pining after the girl ever since he let her go." Adrian said bluntly, gaining a sigh in defeat from Axil, it was true after all. Merle 'hmphed'.

"They were all spoilt brats, and the nice ones already had someone they loved." Merle grinned.

"We shouldn't talk about such things" was Axils input on the matter.

"Before you all start making wedding plans you should find out whether or not she is planning to stay, after all she could have been transported here by accident." Julian spoke up. Merle almost fell over.

"Are you stupid?! Of course she is going to stay, I mean, why wouldn't she… she wouldn't do that to Lord Van… if she has doubts then I will talk her round, or lock her up or something." Merle said confidently.

"She left him before, plus you said she has kids with her, she may go back for their sakes." Julian pointed out and shrugged his shoulders "but that's just my opinion."

"What makes you think Lord Van will let her this time?" Merle smirked

"Hitomi is crazy but not that crazy, she does things for a reason, and she wouldn't have come back here if it wasn't for good." Merle smiled softly "Anyway when the hell did you start getting smart? Huh? You're starting to sound like Dryden." Merle muttered the last part darkly.

"Okay, as long as you're sure" Julian sounded unconvinced

"Of course I'm sure" Merle said smugly. Julian sighed, its not like he didn't trust his wife's judgment, he just didn't want her to get her hopes up.

"Specking of the peace treaty, the re-evaluation meeting is coming up, and we need to start making preparations, with the arrival of Lady Kanzaki Asturia may want to come early this year." Axil suggested and Merles eyes lit up.

"I will send out the letters immediately, Lady Merle, where is Lord Van?" Merles face dropped instantly and a terrifying dark aura surrounded her. "On second thought I will find him myself" Axil quickly retreated.

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With Hitomi

"I can't believe it!" Hitomi squealed to herself as she twirled around the room Van gave her in amazement.

"Believe what, my lady?" Erika asked and Hitomi jumped at the sudden interlude. "I'm sorry my lady, I should not have intruded"

"N-no, it's fine, I just wasn't paying attention, that's all." She smiled "Are you sure Mitsu's okay with that nurse, Yui? Was it?"

"Yes my lady and I'm sure that your baby is being cared for perfectly, Miss Yui is a wonderful nurse and beside, king Van is with her" Erika reassured but earned a puzzled look from Hitomi "She is teaching the king how to care for and play with the child." She explained.

"Oh, wow, really? That's so un-Van-like. I can't believe how much he has changed; he isn't as moody and anti-social as he used to be when I left him." Hitomi grinned in spite of herself when she remembered all the arguments they got in during the war.

"Yes, King Van is a kind ruler, but I have heard, from the other maid, that he still throws… temper tantrums, shall we say, every now and then." Erika smiled which yanked a huge grin to Hitomi's face causing Erika to blush.

"Wow, when did you get so confident? I only met you 4 hours ago and you were a nervous wreck." Hitomi stated and Erika thought back to the events that had unfolded during such a short period of time.

xX Flash back Xx

Van lead the way to his study and walked straight up to his desk and began rummaging thought the mountains of paper work and his desk draws. Erika stood awkwardly in the door way unsure of what to do. Upon seeing this Van gestured for her to come in.

"My lord…?" Erika asked meekly, hoping for some kind of explanation.

"Yeah?" Van answered with out looking up, when he was only met with silence, he looked up to see her face marked with confusion, he sighed and decided to explain himself.

"As you know, Hitomi has returned from the Mystic moon and has brought her younger brother and sister." He paused and she gave a confirmative nod. "And as you have seen, they have no Fanelian clothes to wear" blushing from the memory of Hitomi in her revealing clothes. Erika nodded again also blushing.

"What I need you to do is go in to the Market find some clothes for them to wear for the time being and get the best dress maker in Fanelia to come as soon as possible." He commanded "Also I would like you to pick up anything you think they will need, toys jewellery and such." She nodded; speechless.

"Are you okay with this so far?" Van asked a little concerned.

"Y- Yes my lord." Van smiled and handed the girl a brown bog willed with gold coins.

"Take this with you and spend as much as you need. If you run out comeback and I will give you more." He paused for a moment, seemingly thinking something over.

"There is another task I would like you to do, if you chose to accept it of course." She gave him a curious look. "I would like you to be Hitomi's personal hand maiden; I think you two will get along quite well." He waited for a reaction and received a shocked look.

"So…Should I take that as a 'no' then?" Van asked.

"O- oh, n-no! Of course I will; I was just startled that's all." She spluttered nervously. Van gave a slight smile.

"Good, now to do this your going to have to be a lot tougher and more confident, it's the only way to get Hitomi to do things, from what I can remember. Don't be afraid to speck up to Hitomi, she like that about people" Van advised.

"Y- Yes, I will keep that in mind M' lord, thank you." Erika turned to leave.

"Just one more thing…" Van began.

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Erika was ripped from her thoughts by a knocking at the door. Hitomi was still marvelling at the room Van had selected for her and hadn't heard the knocking. Erika opened the door to find an maid standing there, behind her was an old-ish woman with lots of roles of fabric in her arms and a tape measure around her neck.

"Ah, come in MrsEmon." Erika escorted the again woman into the bed chambers, dismissing the maid escorting her.

"Lady Hitomi, this is Mrs Emon. She is the best dress maker in Fanelia." Erika introduced. Hitomi gave a wide smile.

"Pleasure to meet you" Hitomi greeted. Emon gave a bow.

"The pleasure is all mine Lady Kanzaki." Hitomi smothered a sigh. 'This is really starting to get annoying; I'm just a normal girl!!'

"Well, why don't we get started?" Erika suggested trying to get things moving along, she smiled and started leading the way into the closet where three full length mirrors hung, placed so that you could see what ever you were wearing perfectly.

"Yes, lets." Emon smiled wickedly. Hitomi started to get a little worried.

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Tear: I wanted to write more, but time is getting on and it's been a month already so I will just have to make the next chapter longer. I hope things are starting to speed up; I introduced 4 new characters so I guess that's a start. Thanks for reading everyone.

Okay to make tings easier here's a list of characters so far in case I lost any of you;

Van: 21 years

Hitomi- 20 years

Takashi (Hitomi's brother)- 10 years

Mitsu (Hitomi's sister)- 7 month

Erika- Maid- 17 years

Yui- Nurse- 42

Adrian Naoko- Captain of Fanelia's guard- 27

Merle Akemi- 18 years

Julian Akemi- Merles husband/ Samurai of Fanelia- 23 years

Hana Akemi- Merles daughter- 4 years

Axil Bara- Adviser of the King of Fanelia- 52 years