Van walked quietly on the well trodden path to the lake. He could have sworn he saw a some blue glare from the Illusionary Moon on his way out. Must be imagining the impossible again Van thought to himself. The lake was in plain site and Van noticed something wrong with it. There was a odd looking shaped log in the water. It was slim and had four branches. Van concentrated and realized it was a person in the water. He rushed over to pull them out of the water hoping that it wasn't too late. Van stopped right in the water, the person was faced up and Van could see that they were barely breathing. It couldn't be Van thought. He neared the person and picked her up. She was as light as he remembered and with the same sandy blond hair, only longer. Van held on to Hitomi tightly as he went back to shore. Still not convinced that Hitomi was actually in his arms he decided that it was best that he get back to the castle and get Hitomi into some dry clothes.

Merle sat by her window patiently waiting for her best friend to come back. He was closing himself in more than ever now. Natsuki knew his wife wasn't in bed with him and looked to find her gazing out the window. Natsuki went to his wife and put his arms around her. Merle gasped, she saw Van coming back carrying someone in his arms. Both she and her husband rushed to the front castle gate to help.

"You just found her in the water?" Hitomi heard a familiar voice come through the walls. Slowly, Hitomi opened her eyes and looked. She saw a window filled with beautiful white stars. She blinked again and then noticed a section of Earth floating in the sky. Hitomi sat up quickly and felt a wave of dizziness hit her. She grabbed the sheets to steady herself. This has got to be a dream. This has got to be a dream. Hitomi froze, she saw a tail sticking out from behind a cushioned chair. Might as well live a dream, even if for a bit.

"Merle, for a cat burglar, you're not being very sneaky. I can see your tail."

A young cat girl jumped and laughed really loudly. "I'm not mommy!!" She pounced onto Hitomi's lap and brushed the hair out of Hitomi's surprised eyes before leaping off the bed and running to the door and walking out. Hitomi heard muffled voices outside.

"Kireko! Did you wake Hitomi? I told you not to go in there."

"No no no!! Kireko no wake yellow hair girl she woke up and found Kireko!"

"Stop yelling Kireko. I'm going to have to…"

"It's alright Merle. I'll go in to see her. You take Kireko to bed now. Go with her Natsuki"

"Yes sir."

The door opened and Hitomi saw the silhouette of a slim man with a slight build. His sword could be seen. He closed the door and Hitomi's eyes adjusted to the darkness once again and saw familiar brown red eyes staring at her.

"Van" Hitomi barely whispered his name but as if on command he came to her and sat down on the bed next to her.

"How are you feeling?"

"Good" This can't be real Hitomi thought. Van reached out and brushed Hitomi's hair out of her face. She grabbed his hand.

"Sorry Hitomi! I didn't mean to scare you."

"No, it's not that Van. You're real. This isn't a dream." Hitomi held tightly to Van's hand until he hugged her and she returned his embrace. Van pushed Hitomi backed a bit and brushed the hair out of her face again reveling in the feel of the soft strands. He leaned in to kiss her.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

The door opened quickly to reveal a guard.

"Master Van! They are approaching and have reached the border. You must come quickly and meet with the generals immediately." The soldier left right away, probably to go awaken some general.

"Who's coming Van?"

"Nothing. Don't worry. Just go to sleep. I'll see you in the morning." Van rushed out of the door and shut it leaving Hitomi in the dark with the moon casting a silver glow on all the furniture.