~Remember I don't own Escaflowne characters.
~Hope you like this chapter. This is when it starts to get fluffy.


The Fate of Two Worlds
By Angel_Wings

Chapter 3 ~ I Was Lost, But Now I'm Found


~ Hitomi's mind ~
She was falling. That was all she knew. If she had not felt the rush of her plunge she
might not have known that. All she knew was she was alone....in the dark.....tumbling in fear of
the unknown. "Where am I? How did I get here?" she thought as her hair whipped around her
face. Fear gripped her soul as the thought of death crossed her mind. For some unknown
reason she had never feared death until now. She was terrified of being alone in the darkness.
She wanted to be near someone, she didn't want to be alone when she died. Something about
the darkness scared her. She had no idea what it was, but she felt an unknown dread fill every
pore of her body. It was something she remembered from....the past....something filled with....
destruction.....and death..... "Someone?!" she screamed, " Someone help me...... please....."

~ Van's mind ~
He could tell he was falling because he could feel the rush of air hitting him. His
reflexes caused him to unfurl his wings tearing apart his shirt and vest. "Where have I come to?
What's going on?" he wondered. He felt a sense of panic clutch his heart, but after two years
of practice he was able to slow his heartbeat and clear his head to think. "Where was I last?
With the historians" he remembered, " I got dizzy....fell over....scared....Hitomi!" His emotions
risen in concern for his love. What had caused her so much fear that he had felt it all the way on
his world. "Something's wrong......"

His ears suddenly pricked to a faint sound in the distant darkness. What was it? He
concentrated on the sound, for some reason it was imperative that he discover the source. "A
voice.....but whose?"

A small cry came from behind the vast space, "Someone?! Someone help me.....
please...."

His heart constricted when he realized that he knew that voice. The same voice he
had heard in his dreams for the last two years. The voice that haunted his mind every waking
moment. A voice his soul had been desperate to hear. "HITOMI!" his shout echoed throughout
the blackness.

~ Hitomi's mind ~
Was she going mad? Or had she actually heard the voice? The voice that shouted
her name seemed so....familiar..... Could it be him? Could it be the voice that followed her
thoughts? The voice that spoke to her in her sleep? It couldn't be could it? She had to know
who had called out to her. She had to know! She had to hear the voice again even if it was just
to hear his voice. Her heart skipped a beat as she shouted the name that always sent chills of
joy through her, "Van?!"

~ Back on Earth ~
The paramedics had begun to do CPR on the frail girl. Yukari cried in Amano's
shoulder as her friend began to drift away from her forever. The woman pumped Hitomi's heart
not willing to lose the child. She was so young. It was not her time to go and she wasn't about
to let her leave this world without a fight. Sweat brimmed her brow, but she refused to stop and
wipe it away. A life hung in the balance and she was one of the few that could help her. She
couldn't understand it though. The girl's eyes were dilated like most heart failure victims
appeared to be, but there was something different with the young teen. Her eyes appeared to
be dull, but her pupils seemed to spark as if her mind hadn't stop. It was like she was
somewhere else..... somewhere lost in her mind......


~ Van's mind ~
He heard her loud and clear now. That sweet melodic voice that pierced his heart
when he heard it. His heart began to pound in his ears as he heard the call echo around him.
Unfortunately he couldn't tell from where the voice came from. It sounded like it had come from
all around him. He turned everywhich way desperate to find her, but all he saw was blackness.
Then he reached out with his mind for her. He felt in the blackness for her mind. Where was
she? He felt her! He felt her below him! He looked down into the depths of the pit and saw a
small form growing smaller by the second. The form was easily recognized, not by his eyes of
fire, but by his heart. He knew that feeling of awareness that he always got from her and he
could feel it now. It was a sensation he had longed for since she had left.

"She's falling!" his thoughts screamed as he plummeted after her.

She was falling backwards from what he saw. She wore some weird shorts that he
had first seen her in when he had first met her. Her hair was exactly how he remembered it and
he was all too aware of how she had matured into a young beautiful woman. Her face was
streaked with tears and joy. When he looked at that face that had plagued his mind he wanted
to cry out and proclaim his joy. His hand stretched out to her and at the same moment she
reached out to him. So close.....just a little closer....Their fingers brushed against each other as
they extended out to one another. Their heartbeats pounded together as one heartbeat as they
looked into each other's eyes. Their hands clasped together and the two felt suddenly at ease. A
second after their hands joined a white light enveloped them.

~ Hitomi's mind ~
She could see him now. His white glowing form came swooping down to her like
she often dreamed. She loved to see the sight of him flying down to her like her guardian angel.
Even in her moment of distress she found herself staring at his now muscular form. He was
obviously no longer the lanky teen she once knew, but she could tell from his eyes he had
changed little. She could drown in those eyes. Her cheeks felt wet and she realized she was
crying. She had missed him so much just the sight of him had caused her to involuntary weep.
Her hand reached out to him. She was no longer afraid of falling to her death, she only wanted
to be closer to him. Gently fingers wrapped around her as a blinding light overtook them.

~ Vision ~
Hitomi and Van were facing each other. They didn't even notice their surroundings.
It didn't matter to them at that moment. All they cared about was their precious time with one
another. Their souls were for once at peace and no longer held the everyday torments. Two
years of thoughts and actions that would be done when they would meet again were now hazy
in their minds. A gentle silence surrounded the two lone figures. They didn't mind the silence.
They were drowning in the eyes of the one they truly loved. Twin flaming fires were locked with
sparkling emeralds. They couldn't look away; they didn't want to look away.

"Hitomi...."

"Van....."

Hitomi didn't want to break the connection, but she felt there was something
important here. She looked around and gasped at what she saw. Van glanced at what she saw
and his eyes widened at the sight around them. "The Mystic Valley....." he breathed. It was the
valley, but it seemed a little different. It seemed strange. It was different like it was......Neither
could put a finger on what they felt.

Hitomi was first to spot the figure climbing a rig about fifty feet away from them.
"Van, over there" she said, "I think a man is climbing that rig." Van turned to where she pointed
and also saw the figure clawing up the steep slope. The figure was vaguely familiar in his mind,
but they couldn't see the man's face for his back was to them. Who was it? The figure turned his
head to check the height he was at and the two watchers recognized the face immediately.
"That's Allen's father, Leon!" Hitomi breathed. They watched as Leon made his way to the top
of the rig and stood there looking around him as if searching for something.

"We're here to witness something, Van" Hitomi whispered as she continued to
watch the form on the rocky ledge, "Lets follow him." Van nodded in agreement and walked
over to Hitomi. She gave a small gasp as he took her in his arms and cradle her close to his
chest. Glowing feathers swirled around them as his wings burst from his back. The two took to
the air in brilliant glow that illuminated the dark sky.

She loved to feel of the warmth of his chest. Whenever he held her she felt
completely safe. Nothing would harm her she knew. She gave a small sigh of happiness. Van
looked down at Hitomi when hearing the noise. Hitomi blushed when she realized Van had
heard her. He looked down at the face of the girl of the Mystic Moon and saw a gorgeous
woman. When she would blush it made her face seem so innocent. The well-known weight in his
arms felt so warm and normal. He wanted to always be able to hold her. His arms wrapped
around her slim body a little tighter enjoying her warmth. Their eyes locked once again, love
surging through their souls. Hitomi wrapped her arms around his neck not wanting the moment
to end. She wonder, 'Could I have died and gone to heaven? Or am I just dreaming a
wonderful dream?'

The flight was far too short for both of the lovers. They both didn't want to let go of
the embrace, but they forced themselves for somehow they knew there was something significant
needed to be seen by them. They had no idea how they could possible know that it was
important. They could just feel it in the depth of their souls......

A sudden blue streak of light fell from the sky next to Leon. The two watched as a
young girl stood before Allen's father. "Grandmother...." Hitomi whispered. A small red
tear-drop was exchanged between Leon's and Hitomi's grandmother's hand. The young girl and
man spoke to each other so low that neither Van, nor Hitomi could hear what was said between
the two. The blue light reappeared and the young girl was swept up back into the sky while
Leon was left staring at her leaving form. As soon as her figure vanished the world became dark.

Hitomi and Van could still see each other clear as day, but they couldn't see anything
else. Even the ground they knew they were standing on was not visible to their eyes. A confused
frown appeared on the honey haired girl. She had already seen the exchange of the pendant
between her grandmother and Allen's father before. What was so important? Nothing had
changed in the scene except they spoke, but she couldn't even understand them.

"Van--" she began, but her breathe was cut short suddenly. When Van noticed
Hitomi's shortness of breathe he hurried to her side. Pale hands clutched the front of the track
shirt as she felt the pain sear in her chest. Her heart felt like it was being punched. What was
wrong with her? She began to topple over from dizziness that she got from lack of air. Van
easily caught her in his strong arms and got them both on their knees. He had never seen her like
this. It seemed unreal to him. The world around him seemed to stop as fear risen in his soul. He
couldn't lose her now.

"Hitomi, what's wrong?" he asked with his voice full concern. Hitomi was gasping
for air desperately. Even though she couldn't see it she felt the world spinning around her. She
felt like she would black out any minute if she didn't get air in her soon. The pain in her chest
stopped suddenly and a rush of mysterious air filled her lungs which caused her to cough
uncontrollable. Pain flared again in her and she buckled over in pain.

"Hitomi, stay with me...." Van said trying to keep her from knocking out, "Listen to
my voice. Concentrate on it and breathe deep." She did as he asked and concentrated on the
voice that lingered in her mind. The same voice that she had wanted to hear for the last two
years. Yes, she had heard that voice which was the ghost of her mind, but she had always
longed to hear that voice in her reality. Even if this wasn't really reality she didn't care, it was
enough to fulfill that longing within her soul. "Try to breathe deep. Relax." She wanted to obey,
but the pain was growing worse. Breathing became ragged as she wondered what was going on.
'What's wrong with me' she panicked. That's when she heard the faint sound in the distance. A
voice that she almost missed, "Hitomi! Wake up! Hitomi!" Her mind appeared to stopped as she
realized it was Yukari's voice calling out to her. Her head was becoming lightheaded and she
knew soon she wouldn't be able to comprehend anything.

"Van" she gasped between breathe, "I must be...*gasp*....unconscious back on.....
*gasp*......the Mystic Moon.....*gasp*......and they're trying......*gasp*....to help me....." Van
held her knowing in a few minutes she would wake up on her world and no longer be in his
arms. He had to tell her. 'Tell her before she goes!' his mind screamed.

"Hitomi..." he began. She looked up at Van as she felt herself fading from this black
void. Words laid lodged in his throat. "Hitomi, .......please come back to Fanelia." He felt like he
could kick himself, he wanted to tell her everything, but not like this. This wasn't the time to
speak of such things. His soul wanted so bad to show her his love for her. All he wanted was to
tell her what he felt. But not now..not during this moment of distress. Hitomi gave a small smile
knowing deep down in her soul he had wanted to say something else. Pain pulled at her face and
she buckled over again.

"Of course.....*gasp*....I'll come back.....I just....*gasp*....don't know how....." she
muttered painfully. Van could feel her lighten and now he could see right through her.
"I'll find a way" he whispered lovingly in her hair, "Just be ready." Her eyes locked
with his as air once again filled her sore lungs. This time she didn't cough. She forced herself not
to.

"See you on the other side" she whispered to him as they held each other close.
Honey locks tickled the Van's chest as she listened to his steady heartbeat. They never wanted
to leave the other's company, but they knew their short reunion would be over in a matter of
minutes. "Van, I want to tell you something in case I can't make it to Gaea" she whispered as she
moved back to see into his red ruby eye.

"Don't worry I'll find a way to you. I promise...." he spoke and pulled her back into
his strong arms.
"I know you will, Van, but I wanted to tell you that....." But before she could say
another word her body, soul, and awareness disappeared into the emptiness of space. Van
didn't need to hear the words for he knew within his soul what she had wanted to say, the same
words he had wanted to breathe to her. It was then that Van too began to vanish into
nothingness.

"I love you, too, Hitomi" was the only movement in the dark void of blackness.

~ Gaea ~
Merle blinked away the tears as she noticed her dear Van~sama stirring. The
historians helped their young king into a sitting position as he finally awoke. He was in a
half-asleep state and was still collecting the recognition that he was back in Fanelia. Merle
hugged her dear brother and began licking his groggy face. He had caused her to nearly have a
heart attack. She was so glad to him all right. The King's hands forced the young cat-girl off him.

"Oh, Lord Van~sama" Merle spoke, "I was so worried! Please never do that--" But
she was cut off as the young royal pushed past the historians and foster-sister running up the
spiral stairs. Merle was a little shocked at first, but quickly regained her composure and ran after
him. 'What's going on?' she wondered completely confused. Something important was going on
and she had to find out what. The thought 'curiosity killed the cat' played in the back of her
mind, but she quickly shoved it away.

Van burst out the castle doors and sprinted towards the open fields. He knew what
he had to do. Escaflowne could fly to the Mystic Moon easily like he did last time. He just
needed to get the energist he had hidden in the--. A red aura glowed beneath his shirt causing
him to stop in the center of a field of wild flowers. He stared at the light penetrating his shirt.
Knowing immediately what it was, he pulled out the pendant from within the frabric. As soon as
his hands brought the pendant into the sunlight it radiated with such intense illumination that he
had to cover his face. If he had watched the stone a little longer he might have seen the light
pierce the sky in a beam causing several clouds to shift. It was only a small moment that the
beam shone, but it was enough to catch the eyes of two men, two men in very dark clothing.......


~ Flying Fortress ~
Two dark figures stood at the edge of the open hanger as if they had been waiting in
anticipacting for something to occur. They had waited two years for this moment, but it seemed
much longer to them. Two pairs of icy blue eyes watched the red beam pierce the sky and
disperse a few clouds. Kaosu licked his pale lips like a hungry wolf as he saw a flicker of blue
light cross the sky. Kusari was silent as he saw the scene play before him. He had waited so
long.....far too long. It was time for the rein of the Zaibach empire. Revenge and corruption was
so close in hand he could almost feel his fingers fasten around it. Soon he would have his
moment. Their father would have been proud of his children. The beam of blue light grew
strong against the sky and his brother grinned savagely.

"The time has come" Kusari spoke as he watch the beam strengthen even more.

"Yes" replied Kaosu, "Let us begin with our plans for now all the pieces lie upon the
board."


~ Mystic Moon ~
Yukari was becoming desperate as she noticed her friend getting even paler than
usual. She wanted to help her friend, but she didn't know what to do so she broke down in
Amano's arms. The medic woman was urgently pumping the runner's chest. She was losing her.
If she didn't revive her soon she wouldn't be able to at all. Her hands stopped pushing Hitomi's
heart as a fellow paramedic gave mouth-to-mouth to the girl. His breathe filled the girl's lungs
and he moved away to let the woman continue the pumping. The woman counted in her head the
number of times she pumped the chest, "three....four....five....stop!" Hands were removed and
mouth-to-mouth was readminstered. This time when the man moved back Hitomi began
coughing from the force of air into her sore lungs. She turned to her side coughing as the man
and woman fell backwards on their hands resting from the work. A smile glowed on the young
woman's face as she noticed the girl would be all right. Several hands patted the woman as she
took a deep breathe to slow her punding heart.

Hitomi looked around at the cheering crowd realizing where she was. She was
back......back on the Mystic Moon. She couldn't help, but be a little sad to be home. She had
been so happy to be with him. A small glow that hadn't been in her heart for several years began
to spark as she realizes she would be returning to him very soon.

Suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around her weak body nearly crushing the new air
out of her lungs. "Never ever do that again, Hitomi!" cried a tearful Yukari. Red hair fell over
Hitomi's shoulders as her best friend cried tears that seeped through her thin track shirt. Amano
smiled also with a few tears in his eyes as the two girls clung to each other. The crowd began to
thin as people gave the three friends their privacy. They were still however in clear view in the
center of the track though. Amano suddenly noticed though that Hitomi had a blank look on her
pale face. She was hardly paying attention to her surroundings as though she was thinking of
something. The honey haired girl gently held Yukari back to speak.

"Amano, could you please go get my duffel?" Hitomi asked trying to keep the
weakness out of her voice. She probably only had a few moments before Van came for her.
Yukari turned towards Amano and nodded saying she was okay. Amano, happy to see both
were all right, quickly ran to the team bench to retrieve the blue track team duffel. As he was
running back he noticed Yukari had a look of confusion on her face.

"What do you mean 'leaving'?" Yukari asked the honey haired girl again. Amano
looked back and forth at the two girls; first at Hitomi, then Yukari, and then Hitomi again.

"Leaving?" he asked quizzically at the emerald eyes. She didn't answer, but took
the duffel bag from his hands. Hitomi began rummaging through the contents of the bag looking
for something that neither Amano, nor Yukari could possible know was. Feather-like fingers
grasped around several envelopes that were wrinkled from age. A sad smile appeared on the
girl's face as she produced the envelopes in her hands like sacred items. Her eyes scanned the
cover of envelopes looking for the names she wanted. Amano and Yukari watched curiously as
she flipped through the envelopes. Tears formed in their friend's eyes as she handed an envelope
to each of them. Yukari glanced down at her name that was scribbled on the cover and looked
back at Hitomi now even more confused.

"It'll explain everything" her friend said with a small smile. Yukari couldn't get over
the shock of Hitomi's smile. It was a smile she hadn't seen in a long time. The smile was genuine
and not forced. Maybe Hitomi would laugh now and then at a funny joke, but the smile she saw
was different. The smile was one of joy, a smile that showed her long sadness and seclusion was
over. She had some how found the joy she had been secretly searching for the last two years.

"Explain what?" Amano's words broke through Yukari's thoughts, "What's going on,
Hitomi?" She just smiled and handed several more envelopes towards Yukari. The red head
slowly took the gift, but never removed her eyes from Hitomi.

"Give those to my family" Hitomi said as a small tear slid down her cheek, not in
sadness, but in joy. Yukari could only stare at her as a small fear grew in her chest.

"What do you mean, Hitomi?" she pleaded desperate to understand, "Why must
I give it to them? Aren't you going to see them later?"

"It will explain once I'm gone."

"Gone?! Where are you going?" Amano gasped. Their lifelong friend turned away
and looked towards the blue sky.

"Gaea...." she answered so low that they almost didn't catch it. Yukari felt her
heart slow down. She felt relief flow over her as she realized Hitomi was just dreaming again.
Amano grew concern after she spoke. She was still holding on that dream world. 'Will she ever
let go?' Hitomi noticed the looksthey had on their faces and just gave them a smile.

"You don't believe me..." she whispered. Amano and Yukari quickly tried to
reassure her that they did, but Hitomi just gave a sad shake of the head, "You don't believe me,
but.......you soon will."

Yukari frowned and was about to say something, but a brilliant blue shot down from
the sky and stopped the girl. The light flooded the area surrounding Hitomi, their dear friend.
Amano and Yukari looked at the light in total shock as 'their Hitomi' began to be lifted from the
ground. Cries from the people in the field filled the air as all eyes were on the form being lifted
away from the Earth. Yukari grew scared for her friend and began to shout, "Hitomi! Hitomi,
don't leave!"

Hitomi looked down at her friends as she was slowly being lifted. She appeared to
be an angel from the gentle look on her face while her golden hair waved in an invisible wind.

"Goodbye, Yukari and Amano" she spoke in the air, "I promise to return someday.
Remember me. The letters will explain everything. Goodbye......" With those finally words she
lifted her face towards the sky and whispered, 'I'm coming, Van.'

Yukari fell to her knees at the edge of the light's circle and stretched her hand
toward the departing girl. "No! Hitomiiiiiiiii!" she pleaded, but her cries were in vain for the figure
was already gone. The blue light thinned and finally followed the direction the girl had
disappeared towards. Amano pulled Yukari up into a tearful embrace as the two cried for the
loss of their friend.

~ Gaea ~
His hand moved away from his face as he watched in awe at the light shinning in
front of him. Soon she would be with him and then he could tell her everything his heart wanted
to tell. Red-fire eyes watched the stream of light deposit the slim form unto the soft ground. As
he stared at the beautiful girl a thought rang through his mind, 'If I would look for all eternity I
would never find anyone who was as special as Hitomi.' The girl stared at the young king
through emerald eyes thinking, 'Thereis no one more perfect to be with than my soul-mate.'

The blue light rose from the ground disappearing into the sky once more, but neither
of the lovers noticed. All they could see were the stars in the other's eyes. So much love passed
between the two that a beautiful atmosphere radiated from the two lone figures in the field. A
gentle breeze lifted golden locks making Hitomi appear more as a goddess. 'My goddess....'
Van thought dreamily. They didn't know who act first, but they were soon running to each other.
Hitomi dropped her duffel to hold out her arms as she ran through the wild flowers. They
couldn't move their feet fast enough. Even with Hitomi's speed from track the world seemed to
be going in slow motion. Flower petals rose were their feet ran by. Hitomi was trailing tears as
she ran toward the man who she had constantly thought about for the last couple of years. Van
mind was completely focused on getting to his love. For so long he had waited to hold her once
more and now his dream would come true. The two lovers were lost in the beauty of their love
as they ran to one another. As soon as Van was close enough he swept her up into his arms. His
tan arms twirled her as the two laughed giddily. Her arms wound around his neck as his strong
arms held her high continuing to spin her. Laughter filled the empty field as the two acted like
young children finally reunited with old love ones. Their hearts felt like they would burst from the
bliss forming in their souls.

Van finally placed Hitomi down on her feet gently so he could look into her eyes.
The wind swirled around them causing petals to spiral around them. It felt so normal to them to
be in each others' arms. The two felt like their souls had been completed. There was no longer
the hole within their heart. A gnawing ache was healed with glowing joy. Van gloved hand
cupped the young girl's cheek caressing it with love. Her eyes closed shut from the touch. Their
hearts were one, one and forever. Hitomi and Van were so engrossed in each others presence
that they almost didn't hear the squeal.

"HIIITTTTOOOMMMIIIIII!!!!!" came the cry. Hitomi didn't even have a chance
to turn around because before she knew it, a large body tackled her and Van into the ground. A
ball of bronze fur began squeezing the air out of Hitomi making the poor girl gasp for air. Van,
luckily, was able to squirm out of the pile. When he turned back around he had to hold back a
chuckle that came from the sight before him. Hitomi laid on her stomach with her arms
outstretched before her while Merle was laying on the girl's back squeezing her waist rather hard
while her tail was waving through the air excitedly. The cat-girl had locked her arms so tightly
that Hitomi could barely get any air. Hitomi looked like she had been run over by guymelef and,
boy, did she feel like it. They looked absolutely ridiculous and Van couldn't hold back the
laughter.

"Oh Hitomi! You're Back! You're Back!" Merle squealed happily.

"I'm glad to see you, too, Merle" the honey hair girl gasped, "But please could you
let me have some fresh air!" Merle looked down to see Hitomi turning a bit blue and quickly let
go.

"Oops! Sorry!" Merle replied with nervous giggle, "But I'm just so glad to see you!"
Hitomi turned to old rival and gave a warm smile. The grudge between them was long since
forgotten. They had both missed each other like two sisters separated at birth.

"You actually miss me, Merle?!" she replied sarcastically. Merle didn't even catch
the sarcasm, too busy with the return of her friend.

"Of course I missed yo--" but, Merle was cut off as Hitomi tackled her to the
ground.

"I was only joking, Merle" Hitomi laughed, "I really missed you, too!" The two
laughed happily as Van watched them with a happy smile. She had returned to them. He had
lost her for two years, but he had found his beloved and would keep her by his side for eternity,
possible longer. 'Hitomi, I'll never let you go' he vowed as he listened to the sweet sound of her
laughter roll across the field.



~Whatcha think about this chapter? This is one of my favorite chapters. Please R&R! Thanks
for reading!