A.N. I am relieved and happy to say I am posting this on time! I hope you are all still enjoying this story. We have a long way yet to go. Again THIS IS NOT THE LAST CHAPTER! This is just the reunion chapter. We still have another 17 to go.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Vision of Escaflowne nor any of the characters there in, this is purely fanmade.

XX

"There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go."

-Tennessee Williams (Thomas Lanier)

XX

Chapter 15: Uncertain Crossroads

XX

Fifth day of the Tenth Month

Last Year of Lotica

XX

Van paced the length of his office room, which had been newly finished a few days prior. Hitomi would leave tomorrow, and he was too anxious to sit still and too nervous to go to his room where she was waiting. However, he couldn't put it off any longer. Most of those who wished to return to Fanelia had been found and brought back. Most of the buildings had been reconstructed and the rest were well on their way, the issue with the Fiefs had been resolved thanks to Hitomi's suggestion, and from the latest report, their rebuild was well underway and the fields had been tended and the winter wheat sown. They were stocked up and ready for the winter and there was nothing more pressing left. It was time he kept his word.

I don't want to let her go.

His feet faltered and it felt as though his throat were closing. His hands clenched and he stood for long moments trembling with the emotion that filled him. It wasn't a good emotion by any means; it was something dark, twisted and very, very, selfish. Van swallowed hard and pushed down the temptation to simply not allow her to leave his side, because he could, he knew.

If he hid the pendant and "lost" the energyst, he could push off sending her away. Eventually she would become pregnant, they certainly weren't being careful, and once that happened, it would be pointless to send her home. They would have to marry, and she would never have to leave.

It was tempting, so very tempting, but he couldn't do it. It was selfish, cruel, and worse, he was afraid she might hate him for it. He worked through a few breathing exercises to calm his emotions and anxiety. He had to go see her. Tonight would be their last for four years, so he already knew he would be getting very little actual sleep. Even if all he did was stare at her all night long, he didn't want to miss a second. He had to make enough memories to be strong enough to let her go tomorrow; to sustain him for the years in which she would be gone.

He turned and walked the short distance to his room. The door swung open easily, silently and he heard Hitomi start at his entry. Looking up, he again froze, breath stuck in his chest, this time from the visual stimulus that assaulted him. Hitomi was on his bed, she was naked except for that white button down shirt that was currently unbuttoned and she was holding it closed tensely. Clearly he had startled her as she'd attempted to cover herself.

"Van." She breathed out, relief clear in her tone and her form relaxed, the shirt gaping open once again showing almost every inch of her silky skin and proving that she wasn't even wearing her panties.

His mouth went as dry as a desert.

"I… I got worried you weren't going to come." Hitomi said, pink tinging her cheeks as she reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear like she always did when nervous or flustered. The movement shifted the fabric and one of her pink nipples came into view.

Van's hands fisted at the sight, a strangled sound escaping his tense body as his desire punched him square in the gut tightening him and forcing the trapped air from his esophagus. His pants were far too tight suddenly and a tremble had begun in his arms.

Her green eyes watched him, and slowly she smiled and reclined a bit, putting more of her body on display. He could see she was still tense and a little uncomfortable with this action, but she was gaining confidence the longer she stared at him.

She gets bolder every time we do this.

He thought, finding that he was quite approving of that fact.

"… I feel like being unreasonable." She whispered her blush still very much in place despite the implication. He wasn't certain how she'd intended the words to come out, but the nervous, timid undertone was just as seductive as he could imagine and he let out a low groan stepping fully inside and securing the door behind him.

He pulled his shirt off and tossed it to the floor as he walked toward the bed. His sword and belt he set gently next to the bed, he kicked his boots off as he climbed upon the bed and he undid his pants pushing and kicking them off just as swiftly as he removed his boots. Naked, he crawled over her, and braced above and looking down upon her now smiling and laughing face, he felt his own smile curve his lips.

"I take it you agree?" She teased, but he knew her laugh and playfulness stemmed from joy, and relished in the sound instead of taking offense.

"I'm feeling unreasonable too." He agreed, his hand coming up to cup the side of her face tenderly, his thumb running over her cheek. "Prepare yourself, it's going to be a long night."

His warning was only half meant, and before she could respond his lowered his lips to claim hers. Kissing her was something he found to be the one of the most pleasing and indulgent things he'd experienced. It was thrilling and somehow soothing all at once. He liked the way she sank against him, her arms pulling him closer, the little mewl she made when his tongue brushed her lips in entreaty, the way her lips parted instantly to allow him inside and the moan she gave, her back arching to press her chest to his as he sank inside her mouth tasting the intimacy between them.

Yes, kissing her was addictive.

His hand, moved to the curve of her spine under her shirt, teasing the skin, stroking her softly, following her spine up to her neck, gripping just firmly enough to make her moan against him as his tongue twined with hers, before trailing back down to stroke the top of her buttocks. Hitomi shuddered and her legs parted, skimming up the inside of his thigh as she pulled her leg out from between his own, then skimmed the outer edge as she wrapped the limb over his hip, opening herself to him and pulling him closer to her in a single move.

His lips parted from hers to gasp at the sensation and he moved his hand to her hip to grip there, his other sliding down her neck, pushing the thin white fabric aside so he could touch her chest. Her head fell back at the feeling, and he lowered his lips to her neck, greedily kissing, nipping and sucking love bites into the pale flesh. He was indiscriminate with the marking, knowing he would have to let her go tomorrow, he wanted his marks to be visible.

"Van." Hitomi's hands dragged over his back, one tangled in his hair, scraping nails over his skin and scalp. Her arms and legs clutched at him, dragging him closer to her and holding him there. His heart beat harder at the embrace. He could feel her feelings through her desperate embrace and they were a reflection of his own. His teeth grazed over her collarbone and Hitomi clutched him tighter at the sensation, her fingers tugging on his hair until he lifted his head and she pressed her lips back to his.

His hand continued to grip her hip pulling her to him and his other hand trailed away from her breast, moving across her belly and lower. She was already hot and wet, her skin silken. Her hips thrusted against his questing fingers and she kissed him with more intensity as he touched her until her kiss broke so she could gasp and moan against his shoulder.

"I love you, Hitomi." He pressed his lips to her ear, breathing the words into the shell hoping they would sink into her very soul, and slid his fingers down to sink into her. She let out a grunt, legs tightening on his hips, internal muscles squeezing his questing digits.

He pumped them a few times, wanting to draw this out. He knew this wasn't going to be the only time they came together this night, but he was still anxious about rushing. However, the pulse of his need was driving him crazy, and Hitomi was gasping, and kissing every available patch of skin she could reach. Her teeth scraped over his skin and her arms tugged him closer, and he lost the will to resist.

"Please… Van…"

His fingers pulled out of her and he guided himself to the spot he'd just been, notching perfectly against her, and he groaned, the heat of her causing his nerves to fire.

"I wanted… to make this perfect…"

"Every moment with you…" Hitomi gasped, her hands cupping his cheeks and drawing him to meet her desperate gaze, her cheeks flushed with the embarrassment from the words she was speaking. "… is perfect."

He smiled, pressed a kiss to her lips, and shifted his hips forward, slipping inside of her in a slow continuous slide.

They moved together, the rhythm a second nature between them, and it was easy to lose himself in the sensation and the building tension between them.

Sweat was beginning to dampen his brow with the exertion and the heat that was building between them. It felt so good, there was no way to describe it properly, but he tried to, whispering into her ear in between kisses, and Hitomi blushed further, her fingers gripping his own tightly.

His muscles were coiling, tightening with his impending release, he was getting close, when Hitomi pulled one hand free and started to push at his chest. Confused, Van stilled and looked down on her, his heart racing, his breath labored. She too was gasping, her chest rising and falling sharply, breasts moving alluringly with each intake.

"Hitomi?"

"Roll."

"?" The single word command was confusing, until she pushed up and used her body to try and roll them. Understanding dawning, Van's hands dropped to grip her hips, keeping them secured together, as he allowed himself to roll to his back and pulled Hitomi with him until she was seated upon him. She let out a very satisfied moan, her head falling back as this new position gave him new depth and gave her the control she wanted.

His fingers flexed against her hips and then, she braced her palms upon his chest and began to lift herself up and back down upon him. She started off slow but soon she quickened her pace, riding him hard and fast.

Van let her set the pace and only helped her by guiding her hips against him, and thrusting up when he simply couldn't help himself. It felt so good, and the visual was almost as good as the sensation. It wasn't long until she was whimpering, her inner muscles fluttering around him in the soft squeezing motion that preceded her orgasm.

He encouraged that with kisses and whispers of love and just like that, Hitomi came with a high-pitched cry, gripping him tightly, her nails biting into his skin.

Gripping her tight he too felt the tension snap and he released deeply inside. The rush was enough to make him grunt out in return, gripping her at the feeling of how both of their hearts beat in a similar rhythm within their chests.

As they both came down from their climax, Hitomi sank to the side, flopping upon the mattress, slipping off of him to lay by his side. For a while there was no sound save for their shared breathing, no sensation aside from the soft stroking of her fingertips against his chest.

"That… was amazing." She said with a satisfied tone, and Van couldn't help but preen a little. To his side Hitomi stretched, rolling to her back arms above her head. "This is way more fun than it should be."

Van snorted. "If it wasn't fun, there would be way less babies."

Hitomi swatted his shoulder, laughing. "Did you just make a joke?"

Van didn't answer, choosing to smirk at her, his eyes roving over her form. He was already hard again, and her amusement only made him want her again. He loved her laugh, her tenacity and even her recklessness. He loved how she put her entire being into everything she did, including the way she loved him. He turned, pressing a kiss to her shoulder, his hand stroking her side tenderly.

"Hey!" Hitomi said her voice breaking on a laugh as she teasingly rolled away presenting him with her back, "Just what is this hand doing?"

She was clearly in a playful mood, so, Van rolled as well, slipping his leg between hers. He pushed his arm under her pressing that palm firmly to her lower abdomen and pushing until her hips tilted back and against him letting her feel just how ready he was.

"Whatever it wants." He replied in a forced arrogant nonchalance trying to keep the game going.

"!" She let out a startled sound that morphed into a whimper as she pressed back. "Who said I'll allow that?"

Van smirked, and slipped the hand on her stomach down to tease her. Her gasps and the way she moved in tandem with his fingers said that she was most certainly allowing this.

"Hitomi."

"Yes?" The one word was drawn out and made him quiver, his whole mind going frustratingly blank for a few precious seconds.

Seriously, how does she do that?

Pulling himself together by sheer force of will, he stroked her tenderly, his lips pressing against her nape as he whispered.

"Again."

She shuddered, and her response came out breathy with desire, "So… unreasonable."

His lips pulled into a grin as he shifted quickly to his knees dragging her around and onto her own.

"That's not a no." He husked, waiting, regardless of her words for her permission. She shuddered at this new position, and he rubbed her lower back, his other hand smoothing over her thigh. He only moved after she pressed back against him in clear ascent.

"Van…"

"Hitomi." He hissed her name as he pushed himself back inside her welcoming heat.

I love you. I don't want to let you go… stay… please stay…

It didn't take them long, surprisingly, to reach their next release.

Hitomi trembled, sinking into the mattress below, and Van's legs felt unstable and weak. He wondered if it was due to the exertion or the intensity of their coupling. All he wanted to do was sink down on the bed next to her, but he pushed the urge aside, forcing his body up, so as not to crush the precious woman under him.

He gently ran his hands over her sides and her back rubbing her tense muscles and urging them to relax. All the while, he pressed tender kisses to Hitomi's neck, shoulder, back and then down along her spine. She shivered and let out a tired huff.

"… I… I need a moment to catch my breath…"

Van let out a choked laugh, hugging her as he pulled off and out of her. They both made a sound as they separated; part loss and part relief. Finally he allowed himself to flop down beside her, one arm coming to rest on his forehead the other unerringly finding her own to twine his fingers through, keeping her trapped to him through the simple hold.

"I'm not looking for that."

"Oh." Hitomi said, groaning as she shifted onto her side, her free hand stretching out to gently trace his features. "…I love you."

Her words were soft, whispered and he smiled at her, face turned to her. Her green eyes were bright with so many emotions. She felt the pull of the separation as keenly as he did, he thought. Tenderly, her drew her into his arms, holding her and whispering the words back to her, the only ones that were helping him to keep his sanity and promise to her.

"… four years."

She nodded, her arms holding him around the waist as tightly as though she feared he might be the one to disappear.

The night continued in this fashion, they would love each other until exhaustion caused them to stop. They took small breaks to drink some water, or to empty their bladders, and they wiped each other down with a damp cloth left in the bathing room attached to the chamber. The cleaning process usually ended with them making a bigger mess, but neither minded much. They cuddled whispering words of love upon their bed, drifted in and out of sleep until one of them woke the other with kisses, touches, words of love and a quiet, desperate entreaty of, "Again."

The glow of dawn tinged the sky beyond his window painted the sky pink and golden. As he'd planned, he watched the colors bleed across the sky, his skin still damp and clinging to Hitomi's. His arms tightened around her slumbering form and trembled slightly. He was far too sore and tired to wake her again, though he wanted to if only to stave off the inevitable.

His eyes burned and stung with lack of sleep and the ache of emotion as he looked down upon the woman in his arms. Her skin was marked with his kisses, dark and light blushes of pink and red marred the smooth pale skin. The story of their night; their love, was branded all over her form.

He could feel the burn of her own marks, from where her nails had bit into him and dragged down his sensitive skin in the heat of their love making, and he treasured it, knowing that soon it would be all that remained, and all too soon even that would fade. A sound of distress choked its way passed his too tight throat and Van clutched at Hitomi trying not to let the emotion free.

I don't want to let you go…

He closed his eyes against the selfishness that welled up; the feeling spurred by memories of a lonely childhood, of missing loved ones he had barely been able to recall, but their absence had been felt keenly. A few tears escaped, but were lost to the fabric and soft hair of his lover.

Four years. Four years. Four years.

The promise was chanted in his head, a mantra to keep him sane, a promise to ease his pain; to see him through this horrible goodbye.

It was only four years. He could endure that, right?

XX

Seventeenth Day of the Ninth Month

Seventh Year of Carusfatum

Mystic Moon

XX

The acrid smell assaulted his senses, and it was distantly familiar bringing the memory of hunting the land dragon to mind. Breathing slowly, Van opened his eyes which he'd closed when the bright light had engulfed them, the intensity too much, and he found himself standing on a familiar black circular path. It looked different in the brightness of the day, however, he still would recognize it anywhere.

We made it.

Anil shifted in his arms, looking around and then he let out an excited whoop, wriggling desperately until Van was forced to set him down upon his feet or risk dropping him.

"We did it! We are back! Mommy's going to be so happy to see us!" Anil did a little dance in place, hopping excitedly.

Van surveyed the area. Despite the sun being high in the sky, there was no one around, though he could hear distant growls and sharp shrieking noises that reminded him a Gymelefs. He glanced toward Allen, who was also looking around, clearly on edge, his hand braced upon his sword.

"Are we indeed where you intended?" Allen asked, wary and unconvinced despite Anil's cries of joy.

"Yes. This is where I first met Hitomi." Van said at the same time his son answered.

"Yes! This is where Mommy works!"

Allen's face pinched as he looked around the unfamiliar place, flinching at the sounds of metal that echoed beyond their line of sight. Van couldn't tell what the knight felt, but he assumed it was similar to his own feelings. There was so much that was simply unknown here. Those metal poles that produced light at night glinted in the daylight but were no longer illuminating themselves. The arena seating around them which looked out upon this peculiar and useless path was also confusing and served no purpose as far as he could discern. Those sounds too had been mostly absent the last time he'd been here and were all the more concerning for it.

"Daddy! Come on, hurry!" Anil gripped his hand and began to tug him forward. Van drew his mind away from the oddities and focused on his son. The boy was right, they were here to get Hitomi, all else was irrelevant unless it was attacking.

He glanced back to be certain Allen was following, before allowing Anil to lead him from their location and up a set of stairs toward a large building and gate. There were many windows and he could see some movement beyond. His nerves kicked in as he became aware that the place was not empty as he'd previously thought, there just had not been anyone at their location, they all seemed to be inside, though it was clear their arrival had not gone unnoticed (1).

"Van." Allen warned and he nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"I saw."

"Daddy! Hurry! Stop looking at the school, we have to go home!"

School?

The term was familiar but he was impressed that such a large and expansive building was a place dedicated to study. Despite Anil's insistent tugs, he and Allen moved carefully forward. He did not wish to linger in this unfamiliar and crowded place, especially seeing as how the blue beam of light had been spotted. He could not guess how the people of this world would react to such a thing, and did not wish to find out, but he also couldn't run out into an unknown situation either.

They had reached the front of the gates, and the growling sounds were louder now. Anil was pushing him toward a door when they heard a shout from behind. Both he and Allen turned, grip firmly in place upon their weapons.

"Stop!" There was a man running toward them. He was decently tall, wide across the shoulders with dark hair and eyes. His features were distinctive and reminiscent of Hitomi's though more pronounced (2). He was wearing odd clothing, pants, white button down shirt, a belt and a tie though the style was nothing like what he had seen even in Asturia.

Van thought the man was familiar and frowned trying to place him. As the man closed the distance, he started speaking, and Van was pleasantly surprised to find he understood him. He dared a glance at Allen and couldn't tell from his frown if Allen could understand his words or not, so he turned his focus back to the approaching figure.

"What are you doing here? You can't—"The man froze, his eyes dropping to focus on the child at their side. His face lost its color and he suddenly shot forward with a shout. "Anil!"

"!" The boy jumped and Van heard the sound of Allen drawing his sword just as he realized how it was he knew this man.

"Wait, Allen!" His command stopped Allen from fully unsheathing his sword and allowed the man to drop to his knees, hands gripping Anil's shoulders in a desperate way that spoke of worry and concern more than threat.

"Anil! Where have you been? Are you hurt? Do you have any idea how worried we have all been?" The man's tone was gruff, scolding, but there was a clear undertone of emotion. He gently looked over Anil, turning him this way and that, looking for any injuries and predictably found none. The man visibly sagged with his relief and Van felt reluctant acknowledgement fill him.

Anil flushed and looked properly chastised as he pouted, his brows pinched up.

"Fumio-san…"

Van flinched at the name, assured now, that he had been correct in placing the man. This man was the same one he had viewed in Hitomi's dream. This was the man that Anil felt was threatening the family. Van scowled, wanting to hate him, but he had to acknowledge the fear that this man held for his son. He had either forgotten the threat he and Allen presented entirely or was ignoring them because Anil was far more important. It was a commendable action and regardless of how he personally felt about the man, he could not ignore the sincerity of his worry.

"Why are you with…?" Fumio, he was pretty certain that was the man's name, trailed off after finally remembering the two men beside him. The man's gaze was sharp and he took note of their weapons swiftly and he stood attempting to push Anil behind him in a protective stance and that was where Van drew the line.

His hand shot out and he gripped Fumio's wrist tightly, stopping the action and bringing a dark look from the man. He could tell by the lack of an actual glare or reaction, that this man was very calm and meticulous. He was not one to act rashly, which spoke volumes of his previous actions in regards to Anil.

"You two are on school grounds without approval. You are carrying weapons and are with a missing minor." He informed Van as though listing off crimes.

"We are escorting the prince back to his mother." Allen cut in, proving that Van's wish had worked after all, and he too understood what was being said, as Fumio's eyes tracked to the knight, understanding clear in his expression.

"And how did you come upon him?" Fumio was clearly suspicious of them.

"Stop it! Daddy, let's go." Anil said, walking back around to Van's side and gripping the wrist of the hand that still held his scabbard.

At the term, Fumio's eyes widened, shock drawing his gaze promptly around to Van's own. The shock wore off quickly however, and a dark, near violent look replaced it.

why is he so angry now?

It was clear the man did not like him, though why that was, was unclear. Van honestly didn't care enough to puzzle it out and he turned his attention away only when the man did nothing more than glare at him and released Fumio's wrist in the same motion.

"Excuse us." He said, less of a pleasantry and more of a command. Hitomi would have called it arrogant, but he saw no point in being pleasant. This man was nothing to him, and he was still a King, it was second nature to expect others to simply obey him.

"Wait, you can't—"

This time, Van didn't stop Allen from stepping between them, hand on his sword in a threatening posture. "I do not wish to draw on an unarmed man, but I will if you insist."

"!"

Van had his back to them so could not see the expression Fumio wore, but he would bet it was angry and still tightly controlled. The man was not someone to be taken lightly, and Van had the impression this would not be the last they saw of him.

He did not hear Allen draw his sword, and assumed Fumio had backed off as soon Allen was following behind them. Anil, tugged him toward the gate once more, and once they had exited through them he was assaulted by the sight of a paved road with bizarre metal cars driving by. Across the street were the stairs that he vaguely recalled running up after the land dragon.

"This way! Mommy bought our house because of how close it was to the school… it's not that far at all. Mommy's going to be so surprised to see us!" Anil bounced and tugged him along and Van was distantly grateful for the guide as all around him lay an alien world that he couldn't quite comprehend.

Allen walked along beside them, his eyes tracking over the world around him; the lights that changed and flashed with a power source that they couldn't comprehend, the odd vehicles that passed with a smell that made their lips curl and a sound that made them start. More disturbing than all that though, were the stares they received from the people they passed. They openly stared before turning their eyes away and whispering behind their hands.

"Why are they dressed like—"

"—cosplayers perhaps?"

"Are those swords?"

"Must be replicas."

"… we aren't near Akihabara, why are they—(3)"

The few snippets of conversation he overheard were confusing and slightly insulting, and for the first time he wondered if this was how Hitomi had felt upon arriving to Gaea. So many people had commented upon her clothes, some—namely Merle—openly mocking her for them.

How did you adjust so quickly?

It seemed a miracle that Hitomi had come to wish to live in a world so drastically different from her own, and a cold doubt seeped into his bones. What if she no longer wished to live in Fanelia; in a world so alien from her own?

True to Anil's word, all too soon they were walking down a road with similarly constructed buildings that looked very residential, with small fences around each home, and metal placards with odd markings that he could only assume were words.

"There it is!" Anil shouted, his hand breaking free from Van's to bolt off toward a small home with a fruit tree in the back.

"Anil!" Allen shouted and both he and Van took off after the fleeing boy. They followed him through a gate and up to a door. The child flung the door open and rushed inside shouting.

"Mommy! Mommy I'm home!" Anil was clamoring up a step at the entryway where shoes were lined when a soft slipper flew from the side and struck the child in the head. He froze and then obediently stopped to remove his boots.

He and Allen froze in the doorway, confused when the voice Van missed so much that his breath hitched at the sound of it, echoed through the home.

"Anil!" Hitomi came around the corner from the direction that the slipper had come and crashed to her knees dragging the small boy into her arms, her sobs harsh and loud. "Oh my baby! Anil! My Vayu…"

The sight of her knocked the strength out of him and all he could manage was to stare, taking in the small changes that seven years had wrought, his chest tight with emotions. She was leaner than he remembered, her face slightly narrower, though it only served to highlight her lovely features more. Her hair was still cut short and her clothes were still odd for a woman, putting most of her figure on display. She was fussing over Anil, threatening him with punishment should he ever attempt something so foolish again, and he couldn't stop the name that spilled out from his lips. He needed to confirm that she was truly there, that he wasn't dreaming.

"Hitomi."

She was pressing kisses to their son, her hands moving over him ensuring beyond sight that he was truly there and uninjured. At his call, she stilled, head lifting and soon those beautiful eyes met his own. So much could be seen in those eyes; her hesitance, uncertainty, relief, love and joy. Her lips trembled as they pulled up into a smile despite the tears that glittered upon her cheeks and in her eyes.

"Van…" The soft, pleasant way she pronounced his name tickled over his senses and he let out a breath eyes closing without conscious thought to fully appreciate the sound.

At last…

XX

Ten Minutes prior

XX

Hitomi sat back down in the living room having just seen her mother out the door. She heard the car start and pull away and she let out a breath. "Thank you, Yukari."

"Yep." Was the cheeky reply and it brought another smile to her face. She hadn't realized just how much she needed to see her own mother. To speak with her about what had happened and to inform her that it was likely they would be parting soon with no solid date to meet again. While transport between worlds was clearly possible, she understood that a planned trip would be difficult and near to impossible. Perhaps if she could send items, like a letter through the beam of light, and if she could get it to her parent's home… but that was still all just supposition. It was better to assume this was a permanent goodbye and be happy later if things changed.

"So, this weekend your family descends." Yukari asked chewing on some pickled ginger like it was candy. The salt content wasn't the best for her condition, but at least it helped curb the nausea.

Amano is going out to get ginger chews today anyway. It's not that much salt.

Hitomi reminded herself and pulled her mind from the fact that her friend had very nearly emptied her jar in the last three days. "Yes. Whether or not Anil has returned by then, Mom wanted to get together since Mamoru is home and it might be the last…"

"Yeah." Yukari made a face her hand rubbing her belly.

Hitomi felt her stomach tighten with regret as she was reminded again that she would not likely see her best friend's child. It was sad, and she would regret it, but not enough so that she wouldn't leave with Van when he came for her. Perhaps that made her selfish, maybe a little cruel, but she was content with that. She'd long ago learned of how imperfect she was as a person and the sad reality was that she couldn't make everyone happy. She had to choose whose happiness she would place first, and from the moment of his birth, that person had been and always would be Anil.

Earth was her home and had Anil never left, had Van never come for them, she would have made it Anil's, found a way to keep him as safe as possible, but Earth was not safe for her baby. Gaea wasn't perfect, but at least there weren't geneticists and scientists that would dissect her child to see how he worked on Gaea. Racism could be combated with enough support and power, of which she and Van had plenty of, the other…

"Well, I'm going to wash up." Yukari stated, "I feel like I'm sweating non-stop…"

"Yeah, that's—" Hitomi was cut off as her front door was thrown open and a shout that made her eyes instantly burn with its familiarity echoed back to her.

"Mommy! Mommy I'm home!"

She was off the couch before she consciously became aware of it, she didn't even realize she'd thrown her slipper out of instinct when she heard Anil clamoring up the step forgetting to remove his shoes (4). She came around the corner to the landing to see Anil pulling off boots she hadn't seen before. She took in his new clothes but didn't really think much aside from the fact that he looked even more like Van wearing the red cotton top and brown cotton pants.

She didn't—no couldn't—even wait for him to remove his shoes as she grabbed him and hauled that tiny boy into her arms. She was trembling and sobbing and clutching him so tight he squeaked but she couldn't stop. Her relief to have him physically in her arms was nearly as crippling in its intensity as losing him had been. She kept pressing kisses to his cheek, shoulder and hair, rocking unconsciously as she used to do in his infancy, useless words tumbling from her lips in a nearly incoherent babble.

"Oh my baby! Anil! My Vayu…"

"M—mommy, I can't breathe!" Anil wriggled and it was only with immense effort that she was able to loosen her grip which she then used to hold his face and turn his head from side to side checking for injuries. When none were found she patted down his arms and sides.

Oh god… he's grown taller… my baby…

More tears fell and then, when Anil pushed at her hands, his face scrunching up as he started to complain, her anger came to the fore front.

"Mom, stop it…"

"You are NEVER to do that again, Anil Van de Fanel or so help me god you will not be able to sit after the spanking I give you!" Her threat landed hard and Anil's eyes widened and the complaints died in his throat, contrition quick to replace it.

Hitomi rarely spanked him. In fact she could count on one hand the number of times she'd done so and it had only ever been in a situation in which he had been in danger, and it had been a quick, single swat that wasn't hard or meant to hurt so much as startle. She much preferred other non-physical methods of correcting bad behavior, however, this threat let him know just how badly he'd scared her.

"… I'm sorry Mommy…" Anil's lip puckered out and he reach out for a hug which she gladly gave stroking his hair and breathing him in.

He smelled like the fields. Like Van.

"I know… I know baby… mommy's sorry too. I should have told you… I should have…" She couldn't finish the words, too intent on holding her son. Nothing else was important enough for her to pay attention to, that is until a voice spoke out.

"Hitomi." Her name, spoken with so much strangled emotion it was physically felt, broke her from her narrow-minded relief and her whole body came to life at the voice that seemed deeper than she remembered, but was still so very beloved.

Her eyes snapped up, desperate to confirm with sight what her ears where telling her. A new flood of emotion rocked her when she saw Van standing there in her doorway. His clothes were different, but still the relaxed cotton she remembered he preferred. His shirt had sleeves and was a soft cream color with a dark thick thread. It was still loose fitting with a simple string tie at the front. His pants were that same soft battered leather, same with his boots. The familiar sword was at his side, and his hair was still that mess of black that Anil had inherited. He was taller, lean and still compact, shorter than Allen who also stood at his side, but only just. He had grown into his features, and like in her dream, the resemblance between Folken and he was obvious, but it was his eyes; those emotion filled, kind and absolutely beautiful brown eyes that drew her in and let her know this was Van.

Her Van.

"Van…" His name was a breath of sound, one she felt like she'd been holding ever since they'd parted ways, and her lips trembled as they lifted into a hesitant, nervous smile and her eyes filled with more stinging tears.

Words were inadequate. There was too much felt, too much to say, to confer and suddenly, it felt as though she had no way to get it all across. His face looked almost tormented and her guilt made her feel awkward, but she was still so desperate to reach out to him. To touch him, hold him, to tell him. Oh she had so much to tell him about, so much to share…

"I brought daddy back!" Anil chirped and Hitomi flinched, drawn away from the moment in which only she and Van existed. Of course she had known the others were there it just, hadn't been as prevalent in her thoughts. She blinked, and turned intending to praise Anil and instead found her tears pooling uncontrollably in her eyes and sliding down her cheeks. "Mommy?"

Anil looked worried, and Hitomi couldn't even understand herself why she was crying so intensely and so suddenly, she just was. Her chest felt tight, her throat burned with pressure as though her words were trapped there and trying to claw their way out.

"!" A formless sound of distress was all that escaped and she desperately moved her hands to try and wipe away her irritating and useless tears. She didn't want to cry like this! Not now, not when she was so happy! She was supposed to be calm and mature and—why won't the tears stop?!

"Hitomi?" Van's voice drew her like a moth to the flame and she was able to see his worry and concern as well as the way he stepped toward her, arms outstretched.

So kind… he's always been so kind…

Before he could step up onto the main floor and reach her however, he was halted by a figure who stepped passed her and blocked his approach. Hitomi hiccupped, surprised that she hadn't heard either Yukari or Amano's approach, and yet there was Yukari standing directly in front of Van, hands on her hips.

Yukari..?

"You Van Fanel of Fanelia?" She asked, and from her tone alone Hitomi knew she was glaring at him. Van was frowning at her, or maybe he was frowning because of Amano who had crouched behind her and was patting her back in comfort, Van always was a little of the jealous sort, but she couldn't be certain.

Wait… Van can't speak Japanese!

Hitomi straightened, the insight finally managing to dry her eyes slightly and she twisted, rubbing at her cheeks once more, "Wait, Yukari, he doesn't—"

Her voice was a croak around the last of her tears, barely heard at all, and still cut off as Van replied to her best friend in a clear tone full of that arrogance that she had somehow missed.

"Yes. Who are you?"

What? When… did Van learn Japanese?

Her shock and confusion lasted only a moment when her eyes caught on the glint of gold and pink at Van's neck. Her eyes widened in both recognition and sudden insight. He must have made a wish using her pendant. It was a very smart move on his part, and she was relieved that she wouldn't be stuck playing translator, and quick glance Allen's way let her know that whatever wish had been made, likely also affected him as he didn't seem nearly as lost as she expected.

"Oh, good!" Yukari said far too brightly, and Hitomi felt her stomach bottom out at it. The last time she'd talked like that, she had thrown paint on a woman who had been insulting Anil.

"Yukari—!"

The warning came too late, as before anyone could react, Yukari had raised her fist and slugged Van hard in the soft spot between shoulder and chest.

XX

Yukari had never been the sort of person to back down from a confrontation, especially when a friend or loved one was involved. She had only ever hidden her true feelings when she was afraid of hurting one of her loved ones, everyone else was fair game if they came into her crosshairs.

Van Fanel never had a chance as far as she was concerned. He had been rude and talking nonsense the first time she saw him. He'd said something to cause Hitomi to slap him and as far as Yukari was concerned, he must have deserved it (5). This conviction was only further proven when he knocked her up and sent her home without even a thought to what their actions could result in, and she had watched Hitomi suffer through the indignities and hardships alone. She hated him for that reason alone, and then the bastard missed the promised time.

She had declared him worse than compost after that and her opinion had not yet changed. She had sworn to hit him when she saw him and had only recently amended that when Hitomi seemed so happy and excited. She might hate Van for all he'd put her best friend through, but Hitomi—for whatever stupid reason—still loved him, and if she slapped him or punched him, that would only hurt Hitomi and so, she had rescinded her mental decree.

That was, until she saw Hitomi break upon seeing him.

That reaction, those sobs, Hitomi might not know where they stemmed from, but Yukari did. She'd seen those tears and that panicked sadness and desperation several times since Hitomi's return. She'd seen it after Hitomi had struggled to catch up with her classes, and wished she could simply run away to Gaea but couldn't. She saw them again when Hitomi had discovered her pregnancy, when she'd been kicked out of school, ostracized and made out to be a whore by peers and neighbors, when she'd gone into labor and had no one but Yukari and her parents to ease her fears; the first fever and ear infection Anil had, the days when she was so tired from lack of sleep she couldn't think right and she was so afraid and lost and overwhelmed by the reality of being a parent and not having a high school degree and no future. Those tears were from those terrifying years when Anil's wings were always popping out and Hitomi became so paranoid Yukari nearly had her committed, and the devastation when she realized Van simply wasn't coming.

No. She was not going to let that slide, and so, she had marched up before he could offer comfort for the hurt he didn't even comprehend yet, confirmed his identity and then she hauled off and slugged him as hard as she could.

Her hand stung something fierce, the man was practically a solid wall of sinew and muscle, but it was worth it for the absolutely shocked expression he wore as his hand rose to the place she hoped bruised up nice dark and lingering. Chaos was erupting behind her but she tuned it out completely. If she heard Hitomi begging her to stop she would and she didn't want to. Not this time, this was too important.

If I'm going to lose my best friend for good, then at least I will make sure he knows just how much he messed up.

So he wouldn't ever do anything like this again, for Hitomi and Anil's sake, she was going to chew him up, spit him out and grind salt in the wound. This was one war she was winning in a single strike.

Van regained his composure far too quickly for her liking, his eyes narrowing and she saw a flash of that arrogant temper Hitomi had spoken of as he stood up and looked own on her, his hand dropping from his shoulder as though it didn't hurt. It did, she knew it did because he stood with that arm angled away from her and out of reach.

"Are all women from here this violent?"

She hoped he was remembering Hitomi's slap when he said this. "When given a reason to be, you bet your ass we are!"

"Yukari!" Hitomi sounded shocked, likely at her use of profanity, but she ignored it and blocked her out. She knew how to curse, and she personally felt she did it well, pulling it out only when it would gain the most impact.

"… and what did I do to provoke you?"

You dare ask me that?!

Yukari grit her teeth and glared him down. He might be nearly a head taller than she was, but she had cowed much bigger men with her fury before, and royalty or not, she was going to take her pound of flesh from him one way or another before she was finished.

"You really don't want me to answer that."

"Yes. I do." He said, propping a hand upon his hip. "As far as I am aware, the only person here whom I owe any regard or explanation to is Hitomi. Your irrational abuse is unwarranted."

Her fists clenched and rage boiled up inside her. Unwarranted her foot, she'd show him unwarranted! She'd shove her foot so far up his behind he would be able to taste her socks in his mouth.

"Unwarranted? Really?" Her quiet hiss was a warning, one that Van did not notice or heed.

"Yes."

"Yukari don't—" Hitomi again tried to interfere but she pushed forward, jabbing a finger into Van's chest as she exploded.

"I've been here by the side of Hitomi and your son for seven years, you ignorant ass. I watched the utter hell she went through to protect your child! The fear, the discrimination, the guilt! My anger at you—and yes! My assault of you was completely, irrevocably justified!"

"—!" His mouth opened to retort, his brow furrowed with his anger, or what she thought was anger and she was quick to cut him off.

"Where the hell have you been, huh?"

"Wha—"

Nope. You don't get to talk.

"You said four years! Pretty certain it's been damned near seven!" He flinched at that and she took some satisfaction in it. At least he was aware that he was at fault there. It wouldn't spare him the rest of her lecture however. "Do you have any idea how hard it is for a woman, no for a teenage girl to raise a child alone?! What were you doing that was so important you couldn't come here on time?"

His glare was dark, but his voice was almost chillingly calm when he spoke the few words she let him get out, "You know nothing of—"

But she again refused to give him a chance to answer. She didn't actually want his excuses he would frame as reasons. They weren't for her. Those should be for Hitomi and Hitomi alone. No, she was hitting him with the hard questions only so that he would know. Because she knew for a fact, Hitomi would sugarcoat it all to spare him. Well, she wasn't so kind.

"Hell, you could have showed up a month or even six months late, but did you?"

"…"

"No. You didn't. And if your six-year-old son hadn't run off to get you… you never would have bothered, would you?"

His eyes widened and then he looked away from her, head lowered, bangs hiding his eyes. It was a close as an admission of guilt as she was likely to get but it was enough. He couldn't hide or pretend not to know now. Her lips quirked in a vicious smile that she didn't even try to mask.

Got you, motherfucker.

"…who are you that I should answer that?" Was the retort that eventually came from the man who was still not looking her way. Yukari straightened up, crossed her arms and stood upon her soapbox, proud and triumphant.

"I am Yukari, Hitomi's best friend." She paused for emphasis and then whispered, just loud enough for Van to hear, and knew he understood the unspoken meaning in her question from the way his head whipped back around to glare at her. "Who are you?"

"And—that's enough." Susumu said from behind her as his arms came around her and lifted her clear off her feet and out of range of the furious and hurt King of Fanelia. She wouldn't admit it to anyone, but she was actually happy and mollified to see that glare, that fire in his eyes.

If all of Hitomi's stories about this man were true, then with this expression, he was guaranteed to work himself to the bone to prove Yukari wrong. That was all she really wanted. For him to know, and to then prove her wrong and make Hitomi and Anil happy.

Of course, she couldn't let him know that, and so, with one hand she pointed to her eyes and then twisted her wrist to point back at him and repeated the motion two more times to be sure he got her message.

I'm watching you…

"Yukari… you need to calm down." Susumu chided gently still carrying her gently. "Think of the baby." He whispered into her ear and only then did she flush and relent turning away from Van.

"Susumu… I—" He cut her off with a swift kiss that ended before it really began, but in such a public setting it still caused her to flush.

"I understand. But please… let Hitomi handle this."

"… fine."

I've said all I needed to anyway.

XX

He could say this for the Mystic Moon, it was anything but predictable. Allen had thought he'd held his own fairly well since arriving. The air smelled bad, the noise was unnerving and the moving metal vehicles left so many questions to which he currently had no answers. Having spent most of his life dealing with circumstances outside of his control, he'd thought he'd be more prepared for this.

He was wrong.

At every turn and encounter, his preconceived notions were shattered and it left him uneasy and more than a little jittery which in turn made him angry with himself. Adaptability was something he'd taken pride in, falling short of his own personal expectations never sat well with him and it was even more so now. It was his duty to protect both Van and Anil. Van was a friend and Anil was helpless. His being able to adequately assess a situation and respond was his only purpose for being here, and he was failing.

Upon being stopped at the school, he'd expected the man to fight them, or at least put up more of a protest. He had clearly known Anil, and from the cold response he received, Allen would be willing to bet, that was the man Anil felt threatened Van's position in Hitomi's life, and at the very least the man should have called for guards or reinforcement when he found himself outnumbered.

However, despite his expectations, the man had let them leave fairly easily, with nothing more than a worried frown and tightly restrained energy. It didn't sit well with him, as instinct said that man was not the sort to simply let something like this go. His instincts were very rarely wrong, and he had waited for the inevitable reaction from the man, yet none came.

When he had seen the house and first saw Hitomi, he had expected—a tearful reunion, sure, but—knowing Hitomi's strength, a calm reception with hugs and greetings and explanations. Instead, Hitomi had collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably, Van seemed just as confused and unsure of how to react as he did and the situation only grew worse from there.

It was painful to watch Hitomi's tears, it spoke of something far bigger and deeper than what he was aware of and he very nearly stepped up to comfort her himself, but he was forced to stop when Van moved first, reminding him that it was not his place just as two other people came into view.

There was a very petite woman with dark hair and eyes, her features very similar to the rest of the people he had seen thus far. She was wearing a dark scowl and he felt a surprising animosity and warriors aura from her, and directly behind her was a man who looked startlingly like himself.

If it weren't for the brown hair and eyes, Allen would have been worried that a doppelganger had been playing tricks here in this world. However, he was far too relaxed and untrained to be one of those beings. The man had a strength but it was not that of a fighter, and though he moved with a grace that came from practiced activity and knowing one's own body and its capabilities, it was not the same as his own.

Their similarities seemingly ended with their similar facial construction, long hair, and height. Vaguely, he seemed to recall Hitomi had confused him for someone else upon their first meeting, this must have been who when the man stopped and kindly set a hand upon Hitomi's shoulder, asking her what was wrong. His actions were familiar but distant enough to rule out a romantic interest.

His anxiety over Hitomi was eased slightly with this knowledge. Knowing she had friends and family at her side was different from actually seeing it after all, and he was able to focus on the room as a whole more easily, assessing the people inside and keeping aware of potential dangers.

Again, Allen had expectations as to what was going to happen. He thought the woman would yell at Van for upsetting Hitomi, maybe she'd even slap him—which, if he were honest, he wasn't all that against especially after seeing Hitomi's breakdown—but instead, she'd grinned and asked him if he was Van Fanel of Fanelia.

"Yes. Who are you?" Came the expected response, full of anxiousness and worry for his love and mother of his child. It was a bit rude and came across as arrogant but that was typical of Van and Allen didn't really give it much thought, which was his mistake.

"Oh, good!"

"Yukari—!" Hitomi managed to cry out in warning, and that was the moment he realized his blunder, just a bit too late.

Just like that, the petite woman hauled off and slugged Van in the shoulder with enough force that Van actually stepped back, hand lifting to the point of impact in shock and the woman shook her hand out as she glared up at Van with all the venom of a mother protecting her young.

Slapping. He'd been expecting slapping, he had not expected a woman—especially one of her petite frame—to throw fists. Not just throw fists, but connect with her intended target with any amount of strength.

"Yukari! Stop! You don't—" Hitomi was cut off by Anil rising to his father's defense.

"Auntie Yukari, no! Don't hit daddy!" Anil somehow escaped Hitomi's grip and was running to stop the verbal tongue lashing that had commenced after the hit and Allen snagged the boy before he could, pulling him back and returning him to Hitomi's arms. "Allen?"

What is with this place?

Shock didn't even begin to cover how he was feeling and his lips quirked up in amused confusion when it became apparent that despite the shock, Van had suffered no real damage. Perhaps it was petty of him, and below his calling as a knight, but despite knowing Van's situation and understanding his feelings, he couldn't deny that he felt the woman was also in the right as she began to lay into Van for not coming sooner.

Despite knowing why Van had missed the deadline—and really there was nothing to be done in regards to that it had very nearly become a second war—she had made a pretty good point in the fact that it did not excuse why he didn't come until now.

With but a few short sentences, she had backed Van into a verbal corner. This woman, Yukari, was tiny but mighty and Allen was starting to see that Hitomi wasn't overly brave and brazen as he'd always assumed, this was simply how all the women, that he'd met thus far, seemed to be here.

"Your father can handle this." Was his calm response.

And he deserves it.

His thoughts turned his smile just slightly vindictive. Hitomi looked his way and he gave a nod of greeting well aware of the now wary quality of her confusion. "Hello Hitomi. Are you well?"

"… er…?" Hitomi seemed conflicted as her eyes darted back to the two arguing to his side. When no other fists were thrown, she answered though a little stiffly, likely uncertain how to intercede between her friend and lover. "… yes?"

Can they still be considered lovers? Can they even come back from so many lies?

He pondered to himself but didn't linger on it long. His understanding of the situation was both limited and skewed by the information he had been given from one side alone and a small child who could very easily be confused. No, it wasn't his place to make assumptions or opinions.

He was here to provide protection for Van, Anil and Hitomi. Nothing more, nothing less, and while the woman was impressive, and angry, he doubted she would actually attempt murder.

"That is a relief." He replied to Hitomi and turned then to the man who looked like himself. "I am Allen Schezar."

"Amano Susumu." The man managed a kind smile, surprisingly calm about the situation. In fact, he seemed to be almost resigned as he turned back to the continuing argument beside him, "Please excuse me, I need to keep my wife from killing Kanzaki's… er… Anil's father."

"Of course." Allen smiled, stepping back to allow the man to pick up the fiery female that was still pointing and cursing Van out.

So they are a couple.

From what he'd overheard of the argument, the woman considered herself to be Hitomi's best friend and the man, her husband, referred to Hitomi by her last name. This told him plenty of the pairs relationship to Hitomi and set him even more at ease. At least here, there would be no real threats despite his inadequacy in judgement thus far.

Deciding it was better to stay out of this, Allen paused long enough to remove his boots—he had taken note that no one was wearing them indoors—and stepped up beside Hitomi. "Please excuse my intrusion."

"No… thank you for coming all this way." Hitomi said, sounding distracted, not that he could really blame her. Her sense of manners was likely the only thing holding her together, though that strength he had so admired in her was slowly returning, if the hard cast of her eyes was anything to go by. If he had to guess, her friend was going to get a stern lecture at some point. He only hoped Hitomi didn't overreact.

Aside from the punch, what she had said had not been wrong. Not her place to point out, to be sure, but not wrong.

"Perhaps we should move this inside?"

"Oh! Yes! Amano, bring Yukari in…" Hitomi said, standing and finally seeming to get herself under control. Her green eyes passed from her friends to Van and her expression softened in a way that still made him feel uncomfortable and Allen turned away from them. "Van, are… are you…?"

Van, whose head was lowered when he had last looked, bangs covering his eyes, must have moved to step into the house without responding as it was Anil who quickly jumped forward.

"You have to remove your shoes daddy!"

Allen snorted as Van stumbled and froze behind him and a glance over his shoulder proved Van was staring at Anil dumbly. After a moment, he removed his boots and followed them inside the home.

Amano guided them through the narrowed hall and into a larger room with cushioned seats that seemed to be made for lounging. He and his wife took the smaller of the two sofas and Anil bounced over to a low table it the center, sitting on his knees arms and chin resting on the surface.

Despite the oddities of the home and the items that looked both familiar and alien, it was warm and cozy and somehow fit his idea of who Hitomi was. Allen was drawn to, and amazed by the portraits in the room; decorations that adorned both the walls and any flat surface available. They were so real and flawless. The captured images of Anil as a small baby were astounding and he wondered what technology had allowed for that. He wanted to ask how it had been done but refrained. There were far more important issues to be discussed first.

Van chose to stand by the window, his gaze cast out likely still hurting from the words of the petite woman and, Allen hoped, reassessing his own plans and preconceived notions. Allen chose to sit on one end of the long couch nearest to Van when he saw Hitomi wringing her fingers nervously. The atmosphere was awkward and the tension was continuing to mount as the silence stretched uncomfortably.

Well, this could have gone better.

"I—I'll make some tea." Hitomi squeaked out, uncharacteristically timid and fled from the room. Allen's brows rose in shock. Should he go after her?

His eyes tracked back to Van who hadn't even turned away from the window and sighed internally. The man had grown up so much in the last seven years, and yet when it came to women, he was still the dumb, uncultured child from the war.

"I suppose she will need some help." Allen stated pointedly, hoping his words would spur some reaction from Van, but it was the woman, Yukari, that stood up with a sigh.

"Don't you strong men all rush in at once." Her sarcasm was spot on and Allen couldn't suppress his grin at both the words and the way Van's head whipped around at the implication. "… men." Yukari grumbled in clear insult and rolled her eyes walking out of the room after Hitomi and leaving the four of them alone in the awkward silence.

"… daddy? Are you and Aunt Yukari enemies?" Anil asked nervously, and Van's shoulders slumped and he finally moved away from the window, and moved near the opposite end of the couch, still not sitting, but no longer in self-imposed isolation.

"No."

"… then why did she hit you?"

"…" Van seemed to struggle with an answer.

"You know how your mommy threatened to spank you just now?" Amano breezed in easily.

"… yeah."

"Well, she said that out of fear, right?"

Anil nodded.

"Sometimes, when people get too scared, they get angry."

"How come?"

Amano laughed, and it was filled with a calmness that was very soothing. Allen was surprised to find it somewhat reminded him of Dryden. Less manipulative, but still similar enough to be shocking. "Honestly, I don't really know, buddy."

"… oh."

"But, your Aunt Yukari has been very scared for a very long time. And I think it was just too much for her. Sadly, she chose to strike out at your daddy."

"Oh." Anil dragged the sound out as though understanding had suddenly struck. "Like… at school when I shoved Sato-san but he wasn't the one I was really mad at."

"Uh… something like that." Amano said, eyes looking at Van apologetically as all three adults were well aware that Yukari was indeed angry with Van and was certainly not remorseful in the slightest. Allen hid his grin by looking around at the portraits some more.

"I apologize for my wife's actions." Amano said, and in usual Van fashion, he didn't responded so much and look away and grunt. The silence descended once more and again, Amano tried to salvage the situation.

"So… it's nice to finally put faces to names." The words were followed by a forced laugh that Allen understood all too well.

"Quite." He returned, knowing that Van would likely maintain his silence.

"If you don't mind sharing, can you tell me what happened on your side?"

It was likely pure curiosity and the need for continued conversation that spurred that question but Allen could tell from Van's darkening expression that he felt it was intrusive and annoying.

"I was summoned by Van shortly after Anil had arrived. I believe it was before Van even knew who he was. All of our allies were brought in to discuss the arrival of a child from the Mystic Moon."

"Mystic—oh, right. You can see Earth from the sky."

Earth?

"… yes." Allen said, assuming the name was what the people here called the Mystic Moon.

"… so you were summoned?"

"Requested." Van spoke up, finally, clearly bothered enough by the implication of the terminology to dispute. "I requested your presence."

"You say that as though I had a choice."

"You did." Van insisted sharply and Allen decided to stop pushing him. It was enough that he was talking again.

"… I received his letter." He conceded and watched Amano's lips quirk in silent amusement at the byplay. "I spent the next seven days collecting the others and travelling to get to Fanelia just in time to get the information on who Anil was and that we needed to come here."

"I see." Amano nodded and turned back to Van. "And… you?"

Silence.

I hope the tea doesn't take much longer…

A.N. Okay, first of all, I want to say that despite what Allen and Yukari think about Van, I do not think either side is less at fault. They both made piss poor choices and are both in the wrong. It is just my personal belief that these two characters would side with Hitomi simply because they are her best friend/self-appointed guardian/secondary love interest in the Anime. This is not my personal view. Secondly, the awkwardness and emotional discourse between Hitomi and Van, while working as good drama fodder, I think is actually quite realistic. Just because they were able to talk in a dream, and share emotions, its different than coming face to face with the person you hurt/were hurt by. They haven't spoken in nearly seven years, and while they still love one another, they have changed and grown in those seven years outside of the other. It will take some time to relearn who they are. Also, as for Hitomi's meltdown, I hope this came across well enough, but she has been through a lot and has been forcing herself to be strong for so long. And in regards to Van, she's had so many emotions on lock down in regards to him that seeing him just released the flood gates as it were.

1) 17 September, 2003 was a Wednesday. So, the school would have students and teachers inside. My original notes had them arriving on a weekend but when I checked the dates that got thrown to hell. LOL, but it worked out in the end.

2) Just in case anyone is confused, I pointed out that those on Gaea have a distinctively European look to their features, thus making Hitomi exotic by extent, however, to explain away her green eyes and light brown hair, I have made her a quarter-German. So a full Japanese man would look very distinctive to Van and Allen.

3) Akihabara is the central place for Otaku and anime lovers. It is often crowded with those openly wearing cosplay and gothic Lolita garb.

4) In Japan it is rude and worse to wear shoes in the house. The schools even have shoe boxes in which the students remove their shoes and put on slippers to wear in the building. Hitomi throwing a slipper is just funny to me so… yeah.

5) I would like to point out here, and I will do so again if it becomes necessary, I personally do not think it is okay to slap anyone in the face unless it is in self-defense. I think it is the epitome of disrespect one cane give to another human being. That said, Hitomi and Yukari are not me, nor do they share my point of view, clearly seeing as Hitomi slaps Van not once, but twice across the face in the anime. The first because he mouths off to her after she was scared for him (and yeah he was being an arrogant dick but still) and second when he got a bit grabby and intense in Asturia when Folken screws with the fate alteration machine (don't know if I'd actually call that self defense on her part, but I mean if she felt threatened… eh). Anyway, I don't approve and I wanted to go on record saying as much.