Hitomi awoke to find herself in her own bed at home. She sat up groggily, unsure of what was going on. Was she really home? With crashing force, her memories came flooding back.
"Van," she sobbed, her vision wavering as tears filled her eyes. "It can't be," she cried. "Why?" she accused the ceiling. "Why!?!"
***
Back on Gaea, Emperor Dornkirk was trying to see his perfect future.
"The accursed dragon still obscures my vision!" he muttered angrily. On board one of Zaibach's floating fortresses, the Vione, Folken was talking to Dilandau.
"We must still capture the dragon," Folken said emotionlessly.
"What?" screeched Dilandau. "Van is dead! I killed him myself!"
"Apparently, the fact that my brother is dead, doesn't matter."
"It must be that girl!" Dilandau declared. "She must be the one clouding the future."
"Emperor Dornkirk has come to the same conclusion. We are to go to the Mystic Moon and eliminate her."
"But.... how?"
"In time you will see."
~******************~
A month after that fateful day on Gaea, Hitomi was walking sullenly through the crowded streets. She hated to admit it, but she really did miss Van. It was as though a part of her was missing. She even missed the annoying cat-girl Merle. She wondered if Merle was all right...
Hitomi was lost in her thoughts of Gaea, when someone shoved her roughly. She cried out in indignation as she was knocked to the pavement.
"Hey! Watch where you're go... ing," she finished in a strangled whisper. A large, nasty looking man loomed over her menacingly. With rising panic, Hitomi realized she was in a deserted alley.
"Hello little girl," he sneered. "Cough up some dough, and fast," he said in a gravely voice. Hitomi froze. This couldn't be happening to her!
"Please," Hitomi whispered backing away.
"You heard me girlie!" the man snapped. "Cough it up!"
Hitomi shakily got to her feet, prepared to run from the man. He was unarmed, and there was no way he'd be able to keep up with her. Hitomi took a deep breath to settle her nerves. Before she could bolt, the man pulled a knife. Hitomi let out a small squeak, her eyes going wide as she took a step back.
"Hand it over little girl. Or, I'll get it the hard way!" he said angrily. Hitomi swallowed convulsively, her mind going over thousands of scenarios to this scene.
"Let her go," a male voice commanded. A figure limped towards them carefully.
"What you gonna do 'bout it little boy?" the man spat.
"I'm warning you, let her go!" he said dangerously.
Funny, Hitomi thought she recognized that voice. The man lunged for the shadowy figure, falling on his face when he missed. Hitomi's savior kicked the knife out of the man's grasp, and it skittered out onto the street. The man picked himself up and ran from his would-be victims. Hitomi let out her breath in relief. The stranger grunted and fell against the wall, breathing heavily.
"Are you all right?" Hitomi asked, going to his aid. He accepted her help, and she assisted him in walking out of the dark alley. When they reached the sidewalk, and daylight, Hitomi turned to see who her rescuer was. She gasped, stumbling backwards. The young man, suddenly robbed of his support, fell against the wall heavily with a gasp of pain.
"V-V-Van?" Hitomi stuttered.
"Do I know you?" he responded, a look of worry crossing his face.
"Is it really you?" Hitomi exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know you...?"
"It's me, Hitomi," she replied, hurt.
"I'm very sorry, but I don't remember you. Maybe you do know me, but I don't remember you... I have amnesia..."
"Oh Van! I can't believe you're actually alive!" Hitomi cried hugging him. Van winced, trying to shy away. Hitomi realized what she was doing and hastily stepped back, blushing.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were still injured. I guess you haven't recovered yet?"
"No, I haven't," he replied. "You know, you do seem familiar. Maybe I did know you?" Van said, looking closely at the sandy haired girl before him.
"You really don't remember, do you?" Hitomi asked genuinely concerned. Van shook his head ruefully.
"I woke up in a hospital bed, with no memories. The only thing I knew was my name, and even that was a little foggy."
"You don't even remember what happened to you?"
"No. Could you... tell me about my past? You seem to know things about me. Maybe you could..." Van trailed of uncertainly. Hitomi smiled and shook her head.
"I'll tell you everything I know, but I doubt you'll believe me. We'd better get of the street though."
"Where do you suggest we go? I don't know anywhere..."
"Come on," Hitomi said walking down the sidewalk. "We'll go to my house."
***
"Where is she?" Dilandau ranted hysterically. "How hard can it be to find some stupid girl?"
"Patience Dilandau," Folken cautioned.
"I don't like this place. There's to many people, and they have bizarre customs," Dilandau complained.
"That's to be expected. We are on the Mystic Moon after all," Folken pointed out calmly.
"Whatever, I just want to get this over with. How hard can it be to kill some helpless girl? This should be fun! I almost had her once," Dilandau ranted. Dilandau continued to rave as Folken stared out the window ignoring him.
***
Now that Hitomi was thinking clearly again, she noticed just how bad Van looked. She was amazed they had let him out of the hospital in such a condition. He sat stiffly in the chair across from her, his breathing labored from walking even the short distance to her house. His arm was in a splint, and bandages poked out at the collar of his shirt.
Hitomi felt awful. She had told him about Gaea, and why he was hurt. Van had merely stared at her in disbelief through the whole telling. He didn't remember anything.
"Van, are you sure you should be out of the hospital?"
"Hmmm?" he responded groggily, his eyes beginning to slide shut.
"Van?" Hitomi cried, alarmed.
"I haven't been able to sleep for so long... The dreams, they haunt me every moment of my existence," he mumbled, half asleep. "I just... want... rest...." Van finished, his head lolling to the side as he fell asleep.
"Van," Hitomi whispered lovingly. "You can rest here. It's safe here." Hitomi left the room, returning with a blanket. She covered Van, tucking the corners in gently. She sat back down across from him, watching him sleep. He looked so innocent when he was asleep. Almost like.... Hitomi remembered the time he had saved her when she was falling off the cliff. Like an angel. Hitomi smiled and contentedly continued to watch the young man sleeping before her.
"Everything will be all right Van. You'll get your memory back, and return home. I promise," Hitomi pledged before she too fell asleep.