PART II


Van looked down at the funny clothes Hitomi had given him. He was whereing a white button-up long sleved shirt, over that Hitomi had given him a red knit over vest. His pants where blue and strange feeling, not like his soft tan pants at all. All of the clothes fit kinda big, because they where Hitomi's fathers.As he walked into the main room of the three bedrom apartment, Van noticed that Hitomi had not emerjed from her room yet. Spying a chair in the corner, he decided to make himself at home in till she came out. The afectes of all his travles soon got to Van, and before he knew it he was fast asleep.

******

Hitomi walked into the room ten minutes later to find Van sleeping pleacefuly. He looked just like alittle boy in his sleep. She noted how nice he looked in his "earth" clothes. They fit a litte big but that couldn't be hepled. Hitomi walked over and placed a soft kiss on Van's cheek. Van opened his eyes slowly. He had been having a wonderful dream about Hitomi and him beining back together in a feild. who ever dared to wake him was going to get it. He blinked geting ready to give orders to live the room when he saw Hitomi standing over him. She looked good! Her green sweater made her eyes look more green, the litte daisy clips in her hair also made her eyes look bigger, and her tan knee lenghth skirt gave her a look of grace that had been missing a few years ago on Gaea.Hitomi smiled, scencing his reaction. "Here are somthings we'er going to need." she said as she handed him a portable Cd player and a blanket. Van raised his eyes at the later and Hitomi blushed. "This is the thing you had that played music on Gaea, Hitomi." Van comented. "Yes, it is Van, now come on, we have to hurry." Hitomi grabed Van's free hand and pulled him out the door.


******


They went to a deily down the street from Hitomi's appartment. Van waited silently as Hitomi talked to the woman behind the counter in a strange language. She bought an asortment of food and placed it in a reed basket. Van wondered at the stragness of this place yet again. The lights over head where bright ade the rows of shelves held food that looked alien to Van. Hitomi motioned to him that it was time to go, and he took he hand as they walked out the door. Next they road the train to a park, a few miles from the store. Hitomi spread the blanket out, as Van set down the food. "This is what we call a picnic Van." Hitomi informed him. Van tryed the word. It felt strange to his tonge. Soon they were talking about every thing under the sun, it was a night neithere would soon forget. Van tryed coca-cola for the first time and hated it. "How do you drink that stuff? The little bubbles keep geting up my nose!!" Hitomi gigled and Van narrowed his eyes at her. "Did you just laugh at me?" He asked in mock outrage. "No Van-sama, I would never laugh at you." Hiotmi could no longer hold back her out right laughter. Van leaned over and Kissed her laughing lips. Hitomi sighed and leaned against him. "Van I want you to dance with me. I have the music right here." Hitomi reached over for her player. Placing in a CD she took time to find the fight song, then she moved into Vans arms. The music flowed around them to a song that seemed to be writen just for them.

"Up in your arms is where I belong .
Flyin high above the sky.
Oh, up in your arms thats where I belong.
I'll leave my doubts and fears behind.
Hold me close to your heart,
And on your wigs we'll fly."

"Now I know you have some doubts,
but baby it'll all work out.
Just hold me tenderly,
and oh, so softly.
Fly far above the sky.
Because that where we belong."

"Up in you arms thats where I belong.
Flying high above the sky.
Oh, up in your arms is where I belong.
I'll leave all my doubts and fears behind.
Hold me close to your heart,
and on your wings we'll fly."

"The night is falling now.
The last light fades away.
I know you think it won't work out.
You say we're distened to be apart.
But that can't be right.
'Cause you belong in my heart.
Put aside all your doubts.
And fly with me above the clouds."

"Up in you arms thats where I belong.
Flying high above the sky.
Oh, up in your arms is where I belong.
I'll leave all my doubts and fears behind.
Hold me close to your heart,
and on your wings we'll fly."

"Hold me close never to doubt,
And on your winds we'll fly."

As the last strains of music faded Van looked into Hitomi's eyes. he saw that she knew what had been going on in his heart, his doubts and fears, she understood. "But Hitomi this place, this world has so much more to give you. I can't ask you to-" "Shhh, Van you need to understand somthing. The reason I had to come back wasn't because this world had more to offer, it's because my friends and family were hear. I don't care what Gaea doesn't have to offer. It has only one thing that I won't. You. Thats why I'll come back." Van looked at her with confustion then love in his eyes. "Hitomi I love you. Im sorry I never told you that on Gaea." Hitomi moved into his arms and they began to sway to the music again. "I love you too Van. Believe me when I say we'll be together some day."
For another hour they danced, rarely talking with words, but then who needs words when you share the same heart?
The sky was just turning pink from the dawn, early morning jogers ran past the young couple danceing to the soft notes of "On Your Wings". Van said, "Hitomi I must be getting back." Hitomi sighed, "I know,Van." She started picking up her stuff, now dew covered. Van helped her put it all in the basket. "Van we need to hurry. I think the our train is about to run." Hitomi glanced worriedly over her shoulder. "Don't worry Hitomi, it's like the song, on my wings we'll fly." So Van flow with Hitomi one last time before they had to get back on with their lives. after walking Hitomi to her door, Van kissed her one last time. "keep the clothes Van, in case you decide to vistit again." Hitomi said the words hopfuly. "Don't worry Htiomi, I'll be back, you'll see." as he walked way Hitomi called out to him, "No Doubts Van?" then came his answering call as the white light enveloped him. "No doubts Hitomi!!"
Hitomi stood and staired up into the sky a lomg time as tears streamed down her face.


******


Hitomi set by the window and watched the sun come all the way up. She rubed the soft fabric of Van shirt against her cheek. It smelled just like him. Hitomi smiled as she sliped it over her head, then she crawled up into bed with a smile on her face.


******


Van landed softly in the palace ggarden. He wathched as the sun rose behind the phantom moon. In his hand he held on of Hitomi's dasiy clips. It had fallan from her hair somtime in the park. Van walked into the palace ignoring the strange looks at his clothes. Climbing into bed fully dressed he fell asleep with a smile on his face.