A.N. So, I can't believe I'm already posting chapter 7. This was the last chapter I had written through at the time of my initial posting back in 2015… when I forgot I posted the prologue and chapter 1 after discovering that I was pregnant with my first child… anyway! I'm glad I can post it now and I hope you all enjoy it. Again, I will be editing the first section so it's less graphic but sex does take place, if you want to skip it feel free to skip the first section entirely. I really don't want this story being deleted so I will edit it as much as possible.

Disclaimer: I do not own "The Vision of Escaflowne" nor any of the characters therein. I am merely writing this for my own enjoyment.

CONTENT WARNING: There is a sex scene in the beginning of this chapter. I have edited the more graphic details and have left the barest description I could while maintaining the emotional content of the action. I would say this is no worse than something you could read in a romance novel from the library, which I started reading and borrowing at the age of ten. Please do not flag this as I have not posted anything too graphic, in fact I read a more graphic sex scene in a YA novel not long ago. Please do not get this removed simply because you do not like sex. You can skip to the words "13 September, 2003" if you wish to skip over this.

Also, for those of you who are following this story, would you prefer for me to risk the story and post it with the explicit scenes intact? Or would you rather I post the explicit scenes in another story here so if it gets flagged and deleted this story will remain unaffected? Or would you prefer to reach out via email individually and I can send a reply email with the unedited content?

XX

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

-Theodore Roosevelt

XX

Chapter 7: With What You Have

XX

Fourteenth Day of the Ninth Month

136 Year of Lotica

XX

Van couldn't believe that the moment was real. His heart was thundering in his chest and his hands trembled as he ran them along the heated skin of Hitomi's sides and back. She was warm and making these little sounds that had his every nerve twitching.

"… Van…" The exotic accent his name acquired when coming from her lips made his hips jerk and he yanked her up and against him harshly moving them into a seated position. Hitomi, now straddling him, started to rub and roll her hips in an all too pleasing way.

How does she do that!?

Van thought dazedly, his hands dropping to cup her bottom feeling the flex of her muscles and nearly swallowed his tongue when Hitomi curled around him. His eyes rolled up and he was awash in nothing but sensations; her voice, her smell, her taste, her skin, her breath, her passion.

Van was drowning and for the first time in far too long he could not think of anything besides that single feeling. It was freeing in a way that little else had been in his life.

His heartbeat thrummed through the far too strained skin and Van turned his head capturing Hitomi's lips and claiming them almost viciously. This was his. He had unwillingly claimed Hitomi as his own from the moment she'd collided into him during his quest. Had wanted her desperately in any way he could have her, and here she was, offering herself to him.

She was the one he owed his life to. She was the one who was not impressed with his birthright. She was the one who he promised to protect and she was the one who'd called him an angel. She was his, and now, he had the assent to claim her in all ways. That was both exhilarating and terrifying.

He had a nearly over powering urge to release his wings and fly which he chalked up to the adrenalin and excitement of the moment but he also had a decent amount of fear in him as well. Van knew absolutely nothing about pleasing a woman with the exception of the few kisses and gropes he'd managed with Hitomi over the last month or so and he couldn't fail at this now. He wanted Hitomi to feel the same way she made him feel. He wanted to be worthy of this gift she was giving him, and he just knew he'd fall short. As if to prove his point his fingers fumbled with the odd clasp of the fabric that had incased her breasts—which was currently shoved up over them, but still encircling her—and felt completely foolish as it confounded him.

It was like some kind of trap. The more he struggled to undo it, the more it tangled and held fast. His kiss grew sloppy and then disinterested as he grunted in annoyance when the little piece of cloth refused to budge.

Hitomi's near silent snort of amusement was mortifying and he froze, wounded pride cooling his passion if not his physical state and he felt his face flame with shame. His scowl returned when Hitomi leaned back a bit and he turned his head to the side not wanting to see her expression.

"Van?"

"…" He grit his teeth and tried not to ruin things further with an outburst. They had enough misunderstandings already, and the last thing he wanted to do was bring up his insecurities and ruin this.

"Hey…" Hitomi squirmed as the silence continued. "… I'm sorry… I shouldn't have… do you not want to…" She trailed off and moved as though to slide off of his lap, and Van reached out grasping her hips to stop the action dead.

The motion forced his head around and he was staring into deep green. She was curious and he didn't see a shred of mocking in the gaze. He flushed again, aware that her laugh was unlikely to have been aimed at him and he had again, made things awkward.

"I… I don't know… I've never done—"Van cut himself off, wondering if that was the right thing to admit to. Should he be the one taking the lead? Shouldn't he be the one that knew what to do and how to do it? What if—

All thought process ceased when Hitomi grabbed his hand with her own and guided them back to the clasp. His eyes widened as she maneuvered his hands expertly even at the cumbersome angle, and he felt the motion needed to release the hooks, and then her breasts were freed. He couldn't breathe for several seconds let alone move as he watched the mounds shift with the lack of confining support. Again, it was Hitomi who lead his hands under the cloth to fondle her bare skin.

At the full, silky contact, Van was snapped from his hesitancy and he flexed his fingers gently squeezing the skin, rubbing his palm over the pert little nipple and Hitomi arched with a sigh. His other hand, still on her back, felt it bow toward him and somehow that was the most empowering and erotic thing he'd ever experienced and he was shoving her back upon his bed, his hand all but ripping her bra from her body so that he could taste the skin of her collar, neck and chest.

Hitomi's fingers dug into his arms as his lips skimmed over the flesh exposed and Van exhaled delighted when this too caused her to tremble and cling tighter to him. Goose-flesh sprang up over the expanse of skin and before his eyes, the pink nipples tightened and raised. A shiver traveled down his spine and curled like lightening in his groin. He decided that turnabout was fair play and opened his mouth to take the tempting peak in.

Hitomi's suckling had nearly brought him to the brink of insanity, and if her sharp jerk and choked cry was anything to go by, it felt the same for her. Her entire form seemed to quake as she clung to him; fingernails sharp pinpricks of reality that made him desperately aware that this was indeed happening and wasn't just some dream. He traced the edges of the nipple with an insistent tongue. The skin was impossible smooth around the tip and he traced it several times until Hitomi was panting and one of her hands made it into his hair to scrape at his scalp and tangle in the dark locks.

"V—Van!" Hitomi gasped, holding him closer, doing that delicious arch thing with her back, and Van grunted shoving his knees higher up until he was arched over her almost painfully, her rump sitting on his knees, back bowed .

He suckled, and pressed into the soft mounds of her breasts. He could honestly say he loved them and they were quickly becoming one of his favorite assets of the girl.

"…please…. Please Van…. I… I need…I—" Hitomi broke off when he released her breast from his mouth only to nuzzle his way between the two and kiss over her heart, scraping a love nip there in claim. He suddenly wanted to bite and suck dark marks into her skin for all to see.

"… you are mine, Hitomi…" He breathed into her very heart and she grew impossibly still below him. "… no matter where you go, or how much time passes… you," He looked up at her from the valley of her chest and dared her to deny him his claim. She did not. "… will always be mine."

He was pleased to see her small smile and her nod. It eased his still smarting ego. He swiftly returned to his previous actions, this time putting his focus on her other breast. His name on her lips as he ravished her was so very pleasing and his hand slipped down her side to graze her thigh.

He rubbed and explored her until Hitomi bucked and cried out, her hips rolling against his hand and her hands pulled him away from her chest and her tongue found its way into his mouth.

The demanding kiss made him feel rather proud of himself overall and he kissed back, pressing against her in a way that she seemed to appreciate. Her legs scissored against him and she undulated attempting to roll them, her hands holding his head, running down his back and shoulders, and her lips pressing wet kisses over and over to his lips.

This is good, right?

Van thought as he became intoxicated by the sounds, smell and sight. Without consciously being aware of it, Van pushed his fingers under the edge of that cloth covering where one of her legs was and touched her.

"Oh god!" It wasn't a scream so much as a prayer and green eyes opened impossibly wide to lock on his. He watched her reaction, but didn't stop, didn't even pause in his ministrations. She said this was okay and until she told him to stop, he had no intentions of doing so.

"V…Van…"

He couldn't take his eyes from her; she was beautiful.

"Hitomi…" He breathed and pushed two of his fingers inside.

She was hot and tight, her muscles clamping down around his fingers in a manner that nearly made him lose himself right then and there.

I'm going to be there… oh sweet Gaea…

Van wasn't aware he was breathing prayers aloud until he noticed how Hitomi's head—thrown back at his intrusion had turned his way and she was attempting to hide her face into his shoulder.

Her hands brushed over his shoulder blades and he felt the tingling itch grow stronger under his skin; his wings. His wings wanted out. He had only a moment to process that before Hitomi's trembling made him question her resolution.

"Is this still okay?" His voice was unsteady and raspy, nothing at all like how he'd hoped to sound, but Hitomi either didn't mind or didn't notice as she responded.

"Yes…" She wheezed out and squeezed said digits with her inner muscles as if to prove a point. Van's eyes closed on a sigh and he began to work his fingers within her.

"Oh, Van…"

He grunted frustrated with the fabric that seemed to be perpetually in his way, and Van pulled his hand away from the warmth of her to further divest her of said cloth.

"No…" Hitomi cried out and one hand shot out to grab his wrist before it could move to far, "Don't stop." Both of them froze at the action and the desperate cast to her features made him smile crookedly at her, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead, smug and more than a little self-assured.

"I'm not stopping…" He managed to get out as he moved his hand back. "I can't stop now…" He grunted and worked her harder relishing her sharp gasps and mewls.

"Please, please, please, please…" Hitomi gasped, head pressed into the pillow. He couldn't bare it anymore, he needed to be inside her and from the sounds she made and the trembling in her legs, she was ready for him too. "… Van, please…"

Tearing away, Van rose to his knees ripping at the fastenings of his pants. His hands shook so badly it was almost impossible to open them. "Damn it…" He cursed when he finally managed to free the clasp and push the fabric down and away. The cool air was a shock and had him hissing. He was then distracted by Hitomi's gasp as he was attempting to remove his pants completely. She was staring at his exposed erection with a mix of awe and trepidation.

"… you…" She broke off and Van froze, fearing the worse.

"What?"

"… you're big…" She whispered, one hand lifting to her lips. Maybe it was the words, or the way her hand tentatively reached out to touch him, or maybe it was because he suddenly needed free of his clothes right that instant, but he was incapable of moving. He swallowed hard, lost in the tension between them when he watched slender fingers grip the fabric of his pants and pull it over his hips and down his thighs.

"… let me…" Hitomi whispered and his response stuck in his throat. She stripped him with ease, her hair brushing against his skin, her breath teasing him. He groaned and gently pushed her back onto the bed crawling up over her when his pants were removed enough for him to kick them off entirely.

Hitomi squeaked as she was suddenly pushed flush to the bed sheets, Van atop her, his hands pulling her to the center of the bed even as his knees guided hers apart. "… but, I was going to…"

"… I can't…" He paused to swallow and work up the courage to say what he needed to, "I want to be inside you." Van confessed as his apology, no longer able to think beyond the burning of his blood, the clawing of his wings, and the throbbing between his legs.

He had to have her, to drive deeply inside and lose himself to the passion that ate away every thought; every worry. He positioned himself with Hitomi's help, the moment tender and fragile between them. Here he paused, met her eyes, and silently asked if she was sure. He couldn't have voiced such a damning entreaty if his life had depended on it, honestly admitting to wanting to be inside of her had taken almost all of his courage. Luckily Hitomi understood, and spread her legs further apart in offering, her hands rising to pull him down and against her, but it was her words that moved him most, "I love you, Van Fanel."

He pushed inside her with a grunt and less finesse than he would have liked, and his voice swiftly became a shout of pure bliss and sensation. He had intended to move slowly, but couldn't stop the forward slide inside of her until he'd hilted himself completely and he shuddered, gasping in the overload to his senses.

Van was barely aware of his own cry that drowned out Hitomi's or the fact that his wings ripped free from his back at his entry. Feathers, white and perfect, drifted lazily about them as he came to rest fully inside Hitomi and he clung to her tightly as his world simply imploded.

Complete.

He felt, complete for the first time in his life.

Oh… this is what mother meant… I understand… sweet Gaea… I understand.

A few tears stung his eyes, and Van placed messy kisses to Hitomi's neck and shoulder, hoping with every fiber of his being that he hadn't hurt her, and desperately trying to hold still within her until he could properly enquire.

"… love you… love you… thank you… Hitomi…" He worshiped her, while his wings encased them in a protective shield, and then, they moved together.

XX

13 September 2003

Earth

XX

The car hadn't even come to a stop before she was unbuckled and opening her door.

"Yukari!" Suzumu yelled in startled concern, slamming the vehicle to a halt and turning toward her, eyes wide. He had dark rings under them that she knew had nothing to do with the eight hour drive they had just completed. They both loved Hitomi's little boy, just as they both loved Hitomi, but Anil was special in a way that simply couldn't be spoken of aloud.

Susumu had always professed to want children and proved his proficiency as a father with Anil. The boy was never lacking in a male father-figure role thanks to her husband. Anil was practically their child as well in that regards or at least, that was how she felt. They were his un-official god-parents, and were even listed in Hitomi's will as the guardians of Anil should something happen to her. Anil's sudden disappearance felt as though they had lost their own child and it nearly gutted her.

Susumu and she had been devastated when the doctors had informed him that it was unlikely he would ever father any children; which meant that if he wanted children, they would likely have to adopt. She was not against the idea of adoption but she could tell Susumu had been disappointed and they had both found solace in Anil.

After that, Anil had only become that much more precious to them and that was why his eyes were bloodshot and hollow, and why she couldn't look at them for too long. For three years Anil was their only comfort from reality and now…

She didn't have time to comfort her husband though. There was simply no time for their problems or the surprise she had been planning to spring on her husband. All her plans were put on hold the moment Ishikawa Fumio had called her concerned for Hitomi and dropped the bombshell that had effectively ruined their lives.

Fucking beam of blue-light… I swear if there isn't already a phobia for that shit, I'll be the first to have and name it…

The taste of bile made her swallow convulsively in response to memories she'd tried desperately to forget.

The lump in her throat reminded her of her sins and ate away at her insides. If she'd had the courage to confess to them, then maybe she could be absolved, but she had yet to speak them to anyone but Susumu and he wasn't the one she needed forgiveness from. How was one to tell their best friend that before her random abduction to a world that floats invisibly in the sky that they had been so jealous as to wish for their disappearance?

Hitomi had been so in love with Susumu in high school, and he'd seemed rather inclined to her affections as well. Yukari had squashed her own feelings to the point of denial, and then she'd heard the news of Susumu's study abroad program. She just snapped. She purposefully interrupted the one moment Hitomi and Susumu would have and while she'd done it she had thought the most awful things. She actually wished Hitomi wasn't there, so that she wouldn't feel guilty for wanting to confess herself.

I didn't mean any of it… I didn't really want her to vanish…

Yukari thought to herself, but it hadn't changed the fact that her wish had come true and she'd never felt so guilty in her life. For almost seven months she felt like a murderer and she swore to never let her own ugly envy cloud her judgments again. Hitomi had returned and things had moved on. She stood by Hitomi's side through the stigmatism of having disappeared and then returning pregnant. She put her own life dreams on hold to support Hitomi and Anil and she had been happy simply to have her friend back in her life. She kept that promise to herself for six years.

But, she had ultimately failed.

When Susumu was diagnosed she had felt slighted and cheated. Hitomi was there to comfort her. But, Hitomi had that precious little child of hers. A child conceived out of wed-lock but still a blessing that Yukari and Susumu would never have. She'd never actually given her feelings words, never wished any harm on Hitomi or Anil, but still she'd been jealous.

Like a cancer, that jealousy morphed and grew until around the time that Hitomi had finally agreed to see Ishikawa Fumio was more than a friend, Yukari had allowed herself to be honest and had bemoaned the fact hat Hitomi had such a wonderful child, and she and Susumu, who had waited until they were married to be intimate, would not. She'd said it was not fair.

She hadn't meant it, wouldn't have said it aloud to anyone, she had only indulged in a bit of self-pity and bitterness and like clock-work it would seem, the moment she no longer felt that negative emotion the blue beam of light whisked away the focus of her envy.

Yeah, a fear of blue-mars-beams seemed plausible and justified in her book.

"Yukari, wait!" Susumu called again the engine dying behind her, but she didn't stop, didn't turn, she simply tore up to the front door. Memories clamored for attention from all sides; how Hitomi and she had found the home, the subsequent move in while a two-year-old Anil did his best to make a mess of everything he touched. Her eyes moved over to the tree Anil had climbed for the first time and on the sidewalk he had learned to ride his first bicycle with training wheels, in front of the bay windows Anil had attempted to eat that bumble bee and sparked Hitomi's slipper-throwing technique that was honestly impressive.

Yukari felt her throat constrict further as she pulled the spare key from the mail bin beside the door and slammed it into the lock turning the bolt and letting herself in without even a knock. Her guilt was all consuming and she felt as though she had to help Hitomi through this. To make up for that first time, to somehow repent for that flashbulb memory she had of Hitomi rising up into the sky and vanishing like so much star dust.

She still remembered the gangly looking boy, the dragon, the intense fear and worry and the joyous guilt when Susumu turned his affections towards her in Hitomi's absence. She knew now that Hitomi had not actually been in love with the upper-classman, but at the time she had truly believed she'd stolen her best friend's man after wishing a horrible fate upon her.

"Hitomi?" She called throwing the spare onto the counter, placed just to the right of the shoe-rack and removed her shoes at the landing before stepping up and into the actual house. "You had better not be moping!" Her voice remained stable and accusatory despite the conflicting feelings swirling in her chest and clawing up her throat as memories tortured her. Images; of Hitomi's shocked face when she returned to the track nearly seven months after her disappearance, her joy to find out about Susumu and Yukari, the fantastical stories and secrets shared, the flush to her friend's face as she spoke of her nights spent with the gangly boy who was an angel and a king, the subsequent reason for her disregard for protection, her promise and plan.

Yukari blinked, coming back to awareness as Hitomi walked out from the door that lead into the bathroom and took in the still damp hair and the circles that hugged the underside of green eyes and left deep shadows there. It was clear she was upset, as she had every right to be, but Hitomi wasn't broken yet.

The relief was nearly as damaging as the worry had been when Hitomi flashed a smile and responded with, "You do know that the doorbell works just fine, right?"

She recognized the expression on her friend's face immediately. It was Hitomi's brave look. It was the same one she'd pasted on when she'd discovered that she was pregnant and that her life was about to become unimaginably difficult. Yukari felt her own sob break free from her throat as the most heart wrenching conversation from that time came back to her ears in fragments.

"…have you told him? Can you even do that?"

"No. I guess I could if I tried hard enough… but…"

"What do you mean but?! He helped get you into this mess he should help you out! He's a king right? There must be something he can do!"

"It doesn't work that way… besides, he's busy right now. More people need him than I do right now… I can wait."

"Wait? Until when? You think he's going to ever be completely free, Hitomi?"

"… Four years… we promised, so I'll wait till then."

"What if he never comes!?"

"… then I'll at least have this part of him to keep."

"That's insane! You can't sacrifice yourself like this, or be this pathetic over a guy who may not even care! And if he does, you're depriving him of his son! The heir to his kingdom!"

"No, Yukari, I'm giving him the chance to live free of me."

Yukari felt the tears already flowing down her face as she ran and embraced Hitomi in her arms crushing the taller girl close and falling to pieces when she had intended to be the strong one. "Hitomi!"

"Well, I'm glad to see that you are up, Kanzaki." Susumu stated from behind her, likely just now making it into the house. Yukari felt bad that all she seemed capable of doing was crying but ignored it as Hitomi rubbed her back and proved once more just how much stronger; kinder, the girl was in comparison to herself.

"Hey, Amano. Thanks for coming all the way out here."

"What else could we do? We know best what happened…" Susumu trailed off and she felt Hitomi stiffen a moment but she relaxed quickly.

"Thank you…" This time she too sounded close to tears.

"Yukari I found the perfect name! It's Hindu! "Anil" is another name for the wind god Vayu. It sounds a lot like the English word, "angel" doesn't it? It's perfect! Right, Anil?"

Yukari could still see Hitomi sitting before a small computer with the webpage for baby names open, rubbing her swollen stomach and speaking to her unborn child with such joy. The guilt that she could somehow be the cause of this sadness now made her grip her friend closer. "… Oh, Hitomi, I'm so sorry…"

"Thanks Yukari… but, you were right. Worrying won't solve anything. I have to have faith in Van and Anil, and trust that Van will find a way to get Anil back to me." Hitomi was smiling again, but this time the look made Yukari feel sick. The words and blind faith reminded her too much of the years before when her friend waited, faithful to a memory of an angel only to be left bereft and alone.

She much preferred the curses and the screams Hitomi had made against his person while in labor. She'd imagined him sneezing himself to death when the years passed by and the promised date came and passed without his arrival (1). Still, her friend had waited and hoped, for another year before she'd finally been forced to give up.

"He isn't coming back, Yukari… I guess… I guess he's moved on. How… how will I tell Anil, that daddy isn't going to be coming for him?"

Yukari grit her teeth coming back into control as her anger found an outlet other than herself and her guilt. She would never forgive that boy for hurting Hitomi as he had, for making that light in her eyes go out; for betraying that unwavering faith. If he failed her now, Yukari promised that she would kill the man herself.

"That's the spirit, Kanzaki." Susumu smiled and removed his shoes before stepping into the house and pulled the two of them into his arms for a hug. "We'll be here if that faith of yours wavers again. And I'm certain Yukari will whip you into shape should you dare to fall."

Hitomi laughed but it was slightly forced. Yukari looked up but didn't comment, well aware that only one small six-year-old could return Hitomi to herself. Watching her best friend, Yukari made a promise to herself that even if Van came through and brought Anil back to them, she would still punch him.

It was the least she could do.

XX

12 September, 2003

Gaea

XX

Anil scrubbed at his eyes with his dirt covered palms and felt the grit scrape already irritated skin. A whimper escaped despite his best efforts and it caused more stinging liquid to burn his eyes and nose which already smarted from the numerous times he'd wiped and smeared it with his sleeve. Snot clogged and dripped down his face much like the tears chapping the skin further. He decided that the pain was the reason he was crying and not because of the thick lump in his throat and not the clawing fire that ate away at him, telling him he was not in control, that he would never save his mother; that he had failed.

Face crumpling with emotion—from the pain in his cheeks, not because he was upset—Anil looked around to make certain no one would see him. His mother was the only one who would understand his tears, the only one who wouldn't judge him for crying, and she wasn't here. He was glad to find nothing but trees and foliage and dappled sun spots around him.

Halting his steps, Anil looked at his toes abstractly aware that he'd ruined his socks, and shuddered all over. Lifting his scraped palms—he'd fallen a few times in his escape—to his face, he let out a loud wailing sob.

"Mama! Mama I'm," a hiccup broke his voice off and he spent the next few seconds screaming and blubbering nonsense. "Sorry! I'm sorry Mama! I... I wanna go home!" The tears soaked his hands and face and he choked on saliva and mucus as his small body folded to the grassy path. Scraped, dirtied knees were drawn up to his chest, weight balanced solely on the balls of his feet while hands attempted to wipe away moisture and snot.

It was an attempt to sooth himself, the action a mimicry of his mother's, but his stubby hands were too rough, small and dirtied to comfort him. They were not his mother's hands at all. The scream built up from his stomach and tore out his throat in its escape. The sound did little except alleviate the pressure inside of him. Anil wasn't sure how long he cried but he could no longer breathe through his nose and his face was burning when a large, warm, familiar hand carded through his hair.

"There, there Anil. That's enough now… you have to be strong, remember?" The voice seemed somehow distant, all echo-y and ghost-like, but deep, kind, and resonate. It tripped memory signals instantly and stopped his tears. Looking up sharply, Anil turned watery and hopeful eyes in the direction of the voice.

"Folken?"

Anil blinked several times, his initial smile fading when the tall blue-haired man was not before him, in his place there was the same clearing he'd stumbled upon. Just to be certain Folken wasn't hiding somewhere just out of his vision, Anil looked around. His eyes were drawn to a stone structure and he had the strangest sense of knowing that Folken had come from there. He stood up and scrubbed at the remaining tears, intending to investigate the stone but he was distracted again by the giant kneeling beside the stone.

Its white body was slightly obscured by green vegetation. To him it looked as though it was paying allegiance to some higher power. He unconsciously looked over his shoulder to make sure he hadn't missed some other awesome thing when he'd been on the brink of tears. There was no other giant figure and when Anil looked back he couldn't stop the giddy awe that swept through him. He couldn't help but feel that it was somehow kneeling before him.

Attention fully ensnared, Anil headed slowly toward the large kneeling figure. A dark cape draped behind it and upon its chest was a grey stone. Anil froze, his mouth falling open in shock as he stared at the deadened stone on the chest.

"… Esca… flowne…?" Anil whispered the name as reverently as he had ever spoken his father's name. He was close now, close enough that all he had to do was reach out and maybe rise to his tip toes a bit and he could touch the very edge of the stone heart.

The dragon armor from mom's stories… could this be..?

Anil couldn't help but smile as he stretched his hand out to touch it. He liked dragons and he'd always thought Escaflowne was better than any transformer since it could turn into a dragon. His fingers strained out and his heart fluttered in his chest…

"Don't touch that!"

Jerking his hand back, Anil spun to face the voice, both hands squirreled away behind his back. The denial was on the tip of his tongue, habitual from dealings with his mother. He'd even opened his mouth when he spotted the figure charging his way.

Conflicted feelings killed his usual dialogue before it was even born. What was the point, really, if his mother wasn't there to hear it? It wasn't like his father would know what to say. Pain stung his chest as the king of Fanelia stopped before him to grab his small shoulders and wrench him away from Escaflowne.

"What are you doing here?" The tone was harsh and sharp; the pull of the hands causing his stumble and what little joy he felt at his father's perusal dissipated like smoke. "Answer me, Anil!"

Twisting free from hands that held him too tight, Anil glowered and fisted his hands into the material of his shorts. He tried to ignore the burn that had returned to his cheeks and eyes.

"… I wasn't gonna break it…" was his petulant answer when Van reached out toward him again, expression stern.

The words froze the action and a momentary confusion passed over the man's face. Neck growing tired, Anil looked back to his feet where his toes were digging into the dirt. His mother was going to be angry when she saw how dirtied his socks were. Anil wiggled his toes and wondered if he could get new ones and some shoes before going home. There was a long stretch of silence before the shadow cast by his father shifted. The movement made him glace back up, and Anil nearly jumped when he found himself eyelevel with his father.

Van knelt before him on one knee, not unlike the frozen Escaflowne; one arm propped upon his raised knee the other hanging beside the bracing limb. The symbolism wasn't lost on Anil and he found himself more open to listen to what the man had to say for no other reason than he was imitating the dragon god's stance.

Cinnamon-Christmas-Tea eyes stared into his imploringly and the tension slowly leached out of him the longer Van regarded him. It must have been the stillness that kept him from reacting, because he didn't reacted when Van reached back out and gently ruffled his hair. Despite himself, and the promise not to be weak, Anil felt his chest warm and ache from the gentle regard and he shivered all over. This was what he'd wanted for so long; the large comforting press of his father's hand on his head, looking at him and seeing him.

The tears were back in force and Anil had to close his eyes tightly and scrub hard to force them back. When he could safely open them again, he found the darker eyes had remained slightly sad; sad and haunted.

"… You know Anil, angels are brave, strong, and heroic, but they are also fragile…"

The imploring words of his mother came to him suddenly and though he'd not understood them at the time, he thought he might have a better idea of what she had meant now.

"… Your father is the same. He's been afraid, so afraid I wonder how he could even breathe sometimes… but, he always did his best. That's what makes him the best, my Vayu…"

"It wasn't Escaflowne I was worried about." Such simple words stated with a mostly stern face, yet they touched Anil deeply.

"Oh…" Anil looked back toward the sleeping giant wondering how his father could think that could have possibly hurt him. There was a baby bird in a nest on its head, and that featherless creature was far more fragile than he was, so how could Escaflowne possibly hurt him? Van's eyes followed Anil's and landed upon the nest a moment later but didn't say anything. "… uhm…"

"Hm?" Eyes swung back to his at the non-committal inquisition. "What is it?"

Anil chewed the inside of his lip, brows furrowing in thought. He had to be careful on how he worded his next question. He really didn't want to start another fight, and though he desperately wanted to ask about saving his mommy, he knew better than to try now.

"Anil?"

"… why would Escaflowne hurt me?" He watched as Van's face grew shadowed then turned back to the armor.

"Because, it is a weapon, Anil; all weapons harm and destroy." There was an underlining bitterness that was at odds with the fondness in the words that only confused Anil more.

"… well, yeah," Anil agreed shuffling slightly closer to his father, "but..." Anil swallowed wondering if his next statement was wise to voice or not. His father didn't always react well to statements of mommy.

"But?" Van encouraged and Anil stood taller as the large hand soothed his crown and placed his own hands upon the one still braced upon the knee.

"Mommy said that Escaflowne was the Dragon god of Wind and the guardian of Fanelia…" He paused to breathe and settle his nerves rushing ahead before his father could interrupt. "That's why she named me Anil, you know. Because, Vayu is the god of wind and she said with my name, the wind would always be my guide and, and, my sign is wind too!" Anil rambled a bit longer before getting back to his point, "…and she said, no matter what, Escaflowne would protect me." The speech left him winded and it took a while before he caught his breath enough to look up at his stunned father.

A sinking feeling twisted his gut, and Anil felt his palms grow sweaty. He didn't want to think this way, but after what he'd seen before finding his father, Anil had to ask and for once he'd believe whatever his father said, even if it discredited it mother's words. "… was she wrong?"

XX

It was clear from his son's tone that, in his eyes, his mother was never wrong, but the question itself proved that something had shaken Anil's belief. Van just hoped it wasn't his own actions that had sparked that.

You taught him everything you could about Gaea… about Fanelia, didn't you Hitomi?

Van thought to himself feeling humbled. Merle's idea that Hitomi might have kept Anil from him out of some misplaced sense of saving him held more weight with that simple statement. Hitomi had been waiting, and had told their son not just about him, but as much as she could about his kingdom and the culture.

I hadn't even thought that you'd paid that much attention to my ramblings…

The warmth that infused him then only made him feel more like an ass for having doubted Hitomi in the first place. He knew he'd still question and worry over her motives until he was able to hear the truth from her lips in person, but he didn't want to continue to blame her either.

Besides, Anil was here, and he did deserve more from his father than irritation. The child had just come all the way to Gaea on his own with only a hope and prayer, and so far Van had done little to explain or reassure him at all.

"No. Your mother was right." Van smiled and ruffled the boy's hair again, which the child seemed to enjoy immensely if his big grin was any indication at all.

My worries about Hitomi are my own.

"See! So, why would Escaflowne hurt me?"

And they were back to square one. Van sighed turning to look at the armor once more. It had been his only saving grace during the war, but it also caused so much harm both to him and through him. How was he to tell his son just how stained his hands were? Should he even try to explain the horrors he'd known?

"Mommy told me about it. Said it was a sad time, a time when even angels fell…" Anil began when it became clear that Van might not even answer his question. "… but she always made Escaflowne sound good. Scary!" Anil emphasized by raising his voice and turning abruptly to look into Van's eyes, his own blown wide with recalled terror. No, not fear… awe. "…but cool."

"Did she now?"

"Uh-huh!" Anil's head bobbed up and down emphatically.

"What else did she tell you?" His question seemed to lighten Anil's world as he grinned and wriggled with delight. His own smile made its way over his features as his son tumbled into an edited tale of the war complete with action as he pulled away to act out certain rescues and successes. It became clear that Hitomi had tried to give their son an understanding of the war that wasn't scaring, but impressed the seriousness of it.

"—said not to go, but you couldn't just leave everyone to be caught so you took Escaflowne out and it turned into a dragon—I LOVE dragons!" Anil stopped his story telling to spiral off on a tangent of his likes and dislikes and somehow, Van felt comforted by the ease in which his son slipped away from the darkness of that time.

"—red is my favorite color, but I don't really like that dark purple-y red of the rug at my school… its gross… Oh! But sometimes they serve pudding and its—" Anil continued to babble random facts, distracted completely from his original task and Van found he could relax and listen as his son finally got to share who he was.

Van settled in for what was shaping up to be an informative, if a rather random jumbling tale of the boy's life and realized that Merle was going to be absolutely insufferable when the two finally returned to the palace.

She had been, as usual, correct.

XX

Fifteenth Day of the Ninth Month

Seventh Year of Carusfatum

XX

The sound of the wind as it rushed passed the outer hull of the Crusade was a comforting hum that Chid could feel in his bones. The rumbling power of the levy stones as it fought against the gravity that wanted to pull it to the craggy ground of the pass below, had always made him feel excited despite the many years he had spent traveling via ships much like Allen's. He supposed it ran in his blood to be drawn to such things.

"Well, that was unexpected." Millerna chuckled as she joined him in his lazy musings. "Never would have thought Allen would be out-smarted by his younger sister." Her amusement was given life as her laughter escaped despite her valiant attempts to keep it in.

Chid returned the smile, taking note of the bright quality of his aunt's countenance. He had been concerned for several years when Dryden had been away and Millerna had not been able to successfully call him her own. Having understood more than the adults would have expected, or liked, back then he'd worried for the future of Asturia as Millerna had been torn between her betrothed and the man she'd adored. He'd been both relieved and pleased that his aunt had found both peace and happiness with Dryden. It may have been selfishness on his part, but he would not have been comfortable with Allen and Millerna becoming more than what they were.

"It is not all that surprising." Chid commented, his own mirth coming to the fore. "She has had him wrapped around her little finger for years now. Outsmarting a distracted man is far more simplistic than one would think."

"Speaking from experience, dear nephew?" Millerna's voice held a tone Chid was not unfamiliar with and he felt his cheeks pink at the teasing implication. He was no longer a child but had yet to actually have his coming of age. Therefore, he was not unaware of the adult liaisons he was expected to be entertaining in order to procure a wife and heir in two years' time, but that didn't mean he was comfortable with it.

"Aunt Milerna, please…" He muttered and endured her un-lady-like snickering for some time. As it faded and silence resumed, he found himself almost missing the embarrassment as the weight of their journey became pressing.

"What do you think this is about?" He dared query, well aware that his aunt would not spread rumors nor do anything to deface herself or the King of Fanelia. Chid had been concerned since the missive had arrived and it had only become more distracting as the airship came to collect both of them for their trip. He had also, not dismissed the fact that as they had been boarding, Dryden had personally come out to hand Millerna a sealed document. The tube was wrapped and the personal seal of the King of Asturia was pressed into the wax. Dryden had whispered something to Millerna to which she'd nodded with a frown before he'd commenced his goodbyes and left.

He might have dismissed it entirely, if Millerna hadn't promptly turned and scurried away to—presumably—store the important document away before either he or Allen could question her. She had then run into the occupied bathroom and no one had been able to question her about the last minute delivery.

Dryden is far more astute than most. If anyone knows about this, it would be Dryden.

With that thought in mind, Chid had dared to ask a question that was less precise and prying, but could lead to the answers he sought.

Millerna made a considering sound, her fingers rising up to her chin as though contemplating the weight of her answer. She had certainly grown a lot; they all had, but he'd noticed it more prominently in his aunt than anyone else. It also made finding out if she were hiding things a bit more complicated.

"I think that Van might be overreacting, though with everything that has since happened, I guess I can understand his concern."

"But overall, you think this is more likely not as pressing as his missive would imply?"

Millerna sighed, bracing herself on the railing and staring out into the horizon. "Perhaps it's more accurate to say, 'I hope,' that it is all right and that Van is being over-cautious. I'm personally hoping that Hitomi is going to return… but Dryden doesn't think this is the case."

Millerna shrugged and it was clear she was no more informed than himself. It also highlighted the fact that Millerna also felt her husband knew more than he was letting on. Chid looked down from his Aunt's golden hair, much like his own and took note of her clothing. She was once more wearing the pants and shirt combination that was comfortable for travel but not so appropriate for a woman of worth. The clothing was a catalyst for his memories and he was once more reminded of the past.

Hitomi's readings, her ability to see the unseen and the fear as she'd died before his very eyes. She'd reawakened thanks to Van and Millerna's efforts, but for the first time he understood the burden that the other girl carried being able to see things others could not. As he'd grown older, and the war drifted further into the past, he'd been informed of other truths.

Hitomi's connection to the Draconians, and her ability to affect and effectively alter fate to her will. Chid suppressed a shudder at the very thought. He'd never voice it, especially not in front of Millerna and Van, but he'd always wondered if it were wise to allow Hitomi to return and stay on Gaea. More than that, was it cruel to ask the woman to remain in a place where her abilities were so overpowering?

Would it not be safer for all of us, if she were to remain on the Mystic Moon?

"What are you thinking about?"

Chid regarded her calmly, his mind still lost in thought. "I am wondering if Hitomi's return would really be a blessing or not."

"What do you mean?" Millerna sounded torn between being affronted and worried. Chid knew he'd have to tread carefully with his next few words. His Aunt was a fair and just ruler; she just tended to be overly protective of her friends.

"It's just that Hitomi suffered so much while here."

"We all suffered."

"Most certainly, but that is not my point." He met her gaze and held it a moment before continuing when he was reasonably assured that she would not interrupt again. "She said once that her abilities to read the future and see what could not be seen were nothing but a game to her on the Mystic Moon."

The words slowly sank in and he watched as his aunt's expression became that pitying mask that she often wore when speaking of the war itself, though it also held a tinge of horror at his revelation. Chid merely nodded his head once in her direction, turning his attention back to his thoughts and how to voice them.

"… she had no idea that her abilities would cause so much pain… so much suffering and death."

"She never meant to—" Millerna breathed, trying to defend the friend they were both recalling and he quickly cut her off.

"No. She didn't and that makes it all the more painful. She died here, because of her abilities. Can you imagine ever returning to a place where simply being yourself caused such pain? Where your own abilities frightened you so much that your heart stopped?" Chid shook his head sadly. "I couldn't think of a more horrible fate than that. Afraid of yourself, your abilities and having no guarantee that you would not cause harm to those around you simply because you wished for or desired something. That is not a life… that is a prison."

A choked sound escaped his aunt and silence stretched between them for several moments. He knew he should comfort her, somehow ease the blow his words had caused, but he couldn't. If this child were indeed connected to Hitomi he couldn't let the romantic views his aunt looked at the world through push the girl into a decision she did not wish to make. Perhaps it was cruel of him, but he saw no reason to keep quiet when she herself had prompted him to speak his mind.

"… you think this is why Van's missive seemed so… dire?"

"… no." Chid shook his head, a sad smile curling his lips. "If anyone would have biased thoughts in regards to this, it would be King Fanelia." Chid chuckled, "He's loved her for so long… I do not think he is capable of thinking rationally when it comes to her."

"That is true."

"… I think he is also aware of this. He's called us in order to get a more impartial view so he doesn't make any rash decisions."

"… when did you grow up?" Millerna asked teasingly, attempting to lighten the mood that had fallen about them. Chid smiled back at her allowing the shift and letting his darker thoughts slip away.

"Time does that to children." As do wars… he thought silently but did not choose to voice that bit aloud. "Besides, we can't have two children hiding in the Crusade's bathrooms."

Millerna's laughter was well worth keeping himself silent. He imagined that whatever that missive was, he would find out about it in three days when they arrived in Fanelia. From Millerna's reactions and talk, it was likely she didn't know what the missive contained either, though it was important enough for her to hide away.

"Oh, Allen would have a fit!" Millerna seemed to particularly enjoy that mental image and Chid couldn't help his own chuckle as her infectious laughter lightened to mood.

Laughter had always fit her best.

XX

There were times when she forgot how much her nephew had grown up, and how quickly he'd been forced to do so. He himself had been no older than this little visitor from the Mystic Moon when he'd pulled his duchy together under the weight of his father's death and lead them through a war. The thought was a truly sobering one and combined with what Chid had revealed concerning Hitomi's experiences while on Gaea, brought into prospective just how easy her life had been in comparison.

She'd been so excited at the prospect of seeing Hitomi again, of seeing her and Van get married and had completely forgotten how desperately the girl had wanted to return home. That had been her one and only true wish, even after the war was over and Van and she had grown so close. Perhaps, she was being unfair and childish. Naïve, would be a better term.

Everyone could see how much they cared for each other, and that hadn't been enough to keep Hitomi here. Why would this be any different? Could this be why Dryden had brought up what he had? And what was in that sealed document? Dryden had handed it over to her, and told her to give it to Van upon her arrival. He would say nothing more. It was officially sealed with the royal crest so that left her no opportunity to be nosy either.

Is that why he waited until the last minute to give it to me? So I couldn't ask questions?

"Who do you think the child is?" Chid questioned then, dragging her from her thoughts. It seemed odd for him to have brought it up, but there were little other topics filling their minds.

"I don't know… but, Dryden seems to think he's somehow related to Hitomi or the Atlantians."

"Hmm." Chid looked confused for a few moments, his face twisted in concentration. Millerna felt a pang in her heart at how similar Chid looked to Allen in that moment. No one spoke of it, least of all Allen, but she was certain that denial was becoming near to impossible as with each passing year Chid looked more and more like his paternal father. "… that would make sense, assuming that Hitomi's pendant was indeed a relic from them. It would also explain why more people from the Mystic Moon don't show up."

"You and Dryden, I swear you both make me feel incompetent." Millerna shook her head depreciatively. "But as for who I think he might be… I have no clue."

"Maybe, he's Hitomi's son."

The shock of the words left her speechless and slightly cold.

What…?

Turning slowly she looked at her nephew, the distant, faraway look to his eyes leaving her to wonder what else he knew about. How much did he know about his own parentage?

"I—I guess it's possible…" Millerna mentioned with a blush. "But, I just can't see that. If they had been… that close…" Millerna blushed despite being a married woman and cleared her throat, "I just can't see her moving on so quickly…"

She wouldn't have left him if they had been… right?

"Exactly." Chid said, his look pensive as he stared into the distance looking so much older than his frame would suggest. "Van did say that the child was young… Hitomi has only been gone for seven years."

She raised a hand to her mouth, both scandalized and oddly resigned to the facts. That would explain how the child had arrived, or where he got his Atlantian blood at the very least. It would also explain Van's terse and concerned letter. An illegitimate child was difficult for any ruling monarchy to accurately handle. Especially if that child was the only heir to the throne. This matter only became more complicated if the child was introduced later in its life. Many would claim the child was not actually of royal blood, and many conflicts and internal strife could swell.

If this is their child… Van will need our help to create legitimacy for him.

That also raised the question, if this was Hitomi and Van's child, why had he come alone?

"… Chid, that would imply that…" Millerna trailed off, unable to voice the thoughts aloud. Not the fear of Fanelia's reputation and in conjunction Hitomi and Van's personal reputations, nor the more concerning issue of Hitomi's possible death on the Mystic Moon.

"I mean no disrespect to Van or Hitomi," Chid was quick to state, turning to face her, his youthful face imploring and looking his age thankfully. "… it is simply as you have said. They loved each other." His blue eyes took on that distant, longing cast as though he were miles away. "They had just survived a war and knew they were soon to part… most likely never to meet again. It is not so hard to see how and why they might have taken every opportunity to revel in their love while they could. There is no dishonor in that."

"Chid…"

"It is natural to reach for happiness and love when it is in reach, is it not?" Chid canted his head to the side, looking unbearably like his mother with the action. The mother who had been faced with the very same predicament he had just described. Millerna ached for her nephew who had grown up too soon, understood too much and was far too wise.

It was humbling, that a child no older than thirteen knew and understood other's feelings far more than herself. Looking at the Duke of Freid, Millerna found herself nodding slowly, gripping his shoulder in pride and sympathy.

"Yes. I believe you are right." Her smile was easier to keep once his own lit his features and the weight of his eyes was lifted showing the boy under the monarch.

"… though, if this is the case… what do you think could make Hitomi send her child away?"

"… perhaps it was an accident." Millerna offered, though it sounded weak even to her ears. She didn't want to think on the more darker possibilities. "Hitomi said she could not control the travel by light after all. Dryden and Van had done some extensive research with you at the Temple Fortuna before he even attempted to send her home too."

Chid nodded his head. "… it was our belief that without the pendant, it would be impossible to control the transfer. That was just a theory however. Dornkirk did not have a pendant and he still managed the trip…" Chid sighed and rubbed at his head. "… that was why Dryden thought it might be an inherent ability in those descended from Atlantis. If they wished fervently enough they could achieve it."

"Dryden spoke to you about that?"

"Van, Dryden and I had many conversations while researching how to send Hitomi home."

"Oh… that makes sense." Millerna frowned looking out in the direction Asturia lay.

Sly merchant.

"There were, and still are too many factors to be certain. Van traveled to the Mystic Moon while hunting the land dragon. There was no drive to travel to the Mystic Moon, no impetus behind it, and Hitomi had not, to his knowledge, called him there. Yet, when Van wanted to see Hitomi, he was able to travel back to retrieve her without a pendant."

"… I think I remember Hitomi mentioning something about that." Millerna pressed a finger to her lips. "She said, she felt Van calling her, and that… she wanted to see him."

"… hmmm. So, she may have wished for it that time. But that does not explain Dornkirk's appearance, his continued long life, nor Van's sudden transport the first time."

"… we are assuming Dornkirk even told the truth when narrating that story to Allen, Van and Hitomi."

"That is true." Silence descended again for a while, uncomfortable and strained. "Well, we won't know for certain who the child is and how he made it here until we arrive." Chid sighed and then turned from the view. "I think I will try to persuade Celena into coming out of the bathroom."

"You will need some help then. She can be really stubborn." She was following behind Chid, thoughts turbulent when she was suddenly reminded of the parting words her husband had left her with. She stumbled, quite suddenly aware of why Dryden had been amused by the discussion of wine and suddenly had suspicions on what that sealed document might contain.

Millerna couldn't hide her smirk as the pieces fell into place.

Sly, know it all, Merchant…

A.N. Well, here we are. I hope I've left enough bread crumbs for you all to put things together without beating you over the head with it either. I also wanted to leave some mystery as to how it all works because let's face it, we had a lot of conflicting information on how the blue beam actually works and why.

1) A Japanese superstition, that if you sneeze once, someone is talking about you, you sneeze twice, someone who doesn't like you is talking about you.