Title: The Fanels - Varia

Author: Ashley

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne or any of the characters therein. But you knew that. I hope. But I do own this story and the course it takes.

Dedication: Again, this goes to anyone who takes the time to say anything. Thanks!

Summery: A sequel to Angel Watching Over Me, but it kind of stands on its own, too. So you don't have to read the other to understand this one, but it will tell you how Van and Hitomi got together. It follows their children. There'll be three stories, one for each of the kids. If anyone likes this, I might do other Escaflowne families, as well.



Chapter One

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Hitomi sat straight up in bed, gasping for breath as the images that had invaded her sleep slowly began to fade. The echoes of crunching metal and shattering glass clung to her mind, refusing to be banished by something so simple as waking up. The sheen of sweat that had risen to coat her skin caused her to shiver in the slightly chilly room. Trembling hands were raised to press against her temples as she tried to calm down.

"Hitomi?"

The voice came from beside her as Van propped himself up on one elbow. One hand rubbed at his eyes as the other moved to clasp with her own. As he felt the shaking that had encompassed her whole body, he sat upright, the sheet dropping to pool at his waist.

"What's the matter?" he asked, his worried voice still rough with sleep. "Are you all right?" When she turned to face him, he felt the sadness and pain reflected in her eyes echo somewhere inside him.

"I had a . . . a vision," she whispered, her voice threaded with the tears inching down her cheeks. "It's my parents, Van. They're gone."

The last word was barely out before she slumped into his arms, sobs racking her body. Van held her close, resting his cheek against the top of her head. "Are you sure?" He knew her answer before he finished speaking, but he hoped, for her sake, that she was wrong this time. "It might have been a just a nightmare."

Van felt her shake her head. "Nightmares . . . feel different. This was a vision. I know it." He held her closer as a long moment passed in silence. Finally, Hitomi, not moving from his embrace, spoke.

"I have to go back."

"I know."





Several hours later, just after sunrise, a red-eyed but resolute Hitomi stood in the Fanelian castle's Great Room. Before her were her children, hastily roused and dressed. Kenny, Varia, and Drake looked at their mother, knowing that something was going on and waiting for her to speak.

"Your father and I have to go away for awhile. There's something we have to . . . take care of. It's urgent, so we have to leave right away. I know that all of you are old enough to look out for yourselves and each other, but I'll really feel better knowing you're all in good hands. So, while we're gone, you'll be staying in Austoria with Dryden, Millerna, Allen, and Eries."

That statement, which usually would have evoked a flurry of groans and arguments, was met wit silent nods of acceptance. They knew now wasn't the time to assert their independence.

"I know I don't have to tell you to be on your best behavior. Don't worry about things here; Merle and the rest of the advisors will handle everything that needs done." Hitomi looked up as Van entered the room. He went to stand behind his wife, resting a hand on each shoulder.

"Kenny," he began, looking at his oldest son. "You'll be in charge, so I want you to watch out for your brother and sister." The black haired boy nodded, standing just a bit taller.

"Varia, you look out for your brothers. If you're half as much like your mother as I think you are, you'll do fine." Varia smiled at him, clasping her hands in front of her.

"Drake," Van continued, turning to his youngest. "I'm counting on you to make sure this visit goes smoothly. It'll help you with your diplomatic skills. Nothing should go wrong, but be prepared, just in case."

"Yes, Father."

"You should make sure you have everything you want to take with you," Hitomi added as she moved forward to hug each of them in turn. Giving them a watery smile, she wiped at her damp cheeks. "We'll be back as soon as we can, and we'll explain everything better then. I love you."

They all returned the sentiment before filing from the room. Hitomi sighed a little, slumping into Van's arms.

"They'll be okay," he assured her. "Are you ready?" She nodded, sniffing back another wave of tears. Straightening her shoulders, she took a deep breath.

"It's time to go."

They walked together to the glen where Escaflowne rested. It had taken a long time for them to figure out a way they hoped would return them to the Mystic Moon. Using the energist and the pendant Van had returned to Hitomi on their wedding day, they would try and summon the column of light.

Setting down the two small bags that held the necessities for their trip, Van crossed to the unmoving melef. The hand that slipped inside the machine's joint came back into view clutching a carefully wrapped bundle. As he removed the protective covering from the energist, Hitomi unfastened the pendant and moved to his side.

One hand gripping her bag, the other holding tightly to the pendant, Hitomi felt Van slide an arm around her waist. Slowly he raised the other hand, energist held firmly in his fist, to the sky.



Varia was standing at the window of her room when she saw the pillar of light descend. As it retreated moments later, she turned away. She knew her parents were gone, and it could be a long time before they returned.

Trying to shake off her melancholy, she surveyed her room. Decorated in soft tans and pale greens, she would miss it while she was gone. It was one of the few placed where she truly felt comfortable.

Getting back to the task at hand, she went over her mental checklist. The maids would have taken care of packing her clothes and other necessities. Her sewing bag, complete with the pillow she was embroidering for her mother's birthday, dangled from her hand. That seemed to be everything . . .

With a slight gasp, Varia wheeled around to the side of the large four poster bed. She dropped to her knees, not caring that she would wrinkle her skirt. One hand pulled back the coverlet as the other dug beneath the thick feather mattress. Her shoulders slumped in relief as she felt her fingers close around a small, hardbound book.

She couldn't believe she'd almost left her journal here, where any of the maids might have found it while turning the tick. Shaking her head at her own foolishness, she got to her feet. As she made her way down the stairs to where her brothers were waiting, she slipped it into her sewing bag.

After all, you could never tell when something worth writing about could happen.



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A/N: Well, there it is. I know a lot of people don't like stories about the children of main characters, but I do. I really hope everyone tells me what they think, so I know if I should go on.

The parents will play a nice sized part in the overall story, so you'll see a good bit of them later on. Oh, I know Kenny is the oldest, but I really wanted to start with the only girl, so I did. Kenny will be next, followed by Drake. However, that's awhile off.