I don't own Gundam Wing, Cowboy Bebop, or Escaflowne. These are my interpretations of their characters. I don't want to make any money. Etc........
All right, another update. Progressing slowly but I like how things are shaping up. I think I did a pretty good job on the Hitomi thought shots in this chapter, especially since I'm a straight male. ^_^ I decided to add place/time shots to the fic because I thought they were a nice addition and if I ever decide to do some flashbacks (namely for the Vicious, Spike, Julia stuff. And Heero. He's very important to their pasts though not necessarily in the way you think.) I had to do some research on the Gaea callender system and had to make some guesses because all I had to go on were birthdays for main characters from Escaflowne. But I think it's a nice touch so there you go. You can read the chapter now.
Earth.
August 4th.
Tokyo, Japan.
Hitomi stealthily made her way down the gentle incline which surrounded her school's track. She had made up her mind to contact Van using the pendant Quatre had given to her as a parting gift but to do so she needed quiet and seclusion. The small field with the track surrounding it seemed like the perfect place and it contained many precious memories of Van. Unfortunately, the minature stadium was rarely empty during the day as it was frequently littered with a handful of students and an occational teacher. Thus she found herself sneaking out after curfew and avoiding the street lamps which was the only source of light in the dark, majestic night.
Upon reaching the bottom, Hitomi listened intently for any sound of human life. The only noise which reached her ears, however, was the gentle chirping of crickets. Satisfied that she was indeed alone, the High School Junior walked more boldly to the center of the field. Upon reaching it, Hitomi sat down quietly and closed her eyes. It wasn't often she could simply sit down and think about the many adventures she had gone through on Gaea. Her daily life forced her to focus on the "real world" and she was usually too busy to simply sit back and daydream. Still, that made those few precious moments all the more important and Hitomi savored the tingling sensation she got when she remembered all the astounding things she had seen and people she had met.
The sights, sounds, and even smells of Gaea were still vivid in Hitomi's mind. She could see hear the sounds of Palas's busy ports and the smell of the ocean mixed with the various spices from the market. She could remember watching the ground pass by underneath them as she stood on the deck of the Crusade. Most of all she could remember the quiet serenity of Fanelia's forests and the harmony which filled her being while she was there. And then there was Van. A firm, reassuring presence which put her mind at ease and filled her with warmth. His presence both excited her and made her feel completely at peace at the same time. As long as he was by her side, she knew everything was going to be all right.
Hitomi pictured Van's face in her mind and focused on his presence. With one
hand she reached out and gently took hold of the pendant. It felt warm to the touch and though her eyes were closed, Hitomi somehow knew it had begun to glow with wondrous light. Reaching out with her mind, the seventeen-year-old searched for Van's presence. It was like groping in the dark but somehow she knew she would find him as she always did. Still focusing on the image in her mind, Hitomi continued her mental search, feeling the pendant's energy assisting her in her quest, gently directing her efforts. Finally, Hitomi felt it, the presence of Van's mind and soul. Her body was filled with warmth and she felt the hair on the back of her neck begin to rise. It was the same sensation she got when someone was watching her, only more comforting somehow. Hitomi slowly opened her eyes.
In an odd way she wasn't surprised when she discovered she could see him, sitting there on the ground next to her. He had changed in the last four months since she had seen him. He looked more like an adult now, but then again so did she. Still, it was the same old Van. His eyes were the same and his face carried the same expression which managed to be both strong and kind at the same time. "Hello Hitomi." He spoke quietly, as if talking above a whisper would somehow destroy the moment, wake them from the dream. But it was real, and though he wasn't there physically, the bond between them was stronger than ever and his presence was as evident as it would have been if his body had been there beside her.
"Hello, Van."
Earth.
August 4th.
Unknown.
A tall, lean man lay on an old sofa. Several feet away the muted television flickered with low quality images which illuminated the otherwise dark room. The man had black hair which looked almost green in the right light. His eyes were two different shades of brown, though that was rarely the first thing people noticed about him. He appeared to be perfectly ordinary, probably in his early to mid thirties, but he had a nameless quality which distinguished him from other people. To the casual observer he seemed to be one of those people who went through life in a daze, taking nothing too seriously and never truly applying himself. However, a closer look revealed that this was a man who had already experienced more than most people had in a lifetime. His eyes betrayed memories of a former glory and his carefree attitude was discovered to be only a cover up of a dark sorrow and a hidden past.
The phone was ringing but the man let it ring. There were only a handful of people who had his number and he didn't want to talk to any of them right now. As usual he was caught in a wave memories. Past regrets and a pain which only grew worse as time went by were old friends to him and they were never far away. The phone was on its fifth ring when the sound abruptly cut off and was replaced by the quieter beep of the answering machine coming on. The man hadn't recorded a message so the device went straight to the recording. A voice which seemed to float straight from his memory caused the thirty-four-year-old's eyes to widen and he straightened to listen intently.
"Spike. This is Shin... Vicious is about to make his move. I thought you'd like to know." The earnest voice paused for a moment, as if struggling to find words. Spike Spiegel stood up and slowly made his way over to the machine as if waking from a long period of slumber. "I'm not sure when the operation commences but it'll be within the month." Again the voice paused and Spike reached out a hand to the small wooden table where the answering machine was resting. Gently, he moved his fingers from the barrel of his pistol to the handle of his old blade. Years ago Spike had been a great swordsman, one of Gaea's best as well as being a master of Jeet Kune Do, a former of martial arts. He had since then widened his skills to include that of Earth's firearms. He was glad now that he had made sure to keep up his skills. Finally Shin continued, "Vicious has enough power now to pull it off. I can't tell you more than that... There's one more thing. Julia's still alive."
Spike froze, his eyes widening in shock though the rest of his face remained unchanged. She was... still alive! If Shin was telling the truth but then again his old friend comrade had never lied to him before. "Vicious is already looking for her. And he has Heero. I've got to go, now. I'll do my best to keep you updated but I may not be able to contact you again. Spike, do it for Julia." The phone went click and the message was over.
The parting message had been unnecessary, Spike had already decided. It was time to go home.
Earth.
August 4th.
Tokyo, Japan.
"So Heero is on the Mystic Moon," Van mused after Hitomi had explained her discovery.
"Yes," Hitomi affirmed. For some reason she felt an urge to smile, despite the gravity of the situation. The teenage girl realized that she had been dying to tell someone of her discovery. It had been eating away at her without her even noticing. At last she could share her thoughts and try to reason with someone through the strange turn of events. "The real question is," she continued, "who the person in front of Heero is."
"And what their plan is," Van finished for her. The King of Fanelia paused and one look at his face made it clear he was troubled by something more than Heero's strange appearance.
"Van, what's wrong?" Hitomi asked, her voice full of concern for her sweetheart. Van quickly explained how he and Duo had come across the remains of a recently slain Earth Dragon and the significance of its missing Energist. He also told her that there had been two more slayings found since that day.
"I wonder if the two events are connected somehow?" Hitomi mused aloud.
"That's what I'm thinking but I can't see how. There aren't very many people that can take down an Earth Dragon and walk away unharmed without a trace. If Heero is on the Mystic Moon then who could be responsible?"
Hitomi frowned, "what about that other boy? I think Quatre said his name was Wufei."
Van shook his head and replied, "Wufei hasn't been seen since the Battle of Miracles, I mean Chatal. I assume he retreated along with the remainder of the Dragon Clan forces."
Hitomi found herself blushing at the mention of the miracle that had happened at the end of the fight that occurred outside Palas. Heero had been out of control and Van was wounded. Hitomi and the others had been rushing down the slippery hill side but they were too slow. Heero had stabbed Van through the chest before truly losing it and collapsing onto the ground. Hitomi had rushed over to Van's... well, body. It had been a lethal blow, there was no way he could have survived it. Hitomi shuddered at the memory of the way her lover's face has looked at that moment. His eyes had looked so... dead. She had burst into tears even as she leaned over his broken form. But then something amazing had happened.
When her tears had connected with her grandmother's pendant the red jewel had transformed. It changed into a glowing liquid which had spilt onto Van's body. It was then that the real miracle had occurred. Van's body had begun to heal itself and all the wounds had closed. More than that, his heart had begun to beat and his eyes regained their focus. He had been brought back to life! And then... Hitomi's face turned a darker shade of red as she remembered. It hadn't been her first kiss but it had been the most heart felt and the most passionate. All the desperation, the fear and the love; it had all been expressed in that one fervent kiss.
"Hitomi," Van said for the second time.
"Yes, Van," the seventeen-year-old jerked up her head almost guiltily. She had stayed on Gaea for several weeks after that and she and Van had officially declared their love for each other. They had also... tried to relive that moment several times. Oh, who was she kidding! She and Van had kissed many times in those weeks, fully and on the lips. Okay, so they had made out several times. She was seventeen, practically a full grown woman! It was nothing to be embarrassed about and certainly nothing to hide! True the only person she had told was Yukari but then again not many people knew about Van or Gaea for that matter. It didn't mean she wasn't willing to admit it openly. Without meaning to, Hitomi glanced around the darkened field as if she was worried someone out there was able to read her thoughts.
"Hitomi," Van spoke again, this time gaining her full attention, "I was wondering whether you would be willing to come back to Gaea. To see me, that is."
The teenage girl looked deeply into her boyfriend's eyes. His earnest, almost awkward expression was a rare one and she couldn't help but smile. Van's occasional moments of shyness were rare but a treat because they meant that he was revealing a side of himself that he rarely showed to anyone else. Not to mention the fact that he looked especially cute at those moments.
"Not just to see me, that is," Van continued, contradicting himself, "I mean, I know that you have your school work and it's hardly a particularly opportune time."
"Van," Hitomi spoke quietly.
The King of Fanelia continued as if he didn't hear her, "and I'll understand if you say no but-"
"Van!" Hitomi laughed, "I'll go. I'll go to Gaea to see you."
Van's face broke into his usual, more self-confident smile. "All right then."
At that moment Hitomi saw a light come on from the direction of the school building. From the look of it, it was the beam of a flashlight. Hitomi quickly moved to cover the glowing pendant which still hung around her neck. "Just give me a day to pack, all right?" Hitomi whispered.
On the top of the hill she heard a voice yell out in the night, "Is anybody out there? If so you are in big trouble! Someone reported seeing a red glow around here and heard a voice. Just turn yourself over now and we'll go easy on you."
"I have to go now, Van," Hitomi whispered to the image in front of her, slowly becoming aware that her boyfriend wasn't really there. It was like waking from a dream.
"Okay," Van agreed, "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"I'll see you tomorrow!" Hitomi agreed, smiling because it sounded good saying it. 'I'll see you tomorrow.' It was like a beautiful promise. She would be able to see Van again, for real this time. She would be able to touch his face and feel his hand in hers. It was a appealing thought.
"Goodnight, Hitomi," Van whispered a goodbye and his image slowly began to fade. Within moments, the spot was empty. Without really meaning to, Hitomi reached out a hand towards the spot where he had been and thought she could feel one last impression of his presence before that too faded. It was all right though. She was going to Fanelia tomorrow!
The flashlight beam was coming closer now, and Hitomi realized that they were probably going to turn on the field lighting within moments. With greater haste, she quickly stole along the ground and made her way towards home using the back way she and Yukari had found months before. "Van," Hitomi thought and smiled.
All right, another update. Progressing slowly but I like how things are shaping up. I think I did a pretty good job on the Hitomi thought shots in this chapter, especially since I'm a straight male. ^_^ I decided to add place/time shots to the fic because I thought they were a nice addition and if I ever decide to do some flashbacks (namely for the Vicious, Spike, Julia stuff. And Heero. He's very important to their pasts though not necessarily in the way you think.) I had to do some research on the Gaea callender system and had to make some guesses because all I had to go on were birthdays for main characters from Escaflowne. But I think it's a nice touch so there you go. You can read the chapter now.
Earth.
August 4th.
Tokyo, Japan.
Hitomi stealthily made her way down the gentle incline which surrounded her school's track. She had made up her mind to contact Van using the pendant Quatre had given to her as a parting gift but to do so she needed quiet and seclusion. The small field with the track surrounding it seemed like the perfect place and it contained many precious memories of Van. Unfortunately, the minature stadium was rarely empty during the day as it was frequently littered with a handful of students and an occational teacher. Thus she found herself sneaking out after curfew and avoiding the street lamps which was the only source of light in the dark, majestic night.
Upon reaching the bottom, Hitomi listened intently for any sound of human life. The only noise which reached her ears, however, was the gentle chirping of crickets. Satisfied that she was indeed alone, the High School Junior walked more boldly to the center of the field. Upon reaching it, Hitomi sat down quietly and closed her eyes. It wasn't often she could simply sit down and think about the many adventures she had gone through on Gaea. Her daily life forced her to focus on the "real world" and she was usually too busy to simply sit back and daydream. Still, that made those few precious moments all the more important and Hitomi savored the tingling sensation she got when she remembered all the astounding things she had seen and people she had met.
The sights, sounds, and even smells of Gaea were still vivid in Hitomi's mind. She could see hear the sounds of Palas's busy ports and the smell of the ocean mixed with the various spices from the market. She could remember watching the ground pass by underneath them as she stood on the deck of the Crusade. Most of all she could remember the quiet serenity of Fanelia's forests and the harmony which filled her being while she was there. And then there was Van. A firm, reassuring presence which put her mind at ease and filled her with warmth. His presence both excited her and made her feel completely at peace at the same time. As long as he was by her side, she knew everything was going to be all right.
Hitomi pictured Van's face in her mind and focused on his presence. With one
hand she reached out and gently took hold of the pendant. It felt warm to the touch and though her eyes were closed, Hitomi somehow knew it had begun to glow with wondrous light. Reaching out with her mind, the seventeen-year-old searched for Van's presence. It was like groping in the dark but somehow she knew she would find him as she always did. Still focusing on the image in her mind, Hitomi continued her mental search, feeling the pendant's energy assisting her in her quest, gently directing her efforts. Finally, Hitomi felt it, the presence of Van's mind and soul. Her body was filled with warmth and she felt the hair on the back of her neck begin to rise. It was the same sensation she got when someone was watching her, only more comforting somehow. Hitomi slowly opened her eyes.
In an odd way she wasn't surprised when she discovered she could see him, sitting there on the ground next to her. He had changed in the last four months since she had seen him. He looked more like an adult now, but then again so did she. Still, it was the same old Van. His eyes were the same and his face carried the same expression which managed to be both strong and kind at the same time. "Hello Hitomi." He spoke quietly, as if talking above a whisper would somehow destroy the moment, wake them from the dream. But it was real, and though he wasn't there physically, the bond between them was stronger than ever and his presence was as evident as it would have been if his body had been there beside her.
"Hello, Van."
Earth.
August 4th.
Unknown.
A tall, lean man lay on an old sofa. Several feet away the muted television flickered with low quality images which illuminated the otherwise dark room. The man had black hair which looked almost green in the right light. His eyes were two different shades of brown, though that was rarely the first thing people noticed about him. He appeared to be perfectly ordinary, probably in his early to mid thirties, but he had a nameless quality which distinguished him from other people. To the casual observer he seemed to be one of those people who went through life in a daze, taking nothing too seriously and never truly applying himself. However, a closer look revealed that this was a man who had already experienced more than most people had in a lifetime. His eyes betrayed memories of a former glory and his carefree attitude was discovered to be only a cover up of a dark sorrow and a hidden past.
The phone was ringing but the man let it ring. There were only a handful of people who had his number and he didn't want to talk to any of them right now. As usual he was caught in a wave memories. Past regrets and a pain which only grew worse as time went by were old friends to him and they were never far away. The phone was on its fifth ring when the sound abruptly cut off and was replaced by the quieter beep of the answering machine coming on. The man hadn't recorded a message so the device went straight to the recording. A voice which seemed to float straight from his memory caused the thirty-four-year-old's eyes to widen and he straightened to listen intently.
"Spike. This is Shin... Vicious is about to make his move. I thought you'd like to know." The earnest voice paused for a moment, as if struggling to find words. Spike Spiegel stood up and slowly made his way over to the machine as if waking from a long period of slumber. "I'm not sure when the operation commences but it'll be within the month." Again the voice paused and Spike reached out a hand to the small wooden table where the answering machine was resting. Gently, he moved his fingers from the barrel of his pistol to the handle of his old blade. Years ago Spike had been a great swordsman, one of Gaea's best as well as being a master of Jeet Kune Do, a former of martial arts. He had since then widened his skills to include that of Earth's firearms. He was glad now that he had made sure to keep up his skills. Finally Shin continued, "Vicious has enough power now to pull it off. I can't tell you more than that... There's one more thing. Julia's still alive."
Spike froze, his eyes widening in shock though the rest of his face remained unchanged. She was... still alive! If Shin was telling the truth but then again his old friend comrade had never lied to him before. "Vicious is already looking for her. And he has Heero. I've got to go, now. I'll do my best to keep you updated but I may not be able to contact you again. Spike, do it for Julia." The phone went click and the message was over.
The parting message had been unnecessary, Spike had already decided. It was time to go home.
Earth.
August 4th.
Tokyo, Japan.
"So Heero is on the Mystic Moon," Van mused after Hitomi had explained her discovery.
"Yes," Hitomi affirmed. For some reason she felt an urge to smile, despite the gravity of the situation. The teenage girl realized that she had been dying to tell someone of her discovery. It had been eating away at her without her even noticing. At last she could share her thoughts and try to reason with someone through the strange turn of events. "The real question is," she continued, "who the person in front of Heero is."
"And what their plan is," Van finished for her. The King of Fanelia paused and one look at his face made it clear he was troubled by something more than Heero's strange appearance.
"Van, what's wrong?" Hitomi asked, her voice full of concern for her sweetheart. Van quickly explained how he and Duo had come across the remains of a recently slain Earth Dragon and the significance of its missing Energist. He also told her that there had been two more slayings found since that day.
"I wonder if the two events are connected somehow?" Hitomi mused aloud.
"That's what I'm thinking but I can't see how. There aren't very many people that can take down an Earth Dragon and walk away unharmed without a trace. If Heero is on the Mystic Moon then who could be responsible?"
Hitomi frowned, "what about that other boy? I think Quatre said his name was Wufei."
Van shook his head and replied, "Wufei hasn't been seen since the Battle of Miracles, I mean Chatal. I assume he retreated along with the remainder of the Dragon Clan forces."
Hitomi found herself blushing at the mention of the miracle that had happened at the end of the fight that occurred outside Palas. Heero had been out of control and Van was wounded. Hitomi and the others had been rushing down the slippery hill side but they were too slow. Heero had stabbed Van through the chest before truly losing it and collapsing onto the ground. Hitomi had rushed over to Van's... well, body. It had been a lethal blow, there was no way he could have survived it. Hitomi shuddered at the memory of the way her lover's face has looked at that moment. His eyes had looked so... dead. She had burst into tears even as she leaned over his broken form. But then something amazing had happened.
When her tears had connected with her grandmother's pendant the red jewel had transformed. It changed into a glowing liquid which had spilt onto Van's body. It was then that the real miracle had occurred. Van's body had begun to heal itself and all the wounds had closed. More than that, his heart had begun to beat and his eyes regained their focus. He had been brought back to life! And then... Hitomi's face turned a darker shade of red as she remembered. It hadn't been her first kiss but it had been the most heart felt and the most passionate. All the desperation, the fear and the love; it had all been expressed in that one fervent kiss.
"Hitomi," Van said for the second time.
"Yes, Van," the seventeen-year-old jerked up her head almost guiltily. She had stayed on Gaea for several weeks after that and she and Van had officially declared their love for each other. They had also... tried to relive that moment several times. Oh, who was she kidding! She and Van had kissed many times in those weeks, fully and on the lips. Okay, so they had made out several times. She was seventeen, practically a full grown woman! It was nothing to be embarrassed about and certainly nothing to hide! True the only person she had told was Yukari but then again not many people knew about Van or Gaea for that matter. It didn't mean she wasn't willing to admit it openly. Without meaning to, Hitomi glanced around the darkened field as if she was worried someone out there was able to read her thoughts.
"Hitomi," Van spoke again, this time gaining her full attention, "I was wondering whether you would be willing to come back to Gaea. To see me, that is."
The teenage girl looked deeply into her boyfriend's eyes. His earnest, almost awkward expression was a rare one and she couldn't help but smile. Van's occasional moments of shyness were rare but a treat because they meant that he was revealing a side of himself that he rarely showed to anyone else. Not to mention the fact that he looked especially cute at those moments.
"Not just to see me, that is," Van continued, contradicting himself, "I mean, I know that you have your school work and it's hardly a particularly opportune time."
"Van," Hitomi spoke quietly.
The King of Fanelia continued as if he didn't hear her, "and I'll understand if you say no but-"
"Van!" Hitomi laughed, "I'll go. I'll go to Gaea to see you."
Van's face broke into his usual, more self-confident smile. "All right then."
At that moment Hitomi saw a light come on from the direction of the school building. From the look of it, it was the beam of a flashlight. Hitomi quickly moved to cover the glowing pendant which still hung around her neck. "Just give me a day to pack, all right?" Hitomi whispered.
On the top of the hill she heard a voice yell out in the night, "Is anybody out there? If so you are in big trouble! Someone reported seeing a red glow around here and heard a voice. Just turn yourself over now and we'll go easy on you."
"I have to go now, Van," Hitomi whispered to the image in front of her, slowly becoming aware that her boyfriend wasn't really there. It was like waking from a dream.
"Okay," Van agreed, "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"I'll see you tomorrow!" Hitomi agreed, smiling because it sounded good saying it. 'I'll see you tomorrow.' It was like a beautiful promise. She would be able to see Van again, for real this time. She would be able to touch his face and feel his hand in hers. It was a appealing thought.
"Goodnight, Hitomi," Van whispered a goodbye and his image slowly began to fade. Within moments, the spot was empty. Without really meaning to, Hitomi reached out a hand towards the spot where he had been and thought she could feel one last impression of his presence before that too faded. It was all right though. She was going to Fanelia tomorrow!
The flashlight beam was coming closer now, and Hitomi realized that they were probably going to turn on the field lighting within moments. With greater haste, she quickly stole along the ground and made her way towards home using the back way she and Yukari had found months before. "Van," Hitomi thought and smiled.
