Here's the first part of Return to Gaea. I hope you like the story and please r&r. I really need to know what people think should be improved. And no, I do not own Escaflowne as much as I wish I did.

1 Return To Gaea p.1: And So She Returns



Hitomi looked up at the sky and smiled. It had been 3 years since she left Gaea. In that period of time she had changed, and she guessed Van did too. Her hair was longer and she had dyed it black. Her eyes were still a lively shade of green, she was 5 inches taller, and had strong, muscular legs.

"Oh, Van. I'll find a way back to you I promise," she murmured.

"Hitomi! Stop daydreaming. This is a pool party, you're supposed to have fun, not sit around." her friend, Yukari, scolded. Hitomi spent hours 'talking' with Van. Although they were so far apart they still had that special link that allowed them to talk to each other. At the moment Hitomi was wearing a green bikini, and was sunbathing beside a large pool.

"I know, I know. But I can't stop thinking about him, Yukari. I love him so much." Hitomi replied. Yukari sent her an exasperated look. ~ Hitomi? Hitomi are you awake? ~ Vans' voice rang out in her head; she was too busy talking to Yukari to answer.

"Well, Hitomi, if he was such a great guy, then why did you leave him? If you cared for him so much why did you come back? You're always sulking." Yukari complained. Hitomi ignored her and walked over to the high diving board. She climbed up the ladder and did a perfect swan dive. "Show off!" Yukari yelled when Hitomi surfaced.

"Oh come on. Give me a break. First it's: have fun, then it's: your showing off. Make up your mind." Hitomi shouted back as someone grabbed her ankle and pulled her under. She furiously fought off her attacker with a series of kicks, and got backup to the surface.

"Ow, Hitomi. Do you have to kick so hard?" Her attacker asked. She glared at him.

"You're so immature, Marco. You had it coming to you!" she angrily answered. He grabbed her again and pulled her close.

"Amano! Amano put me down! Right now!" Yukari screamed at her boyfriend. He walked over to the edge.

"As you wish." Amano answered. He threw the frantic girl in the water, and laughed. He dove in after her.

"Amano you jerk, you know I hate it when--"Yukari started as he kissed her passionately.

"Why don't we take part in the action?" Marco suggested as he kissed Hitomi's temple. She pulled away.

"Sorry Marco, not today." she said as she swam to the edge of the pool and climbed out. "I got to get going home."

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Merle searched the halls for her king. It was late at night and he was nowhere to be found She knew he was off somewhere, depressed, and thinking about Hitomi. When he wasn't helping with the repairs for Fanelia, he was off in hiding, having a personal pity-party.

"LORD VAAAN!!!"She screeched. He popped his head from around the corner.

"What Merle?" he asked impatiently. His eyes were blood shot and he had dark bags under his eyes from lack of sleep. ~Hey Van. Sorry I didn't answer you earlier. Yukari was lecturing me on how to live my life. ~ Hitomi explained. "Listen, Merle, I'm really tired. I think I'm going to be going to bed." He ran off before Merle could protest.

"Poor Lord Van." Merle said before walking away.

"I wish you were here with me, Hitomi," he said aloud. ~I'm glad you're not busy anymore. ~ He told her. He walked into his room and flopped onto his bed.

~Oh yeah? Well so am I. I miss being on Gaea. Everyone is so nice and calm.~ she said.

~I'm going to be so busy in the morning. Marriage proposals to reject, have my advisors lecture me for it, and listen to Merle complain about my attitude. ~he complained, ~ I miss you too. ~ he quickly added.

~Listening to Merle complain isn't that bad~she started.

~Want to bet?~ he challenged.

~Yeah. I listen to you complain all the time.~ she joked. Van groaned, Hitomi always had to be a comedian. ~Speaking of Merle, how is the little cat burglar?~ she asked.

~She's doing well.~ he answered.

~Did I disturb your sleep.~ she asked suspiciously.

~Yeah.~ he answered, hoping she wouldn't know he was lying.

~Liar!~ she accused, ~get yourself under those covers and go to sleep.~

~You know me so well, it's scary. Goodnight, Hitomi.~ He got under the covers and tried to fall asleep.

~Goodnight, Van. Sleep well, hugs and kisses.~ she replied. He let her voice lull him to sleep.

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Hitomi wandered around for what seemed like hours. She eventually found her way back to the temple. The temple where Van slayed the dragon, where Hitomi was first transported to Gaea.

Suddenly she had a vision. Fire; that was all she could see. It surrounded her, engulfing her into a burning hell. Then everything went black. There was nothing, nothing but the sounds of someone crying, someone in pain. She couldn't move; couldn't help the person. Then she saw him. Dark raven hair fell into the man's face, chocolate brown eyes filled with silent tears. It was too much. Van! Van was crying, but why?? What had happened to him?? Then it came to her. It was almost too quiet to hear, but she did. The sound of a cracking whip filled her mind causing tears to fill her eyes. She suddenly felt faint and saw the ground coming up at her quickly. When she awoke she knew what she had to do. Save Van. Keep him from whatever hurt him. Save the man she loved so much. Nothing else mattered.

"Please take me back to Gaea!" she called to the stars. "I want to go back. I wish I could go to Gaea again!" she continued yelling. She was about to give up when the pillar of light picked her up and brought her to Gaea. "I made it back. Where am I though? It looks so familiar."

"Why hello there, again. I haven't seen you for a while, Hitomi. a familiar voice called to her. A wolf-man walked out from the shadows.

"R-Ram? Is that you?" Hitomi asked nervously.

"Of course it is. Van will be very happy to see you." he told her. She smiled. Even thought they kept in touch, it wasn't enough, she still felt depressed, and thought he did too, because he always sounded so sad.

"Really? I can see him?" She was getting excited. He laughed, it was funny seeing Hitomi getting all excited.

"Yeah. By morning. So lets get a move on." he ordered. He led her to a horse drawn carriage and helped her in., he threw in her duffle bag and got in.

They traveled all night, until finally they arrived on the cliffs around Fanelia. Hitomi was sound asleep in the back.

"Wake up, we're here." Ram told her. Hitomi's' eyelids practically flew open.

"It's even more beautiful than I remember." she said, mesmorized by the view. Ram faced forward once again and they started down. When they reached the gates Hitomi jumped out and thanked Ram for his help.

"Please tell King Van that he has a visitor." Ram ordered one of the guards," And escort the young lady inside."

"Of course Ram." the guard replied. "This way mylady." the guard led her inside and instructed her to wait in a large room. She sat down on the couch.

********************



"Excuse me, Sire? There's a woman here to see you." the same guard told Van.

"Well tell her to leave." Van replied.

"She's very insistent upon speaking with you." the guard said. Van walked over to the balcony window. Seeing her friend upset, Merle spoke up.

"I'll speak with her and see if she'll leave." Merle offered and took off before anyone could protest. She ran through halls and down stairs until she stood at the door of the sitting room. I wonder who that is? She looks sort of familiar.she thought. "Excuse me, Miss. Lord Van is busy at the moment. Could you please leave?" Merle asked. Hitomi looked over at her and smiled.

"Listen Merle, I think he'll make lots of time for me. Just tell him that Hitomi's downstairs waiting for him." Hitomi replied. Merle gasped. There's absolutely no way that could be Hitomi. She barely even looks like her. I mean come on, as if the black hair wasn't a big enough give away. And she's much taller, and acts nicer to me. But her eyes are the same color, well that's not good enough for me.Merle thought.

"Can you prove that you're really Hitomi??" Merle challenged.

"Well if you want me to jump 8 feet across another practically bottomless pit well I'm sorry, I just can't risk it for no reason." Hitomi replied. Merle smiled and nearly tackled her. "You haven't changed much, Merle." Hitomi commented, stepping back and looking the cat girl over.

"You have. Your hair's black, it used to be brown. Oh, oh, oh! I know how to surprise Lord Van! Follow me." Merle dragged Hitomi by the arm and led her into a bedroom. There were flowers decorating the walls, and a vase filled with flowers sat on the nightstand.

"Whose room is this. It's beautiful." Hitomi commented. She looked at Merle, who was beaming with pride.

"It's my room. I'm glad you like it." Merle replied. She ran into her closet and quickly returned with a dress, and some make up. "The bathroom is over there. Get changed and put on some make up." she ordered. Hitomi nodded and walked onto the bathroom. She changed quickly and put her hair up.

"What do you think?" Hitomi asked when she walked out. Merle gave her a thumbs up. Hitomi let herself be dragged into another large room. It was larger, but not as nice. The bed wasn't made, the shades were drawn, blocking out most of the light, and the walls were plain, undecorated. "Whose room is this?"

"Lord Vans'." Merle replied sadly.

"It needs some light." Hitomi commented. She walked over to the curtains and opened them. Sunlight poured into the room, making it less dreary. "That's much better."

"I'll go get Lord Van. Stay in this room." Merle took off before Hitomi could reply, and shut the door behind her. Hitomi strolled out of the room and onto the balcony. I wonder how much Van's changed.Hitomi thought.

**************************

Merle ran back to Van's office. "Lord Van, Lord Van." she called as she ran up to him.

"Did you get rid of her?" he asked.

"Yeah, I did. You need some rest before lunch. Come on, you aren't allowed to fight me on this one." She playfully grabbed his arm and dragged him to his room. He stepped in, Merle slammed the door behind him and locked it.

"Merle! Merle open the door now!" he ordered. She didn't answer and took off. He gave up after a few minutes and turned around. He gasped, there was a beautiful woman standing outside his window. She reminded him of Hitomi. She had long black hair, green eyes that shone brightly in the light, and had a long slender body. She was wearing a long, dark green dress. "May I help you, Miss....?"he asked.

"Van." she replied happily and hugged him tightly. He's alright. Not dead, but healthy, breathing and nothings wrong."I missed you so much." her voice was filled with excitement.

"Hitomi?" he replied, recognizing her and returning her hug. She pulled away and took a good look at him.

"You look so tired." she told him.He still smells just like a field. I missed that about him.she thought as she inhaled his scent. She led him back inside.

"I'm..... not..... tired." he told her while trying to hide his yawn. Why does she look so different?? Well I guess she couldn't stay the same forever. I haven'the thought.

"Yes, you are. I can see it in your eyes. You need some rest." she whispered to him.He's so stubborn. Two can play that gameshe thought.

"I'm so glad your back, Hitomi." She gently forced him to lay down and rest. They fell asleep, side-by-side, with the same thought in each other's mind.



I hope you all liked this part. Please r&r. Thanx. Angels tears