toDisclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne *smiles as lawyers grumble and walk off*

A/N Ha! Yep Surlina's her mother!! Talk about your bummer! Oh now you want to know why? Well it's not really it's a why it's a how. Thanks for all the reviews everyone!!! And as always have a great day!!!!!

Sailor Hope



Van blinked, he wasn't seeing straight.

"Kimi?" he questioned in disbelief

Kimi laughed and folded her hands in her lap, "My dear boy it's so good to see you again."

Van didn't have a thing to say. He just couldn't find the words. But he was holding up better than Hitomi seemed to be doing. He could feel her shaking vibrating all the way over to him. Turning to her he pulled his love against his chest again gritting his teeth against the searing pain.

"Kimi what are you doing here?" he asked pushing Hitomi's head against his shoulder, "You died."

The relaxed laugh bounced off the walls again, "Van, I like to go by Surlina these days"

Van narrowed his eyes only causing more laughter to flow from Kimi.

"Welcome to my temple, my name is Surlina. I've been waiting for you two for quite some time now."

Hitomi pushed away from Van her eyes burning with anger now.

"You're Surlina!!! You froze Jason!!! You enslaved the others!!! You!!!" Hitomi raised a shaky arm up at her mother, "You did all this!!!!"

Kimi now Surlina leaned forward casually resting her arms on her knees smiling as if she hadn't a care in the world.

"Yes"

"HOW COULD YOU!?!?!"

Hitomi gazed into her mother's dark eyes and felt her heart rip. She just couldn't believe this! Her mother had always been so kind, caring, forgiving. This wasn't her mother!!! She would never do this!!

" I have the power to do much more, be grateful."

Hitomi felt the room spinning this was definitely TOO much to handle. She about fell over but thankfully she felt strong familiar arms grab her waist and set her back on her feet.

"Why do you want us?" Van questioned his eyes narrowing at Surlina.

"Simple, Aloysia and Yoshi did seal away their powers and hide them in this very temple," Surlina started waving her hands around the room, "When I came here long ago searching for the power, I found this temple and was offered a deal. Power, not Aloysia or Yoshi's power but a small amount of power. Just enough to do what Surlina needed. You see Surlina and I are one."

"But that's impossible! Surlina is nothing but stone!"

"That my dear child is where you are wrong," Surlina said condesendingly waving her finger at Hitomi, "You see what you didn't know was that before Aloysia died she gave Surlina life, as a means to protect the Queen's power. Surlina was able to take on a spiritual form and with a good amount of power she was her own guardian. Together Surlina and I can do anything. For now that is. Once you seal away Aloysia's power inside yourself you will be the one true ruler. When that time comes you can look forward to us being your faithful servant."

"I won't work with you! Ever! Forget it!!"

"We shall see, and as for you my young king, you have been brought here to die."

Hitomi felt her lungs getting smaller. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't just stand there and watch Van die! She couldn't! She wouldn't!!

"Surlina why do you want me to seal the power?"

"Because fool, you are the only one who can!"

There was something else she was leaving out, Hitomi had to figure it out.

"What else?!"

"I want to watch Gaia fly into flames just as it should have years ago! You are the only one who can bring that about!"

"I won't destroy Gaia!!!"

An evil grin creeped up onto Surlina's lips, "Only time will tell"

"Mother, maybe you've been away from me for too long, because if you think I'm going to just give in and do your bidding then you've got another coming. AND if you think I'm going to stand by and watch you kill Van then you're even crazier than I thought!!!!"

The ire rippled through Surlina's cheeks faster than the blink of an eye. She looked ready to run Hitomi through herself but clenched the throne's handles instead. Van and Hitomi braced themselves for the worst as they clutched each other's hands. But what they got was not at all what they expected.

Surlina smiled and leaned back in her chair once more.

"I'll let Van live if you seal away Aloysia's power."

"What?" Hitomi asked in shock

"It's as simple as that, seal away the power and Van will live."

"You'll let him go?"

"No I'll let him live."

"What do you mean?"

"He will live, that is all."

Hitomi shook her head, it was too vague. She was about to tell Surlina no way when she felt Van stiffen. Turning around confused she froze at the sword digging into Van's neck, ever so slowly.

"What do you say?" Surlina asked giggling to herself.

Van winced as a tiny drop of blood slithered down his neck. Hitomi knew it was Michael pushing the sword into Van's neck and felt an overhwhelming frustration and panic fill her.

"Hitomi don't"

Michael pushed the sword a little harder and Hitomi spun around to Surlina.

"Alright"

"Hitomi no!"

"Do you promise?" Surlina asked smirking

"I promise, just let him live."

Surlina nodded and Michael pulled his sword away. A slab of the purple wall slid away to reveal an obsidian door. Hitomi felt chills run up her spin as she saw her reflection in the door. A scar ran down her neck from where Soren's knife had cut her. Flashes of the vision came rushing back to her and she hesitated to walk forward.

"The stone is on the other side of that door, Aloysia's power awaits you," Surlina said her cheery voice making Hitomi's skin crawl. Her smile was getting bigger and bigger with every passing second as if she knew something and wouldn't tell. Hitomi was still in too much shock that her mother was sitting in front of her to really be bold. She had panicked and instincts had kicked in when she threatened to kill Van but on the inside she was dizzy with pain that HER mother was Surlina. Walking up to the door she ran her hand over the smooth stone and wasn't surprised when it moved away.

The door slid away to reveal a pair of spiral stairs leading straight up to the ceiling of the room. Hitomi took a deep breath and headed for the stairs. She was just about to step forward when she felt Van pull her back.

"I'm going with her," he stated glaring at Surlina

Surlina's smile grew even brighter if possible, "I wouldn't recommend that but really whatever floats your boat."

Another shiver crawled up Hitomi's spine, "Van I think you should stay here."

She had a feeling what was up the stairs and she didn't want Van to see.

"We do this together," he said in his usual stubborn way

"No, Van you need to stay here"

Van frowned and pushed Hitomi and himself through the opening. The door slid shut behind them and Hitomi felt her heart speed up.

A tear rolled down her cheek, this was just too much!

Turning to the stairs again she wasn't surprised to see a sword lying on the bottom step.

Van WAS confused however.

"What is that for."

Surlina's cheerful little voice crept through the walls.

"My dear I believe you've already been told what you must do to seal away the power."

Hitomi started hyperventalating the tears rolling down now. It had been true! She really did have to kill Folken to seal away the power!!!

"If you don't fufill your end of the bargain his majesty dies."

"I hate you!!!!" Hitomi cried out before she could stop herself.

Van turned to Hitomi worried at her outburst. He had no idea what was going on.

Surlina's laugh echoed off the stone walls, "Hate is acceptable. Now pick the sword up and start walking."

Hitomi stared down at the sword. It was either her love or the brother of her heart.

"I hate you," she whispered again her shaky hand reaching out for the sword.

"I'm sure you're wondering why? Why him? Well after he escaped his kidnappers years ago he stumbled upon my humble abode and his royal blood intrigued me. Mainly because he had saved me a trip. You see Aloysia's power has been without guidance for too long, Aloysia and Yoshi had thought the power would have been sealed and used long ago. But it wasn't, and so it began to grow restless and unstable. What did it need to calm down? Royal draconian blood. Bingo! The solution fell at my feet, my luck was amazing. Unfortunately he's been fused with Aloysia's power for so long that the power's anger has become his own. The power has grown bitter over the years, it grew angry at being trapped in the stone. The power is very much a live thing and is now very violent. Your friend was meant to be a guide at first, now he is a forcefield to hold the power in and a means for the power to let it's emotions out."

Hitomi fell to her knees. All her friends and family, all threatened with death or stripped of their life only to walk around with a physical shell. It wasn't fair!!!!

Van pulled her face around to his, "Hitomi what is she talking about?"

Hitomi gazed into Van's deep red rubies and saw the love radiating from him. His entire being screamed his love for her. She couldn't let him die, she just couldn't. Pushing him away she clenched her sword and stumbled up the steps Van calling after her as he quickly followed her up the steps. It was getting brigther and brighter with each step.

Images of the room from her vision flashed back. She had to do this, Folken was as good as dead anyways. He was no longer the Folken they knew and loved, he was a puppet, this power's little doll. And she wasn't about to let Van die, not just because the power was using a close friend's body to manipulate her. Her head was a big fuzzy mess. But through all the smoke she could make out one thing.

Seal the power and let Van live.

Van spun her around and Hitomi gave him a weak smile the white light from behind shining around her.

"I love you Van, just remember that," leaning down she captured his lips in a quick kiss.

Pulling back up she turned around and walked into the top room. It was just as she remembered. Glass windows made up the walls of the cone shaped room. A hole in the top of the cone focused a beam of sunlight right down into the middle of the floor. Right on the thick gray stone coming up out of the floor. And there standing in front of the stone, in ripped and tattered clothes was Folken.

His sky blue hair was down to his waist now and his limbs seemed frail and weak. He was pracitcally all bone and skin. Van pulled up behind her and clutched the wall for support.

"Folken?!" his voice cracked as he stared out over at his brother, "Gods Folken is that you!!!?!?!"

Folken slowly lifted his head, his eyes black, and smirked evily at the couple.

"Well well what do we have here?"

Van looked like he had just been slapped, "Brother? Folken! It's me! Van! Your brother!!!"

He tried to run forward but Hitomi blocked him with her arm.

"Van stay back"

Van couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Hitomi."

"Van just trust me, stay back."

Hitomi raised her sword and scanned Folken one more time. This time around she saw the tubes coming out of his arms and into the stone. Blinking back threatening tears she pointed her sword at Folken.

"I'm here to seal Aloysia's power."

Folken laughed, his deep voice bouncing off the glass.

"Well that's going to be somewhat of a problem"

"Hitomi put that sword!!! Down what are you doing!!!?!?"

"Van, Folken's dead, this is just his body, Aloysia's power destroyed his mind long ago. It's not Folken just stay out of this."

"Hitomi what are you talking about?!"

Hitomi felt the rage slowly creep into her heart. This was hard enough as it was. She was getting lost in all her anger. She was sick of all the surprises. She was tired of all the pain. She just wanted it to end!!

Grabbing Van's arm she pulled him out of the room and shoved him down onto the top step. On cue a glass door slid down in between the two. Van jumped up and brought his fists down on the glass, but it wouldn't bust. Hitomi could see his lips moving but no sound was making its way through. Turning back around to Folken she raised the sword again.

"Move out of my way Folken, I don't want to kill you"

Folken laughed again.

"Give it a try little girl," Folken said smiling as he pulled his sword out of it's sheath.

Hitomi ignored Van's pounding and lowered her sword to about waist level. Taking one more deep breath she exhaled a nervous breath and charged.

Surlina wiggled in her chair with delight. Things were going better than she had planned. Hitomi was weak and just plain tired of all the problems. In her current condition she was very easy to manipulate. Soon, very soon she would have everything she wanted.

The only problem was the draconian's remaining mentally stable royal. He wasn't playing his part, it was rather unnerving but she could handle him.

"Michael," Surlina sighed casually staring at her nails as if bored, "Go bring his majesty back down here. I don't want him interfering up there. He doesn't realize how many cards he holds in this situation and I'd like to keep it that way."

Michael nodded and the wall disappeared to reveal the familiar obsidian door. Surlina pushed the door out of the way and Michael ran off up the stairs to do Surlina's bidding.



Darice groaned and rolled to her side letting her arms hit the cold marble floor. Raising one hand up she rubbed her eyes and slowly let them focus on her surroundings.

Her gasp should have stirred the entire planet.

"No!"

Bolting upright she looked around to find Trisha and Caleb strewn out against the cold marble floor as well. She kept her eyes on the ground not wanting to look up for fear she was closer to someone than she wanted to be. Crawling over she shook Caleb's leg.

"Caleb! Caleb get up!"

Caleb moaned and rolled over onto his back. Darice was satisfied with that so leaving him alone she crawled over to Trisha.

"Trisha! Come on! Wake up Trisha!"

Trisha stirred and her eyes fluttered open. As soon as her bright eyes caught sight of the gem covered wall she froze.

"No."

"What the heck happened!?" Caleb demanded sitting up rubbing his head.

"Soren"

Darice and Caleb turned to Trisha.

"It was Soren, remember."

Caleb bit his tongue and Darice clenched her fists into balls banging them agains the heavy floor.

"Trisha..I don't kn-"

Trisha held up her hand plastering a smile to her lips, "We saw it all along. There was no way Hitomi would drop us. She's got to be here, she must have met Surlina already. But if Soren was working with Surlina and Michael then we've got bigger problems than we thought."

"I just can't be-"

Darice's voice was cut off by an errie cry of pain slithering down into the walls of the temple.

"Hitomi," Caleb said frantically jumping to his feet, "Where is that stupid door!" he cried out pushing against the stones.

Unfortunately he was on the wrong side of the room and ended up coming face to face with something else.

Darice didn't bother to look up when she heard Caleb come to a screeching halt. She saw his fists fall to his sides as he turned in a complete 180 and marched to the other side of the room beginning to push on the wall again.

Everyone sat in silence as Caleb searched for the door. It didn't take long before the stones slid away to reveal the stairwell, now lit by torches.

"Let's go," he ordered already sprinting up the stairs jumping two at a time.

Trisha and Darice gave each other one final glance.

"I think it's about time we got the entire story"

"The real story"

With encouraging smiles they bounded off after Caleb one thought on their mind.

Getting to their friend before it was too late.



But little did they know, it was already too late. Surlina's plan was in action and soon Hitomi's rage would be too much for her own heart to handle and then with the extra push from Surlina she would be gone.

Hitomi clutched her bleeding shoulder and glared up at Folken as he smirked swinging his sword around in a taunting manor.

"I don't have time to deal with Surlina's henchmen," he spat, "That deceitful little guardian has done nothing but make my life hell. If you are wise girl you will walk away. If you ever succeeded in sealing me away, which is very unlikely. Surlina would have you under her thumb before you could blink. I can't let that happen."

Hitomi frowned as the words left Folken's lips, but they were not truly Folken's.

"You're no better than she is!" Hitomi cried out

Folken's eyes flared with a new inner fire.

"Choose your words carefully young one."

"What would you know?! You kill innocent just like she does!!! Who are you to say you're better?!"

Folken lowered his sword and stared at her for a few minutes. He was in deep concentration, he looked as if he was studying her.

"You seem familiar. I remember you, from a picture Folken had stored in his pocket. You must have known him."

Hitomi choked on a controlled sob, "Yea, yea I knew him"

"So you think I killed him?"

The spark flickered in Hitomi's eyes again, "Well look what you've done to his body!!!"

Folken shook his head waggling his finger at her, "You my young lady are jumping to conclusions."

Hitomi gripped the sword a little tighter.

"Surlina was ready to throw him at me, yes, true I needed his blood but I was not willing to kill him for it. She did what could be called a mind leech. Without his mind or concious thought his body started to wilt and die off. If I had not taken him his body would have shirveled up and nothing but a corpse would be here to greet you."

"But then you would have died"

"True, I would have died off, for I cannot live without the blood of a draconian. It was the catch to leaving me here. Aloysia didn't think it would be needed, she expected one of her heirs to come and seal me away long before now. And if that never happened I was supposed to die off. I'm not about to go into the details of how I live, the knowledge would be too much for you. But I have given this young man's body thought, his brain functions and with that he lives."

Lies. Lies. Everything was a lie. Nothing was true. Lies. Lies. Just lies.

Hitomi dropped her sword and clutched her head in pain. Something was wrong. She felt an uncontrolable anger swelling up inside her. It was a river. A rapid river pushing against her flimsy cardboard gate and it was just about to tip over. She couldn't help it. It was as if her feelings weren't her own. She didn't know who to believe anymore. There were too many lies. Too many hidden cards. She just wanted the truth!!!

Folken's eyes followed Hitomi to the ground, the power looking out through his eyes. He lowered his sword and watched. He felt for the girl. He had heard all the tortures Surlina had put her and her friends through. All for the sake of his ability. It was a pity really.

Closing his eyes Folken leaned against the stone and rubbed his hands over his face. Another century trapped in his glass prison. Well he could always-

The thoughts were cut off as the power watched in shock as the metal bit into his host's body. Blood started to trickle from Folken's mouth as he looked down at the young girl with honey blonde hair.

"No more," she whispered pushing the sword in farther, "NO MORE!!!"

Hitomi let go of the sword and pushed Folken to the side. The tubes fell from his arms the skin immediately sealing itself around open wounds.

Hitomi walked up a few steps in front of the stone and let her hands run over the cool stone. The power could feel her emotions as she ran her hands over the stone's surface. Her heart was no longer her own. Surlina had already tainted the innocent soul. It sighed in defeat as the black eyes practically burned a hole in the granite. Hitomi ripped the necklace off her neck and shoved the pink stone down into the tear drop hole in the top of the stone.

Slowly the stone began to glow a faint pink. Hitomi kept her hands on the stone's cold surface and watched as the tear drop jewel burst into a thick beam of light cracking the stone in half. The sudden outburst sent out a wave of energy and the glass windows shattered.

Tiny shards of the stone floated up around the pillar of pink light pushing past the glass shards of the the ceiling and into the sky. Hitomi felt the burning sensation start in her toes and stood stock still as it crawled up her legs and into her chest.

"No more," she whispered eyes locked on the resonating light in front of her, "No more"

Van shoved the palm of his hand into Michael's nose and smiled triumphantly as blood began to squirt from the abused appendage. Plowing his fist into Michael's stomach he grabbed his head and brought his knee up into his nose another time the loud crack echoing off the obsidian walls.

Van dropped man and quickly bounded back up the stairs. He reached the top step and had to grip the railings to keep from blowing away. Staring, full of fear, as Hitomi stood in the middle of the room not a glass window or shard in sight he gaped at the sight. There was no longer a room at the top of the temple. Instead Hitomi stood on the marble floor her feet somehow nailed to the ground as winds going at least 30 mph whipped around her sending her clothes flapping in a fury.

"HITOMI!!!" he bellowed over the winds, but it was no use she couldn't hear him.

A large beam of pink light was coming out of the ground and shooting up into the sky. Van felt his heart twist with panic as he saw her reach out.

"HITOMI DON'T!!!!"

Right about then was when he caught sight of Folken. Crumpled in a heap at Hitomi's feet, with a sword in his stomach was Folken, nailed to the ground by the same energy that seemed to be surrounding Hitomi. Blood was everywhere as the man struggled to breathe.

Van couldn't stop the rage that slowly creeped up on his soul. Hitomi had stabbed Folken. He didn't know what to think. Hitomi wouldn't have done anything without good reasoning. But what had Folken done?!!!?!

Unknowingly however while Van began the battle for his own heart Hitomi had already lost and was plunging into the abyss. It was starting.

Hitomi's fingers brushed against the crackling beam of energy. The feeling was overhwhelming. She could feel so much power, so my energy. Just crackling around her, waiting to be harnessed. Brushing the beam one more time she shoved her hand into the light. At first it simply tickled and she took a step forward throwing half her body into the power. But soon the tickling morphed and Hitomi's side lit on fire. The power gripped her skin and tore at the muscles.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

Van looked up and his eyes grew wide as Hitomi screamed out in pain, half her body already submerged in the pink beam.

"HITOMI!!!!" He cried out again pushing against the winds, "HITOMI!!!"

The winds were too strong and there was nothing to grab onto in the room. He would be blown off the edge and fall to his death before he could help Hitomi. Kicking the floor in frustration he winced as the wind beat against his chest his skin pulling.

He was getting weaker. He could feel his energy leaving him. But he couldn't lose. Not now. Gritting his teeth he squeezed the railing and racked his brain for some solution.

The pain was unbelievable. Hitomi felt as if her tendons were slowly being pulled out, one by one and the excruciating pain was dizzying. But now her body was calling out for the power. She could feel the sudden desire to posses the awesome power. So ignoring the pain she shoved the rest of her body into the beam.

Van couldn't believe his eyes, Hitomi was throwing herself into the beam! Crazed and out of time he pushed against the floor and lunged forward. Everything seemed to slow down as he reached out his hand almost touching the beam. Hitomi's hand was still sticking out. The only thing he had to grab onto.

Van closed his eyes as the wind pushed against his side the skin stretching more and more. He cried out in pain as the gashes ripped a little more. He could feel the floor leaving his feet and still he wasn't touching anything. Opening his eyes he was panicked to find Hitomi's hand drifting away.

So doing the only other thing he could think off despite his back's cry in protest he bent his head and within seconds white pearly wings snapped out of his back. He only had a second to do what he needed before the winds disabled his wings. So as soon as they stretched out he gave one long hard push and stretched his hand out as far as possible. He could see Hitomi's fingers. They were cenitmeters away from his. With one more small push just before the wings snapped back he pushed his body forward and clutched her slender hand.

Van held on for dear life as Hitomi's hand disappeared into the beam. As soon as his fingers touched the pink light it was as if a vaccum had started and he grunted in surprise as his body was sucked into the light. His body tingled but the thunderous roar of the wind was gone. Still clutching Hitomi's hand he turned her around to face him.

Rubies met onyx and Van gasped. Hitomi's eyes were jet black.

Then the burning started. Van clung to Hitomi's hand for fear of losing her in whatever they were in but the pain was slowly pulling him away. It felt as if his lungs were collapsing and his skin was slowly being peeled away. Unable to hold in the cry he fell to his knees and a tortured cry pushed past his lips.

Tiny little pricks just as deadly as knives creeped up his legs and he held his sides in pain. He felt that at any moment he would burst. His head was pounding and he couldn't see straight. The pain was too much his body was going to give way. Just as he was sure he was going to explode a warm hand managed to pull him out of the suffering just long enough for him to focus on the face.

Hitomi's pale cold face smiled down at him.

"Van come with me"

Van cried out in pain once more as his skin slowly started ripping.

"I can stop the pain, I can give you power. Come with me Van."

Van looked at the white hand outstretched in front of his face, waiting. He looked into her black eyes again and cried out as more skin ripped. He wouldn't survive much longer and he knew it. He obviously wasn't supposed to be here. Every part of his logical thought told him not to take her hand. But the pain was too much, he couldn't take it anymore. He didn't want any more.

Reaching up he grabbed her hand and the pain disappeared. He felt the burning cool and his skin pull itself back together. His lungs returned to normal and he stood up on shaky legs stretching his wings to their full length. Hitomi leaned up and before Van could stop her, cold lips seized his. And then Van felt the strangest sensation. It was as if he was floating away from his body.

The scene was getting smaller and he was watching himself kiss Hitomi. They stood there kissing his arms around her waist as Van felt himself moving farther and farther away. Hitomi pulled away and the room exploded in a bright flash. The pink light swirled around Hitomi's body and disappeared into her skin. A cold smile crossed her lips as she grabbed Van's arm on the tower floor.

Van watched from far away as pink light slithered out of her skin and crawled into his. Rubies melted to black and everything went dark.



Surlina squealed in delight as she felt the surge of power fly through the temple. Darice, Caleb, and Trisha rushed into her throne room just in time to feel the after shock of the sealing.

"Oh no," Darice whispered sadly, "We're too late"

"As if you could have done anything!!" Surlina snapped unfolding her legs and stepping down from her throne, "Now excuse me I have something to attend to."

The wall melted away once more and the obsidian door slid away. Surlina rolled her eyes at Michael's crumped body, "Pathetic," she whispered before stepping over him and all but running up the stairs.

She reached the disaster area that was once the top room of her mighty temple. There standing in the middle holding hands were Hitomi and Van. She smiled at their black eyes, they had lost the fight against themselves without even realizing it. Walking up she bent down on one knee and lowered her head.

"Your majesties"

Hitomi looked away from Van and frowned at the woman, "Who are you?"

"Your faithful servant," she smirked scanning the situation out of the corner of her eye.

She didn't have much time. Jumping back to her feet she stretched both her hands out.

"Allow me to escort you downstairs"

The two seemed hesitant but grabbed her hands anyways. That was all Surlina needed. It didn't take more than a split second. The two stood frozen to the ground as Surlina locked their minds away in her personal little prison.

The black in their eyes swirled into clouds and disappeared. Emeralds and rubies once again looked out into the world. But this time there was something different. There was something missing in the orbs, the spark of life that usually shone brightly was gone. Surlina released their hands and crossed her arms.

"My name is Surlina, and I am your master. You will do exactly as I say, is that understood."

The shells that were once Van and Hitomi nodded.

"First I want you to take him," Surlina pointed to Folken in disgust, "Down into the basment along with Michael. Lock them up there and then report back to me."

The two nodded and walked over to Folken's body. Hitomi bent down and pulled the sword out of his stomach. Folken groaned in pain as Van roughly threw him over his shoulder and followed Hitomi down the stairs.

Surlina turned around and watched them leave. Squealing in delight she stretched her arms out and smiled. Things were going better than she had planned.



Van rolled onto his back, his eyes still closed. He could feel the relaxing heat from the sun beating down on his chest and Hitomi's slender fingers wrapped around his. He was about to drift off to sleep when memories of what had happened came flooding back.

Hitomi's eyes, they had been black.

And the pain.

The beam.

He was in Ralle.

And the sun certainly didn't heat up like it was right now.

Opening his eyes he gazed up at the sky. And sure enough it was a beautiful blue sky with a bright and blazing sun hanging in the middle. Sitting up he looked around and frowned at the grass. How did they get here? More importantly what was 'here'?

Hitomi stirred and groaned sitting up. Squeezing her eyes shut she rubbed her head with her free hand. After a while she slowly let her eyes flutter open and gasped at the field they were sitting in. Turning to the side she sighed in relief that Van was sitting there.

Then she froze.

The last thing she remembered was shoving him out of the top room in Aloysia's temple. After that it was all fuzzy, she make out a few images of fighting with Folken but after he stabbed her shoulder it all went black. She couldn't remember a thing.

"Van."

Van stood up and pulled Hitomi with him.

"We'll talk later Hitomi, first we need to find out where we are and how we can get back to Surlina."

"Beautiful day isn't it?"

Van and Hitomi spun around towards the deep voice.

"Who are you?!" Van demanded pushing Hitomi behind him

"A friend," the man said smiling covering his eyes as he gazed up at the sky, "And as for Surlina, she's actually very close by I'm sure. As for reaching her, I'm afraid that's near impossible."

"And why is that?" Van asked keeping his guard up

"Because Surlina isn't the problem here, you are."

"I am?"

"You are the only thing stopping yourself."

Hitomi blinked to make sure she was seeing straight, but when she looked again the bright blue eyes continued staring back at her cheerfully.

"Jason?"

Jason pushed his bangs out of his eyes.

"Welcome"



A/N Hope everyone likes!!!! Thank you everyone again for all the reviews they are so encouraging!!!!!! Enjoy the reading and have a great day!!!!!!

Sailor Hope