When the Demon Stirs ~ An Escaflowne Fan Fic ~
By: H. Zane
I've fallen into your eyes
I've longed for your sweet skin
I've comforted your bitter cries
I've felt your soul within.
~H. Zane
~ Chapter 01-Absence ~
It has been two years away from Gaea, her friends and most importantly she had been away from Van. Hitomi sat on the grass under a lone tree after school. Eyes closed, head in hands letting the soft late afternoon breeze blanket her body. She was thinking of events past, and like most days she retreated in her private sanctuary. Hiding within herself trying to locate the faint sense of Van. Her heart grew heavy at the thought of him and even heavier when he couldn't be found.
Their connection had stayed strong over the two years and so did their love. The two of them shared something special like no other. They shared a spiritual connection. She felt his emotion and he felt hers. They could comfort each other in sadness, share the joys of accomplishments and just make a presence when the loneliness set in. And that time for solace was now…
Since her arrival home things had not been easy for Hitomi. She quickly realized that, like her first return home, no one was aware that she was gone. Although she was glad of it, it made things harder in the long run. She held her story and experiences deep down inside her, not daring to share them with anyone else. How could she? She couldn't possibly think that anyone in his or her right mind would take her seriously. She kept her love for Van in private too. He was her precious secret, hers and hers alone.
Depression comes quickly and without warning to most, and Hitomi wasn't an exception. Her private sorrow ate away at her like a cancer. Leaving a hole where an entire planet was meant to fill. She thought of Van every day and did her best to keep their connection strong. Because of her new obsession her schoolwork suffered and she became increasingly shut in. She had continued to run track, though, did it half-heartedly. She stopped going out with friends like she used to. It wasn't that things had changed on Earth but it was Hitomi's prospective that had changed. Being around whinny giggling girls gave her a headache. And to think she was once one of them, pampered and proud with no real worries and their modern connivances. Gaea was a world of war where innocence was scarce. Van was a boy king having his family, his kingdom and his life swept up from underneath him, leaving only a piece of metal, a kitten and brooding sorrow. "Could any of these girls handle that? She once thought. "Could they be left with nothing in a war ridden world and fight their way back to prosperity?" She had laughed at her thought knowing the answer.
Today had proved to be one of the worst days yet. She had tried to contact Van all day, but couldn't. She knew he had duties that she couldn't begin to imagine but he had always found time to send a thought or smile her way…
Yukari had gotten a call from Amano a few days before saying he was coming for a visit. Yukari was ecstatic all she could talk about was how she was going to see Amano today and how wonderful it would be. Hitomi was jealous. Not because she wanted Amano but because Yukari was able to see her far away love and Hitomi could not. Unknowing to Yukari she and Hitomi shared a common problem. Both of their loves were far away from them and both fell victim to loneliness. There was one difference though, while Amano was in England, an ocean and plane ride away, Hitomi's Van was much further living on an unknown planet past infinity of space and a lifetime away. Van was out of reach while Amano was not. Hitomi just couldn't take it anymore she had to get away. Away from the happy couples and teasing and flirting. Alone under her tree there was privacy.
Hitomi tried to call out to Van once more. She still couldn't find him. "Where are you Van?" She questioned out loud. She closed her eyes and sank into her depression. Hot tears started to creep out of her eyes, she fought them back but it wasn't a winning battle. She cried for a few minutes letting the tears fall on her school skirt. She wiped the last of them away and prepared to find Yukari. But once she lifted her head she realized that she was no longer alone. Warmth and joy filled her instantly as she gazed into loving bronze eyes. His form was illuminated and he wore a content look upon his perfect face. At that moment the only word she could utter was his name. "Van."
Meanwhile a small distance away Yukari was franticly looking for Hitomi. Not only did she want to wash up and change before picking Amano up from the airport but also she wanted to keep an eye on her. Yukari had noticed the change in Hitomi. Just out of the blue, without warning Hitomi had gone from the carefree spirited, teenager to a sulking, broken old woman. She couldn't fathom what could have happened to make Hitomi act that way. She tried on countless occasions to get Hitomi to open up to her but to no avail. It was hopeless.
Yukari decided to take a quick run by the tree that Hitomi just recently began to sit under. Yukari was relieved when she saw Hitomi… but what was this? Was she talking to herself? Immediately concerned Yukari started to walk towards her friend. "That does it, she thought, no way is she staying in tonight. I'm going to force her to have fun even if it kills me." She continued walking but suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"What the hell" she said aloud. There sitting directly in front of Hitomi was a young man. He was barley visible from a distance but she could see his outline and a mop of wild black hair. She swallowed hard not knowing what to do but; knowing she should be scared to death instead of feeling no emotion at all. She blinked and in that second the ghost was gone. She pondered telling Hitomi what she saw. "Maybe I'm seeing things I'll just scare her if I tell her what I saw," she thought. "No…wait, Hitomi had seen it. She was talking to him! I've got to get to the bottom of this, I'm sure this will help explain the mood she's been in for the past two years."
Yukari stomped over to Hitomi and stood in front of her where Van had been. Both stayed silent, Hitomi sitting on the grass looking pathetic and Yukari standing hands on hips with determination in her eyes. "Who was that?" Yukari finally asked in a calm, flat voice. Without a word Hitomi looked up in shock and a single tear ran down her cheek.
Silence…
"I asked you a question Hitomi. Who was that?" The question sounded cold, especially coming from Yukari. Hitomi's eyes were wide and her mouth hung open, she was speechless. "V-V-Van," she stammered. "But how did you- where did you-why where you spying on me?" Hitomi was worried. Her secret was out, but could Yukari understand?
"Humph, I wasn't spying on you. I was looking for you and happened to see…um…what I saw." Yukari wasn't sure how she wanted to phrase it.
"What were…" Hitomi started to ask but was cut off by Yukari. "I'm asking the questions here, not you Hitomi, understand!" Yukari's sudden sternness stunned Hitomi. Her tone was harsh, even Yukari didn't recognize herself. She knelt down beside Hitomi and took a breath to calm herself. "Now, Yukari started, you want to tell me what the hell is going on here?"
"You wouldn't believe me." Said Hitomi.
"Try me."
" I don't know if I can Yukari."
"Look, I've already seen that ghost-boy of yours. I think I'm ready for anything."
"First of all he's not a ghost," Hitomi said matter-of -factly, "he's alive and lives on a planet called, Gaea. Gaea is invisible to us, which is why no one knows of its existence.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Yukari said weakly. "Okay Hitomi please tell me everything."
"Okay I'll tell you everything. It will feel good to finally get it off of my chest anyway. "But you must swear to me Yukari that you will not tell a soul, not even Amano."
Hitomi's eyes were pleading, wet and unsure. She was not sure how or if Yukari would understand.
"Hitomi I promise" said Yukari. Then shifted her weight to sit more comfortably. She figured it would take a while.
Hitomi let it all out, everything that she had been hiding for the past two years. She told of how she was taken away in the column of light, how Yukari and Amano had been with her and how they had no memory of it. She told her all about her adventures with her friends, her pendent, her visions, the Great War, Escaflowne and finally she told her of Van. When she was finished she cast her eyes down and picked at the grass. She couldn't read Yukari's face and started to regret telling her. Yukari just sat, absorbing all the information. It was a lot to take in. But she believed what her friend was saying; there was a fierce truth in Hitomi's eyes that Yukari didn't dare question. She needed to hear more, though, so she could help to the best of her abilities. "Hitomi…I believe you." Yukari said softly. "But I'm curious, do you mind if I ask you some things?"
Hitomi nodded. She was relieved, and dumbfounded, that her friend believed her.
"Um…why did he- I mean- how did he come here?"
"Oh yeah, I should explain that shouldn't I?"
Yukari rolled her eyes.
"You see I left my pendent with him, so he would remember me. That is how he was able to appear. Don't ask me how, neither of us knows. It had happened once before too, last year." Hitomi bit her lower lip hoping that would satisfy her. It did.
"What did you say to each other just now?"
"I just told him that I hope he is doing well and that I… missed him. He didn't say anything… but, I felt the heaviness of his heart and can only hope that he missed me too."
Yukari let little smile spread across her lips. "You loved each other so much you were able to stay connected, weren't you?" Her words sounded more like a statement than a question. A smile now spread across Hitomi's face. "Exactly. Yukari you are so good to me. How could I ever think that you wouldn't understand? Thank you for listening. I miss him so much I feel like I'm dead. I didn't think it would be so hard. I thought it was just schoolgirl infatuation I felt, that within a few weeks everything would be back to normal." Hitomi's emotions got the better of her. The tears started to flow once more. "But I was wrong, everyday I missed him more and more…and loved him more and more." Yukari hurt for her friend, she didn't know how to help her and couldn't stand seeing Hitomi depressed. She missed the old Hitomi, happy, spirited, encouraging Hitomi.
Yukari put a hand on her friend's shoulder, a stranger's shoulder.
She was afraid to say what she was thinking. She didn't want to lose her friend but at the same time she wanted her to be happy. Yukari swallowed hard.
"You must go to him then," her voice was barley a whisper. "Are we stopping you Hitomi, from being with him?"
Hitomi didn't say a word. Salty tears started to flow heavy from her eyes again. She didn't need to say anything Yukari already knew the answer. "Go to him Hitomi," tears started to flow from Yukari's eyes as well, "we will be okay."
"How can I? Van has my pendent, that is the only way I know of to get there. It is my only key. I have no other way."
"We will find a way Hitomi," Yukari said as she put an arm around her friend, "I promise you."
End of Chapter 1
**Disclaimer**
Escaflowne is owned by (c) Sunrise and/or their respective licensors.
No copyright infringement intended.
This fic and any original characters are owned by H. Zane
By: H. Zane
I've fallen into your eyes
I've longed for your sweet skin
I've comforted your bitter cries
I've felt your soul within.
~H. Zane
~ Chapter 01-Absence ~
It has been two years away from Gaea, her friends and most importantly she had been away from Van. Hitomi sat on the grass under a lone tree after school. Eyes closed, head in hands letting the soft late afternoon breeze blanket her body. She was thinking of events past, and like most days she retreated in her private sanctuary. Hiding within herself trying to locate the faint sense of Van. Her heart grew heavy at the thought of him and even heavier when he couldn't be found.
Their connection had stayed strong over the two years and so did their love. The two of them shared something special like no other. They shared a spiritual connection. She felt his emotion and he felt hers. They could comfort each other in sadness, share the joys of accomplishments and just make a presence when the loneliness set in. And that time for solace was now…
Since her arrival home things had not been easy for Hitomi. She quickly realized that, like her first return home, no one was aware that she was gone. Although she was glad of it, it made things harder in the long run. She held her story and experiences deep down inside her, not daring to share them with anyone else. How could she? She couldn't possibly think that anyone in his or her right mind would take her seriously. She kept her love for Van in private too. He was her precious secret, hers and hers alone.
Depression comes quickly and without warning to most, and Hitomi wasn't an exception. Her private sorrow ate away at her like a cancer. Leaving a hole where an entire planet was meant to fill. She thought of Van every day and did her best to keep their connection strong. Because of her new obsession her schoolwork suffered and she became increasingly shut in. She had continued to run track, though, did it half-heartedly. She stopped going out with friends like she used to. It wasn't that things had changed on Earth but it was Hitomi's prospective that had changed. Being around whinny giggling girls gave her a headache. And to think she was once one of them, pampered and proud with no real worries and their modern connivances. Gaea was a world of war where innocence was scarce. Van was a boy king having his family, his kingdom and his life swept up from underneath him, leaving only a piece of metal, a kitten and brooding sorrow. "Could any of these girls handle that? She once thought. "Could they be left with nothing in a war ridden world and fight their way back to prosperity?" She had laughed at her thought knowing the answer.
Today had proved to be one of the worst days yet. She had tried to contact Van all day, but couldn't. She knew he had duties that she couldn't begin to imagine but he had always found time to send a thought or smile her way…
Yukari had gotten a call from Amano a few days before saying he was coming for a visit. Yukari was ecstatic all she could talk about was how she was going to see Amano today and how wonderful it would be. Hitomi was jealous. Not because she wanted Amano but because Yukari was able to see her far away love and Hitomi could not. Unknowing to Yukari she and Hitomi shared a common problem. Both of their loves were far away from them and both fell victim to loneliness. There was one difference though, while Amano was in England, an ocean and plane ride away, Hitomi's Van was much further living on an unknown planet past infinity of space and a lifetime away. Van was out of reach while Amano was not. Hitomi just couldn't take it anymore she had to get away. Away from the happy couples and teasing and flirting. Alone under her tree there was privacy.
Hitomi tried to call out to Van once more. She still couldn't find him. "Where are you Van?" She questioned out loud. She closed her eyes and sank into her depression. Hot tears started to creep out of her eyes, she fought them back but it wasn't a winning battle. She cried for a few minutes letting the tears fall on her school skirt. She wiped the last of them away and prepared to find Yukari. But once she lifted her head she realized that she was no longer alone. Warmth and joy filled her instantly as she gazed into loving bronze eyes. His form was illuminated and he wore a content look upon his perfect face. At that moment the only word she could utter was his name. "Van."
Meanwhile a small distance away Yukari was franticly looking for Hitomi. Not only did she want to wash up and change before picking Amano up from the airport but also she wanted to keep an eye on her. Yukari had noticed the change in Hitomi. Just out of the blue, without warning Hitomi had gone from the carefree spirited, teenager to a sulking, broken old woman. She couldn't fathom what could have happened to make Hitomi act that way. She tried on countless occasions to get Hitomi to open up to her but to no avail. It was hopeless.
Yukari decided to take a quick run by the tree that Hitomi just recently began to sit under. Yukari was relieved when she saw Hitomi… but what was this? Was she talking to herself? Immediately concerned Yukari started to walk towards her friend. "That does it, she thought, no way is she staying in tonight. I'm going to force her to have fun even if it kills me." She continued walking but suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"What the hell" she said aloud. There sitting directly in front of Hitomi was a young man. He was barley visible from a distance but she could see his outline and a mop of wild black hair. She swallowed hard not knowing what to do but; knowing she should be scared to death instead of feeling no emotion at all. She blinked and in that second the ghost was gone. She pondered telling Hitomi what she saw. "Maybe I'm seeing things I'll just scare her if I tell her what I saw," she thought. "No…wait, Hitomi had seen it. She was talking to him! I've got to get to the bottom of this, I'm sure this will help explain the mood she's been in for the past two years."
Yukari stomped over to Hitomi and stood in front of her where Van had been. Both stayed silent, Hitomi sitting on the grass looking pathetic and Yukari standing hands on hips with determination in her eyes. "Who was that?" Yukari finally asked in a calm, flat voice. Without a word Hitomi looked up in shock and a single tear ran down her cheek.
Silence…
"I asked you a question Hitomi. Who was that?" The question sounded cold, especially coming from Yukari. Hitomi's eyes were wide and her mouth hung open, she was speechless. "V-V-Van," she stammered. "But how did you- where did you-why where you spying on me?" Hitomi was worried. Her secret was out, but could Yukari understand?
"Humph, I wasn't spying on you. I was looking for you and happened to see…um…what I saw." Yukari wasn't sure how she wanted to phrase it.
"What were…" Hitomi started to ask but was cut off by Yukari. "I'm asking the questions here, not you Hitomi, understand!" Yukari's sudden sternness stunned Hitomi. Her tone was harsh, even Yukari didn't recognize herself. She knelt down beside Hitomi and took a breath to calm herself. "Now, Yukari started, you want to tell me what the hell is going on here?"
"You wouldn't believe me." Said Hitomi.
"Try me."
" I don't know if I can Yukari."
"Look, I've already seen that ghost-boy of yours. I think I'm ready for anything."
"First of all he's not a ghost," Hitomi said matter-of -factly, "he's alive and lives on a planet called, Gaea. Gaea is invisible to us, which is why no one knows of its existence.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Yukari said weakly. "Okay Hitomi please tell me everything."
"Okay I'll tell you everything. It will feel good to finally get it off of my chest anyway. "But you must swear to me Yukari that you will not tell a soul, not even Amano."
Hitomi's eyes were pleading, wet and unsure. She was not sure how or if Yukari would understand.
"Hitomi I promise" said Yukari. Then shifted her weight to sit more comfortably. She figured it would take a while.
Hitomi let it all out, everything that she had been hiding for the past two years. She told of how she was taken away in the column of light, how Yukari and Amano had been with her and how they had no memory of it. She told her all about her adventures with her friends, her pendent, her visions, the Great War, Escaflowne and finally she told her of Van. When she was finished she cast her eyes down and picked at the grass. She couldn't read Yukari's face and started to regret telling her. Yukari just sat, absorbing all the information. It was a lot to take in. But she believed what her friend was saying; there was a fierce truth in Hitomi's eyes that Yukari didn't dare question. She needed to hear more, though, so she could help to the best of her abilities. "Hitomi…I believe you." Yukari said softly. "But I'm curious, do you mind if I ask you some things?"
Hitomi nodded. She was relieved, and dumbfounded, that her friend believed her.
"Um…why did he- I mean- how did he come here?"
"Oh yeah, I should explain that shouldn't I?"
Yukari rolled her eyes.
"You see I left my pendent with him, so he would remember me. That is how he was able to appear. Don't ask me how, neither of us knows. It had happened once before too, last year." Hitomi bit her lower lip hoping that would satisfy her. It did.
"What did you say to each other just now?"
"I just told him that I hope he is doing well and that I… missed him. He didn't say anything… but, I felt the heaviness of his heart and can only hope that he missed me too."
Yukari let little smile spread across her lips. "You loved each other so much you were able to stay connected, weren't you?" Her words sounded more like a statement than a question. A smile now spread across Hitomi's face. "Exactly. Yukari you are so good to me. How could I ever think that you wouldn't understand? Thank you for listening. I miss him so much I feel like I'm dead. I didn't think it would be so hard. I thought it was just schoolgirl infatuation I felt, that within a few weeks everything would be back to normal." Hitomi's emotions got the better of her. The tears started to flow once more. "But I was wrong, everyday I missed him more and more…and loved him more and more." Yukari hurt for her friend, she didn't know how to help her and couldn't stand seeing Hitomi depressed. She missed the old Hitomi, happy, spirited, encouraging Hitomi.
Yukari put a hand on her friend's shoulder, a stranger's shoulder.
She was afraid to say what she was thinking. She didn't want to lose her friend but at the same time she wanted her to be happy. Yukari swallowed hard.
"You must go to him then," her voice was barley a whisper. "Are we stopping you Hitomi, from being with him?"
Hitomi didn't say a word. Salty tears started to flow heavy from her eyes again. She didn't need to say anything Yukari already knew the answer. "Go to him Hitomi," tears started to flow from Yukari's eyes as well, "we will be okay."
"How can I? Van has my pendent, that is the only way I know of to get there. It is my only key. I have no other way."
"We will find a way Hitomi," Yukari said as she put an arm around her friend, "I promise you."
End of Chapter 1
**Disclaimer**
Escaflowne is owned by (c) Sunrise and/or their respective licensors.
No copyright infringement intended.
This fic and any original characters are owned by H. Zane