HitomiFanel: Oh boy. Someone out there doesn't like you Zakyra.

Zakyra: Ah well, can't win them all.

HitomiFanel: Welcome to the Fanelian library! I hope you enjoy your stay!

Zakyra: Where's Van?

HitomiFanel: Council meeting. He says he's sorry for not being able to come today. He really wanted to just hang out with us.

Zakyra: Poor Vanny-chan…

HitomiFanel: Now YOU'RE calling him Vanny-chan ^_^.

Zakyra: It's kind of contagious. Besides, it's a cute name.

HitomiFanel: Hehe, well, I'd again like to thank people for reviewing.

HitomiFanel: First off is Nova S. again. And it's okay about not knowing about what the repeating event was. I'm can't guarantee it won't happen again. I don't even know. It's been a while since I read the WHOLE story. We'll see in this chapter.

HitomiFanel: I'd also like to thank Silver Cat. And yes, there will be a sequel but I need your input and I need to figure out what should happen, though I think I know which one I'll pick. I'll tell you all in the end of the fic.

HitomiFanel: I'd also like to thank Theo Gabrielle! A new reviewer! Yay!

HitomiFanel: I'd also like to thank Ryoki. I would actually like to hear that song! Haha. Hope you can send it!

HitomiFanel: Now to thank angel, Feathers of the Wind, safilady, Sad 'N Depressed, and hitomi. Thanks for the kind reviews!

HitomiFanel: And no Natsuki, I didn't die. It's just that right now with Finals and all, I'm busy studying. I still try to supply the chapters as fast as I can so please be patient with me.

HitomiFanel: And for Mika Hames, sorry I have to say this but I can't e-mail the story to you. If you want to read the complete story, go www.angelfire.com/rpg/fanfiction and search for me as "Jessica Hernandez-Loera" and read the story there. Just click on the "J" at the top of the screen. Granted though, this version is better because it's revised but you be the judge. But thanks for saying you want me to count your review as 1000 reviews. It meant a lot to me.

HitomiFanel: I saved you, Ah-Young, for last. Not to be mean or anything, but I don't think I'll drop Zakyra. She's here as my special guest. And no one else seemed to complain about her ^_~.

Zakyra: I ain't leaving.

HitomiFanel: No one said you had to.

Zakyra: Well, go ahead and read this chapter! Enjoy!

The New Kid

Disclaimer: The Escaflowne playground belongs to Shoji Kawamori. I'm only playing on the swings. Please don't litter, please don't mess anything up, and please don't feed the unicorns, trolls, fairies, or elves ^_^

(recap)

She was plagued. She was cursed with misfortune. Tears began to well up in her emerald eyes as she ran as fast as she could, not caring where she was going. She needed to be alone for a while and forget everything. To think about things and make herself feel better.

She didn't notice it when she bumped into someone…

Hitomi got up and bowed before she even saw who she had bumped into. Just say sorry, then walk away and continue to find a secluded spot where she could think. "I'm sorry. I should have watched where I was going."

"Hitomi…" Hitomi heard a pained voice say. Her heart thumped. She knew that voice! With her heart pounding in her chest and her breathing now irregular, she looked up slowly.

"Van!" Hitomi yelled.

-----

Time seemed to suspend at that moment. Neither said anything as they both just stood there, looking at each with longing looks, one begging for the truth and the other wishing the other understood. Van and Hitomi stood facing each other, not knowing what to say. Hitomi was relieved (in a way) that she had bumped into Van. That would give her the opportunity to explain to Van, rather than let Merelu do it. It seemed like a better idea if it came from her.

Van was the one who broke the silence. He sighed heavily. He looked at Hitomi with pleading eyes that caused Hitomi's heart to break. Looking into his warm, mud-red, beautiful eyes, Hitomi almost felt like telling Van she was sorry and getting back together with him. But her resolve wouldn't let her. "Hitomi, I want to know. Why—"

Hitomi held her hand up towards him, silencing him. "Don't say any more Van. I'll explain to you why I broke up with you." Hitomi sighed and hoped she was doing the right thing. "The reason is—"

"Van! Hey Van!" they heard a voice interrupt. Both Van and Hitomi turned to look at who had called; though both glared.

It was Yukari.

"Hey Van!" She greeted happily when she finally reached them. She didn't seem to notice the glares, which Van shot the strongest. She had just interrupted Hitomi's explanation as to why she broke up with him when he could clearly see that she loved him like he loved her. 'Curse Yukari' Van's mind wanted shout. He actually wished he had the magic to curse her.

Yukari looked at Hitomi, a little bugged that Hitomi was talking to Van. "Hey Hitomi," she said, trying her best not to let Hitomi know she was annoyed at her.

Hitomi changed her mind then. She hadn't noticed the tone in Yukari's voice but she saw that this was better. 'I'll just leave them to talk and then…get together' she made herself say to herself. Even saying it to herself was hard. She didn't really want it to happen but Yukari loved Van and Hitomi didn't want to loose her friendship. She turned around and began to walk away from them without a word. She didn't look back. 'The things I have to do to keep my friendship with Yukari.'

"Hitomi! Wait!" she could here Van yell. She didn't wait. She figured she was about to make the biggest mistake of her life. She was going to tell Van about Yukari being in love with him. She would rather let Yukari be the one to tell him. It was better that way. She knew if she had been Yukari, she would have been mad to learn that someone else told the boy she loved that she loved him.

But…if Yukari did confess, what would happen? Would Van say 'Sorry but I love Hitomi' or would he say ' I love you too' and then kiss her? Hitomi wasn't sure which she wanted. She wanted the happiness of Yukari and her friendship. But she didn't want to loose someone as great as Van.

With tears in her eyes, Hitomi began to run home.

--------

Meanwhile, Yukari was really shy about asking Van to a movie. 'This is it' she told herself. 'Just ask him so that you can have him all to yourself. Don't chicken out now.' But as she looked at him, she wasn't sure if she could do it. The biggest hunk in school was standing in front of her and she was too shy to talk. She cursed.

Van, on the other hand, was mad at Yukari for interrupting the moment he had had with Hitomi. He stood there, looking at where Hitomi had exited. He wanted Hitomi back with all of his heart and it seemed like it was in his reach till this bothersome girl came and interrupted them. He cursed her with words he was too young to know.

Finally, Yukari's resolve gave in and she took a deep breath. "Uh, Van, can I ask you something?"

Van was annoyed but decided to let her ask. "What?" he growled low, trying to hide his anger.

Yukari, either not noticing the annoyance in his voice or not caring, asked, "Would you like to go see a movie Saturday night?"

Van turned to look at her with wide eyes. 'A movie? With you?' his mind screamed. He would have been nuts to accept her offer when all he wanted was to hold Hitomi and kiss her forever.

He gave her a soft glare, trying to tell her with his eyes how he felt about all this, and especially about her. "I can't Saturday. I'm busy." He turned around towards the direction Hitomi had exited. "I need to go. I'll catch you later." In his mind he added ' Much later.' And that was all. He just ran away from her like his feet were on fire.

Van ran towards Hitomi's house, wanting the explanation she was going to give him. He was determined to hear what she had to say. He was even more determined to get Hitomi back. Nothing would stop him.

---------

Things seemed to weigh on her shoulders when Hitomi finally reached her house. She immediately ran into her room crying, slamming the door behind her. She ran over and plopped herself on the bed, feeling seriously miserable. She didn't care that anyone was home, though by the quietness of the house, it didn't seem like there was anyone home. She was grateful that she was so lucky to come back when the house was vacant.

A knock suddenly sounded at her door and Hitomi jumped. 'I thought no one was home.' She pouted. 'Well, there goes the last of my luck' she thought bitterly.

The person who knocked opened the door slowly and cautiously and stepped inside. "Hitomi?" the soft voice asked, sounding worried. Hitomi recognized the voice. It was her brother.

Hitomi sat up on her bed. "What do you want?" Hitomi asked roughly, wiping the tears from her eyes. She didn't want her brother to know she was sad. He would probably tease her about it.

He slowly came over towards her bed slowly, as if afraid she was some monster that would wake up and bite his head off at any moment. "What's wrong?"

Hitomi glared at him. "What do you care?" she asked, though she was puzzled at his sudden worry.

He slowly bent down and put a hand on her shoulder, making her feel better. It was funny how a simple, reassuring touch from one of her family members made her feel better. "I DO care because you're my sister. If something is bothering you then I have to know, to see if I can make it all better."

Hitomi blinked in surprise at his kindness. This was a side to her brother she hadn't seen ever since he was a small child. Either way, she was grateful for it and Hitomi smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. Mamoru sat down next to her, a small smile on his own face. "So, what's wrong?" he asked.

Hitomi was going to answer when the doorbell rang. She looked up immediately as Mamoru got up to answer it. Hitomi stayed behind since she didn't want to see anybody. She just didn't feel up to talking with anyone.

She heard footsteps come up the stairs and thinking it was her brother, Hitomi went outside her room. She lifted her head when she was outside. Seeing a certain someone standing there, she stopped dead in her tracks and gasped. For the second time today, Van caught her by surprise.

"Van," Hitomi whispered.

(Dramatic voice) TO BE CONTINUED…^_~

HitomiFanel (puts book back on shelf): Hehe, another nice place to stop the story.

Zakyra: AGAIN HITO?!?!?!?

HitomiFanel: Hey, that's the original way it ended last time.

Zakyra: Geez…People aren't going to like this…

HitomiFanel: Well, in way it makes them come back for more.

Zakyra: True…

HitomiFanel: Okay, I was rummaging through my things and I found this poem that I had gotten out of the internet that was from an Escaflowne site. I'm not sure who the author is or where the site is but here's the poem and I hope you like it (I just felt like sharing it with all of you):

*In the Arms of an Angel*

****

In the arms of an Angel

Is where I long to be

Flying high above the sky

Leaving my doubts and fears behind

****

Tightly held in the arms of an Angel

Is where I belong

Nothing can harm me

If with you I can find rest

****

Hold me forever, my Angel

Never let me fall

Love me, Angel

And I'll never stop dreaming

Of a bright tomorrow

Carried on your wings…

****

HitomiFanel: Hope you liked it! I'm not sure if I should tell you you can take it.

Zakyra: Disclaimer: HitomiFanel doesn't own the poem so don't sue please

HitomiFanel: And like always…

HitomiFanel and Zakyra: PLEASE REVIEW!!!! ^_^ V (HF) ^_~ (Z)

HitomiFanel: And please come back to Fanelia again when you can!

~HitomiFanel, Queen of Fanelia, Vanny-chan's wife, and Keeper of the Fanelian library.