A.N. Here we are with chapter 8. I hope you are all still enjoying this story. I have decided that at some point I will post a separate Unabridged version of this story, likely titled "Four Years: Unabridged" on so if it gets flagged and deleted at least this one may survive. The other websites I was looking at are all WAY too complicated for posting pre-written word documents.

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

XX

"Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts."

-Charles Dickens

XX

Chapter 8: A Touch that Never Hurts

XX

14 September, 1996

Gaia

XX

It was different from what she had expected. Everyone said it would hurt, that she would feel something break or pop when she lost her virginity, except, it didn't (1). Not really. There was some pinching and she felt stretched almost too full, so it wasn't exactly comfortable, but, Van, inside her, did not hurt. She was relieved and also slightly thrilled by the very notion that Van and she were doing this, that in this moment, it was as though they were one being.

Their breathes were the same, she could feel his rapidly fluttering heart beat in tandem with her own through the heated skin of his chest. He gasped as she clenched and moaned, it was as though they were in some kind of dance that neither knew the moves for, and yet, together they moved perfectly.

"Hitomi…" He husked into her shoulder, his lips pressing sloppy kisses to her available skin as he clung to her tightly, and she opened her eyes to see the stark white feathers above and around her, falling like soft warm snow.

She buried her face in his neck and shoulder, panting his name over and over, until, suddenly, he stiffened, a sharp intake of breath was really the only warning before his grip turned nearly painful; bruising. He pressed deeply to her and seemed to twitch. Insight struck her hard as she realized, he'd just finished, and for some reason; pride at having brought him there, love at being able to share something so intimate with him, or perhaps it was just all the stimulus was finally enough, she too felt her body spasm and shake and pulse around him.

"Van!"

Soon, all that remained was the sweaty sheets, the damp moisture between them, the soft fall of feathers and their harsh breaths. Hitomi's body felt weak, as though she had just been racing on the track for hours. It was a good, worked out feeling and she found herself a little giddy. She had quite enjoyed that, though now that the heat was abating they were left with the aftermath and she shyly looked to Van. He'd collapsed upon her, his weight a little stifling but somehow precious all the same. All she could see was his hair, ear, jaw and neck.

Overcome with tenderness, Hitomi gently stroked his back, shoulders, neck and then his wings. He stiffed at the last and finally lifted up from her. She felt him slip from her and couldn't stop the slight sound of dismay. The air rushing between them felt cold and impersonal after all that intimate heat.

Van twitched and his head came up to look at her, fear and concern clear on his face. "Did I hurt—" His jaw clenched on the word as he looked her over. His worry brought a sweet sting to her eyes and grin to her face. "Hitomi?"

Unable to express in words, Hitomi just shook her head, still smiling and wrapped her arms around her angel and kissed his cheek, his neck, shoulder and then just clung to him. Hidden in his shoulder she found the courage to be completely honest.

"Thank you. That was… amazing." She laughed a little at the end and could just imagine the confused expression he would wear. Van shifted his weight so they rolled to their sides so as not to crush her, and held her there. In the motion she felt when his wings disappeared, and ran her fingers lovingly over his back where they should have been.

"Are you sure you are in no pain?" He sounded tense and Hitomi snorted, pulling back to look at him.

"… I… I expected there to be pain… but…" She flushed and hid her face back in his neck. "… there wasn't any. Just…" She was barely even capable of whispering the word, which was pathetic because, hadn't they just been doing far more embarrassing stuff, but nonetheless it was hard to say. "…pleasure."

Van cleared his throat a little and Hitomi smiled, reassured that he too was feeling awkward. "G—good."

The silence stretched while she stroked his skin and wondered if they were supposed to just go to sleep now. She was just starting to feel the lull of fatigue due to the warmth of his skin, the gentle throb of his heartbeat and the general exhaustion of the day when he asked his next inquiry.

"… you don't regret..?"

She was shocked, enough so that she sat up, unmindful of her nakedness, and looked down on him. He looked insecure, and a little pained. The retort and anger died on her lips at the sight of him. She reached out to stroke his cheek, lovingly tracing his features and smiled, shaking her head to answer what she believed was a stupid question.

"Never. I love you." She reassured.

And then she kissed him.

XX

She woke with the bright sun streaming into the window. She curled away to avoid the light and snuggled into warm skin that smelled like the fields. Mingled in was the salty tang of sweat and a little musk.

Van.

Her lips curled in what was most likely a very silly smile, comforted by the familiarity of this routine, until her brain reminded her of the soreness between her thighs and in her lower back and hips, the nakedness of her body and the memory that she had just had sex with Van last night. Her eyes sprung open fast enough that the light temporarily blinded her. When her vison cleared she could see Van's sleeping face just above her own.

He looked peaceful and relaxed which was almost unusual. He always woke before she did, then again, he'd been rather busy last night. Hitomi's cheeks flooded with warmth as she recalled the night's events.

After her kiss they had made out for a while, touching each other and relearning their bodies and had ended up making love again before falling asleep. She could still feel the whispered and moaned words in her ear, the words they had repeated to each other until sleep had taken them away.

"I love you."

Her goofy grin remained plastered to her face and she traced Van's lips without thinking. He could say such sweet things when he wanted to. After his brusqueness and awkward blunders it was a pleasant and remarkable surprise. Her touch must have woken him as his dark eyes fluttered open and her breath caught at the sight of them.

Brown eyes were so common in Japan, typically they were nothing special and yet, Van's brown eyes were simply beautiful to her. They were such a warm brown, mahogany, with rich hints of red that left her wondering how it was she had missed how unique and captivating they could be. A flush heated her cheeks and she managed an awkward smile as she was suddenly reminded that they were laying in bed together; naked.

"… good morning." She whispered, shy despite the intimacies they had shared mere hours before. Her smile softened as color rose to his cheeks and the barest of smiles tipped the corners of his mouth at her greeting.

"…morning…" Van cleared his throat and returned her greeting with a bit of hesitance that Hitomi understood. Things had changed and they were still trying to find their footing. She bit her lower lip as nerves began to flit back in and was debating what to do, when one of Van's hands lifted to touch her cheek and brush her hair back from her eyes. It was a soft, kind and intimate gesture that both reassured her and caused her heart to race.

For a moment they did nothing but stare at one another, their fragile emotions a tenuous connection between them. His lips parted to speak but whatever the words were, she would never know as at that moment hard solid knocks to the door resounded. It was like a bucket of ice water spilling over them. Both tensed and jolted as fear chilled their hearts and choked out all tenderness.

"Hey, young King Fanelia, breakfast is ready and Merle is driving us all mad asking after you." The voice belonged to Gaddas; gruff and a little blunt. "The king and captain are requesting your presence and the little miss is still sleeping as well…" Gaddas grumbled and his words became indistinct and Hitomi covered her mouth with her hands color draining from her face.

Oh no..! If they go in they'll know I never slept in that room!

Her thoughts must have been clear on her face as Van's expression hardened and he turned toward the door sitting up and calling out. "I'm up. I'll check on Hitomi on the way down."

"Right! Don't take too long." Gaddas was quick to reply, and Hitomi couldn't hear anything amiss in his words or tone. She didn't think he knew she was in Van's room, but honestly she wasn't close enough to Gaddas to know for certain.

Once the sound of his footsteps had disappeared, Van slumped with a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. Hitomi sat up, pulling the bedsheets up to cover her nudity suddenly feeling uncomfortable and a little cold in the aftermath of nearly being caught. She had assumed premarital sex was rather frowned upon here, at least from the comments she'd heard it was enough to ruin a woman's reputation and made a man seem callous, but now, she was starting to see just how much of a risk it was that they had even taken last night for themselves.

"…" She stared at Van's back, memorizing the sight of him and feeling a little lost now that the intimacy and heat of their passion was past and they were left in the bright glare of morning to deal with the consequences.

I will never regret it. Never.

Hitomi straightened and shook her head, moving to the edge of the bed to gather her clothes and dress. She refused to react when she felt Van's eyes upon her own form, though she couldn't stop her blush as she saw the dark marks their love making had left upon her skin. After a moment she heard Van also dressing in silence behind her.

She wasn't certain what she was supposed to feel, but this was not what she had expected. It felt awkward and embarrassing, like she had done something wrong. Was it because they couldn't be open about it? Or was it the looming reality that despite the love and intimacy they had shared last night, the world hadn't changed? They still would part, she would go home and life would move on.

Hitomi bit her lip feeling tears burn her eyes. She didn't want to lose this, she didn't want to lose Van, but she couldn't stay either. How could she stay and leave her family and friends to wonder what had happened to her? How would she face Van, knowing he had lived through that with both his brother and mother, and actively put her own family through that same torment.

But… it's not right to leave it like this… I don't want this to be the end…

She was pulling on her socks when she noticed the room was filled with white feathers. Feathers shed last night by her angel; the man she loved, a physical proof of their union. She vaguely wondered how he was going to explain them away, and couldn't stop a soft snort at the mental image.

"… Hitomi?" Van question, voice soft and filled with that same uncertainty that was strangling her. This was all they could have, at least for now. She'd made so many mistakes in the past half-year that she had been here, she didn't want to make anymore, but she couldn't think of a way to stop.

No matter what world she was on she was bound to miss the other. She had to tell her parents she was okay, she had a life to see to back home, school and friends. She still had three and a half years of high school left since she would likely wake up back in the nurse's office exactly one day before her adventure—(2)

Wait… that… that's it!

Her heart ached and pounded desperately in her chest as a plan formed. It was rather fanciful and perhaps too hopeful and romantic to work, but she refused to do nothing. Shoring up her courage, she closed her eyes and spoke up; for him, for herself and for the tenderness that she had discovered between them.

"Four Years."

"…?"

"… I'll wait four years. If—if you still—" She choked off unable to say the last and shook her head, shoving a foot into her sneaker and tying the laces. "I will have no regrets. Give me four years and then…"

She trailed off unsure in his continued silence if he understood her or if her words had made him happy or not and with nothing else to keep her occupied she fiddled with her other shoe. With a shaking breath she waited for his response.

What do I do if he never answers? Could I run out the door?

She didn't hear him move, it was his shadow as he blocked the light from the window that let her know he'd walked around the bed. With the last of her courage she looked up and her voice and very breath caught in her chest aching with emotion.

Van's expression was so beautiful Hitomi was nearly brought to tears.

Four years… I will definitely return to you, Van.

XX

Twelfth Day of the Ninth Month

Seventh year of Carusfatum

XX

In the last hour Van had learned a variety of facts about his son, most of which he didn't actually understand or have a frame of reference for, despite this, he was grateful for the knowledge. He knew Anil had been born on the thirteenth day of the sixth month in the first year of Carusfatum, his favorite color was red, he had a stuffed toy dragon he had apparently named Balgus from the stories his mother had told him, he really liked some Mystic Moon celebration called "Christmas" though he also really liked another called "Oban" though he'd changed the topic quickly after mentioning it, changing the subject to inform him that Anil liked something called "Power Rangers" which was a "show" on a "television" that Hitomi let him watch sometimes.

Honestly, he had no idea what his son was talking about at all.

Anil apparently liked the beach and was excited to be learning to swim this year and Van made the decision that he would have to plan a visit to Asturia and the port city of Pallas for Anil to see the ocean once things had been resolved.

He had prepared himself to answer questions, however difficult, but it seemed that once Anil started talking, he was incapable of stopping. Anything that came to his mind came out of his mouth, and he animatedly spoke about it all, his hands dancing in the air before him. Van was relieved to be on better footing with the child, and enjoyed the chance to know Anil better. He'd missed so much already, and that still stung. He had not been able to teach him anything, and he realized that feeling of envy and bitterness had been hanging over him all this time.

No matter what he felt towards Hitomi and her choices, he could not allow those feelings to affect how he interacted with Anil now. He'd unconsciously avoided him, afraid of answering the questions he didn't think he could answer.

"… Daddy?"

"Hm?"

"…" Anil had a frown on his face and fidgeted slightly. It was clear he wasn't certain his question would be appreciated. Van had a feeling he knew what it was going to be and inwardly sighed.

"You can ask, I won't get mad."

"… you still love mommy right? You will go get her… right?"

Van felt his chest ache at the uncertainty and closed his eyes, pulling Anil close to sit on his lap. The boy settled easily enough and Van took a moment to organize his thoughts and response. "… what I feel for your mother won't change. Things are complicated right now, but I promise you, Anil, I will help you and your mother. I swear it."

His son's eyes were wide and filled with emotion as he nodded, his small hand gripping his shirt tightly. "Okay."

Van nodded, feeling better now that the issue was resolved for the moment. "Any other questions?"

"Hmmm…" Anil's face scrunched up as he tried to think of something else to ask his father. After a while his eyes lit up and he asked, "Tell me about Escaflowne."

Van frowned, "… you already know about that."

"No. Mommy said Escaflowne was the God of the Wind and protector of Fanelia… but she doesn't know the story." Anil pouted. "She always said when you came for us, I could ask you to tell us the story and we could both listen."

His chest constricted slightly at that revelation. He had forgotten that at the time, he had not informed Hitomi of the full story. She'd asked only after hearing about Asturia's God of the Seas, Jeture. He'd been a little terse in a response. He let out a breath, his eyes wandering to the guymelef that was slowly being devoured by the undergrowth.

"… Escaflowne sleeps in the skies. With each inhale, the wind drags through the fields. With each exhale, the heated air pushes the clouds and the rain back to nourish the fields." Van smiled, his eyes drifting shut with the old story his mother had told him when he had been younger than Anil was now. "The dragon of the skies feeds on the warmth of the hearts of Fanelia's people. A benevolent god, protecting the dreams of those with faith… however, should a cold heart rise, and dim the light of those hearts, the dragon will wake. Escaflowne is a benevolent god, but not a lax one. And like the winds of a storm, once woken, he will rend asunder any that dares to take what is not theirs(2)."

"Woah."

Van couldn't suppress his soft laugh at that response.

"…so Escaflowne is like Uncle Mamoru then."

"Uncle…" Van trailed off vaguely recalling that Hitomi had mentioned having a younger brother at one time.

"Uh-huh. Mom says he's a "serial teenager". I don't really know what that means but he really likes his sleep and explodes when woken up."

"I see." Van said sagely, lips quirked in amusement. "Well, Escaflowne usually sleeps very deeply, and can only be woken by—"

"By a king of Fanelia!" Anil shouted, "I know this part."

"Oh?"

"Uh-huh! It's all in mom's story. She used to tell it to me every night at bedtime."

"How did that story go?" Van asked, honestly curious. He was still hurt and angry, but with each word Anil spoke, he found it easier to begin to forgive her. He would have to speak to her and she would have to tell him why, of course before the healing could truly begin, but this was helping.

"Once upon a time—all stories start that way—there was a beautiful kingdom filled with fields and built into a mountainside." Anil began. "It was a peaceful place, filled with many happy people. But, the King had died young leaving behind two sons. The eldest failed his quest to become King and that left only one; one brave, and kind angel."

Anil's story was brief, and Van could tell he couldn't remember everything his mother had said, but the basis was there and it was terribly fanciful and biased, and frustratingly kind.

"The angel took on the trial with a brave heart, determined to protect his home! But a crazy old man who wanted to control fate came and tried to take away the happiness of Fanelia. The Angel had to wake up the sky God Escaflowne for help. The two were forced to travel the world with a silly little lost girl from the Mystic Moon. They made many friends and because the angel was kind and brave they defeated the crazy man and restored peace!" Anil clapped his hands in celebration. "But, the angel had lost much to achieve this goal. He lost his heart and forgot his own kindness. So, the silly, foolish girl, after making many mistakes herself, gave him hers in order to remind him of how kind he was. They were forever bound together because of this, and so no matter how far away they were, their hearts were one. After saving the whole world, the Angel let the sky god rest, and returned to watch over the happiness of everyone, and Escaflowne returned to the skies to protect the heart of the Angel, and his people."

Such a sweet and simple telling of the horrors he had lived through. Van wasn't certain how he felt. On one hand, he was relieved that Hitomi had spared their son the details and rather hard truths, but to hear the story so condensed…

"Is that what she told you?"

Anil nodded enthusiastically. "Mom said you were a guardian angel. And angels have a big job and that was why you couldn't be with us." Anil's mouth pouted and let out a breath. "She said… the weight of a crown was heavy. That we couldn't be selfish and that all of Fanelia… the whole world even, needed you, and that knowing we were safe was the best thing we could do to help."

"…" He had no idea what to say to that. He was equally touched and hurt and irritated with Hitomi for those words. She had kept this from him for so long, hadn't even given him a choice. If he had known…

I would have flown to them right away.

"… I asked her once if she was sad." Anil said quietly, his head bowed, and Van could infer that the question had come about because Anil himself had been sad, and his hand fisted tightly at his side out of view of Anil. All of this unnecessary hurt and anguish, and for what? Why was their promise so important? Why had she held silent for seven years?

Damn it, Hitomi… why?

"… what did she say?" He managed to ask in a calm tone, he averted his eyes to the sky above, just visible between the trees.

"She said she wasn't, because her angel gave her the best gift of all." Anil sounded pleased and Van closed his eyes against the poignant pain of his innocent words.

"And what was that?"

"Me." Anil was smiling. "You gave mommy me, to cuddle, protect and love until she could go back. So, she said she wouldn't be sad, she'd be brave. She said I needed to be brave too."

Van embraced Anil tightly. The words were so sweet and yet it felt like they were dipped in poison by the way they pierced his heart and shredded it inside his chest. Anil, returned the hug happily.

"You had a hard time because of me." It wasn't a question. He might not know much of Hitomi's world, but he himself knew the pain of growing up without a father. Anil's actions were proof enough of how desperately the child had wished for him.

Anil shook his head, though his grip only tightened. "No. I'm proud you're my daddy."

Van was incapable of speaking for some time, his emotions were raw and choking him. By the time he had gotten himself under control, he was aware that the sun had drifted low in the sky. Merle was likely worried sick and the evening meal would be ready soon. He stood, Anil securely in his arms and turned to start back toward the castle. As he walked, Anil pointed out random things, talking incessantly. He was a good child; happy despite everything. He was healthy, protected, and he was raised to know and love Fanelia, Van and this world.

Whatever her reasons, Hitomi had tried.

"Anil."

"Yeah?"

"Would you like to hear the story of how Escaflowne really woke up?"

"… you mean, Mommy's isn't right?"

"No. I'm sure that is how your mother sees it. You see, that brave… angel," He still had trouble with that term, "that your mother speaks of, was actually a very blind and angry boy, with a curse."

"… I don't think I like this story." Anil pouted, hugging his neck. "You aren't cursed."

Van laughed. "Not anymore. You see, I was lucky enough to meet a silly, brave, foolish and beautiful girl from the Mystic Moon. She could see the unseen, and was the only one who saw those wings as something beautiful. And she showed that angry boy to see that as well."

Anil smiled and listened with rapt attention to Van's story as they took their first tentative steps toward each other.

XX

15 September, 2003

Earth

XX

Fumio wasn't certain what he expected to find when he dropped by Hitomi's home. She'd been unreachable for days, and while he'd assumed that was due to her avoiding him specifically, she had still lost her child and that was bound to be unbearable. He'd expected the house to be a mess, perhaps to see her parents or younger brother at the home. He wouldn't have been surprised to find the opposite as well, the house overly clean as she attempted to control the situation in whatever way she could or simply because she tried to keep busy to forget. He had not expected to be greeted by a man Hitomi had confessed to once having romantic feelings for in her youth to answer her door.

"Sorry, Ishikawa-san, Yukari and Kanzaki are out right now." The tall man rubbed at the back of his head, his hair longer than even Hitomi's swaying from the motion. "Hitomi said she needed to run, and Yukari said someone needed to stay in the house in case something new came up."

"I see." Fumio himself had called Amano Susumu when Hitomi had made it clear she did not want him around. He had barely had the chance to meet him and his wife and so they weren't close. He'd intended to fix that overtime. It was important to know the people Hitomi trusted most and to make an effort to get along with them. He had thought that between himself, this couple and Hitomi's parents, Anil would have wanted for nothing and would have grown up happy, healthy and feeling as though he had missed nothing.

Of course, that was nothing more than a dream now. It was disappointing, but he wasn't the kind of asshole that would ignore a child's feelings. He'd been a child like Anil once after all, and he hated hypocrites more than anyone else.

"You're welcome to stay and wait if you want." Amano offered kindly, either unaware of the end of his and Hitomi's relationship, or merely being polite. It stung either way. He had known he and Hitomi would never have the passionate love so many spoke of, honestly he thought such a love was detrimental to both parties and could only ever end in tragedy, but he had thought…

It didn't matter.

"No, thank you. I was concerned as I had not heard from her. It is enough to know she is with friends and not alone." Fumio gave a polite bow to show his intention to leave and heard more than saw Amano scurrying to return it.

He achieved what he'd come to do, ensure Hitomi was well—as well as one could be in these circumstances—and now it would be best if her were to leave. He'd turned to do just that when Amano spoke up, his tone more than a little sharp.

"Wait! Ishikawa-san, there is something I'd like to speak with you about if you have the time."

Fumio frowned, turning to regard Amano. "I'm sure Hitomi has either explained what has occurred or will when she is ready. I do not believe my input would be welcome."

"While that may be true… I still would like the opportunity to speak with you."

He paused, he was slightly curious on what Hitomi's former crush and best friend's husband would wish to speak with him about.

"Alright."

Hitomi's home was comfortable. It reminded him of the feeling of what 'home' should mean. That, among other reasons, was why he had been determined to be with her. Thinking about it now, he felt a little foolish. He'd been chasing after a childish dream and like all who did, he was left with bitter disappointment.

"What would you like to discuss, Amano-san." Funio asked once they had taken seats on the couch. If Hitomi had been here, she would have offered tea. He almost missed the smell and the nervous activity she seemed to constantly bury herself in.

"…you have been with Hitomi for about a year now, correct?"

Fumio frowned. It was rather rude of Amano to be so forward with his questions, but he sighed, letting it slide. It may not be Amano's business but he was also no longer with Hitomi so it mattered little.

"We were dating the past six months. I have had the pleasure of being considered a friend and colleague for the better part of a year."

Amano nodded in response and looked away out the window to the yard. "… I supposed you have heard about Hitomi's disappearance then." It was carefully worded but Fumio was not stupid and he already knew where this was going. He sighed, somewhat disappointed to find that Amano was one of those who believed in the fairytales and nonsense of the delusional.

"I have heard of the six months that Hitomi could not be found."

"… I take it, from your tone, you do not believe her side of events."

Fumio closed his eyes to quiet his mind and thoughts and find words that would not offend but would not be a lie either. He could guess why Amano was bringing this up. Hitomi had said Anil had disappeared into a blue beam of light; the same light that had taken her before. Amano, likely believed her word for word and was bringing up her own disappearance to gauge Fumio's reaction.

So disappointing…

"Whatever she experienced, it was traumatizing and life altering. There is no denying that. In those missing six months, she met the man who would father Anil." His hand fisted upon his lap at the mention of the bastard that had left Hitomi pregnant at fifteen and in a lurch. If he ever met the so-called man, he would certainly give him something to think about, if he didn't have him arrested first.

Men who abandoned their children and their girlfriends or wives at the first sign of difficulty were no better than animals, and in his personal opinion, should be put down for the betterment of humanity. Of course, that was his personal bias speaking and he knew from personal experience no one liked hearing that.

"Whatever occurred, I believe that she believes the story she tells, and the end result is all that matters. She was missing for six months, returned pregnant and left alone to deal with the consequences."

Amano remained silent, his expression unreadable. "Hmmm. I see."

"I doubt that."

"Look. I understand it's hard to believe, trust me, I was there when it happened. I saw the boy appear in a flash of light. I saw a dragon walk from nothingness onto the track and I watched as Hitomi disappeared into that same light with the boy." Amano said, his frustration leaking through. "Trust me, the police questioning and years of therapy were enough to make me question my own mind, but, I know Hitomi. She would never make up a story like this."

Fumio was silent. He considered letting the conversation end here. He could simply walk away and let the man live in a fantasy. However, the silence he had kept for Hitomi's sake, did not extend to this man; this man that might be considered responsible for whatever had happened to her if only as a complacent bystander.

"She would never make up a story like this?"

"No!" Amano seemed angry that Fumio apparently did believe her capable of such.

"… imagine for a moment, that night happened as you described, except the bright lights came from a car crashing through the fence. The dragon; nothing more than another vehicle or perhaps the same one that brought the lights." Fumio began, painting a very cold picture he had tortured himself with after hearing Hitomi's story. "You were then chased by a group of thugs who were after another one of their own, or perhaps a rival group. You are chased up to a temple only to witness the kid who is being pursued by the thugs, being beaten." Fumio said of this with a calm tone, no inflection at all and it seemed to work as Amano was watching him with a furrowed brow but his silence said he was listening, and doubting.

"Hitomi is a kind soul. She wouldn't sit there and let some poor boy be killed. She runs down to stop them and gets nabbed. You have Yukari to concern yourself with and perhaps you try to help but you get struck down, perhaps you are forced to retreat. Either way, Hitomi is taken."

He paused and watched as Amano shook his head and looked away, his own fists clenching and Fumio sighed, knowing he'd made his point. He leaned forward, looking at his hands as he finished his own worst nightmare which he hoped were wrong but feared were all too true.

"… I'm sure I don't need to continue. Thugs aren't known for their care. I can't imagine the horrors she would have survived, being captured by a group of them for six months. It would only be fitting to call what she survived a war. And it would be all too understandable if she wanted to forget how she'd conceived her child. A story about a prince who became king and bravely fought to save his kingdom and also to return Hitomi to her home despite loving her, would be far preferable than the reality. The dream that their love had produced a beautiful child to whom she cares for deeply, is far more appealing than the reality that her child was a product of rape."

Amano was pale now, he looked almost stricken and Fumio stood up, assuming this conversation was over. "… I believe she believes her story. I will never tell her otherwise. However, I know too much of this world to believe in something so fantastical." He shook his head, eyes falling on a portrait of Anil. "Her son is a happy, unique and wonderful boy. He is the only good thing to come from whatever happened, and I am relieved and proud that she is capable of seeing that."

He had wanted to complete that family. He wanted to protect the illusion Hitomi had made for herself, the innocence that Anil had in regards to his conception, birth and biological father. He had thought, despite lacking in passion, he could be that protective rock they both needed.

"I cannot, however, be distracted by pretty delusions. Anil has been kidnapped or has run away. Our best chance of finding Anil is the police force."

He was a realist. It was clear that was not going to happen, and that was a pity. It was even more disheartening to know that those closest to Hitomi were helping her hide in her own delusions instead of helping her. He did not wish to interfere or be a hindrance, though it would seem he would have to check in with the police and stop by another day to try and speak with Hitomi directly.

It was the only thing he could do.

XX

Susumu was finding it hard to breathe. The story Ishikawa had painted had been dark, vile and disturbing. Hitomi had mentioned once that Ishikawa had come from a broken home. From what he had gathered, his mother had basically raised him alone. Hitomi never told them specifics but Yukari had suspected abuse of some kind. After hearing this story, he could believe that to be true.

What horrors does one have to suffer to lose that much faith in humanity?

The most disturbing part of that story however, was the fact that Susumu couldn't outright reject it. His memories said that Hitomi's 'Van' had arrived in full cosplay battle gear. That he spewed gibberish that only Hitomi could understand. That a dragon had appeared and chased them up to the temple, and Hitomi had foreseen Van's death. She'd spared his life, he carved up the dragon and took out some stone. The dragon, and all of its green blood dissipated into nothing and then a blue light came and took Hitomi and Van away. Those were his memories.

However, the six months he'd spent being questioned by the police, the delay to his study abroad program, the therapists who told him trauma and violence can cause a person to forget or "re-write" events into something less horrifying if their mind can't handle it, now made him question what was real. Had it all been in his head? Could it have played out the way Ishikawa had said?

"Uncle Susumu!Lookit!"

Amano's eyes widened at the memory of Anil's third birthday and his racing heart slowed. There was no way Ishikawa's version of events could explain what he had witnessed that day. Nor could it explain away the white feather he had kept from the event.

No. Anil's wings could only be from his father. A father from an invisible planet that hangs in the sky.

"I will see myself out." Ishikawa stated, he bowed and made his way to the door. Susumu barely managed to stand and see him out. He didn't say a word as the man left and he nearly regretted asking him inside.

He'd felt sorry for Ishikawa when Hitomi had said she had ended their relationship. While Ishikawa seemed a bit dry and rather boring, it was plain to see the care he held for both Hitomi and Anil. It was also clear from what Yukari had told him, that this Van, had missed the deadline and was not coming for Hitomi. He'd hoped Ishikawa would make them happy. Now, though, he knew it would never have worked out.

No matter how careful they were, there was no way they could have hidden Anil's wings from Ishikawa, and from what they man believed, Susumu doubted he would have been able to handle such a truth. Susumu had been there when the three year old had flung himself from the tree in the backyard and sprouted snow white wings. He'd watched that child fall and be caught by his panicking mother.

He'd heard her lecture and then her pleading as she begged both he and Yukari to keep it a secret, and he still had trouble coming to terms with it at times. Hearing Ishikawa's story had still made him question it, even knowing what he did. No, Ishikawa would not have been capable of understanding and would have hurt them both with his rejection of the truth.

"Damn… I had really hoped you would be the one…" Susumu ran his hand through his hair, shut the front door and made his way back the back door. The persimmon tree Anil had jumped from was still there. The branches weighed down by the fruit upon them. In another month or so, they would be ready for picking.

Since he had returned to Japan and found his happiness in Yukari, he had enjoyed being a part of Hitomi's family. Perhaps it was his own selfishness that wanted Anil and Hitomi to remain here on Earth. Hitomi and Anil had become an integral part of his family. It was why he'd hoped Ishikawa would had been a good fit for them. If Van did show up, if he returned with Anil, Susumu was fairly certain he would come to take Hitomi back and if that happened, he knew he would not likely see them again. It wasn't like they could visit often, or even at all and he would miss his friend. However, he understood the dangers this world presented for Anil.

A human with angel wings… that was the stuff of legends. That was something the government would want answers for.

"… perhaps… this is for the best."

Hitomi had always gazed up at the sky with a longing he couldn't understand. Her heart had never returned from that place only she could see, and while he would have wished for a less painful and scary method, he now knew that this was the way Hitomi would find peace. If Anil was sent to Gaea, he likely made it to his father, and it was only a matter of time until he returned and unless Hitomi seriously misjudged her angel, Van would certainly be coming for her.

"She never really belonged here with us in the first place." He smiled and shook his head. "Come on, Van. If you are half the man from Hitomi's stories… get your ass over here and fix this mess."

With a sigh he returned to the couch and the book he'd been reading prior to Ishikawa's arrival. He was staying here in case the police called with an update. None of them believed one would come, but all the same, he stayed behind; to wait.

To wait, and hope.

XX

A.N. Okay, so I hope this gives a bit of insight into Fumio. I actually quite like his character. He is ill-fitted for Hitomi in so many ways, however, I do think he's a good guy. I'm not sure how much of his past will be revealed in this story, but if any of you are curious, at the end I'll write it out in a note. I hope you all are still enjoying this story.

1) I am basing this off of my own first experience. Plus, in the "unabridged" chapter 7, there is a LOT of foreplay including fingering and stretching of her opening, plus some oral and she has an orgasm prior to insertion. So… yeah, she shouldn't have much problem at all. I also have come to find out that everything I've heard or read is wrong about the hymen. Its just an exctra thick ring of tissue inside the vagina. Depending upon the woman it can be thicker or thinner. If it is fully closed that is a health hazard and a doctor will have to cut it otherwise the woman will get infected and could die when her cycle comes as there is no way to then expel the blood. Also, if a woman is well prepared before hand and is actively helping her partner, the first time doesn't have to hurt at all, and there is very little chance of bleeding.

2) So, I am aware that there are typically only three years of high school in Japan, however, when I began writing this story out in notes I chose 4 years because that's how long high school is in America and I could explain away Hitomi waiting a further 2 and a half to get Anil to an age where his speech and comprehension would be old enough to make sense in this story. So… yeah.

3) Totally made this up. I took the idea directly from the Escaflowne Movie song "Sora" English translation.