It was later that same day. Hitomi and Van were strolling through the public park. As they walked, Hitomi watched Van out of the corner of her eye. She smiled to herself. She had never seen him this vulnerable, this innocent. Van noticed Hitomi watching him, and a puzzled look crossed his features. Hitomi started, blushing and averting her eyes from his gaze.
"Van... Before you fell asleep, you mentioned dreams," Hitomi began hesitantly.
"They're more like nightmares," Van confessed.
"Do you... wanna talk about it?" Hitomi offered. A troubled look crossed Van's face.
"They're like what you described to me as my past. Do you think that maybe they aren't just dreams?"
"You still don't believe what I told you," Hitomi stated. "Look, I don't blame you for being skeptical, but try to have a little faith in me. You used to," she ended sadly.
"It just seems so impossible," Van replied, running his hand through his raven black hair. Hitomi sighed, disheartened. As much as she liked the Van unaffected by war, she wanted the old Van back. She just wished there was a way to help him remember. With another sigh, Hitomi slumped down on the park bench. Van hesitated for a moment, then sat down beside her.
"I finally find out that you're alive, and you don't even remember me," Hitomi said in a shaky voice as a single tear rolled down her cheek. "All this time I thought you were dead. I thought I'd never see you---" Hitomi gasped as Van gently wiped the tear away from her face. Hitomi's face crumpled, and she began to cry in earnest. When Hitomi's sobbing ceased, she realized she was being held by someone. Van's arms were wrapped around her protectively, and his chin rested on top of her head.
"I'm sorry," he whispered solemnly into her hair, as he rocked her gently back-and-forth. "I'm sorry I've caused you pain."
Hitomi pulled away regretfully, looking up into Van's depth less, brown eyes. Abruptly, Hitomi was torn roughly from Van's grasp. Two young men in blue and black uniforms held her as she struggled.
"Let me go!" she growled, kicking one in the shin. The young man winced and held onto Hitomi's arm tighter.
"Let her go!" Van said angrily, springing up from the bench. He reached at his left side for a hilt that wasn't there. Van's eyes clouded with apprehension and confusion.
"How...?"
"Van, look out!" Hitomi cried. Van started to turn around, but was stopped by a blow to the head. His eyes rolled up as he collapsed limply to the ground.
"Van!" Hitomi screamed.
"Well, hello Van," Dilandau sneered. "It seems you are still alive. But not for long!" he said, kicking Van's limp form.
"No," Hitomi whimpered, attracting Dilandau's attention.
"Oh, don't worry, you'll be joining him!"
Hitomi was shoved to the ground, catching herself with her hands. She went over to Van, making sure he was okay.
"Time to go," Dilandau laughed before striking Hitomi across the back of the head. Hitomi pitched forward, collapsing atop Van.
"Bring them," Dilandau ordered, walking away.
***
Van awoke in a shadowy, dim lit room. His head pounded ferociously. He reached his hand up to the back of his head, and pulled it away when he felt warm, sticky blood.
"So you've finally decided to wake up brother."
"Who are you?" Van asked suspiciously, looking at the tall man before him with light silvery-aqua hair.
"I am your brother, Folken."
"My... brother?"
"You don't remember," Folken murmured.
"Where am I? What is going on?" demanded Van.
"You are back on Gaea, on board the Vione. As for what is going on, you are to be executed."
"What have you done with Hitomi?"
"I would not be concerned over her, she is to share your fate."
"Where is she?" Van insisted, growing angry.
"Enough questions for now brother," Folken replied, placing his mechanical hand on Van's shoulder. Using the tip of his pointer finger, Folken injected something into Van's neck. Van instantly collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
***
Van opened his eyes warily, unsure of what awaited his vision this time. He squinted in the semi-darkness, trying to discern his surroundings. His eyes roamed the room, coming to rest on a shadowy form. Van cautiously walked over and knelt beside it. When he looked closer, he discovered it was Hitomi.
"Hitomi?" Van said softly, nudging her gently. Hitomi groaned and began to stir.
"Van? Where are we?" she asked, sitting up groggily.
"Some sort of ship that belongs to... Zaibach?" Van answered carefully.
"Zaibach! Oh no," Hitomi groaned, dropping her head into her hands. "This just can't be happening. How did they find us?!"
"It's quite simple really," interjected an eerily calm voice. The door to the cell opened allowing light to flood in. A tall, dark form stood there, wrapped in mysterious shadows.
"It was a simple matter of redirecting fate to merge the two planets' fields together and unbalance their continuity. This created a narrow field through which we traveled to reach the Mystic Moon."
"And what do you plan to do with us now?" Hitomi asked mistrustfully. "From my past experiences, Zaibach has not been the most gracious host."
"I leave your fate to Dilandau," Folken responded in an uncanny voice that sent shivers up Hitomi's spine. "In the morning you will be either dead, or nearly dead. Good night," Folken said calmly, turning and exiting through the door. Van turned to Hitomi with a quizzical expression.
"These Zaibach people, are they our enemies right?"
"Yes."
"But, he said he was my brother," Van said confused.
"Van, these are the people that tried to kill you before. Don't you understand?"
"This time they're going to finish the job, aren't they?" Van asked, gingerly toughing the back of his head.
"It would seem so if you take your brother's words seriously. And I would." Hitomi replied earnestly. "What's wrong with your head?"
"Nothing," Van replied quickly. "Are you all right Hitomi?"
"I think so, except for the fact that my death is looming over me. Not to mention my head is throbbing!"
"It seems we're in the same boat, " Van grinned wryly. " Do you have any idea how they're going to execute us?"
"That's it? You're giving up! You're not even going to try and escape?!" Hitomi cried angrily. Van looked guiltily at the floor.
"I'm sorry," he whispered quietly. Hitomi sighed, and placed her hand gently on his shoulder. Van flinched, and Hitomi drew her hand back.
"I'm sorry Van. I know this isn't your fault. If only you had your memory back," she murmured.
"What," Van began hesitantly, "would I have done?" he finished. Hitomi smiled sadly.
"You would have been brash and foolish. You'd attempt to escape no matter what the odds."