Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own anything in Vision of Escaflowne, or it wouldn't be a fanfiction. Don't sue me :D

synopsis: With their behind them, Van and Hitomi find they can't live without one another. So they get ready to go back to Gaia....seems almost too easy...


Authors note: Song ~ If you, or Kaze ga Fuku Hi

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Walking across the newly cut grasses, Evan wondered who's job it was to cut the grass. If it got to tall they would be susceptible to an attack. At least it wasn't as much cover as trees...

The scream of the sentry at the gates for identification startled Evan, and how Van handled did even more.

Hail my good man! It is I, Van Fanel! Your King! Van took his sword off his hip, and held it high above his head while he continued to walk. No wonder Van didn't want to carry more than one bag on the way in.

The two men ran through the half opened gate and strode right up to Van. Apon inspecting the sword, and Van, they looked at one another and grinned. Falling to one knee and removing their helmets, they bowed their heads and kissed their gloved fingers. Looking up, both men grinned and spoke.

Welcome back, my Lord. Tonight we feast your return!

Van gave them a sly look. Ahh my good men rise, rise. I see that my being away as heightened your sense of my kinghood... stop it. He smiled and swatted at them with his hand idly as he looked away. Send someone to find Lady Merle. I wish to see her as soon as I can, and walking to the palace would be too long.

Both men rose when commanded, and the shorter turned and ran up the street towards the palace on the hill. The one left spoke.

My Lord Van, I will accompany you back to the palace. I must show that you truly have returned, and that you aren't a mere shadow. However, I ask for security reasons whom is it your bring with you...? the guard looked at Van curiously, while attempting to remain respectful.

Turning his head, Van grinned again. This is my friend Evan, soon to be Lord Evan. This young lady is the woman from the Mystic Moon who helped me save Fanelia from the Zaibach Empire, and she is soon to be my bride. And her mother, to be a High Lady aswell.

The man nodded, and snapped his fingers. Two more guards stood half in the doorway, and took 2 steps back when the party from earth walked through. Grinning at the one man when the two sentries walked instep behind them, Evan haphazardly threw a bag at him. The man stumbled to catch it, and hastily glared at Evan. Not to be taken lightly, Evan grinned and spoke over his shoulder as he kept walking

I'm not carrying 3 bags because LORD Van musin't. You carry it. He grinned and chuckled.

This is going to be an interesting life from now on...

*

LORD VAAAAAAAAN!!!

An orange fluff in a beautiful gown jumped on Van, and lapped at his cheek.

I missed you too, Merle. How's Fanelia doing? Van grinned and attempted to pry her off, to no avail.

Merle realized her position and stood down, putting her hands behind her back. Fanelia is prospering wonderfully, my Lord. Everyone carefully awaited your return, especially when I spotted that beam of light several nights past. I knew it was a sign you would be home soon and I had everyone prepare everything and... Merle blinked and looked around Van at the female standing behind him.

She screamed and jumped on Hitomi, who was not prepared for an attack. Both women fell to the ground, and Hitomi was soon covered in several licks of her own.

Hello mmrfmMerle.

Lord Van won't be gloomy now, will he? He has come back and he will finally be happy as king and you will be queen, won't you? Merle smiled and pushed Hitomi onto the cobblestones harder.

Hitomi said as she tried to squeeze out from under her.

OH! So sorry Hitomi! Merle smiled as she gracefully and catlike stood up away from Hitomi. And who do we have here? Merle said and she spotted Evan. You look uncannily like Lord Van! but I can tell the difference... Merle lightly sniffed at the air and smiled at Evan.

Evan blinked... and blinked again.

But... you're a CAT!?! How...?

Merle grinned and touched his cheek. You definitely haven't been here before. I am a cat-woman. There's none like me on the mystic moon then?

Evan nodded and she smiled. Then I shall have to play with you sometime. Cat people can be very...charming. She smiled playfully and walked to Hitomi's mother. Hello... You are Hitomi's mother.

She nodded, and bowed slightly. It is an honor to meet the woman who took complete care of the country my son in law rules over, and my future homeland.

Merle, bewildered, copied the bow and smiled. Yes, it is an honor to meet the woman who sired the girl who gives Van joy. She turned after another bow, and tugged at Van's arm. You must be tired Lord Van... Let me take your bag and we shall relax in the palace before you sign this month's papers.. I am relieved you returned. Several countries want renewed alliance contracts and I cannot sign them. They have been sitting on your desk for well over 2 months and some sent more servants ot make sure they were signed and... Merle continued to talk about political matters as they walked up the road towards the ever closening palace.


***

Whee! I'm on a roll!

J.R.R. Tolkien was quoted as saying he didn't want ot finish his story, because then the characters would be dead to him. I'm not dragging this out, but that's how I feel. :/ Doesn't that suck?

I know that the last few chapters kinda sucked. they were (as far as im concerned) trite, typical and a little boring, so I don't think i was able to really work on them as much as I had the other chapters and the ones from now on. So bear with me :D I enjoyed this one much more than most of the recent ones ^_^

Does anyone know Hitomi's mother's name? I hate just calling her Hitomi's mother but i cant remeber! And I get the feeling I would look for a loong time and probibly not find it if i searched online :D anyone know it?