Dreams and Visions: Chapter 15
By mercy_angel_09
Rating PG-13
Disclaimers: I don't own Escaflowne and I'm certainly not making any money off of this venture, so it'd be sort of pointless to sue me. (Besides, I'm a poor college student; you'd lose more money than you'd gain.) The creative geniuses behind EscaFlowne are Hajime Yatate and Shoji Kawamori, Sunrise, Bandai, and I'm sure a few other companies that I'm forgetting or have no idea about.
~*~
After she climbed into bed, she began to realize just how right Keitaro had been. With a decision of such magnitude, she was positive that she wouldn't be able to make it on her own. Her heart would just have to decide for her.
But how much did she really trust her heart? For all she knew, her heart could lead her to make the biggest mistake of her life. But she would just have to let go of any conscious decision-making.
She stared at her ceiling, attempting to make out the cloud patterns painted on it in the dark. She sighed as she rolled over, bored with the ceiling and now concentrating on her bookshelf. She closed her eyes in an attempt to fall asleep, not realizing just how tired she really was.
As she slept, she kept seeing Kaiden smiling at her, teasing her, gently touching her in a way that gave her goose bumps all over her body. But each time she saw Chid, he looked sad and distant. He would reach for her, only to retract his hand as she reached for it. He would shake his head sadly and then she realized what had happened.
Sitting up in bed, her breath coming in quick gasps, the truth dawned on her. She was in love with Kaiden. And no one, not even Chid, could change her mind.
~*~
"Argh!"
"Calm down Van."
"What is that thing?"
"It's an automobile. You drive it."
"It's," clink, clink, "made of metal?"
"Yes Van."
Hikari blinked a few times. "Is this the first time he's seen a car?"
Hitomi sighed. "Yup. I don't think that he wants to leave the house."
"At least I know that the house is safe," Van retorted hotly.
"Right, right. The house is safe," Hitomi said soothingly, "but we have to see my parents. And then we'll see about how we get back to Gaea."
"IS that a promise?"
"It's a promise."
"Can we go now?" Hikari demanded.
"Yes dear, now get in the car, both of you," Hitomi ordered.
After two minutes or so, Van became used to the idea of the car, and was sorely disappointed when he realized that the trip was over.
"So why are we here again?" Hikari asked.
"We have to say good-bye to your grandparents," Hitomi answered. "Though I'm not quite sure how well your grandfather will send off Van."
"If he hasn't changed his mind, it'll be a 'good riddance,'" Hikari sighed.
But they were received warmly, even by Hitomi's father. It appeared as though Mrs. Kanzaki had finally reached him about the circumstances surrounding Hikari's birth.
They chatted for a few moments before Hitomi started to cry. "Oh Mom!"
"Hitomi, dear, what's wrong?" Mrs. Kanzaki asked as she gently stroked her daughter's hair.
"Mom, I'm never going to see you or Dad again!" she cried.
"Oh my dear child," Mrs. Kanzaki chuckled. "We'll always be here for you. And you'll always have your memories of us. Don't worry. You're with your prince now and you two will live happily ever after. With Hikari of course."
"Har har Grandmother," Hikari snorted.
"I was just thinking of your best interests," Mrs. Kanzaki shrugged.
"Sure, sure," Hikari said, giving her grandmother a hug. "I guess that this is it."
"I guess so sweetheart," Mrs. Kanzaki replied. "Now don't cause too much trouble for your parents."
"Me?" Hikari asked, feigning innocence.
"Yes you," Mrs. Kanzaki chuckled.
"Take care," Mr. Kanzaki told his daughter. "I just wish that you felt that you had been able to trust me with the truth."
"Dad, do you honestly think that you would have believed me?" Hitomi asked him.
Mr. Kanzaki sighed. "I'm sorry dear. I don't think that I would have."
"It's okay Dad. Everything is okay now," Hitomi told him. "Everything is okay."
"Bye Gramps!" Hikari said, giving her grandfather a quick hug.
"Oh, gracious. Good-bye dear," Mr. Kanzaki answered. Then he turned to Van. "Well now, I trust that you're going to take excellent care of both of them?"
"Yes sir," Van replied.
"That's just what I wanted to hear. So, how do you go back to Gaea anyway?" Mr. Kanzaki asked.
"Well, that's the part we haven't quite figured out yet," Hitomi answered. "We're not even sure how we came here."
"We'll get there just fine," Van assured her. "The pendant will guide us."
Hitomi nodded. "Of course, the pendant. Why didn't I think of that?"
"I dunno," Hikari shrugged.
"Quiet you."
~*~
The Fanel family sat in the dark of Hitomi's apartment.
"Now what?"
They had been brainstorming ways to go home, but no one had an idea so far.
And then the obvious hit Hikari. "Why don't we just wish upon the pendant to go back to Gaea?" she asked.
Both Van and Hitomi stared at their daughter. The idea was actually feasible.
"Why not?" Hitomi asked. "All right. Make sure that we're all wishing for the same thing."
All three of them closed their eyes and began to think of Gaea. And with every ounce of their being, every fiber of their hearts, began to wish to return to the land where royalty rules and dragons roam freely.
A blue pillar of light formed around them but they didn't notice.
All they could think about was returning to Gaea.
~*~
Argh. My life has been crazy, so sorry about the delay. Not to mention the dozens of errors in chapter fourteen. Those weren't supposed to be there. Yes, I realize that I put in Kaiden instead of Keitaro, but you guys (and gals) are smart, I'm sure you figured it out.
*YAWN* Golly, I'm bushed. Since I graduated, it's been one late night after another, playing Final Fantasy VIII, so if you want to rant about my priorites, yell at me to finish this story and not the game. Story first, game second. Are we clear?
As always, R&R, I do love to hear from ya!
Mercy_angel_09
