Disclaimer: I don't Escaflowne. If I did, things would've been different. And I would have a whole helluva lot more money, and I'd be a much happier person.

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A/N: Well, the title of the chapter basically gives it all away. No more times jumps, thankfully, they were getting on my nerves. See the bottom for all notes to my wonderful reviewers, who I love so very much for all their great constructive criticism! Now, on with the story: will Hitomi see Van again? Will she? WILL SHE?! Read to find out, because I'm not telling.^^

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Chapter Five: Back on Gaea

"Hitomi?" A familiar voice sounded in Hitomi's head. She opened her eyes groggily. A blurred image hovered above her.

"Mrnnggg…" she groaned, heaving herself up into a sitting position. She looked around…it seemed like she was in a meadow, and there were trees all about. It was probably a clearing in a forest…

"It is Hitomi!" The voice yelled, and Hitomi could vaguely see the blurred figure motion for others to come over.

"Millerna?" Hitomi groaned, rubbing the heels of her palms on her temples.

"Yes, Hitomi, it's me…" Millerna crouched next to Hitomi comfortingly.

Hitomi's eyes snapped wide open, remembering. "Where…where's Yukari? Susumu?"

"Who?" Millerna asked concerned, rubbing Hitomi's shoulders.

"Yukari—my best friend…my only friend. And her husband is Susumu. Yukari is pregnant! I have to find her!" Hitomi stood, her legs giving out. Strong hands caught her.

"Careful, Wing Goddess. You don't want to hurt yourself your first day back, do you?"

"Allen?"

The blonde man smiled. "Glad to see you remember me."

Hitomi pushed herself out his arms. "I have to find Yukari—who knows what could have happened to her!"

"Hitomi?" A wonderfully familiar voice said. Hitomi turned.

There stood Yukari, exiting the forest, her hand pressed to the side of her head, the other holding her belly.

"Yukari!" Hitomi yelled, finding the strength in her legs to sprint across the meadow and catch Yukari before she fainted from dizziness and confusion.

"Allen! Millerna!" Hitomi called out, "Help me carry her to the Crusade. She's sick from the journey." Hell, Hitomi thought, I'm sick from the journey—and I've made it three times now!

Allen and Millerna helped Hitomi carry the pregnant woman to the Crusade, setting her up comfortably in—what appeared to be—a guest room. Hitomi sat carefully by Yukari's side, wiping sweat from her best friends brow.

"Wing Goddess?" A voice asked from the doorway. Hitomi turned, seeing Allen.

"Just 'Hitomi' Allen," Hitomi sighed exasperatedly. "Please?"

"All right, 'Hitomi'." Allen grinned. "You mentioned another?"

"Oh!" Hitomi jumped, realizing she had forgotten Amano in the panic of Yukari and her unborn baby. Thankfully, they had not begun to move yet. "He looks like…hmmm," Hitomi debated how to explain and then snapped her fingers. "Come 'ere." She gestured to Allen, and then reached into her back jean pocket.

Allen strolled over, hovering above Hitomi's seated figure. He took her in as she flipped through her wallet. She had let her hair grow out, it now reaching her waist in silky light brown waves. Her emerald eyes held so much more—and yet so much less—sadness than the last time he had seen her. Now she was dressed in some sort of pants, and what appeared to be a comfortable sleeveless shirt of some other odd material.

"Aha! Here it is!" Hitomi said triumphantly. She handed Allen a picture, not noticing the distant look in his eyes.

Allen took the picture, quickly shifting his gaze to the tiny piece of parchment…but it wasn't parchment—it was something else, and something very odd. He looked at it closely. There was Hitomi—with her short hair—hugging the woman she had called Yukari—only Yukari was not pregnant. And a man stood in the background, his hand on Yukari's shoulder, a look of love on his face. "What is this?" He asked.

"It's a picture. On Ear—I mean, on the Mystic Moon, we have devices that can hmmm, how to explain?" Hitomi thought, "These devices can 'paint portraits' kind of, that are exact replicas. Does that make sense?"

Allen grinned, shaking his head, "Not really, but don't worry about it."

Hitomi grinned back, "Well, this one here," she pointed with a slender finger at the picture. "That's what Amano looks like."

"Amano?" Allen asked, confused.

Hitomi blushed, "Oh, Amano is his last name. Susumu Amano—I just call him 'Amano' out of habit from when we were kids."

Allen looked closer at the man. He had chin length brown hair and dark brown eyes.

"We were younger then," Hitomi said softly. "My hair was still short. That was our senior year."

"Senior year?"

Hitomi giggled, remembering how little everyone on Gaea knew of Earth, "Last year of free school." Allen nodded his understanding. "Anyway, Amano's hair is short now, spiky—a little like Gaddes'," Hitomi laughed softly at the thought. "He's about your height, maybe a little taller."

Allen smiled, "All right, we'll go look for him." He turned to go.

"Allen, wait!" Hitomi reached out, grabbing Allen's arm.

"Yes, Hitomi?"

"Amano isn't the trusting type. I should go with you."

"What if she wakes up?" Allen gestured at Yukari.

"Oh," Hitomi said softly. "I guess that complicates things. Well, Yukari knows what's going on, Amano…I'm not so sure. Besides, it shouldn't take long." Hitomi stood. She leaned over and kissed Yukari's forehead. "I'll be back sister." She whispered.

"Ready?" Allen asked.

"Ready," Hitomi smiled.

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"Amano!" Hitomi yelled, scanning the forest around her.

"Amano!" Other voices yelled in the forest.

"Hitomi?" Hitomi turned, a tall silhouette blocking out the sunlight.

"Amano?" She asked, taking a step forward.

"Hitomi!" Amano pulled Hitomi into a deep, desperate hug. He held her, as if to reassure himself for a moment or two.

"Come on, Amano, let's go." Hitomi pulled away, and tried to guide her friend along.

"Where's Yukari?" He asked, suddenly panicked.

"She's safe, don't worry. And the baby appears to be fine too. She's aboard the Crusade—it's a friend of mine's ship…thing."

"Allen?"

"H…how did you know?" Hitomi asked, shocked. She slipped her hand behind Amano's back, helping him walk.

"I never let on, but I knew." Amano grinned, and Hitomi smiled back.

"I should know better than to keep secrets from my best friends," she laughed, shaking her head. 

"Amano!" A voice yelled in the forest again.

"I found him!" Hitomi yelled to the voice. She heard twigs snapping as her friends came running to her. Gaddes and Allen each supported a side of Amano, asking for no explanation.

"Allen, Gaddes: this is Susumu Amano. Amano, the blonde is Allen, and this is Gaddes." Hitomi quickly ran through introductions. Amano nodded at both the men who supported each side of him. Hitomi maneuvered her way back out of the forest with careful instructions from both Allen and Gaddes.

Upon reaching the Crusade, a beet red Katz came running up to Hitomi. He bent over, his hands on his knees, heaving.

"Shh…Katz? What is it?" Hitomi asked, kneeling to see his sweaty face. Katz looked up at her, panting, his eyes wide with worry.

"Y…your friend…Yukari…" Katz heaved.

"Yukari is here!" Amano yelled, jumping to run to the ship, only to have his legs give out on him. Gaddes deftly caught the man, who was only a few centimeters shorter than he.

"Shh Amano!" Hitomi scolded. She turned back to Katz, "What is it Katz?"

"She's…she…" he heaved. "She's gone into labor." Hitomi gasped, turning to look at Amano.

"Yu…Yukari?" Amano whispered, a look of terror on his face.

Hitomi paled, and then gulped, her eyes wide. She stood quickly and began to run towards the Crusade.

"Hitomi! Wait!" She heard Allen yell behind her, but she paid no heed. All she knew now was Yukari…

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"Yukari?!" Hitomi yelled, slamming the door to the guestroom open.

"Ungghh!!" Yukari screamed from the bed.

"Hitomi! You got here!" Millerna stood, her chocolate brown hair carefully tied back with a scarf. "I…there are no other women on board the Crusade, and I need help. I'm so glad you came back." Millerna handed Hitomi a wet rag, and sent her to sit by Yukari's head.

Hitomi sat down, gently brushing the cool rag on Yukari's forehead. "Hey, sweetie…" she cooed, holding Yukari's hand. Yukari squeezed as she contracted, and Hitomi bit her lip till it bled to keep from crying out.

"Su…Susumu?" Yukari managed to whisper through gritted teeth.

"Shh, honey. We found him and he's fine. He should be resting in another room. I'm sorry you had to come here with me…" Hitomi regretted everything—all of her adventure, her return, her book, all of it. She wanted to take it all back as Yukari screamed out in pain again.

"I…I'm glad I came…it's beautiful…" Yukari weakly lifted a hand and pointed a limp finger towards the window. Hitomi craned her neck around. Yukari was pointing at the midnight blue now night sky that held brilliantly bright stars and moon…and a clear aquamarine blue Earth. Hitomi smiled.

"It is beautiful, isn't it?" She asked, wrapping her arms around Yukari as she contracted again, screeching in pain.

Yukari held onto Hitomi tightly. "D…don't let go, okay?" Yukari gasped.

Hitomi shook her head, "Never."

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A cry pierced the darkness. Allen jerked his head towards the door, alarmed. Gaddes caught Allen's eye, and nodded. He left the room.

"Is…is Yukari going to be okay?" Amano asked, sitting wringing his hands with worry.

"I'm sure she will," Allen said softly, reassuring the man who looked more like a boy at the moment, his young eyes filled with worry.

"She's…this is too early…she wasn't due for another month…" Amano stood, staring out the window of the Crusade.

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Allen said, placing a comforting hand on Amano's shoulder. "Hell, I was three months early, and look at me now," Allen joked, for he was just as tall as Amano.

Amano took a deep breath, grinning. "I hope you're right…I really hope you're right…"

"I know I am," Allen said, his voice and face not belying the lack of confidence he felt inside.

"Sir?" A voice said from the door. Allen turned.

"Yes, Gaddes?"

"You're both wanted," Gaddes jerked his head the direction he wished to go. Only Allen caught the familiar mischievous glint of his eyes. Allen smiled softly behind Amano's back as Amano headed out the door following Gaddes.

Amano may not have noticed it, but the screaming had desisted, and Gaddes' eyes were smiling.

Only good could come of this…

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"Hello?" Amano said, knocking lightly on the door in front of him. Allen and Gaddes exchanged grins behind the nervous boy's back.

"Amano?" A voice inside said.

"Y…yes?" Amano said, pushing on the door. Damn. It was locked.

They heard a clicking inside, and Hitomi stood at the door, her long hair pulled back similarly to Millerna, who stood with her back to them, leaning over what appeared to be Yukari lying on a bed.

"Hello, Amano." Hitomi grinned. She grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the bed.

"Amano!" Yukari grinned, beaming on the bed. Amano let out a deep breath, realizing he had been holding it.

"Are you alright, 'Kari?" Amano asked, using his old nickname for her in his anxiety. He rushed to sit by her side, grabbing her free hand. Her other hand held a bundle of cloth to her chest.

"I'm fine Amano…it wasn't that bad," Yukari grinned devilishly, ignoring the annoyed look on Amano's face.

He knew it was that bad. He had heard her screaming. "So…what is it?" He asked timidly, craning around to look at the baby's face.

"It's a girl," Hitomi said, smiling from the doorway.

"We were thinking that 'Hitomi' could be her middle name, rather than her first," Yukari said, smiling at Amano, whose dark brown eyes were huge and wet.

"S…sure," he said, stumbling over his words. He sniffled, his joy overflowing out of his eyes in soft salty tears. "C…can I hold her?"

"Of course, silly," Yukari chided, carefully handing the sleeping baby girl to Amano. The big man carefully took the tiny olive colored creature into his arms, his eyes huge with adoration. He cradled her for a few moments, cooing like a little girl.

Yukari, Hitomi and Millerna were turning bright red, attempting to keep their laughter from eruption. Allen and Gaddes had gracefully exited, and emptied their laughter full bellies in the mess hall.

"If not 'Hitomi', then what, 'Kari?" Amano asked, still carefully cradling the girl like porcelain worth trillions of yen.

"What about 'Yuri'?" Yukari suggested.

"I like that," Hitomi said, smiling. She squeezed Yukari's hand, and Yukari squeezed back, her entire being beaming like a ray of sunshine in her pride.

"Yuri…" Amano tested. "Yuri Amano.* I like it…" he sighed happily.

"You'd like anything, Susumu…just so long as it's your baby…" Yukari joked, finally laughing. Hitomi joined in. Amano, realizing the joke was on him, too began to laugh, before Yuri began to cry again, and he handed her back to Yukari. Yukari took her carefully and cooed her back to sleep.

Hitomi gracefully exited, leaving the trio alone in peace.

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Hitomi somehow managed to find the way to the mess hall, her long memory serving her well. Upon entering, she was met with many laughs and hugs from old friends.

"Wing Goddess!" Teo laughed, hugging her.

"It's just 'Hitomi', Teo…just call me Hitomi," she laughed good naturedly.

"All right then men!" Teo laughed, jumping on a table, "Men! Meet Hitomi! Our former­­—and don't forget that men, or she might smite you down—our former Wing Goddess!" Teo raised his beer.

Hitomi grinned at Reeden, an impish look in her eyes. Reeden looked at her quizzically before Hitomi turned and tapped the back of Teo's knees, causing them to bend against Teo's will. Teo crashed down onto the table, crushing it beneath his weight.

Everyone laughed, even Allen. Hitomi turned, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. Allen jerked his head towards the door, and Hitomi followed.

Out in the fresh air of the porch and the silence of the night, Allen smiled down at Hitomi's still-small figure.

"You've grown, Hitomi," he observed.

"And you haven't!" She grinned, sipping her cider with a mischievous look in her eyes, then placing the mug on the deck, leaned on the railing comfortably.

Allen laughed affably, putting his hands up in mock surrender, "Fair enough! Fair enough…"

Hitomi smiled, looking down at the oxen below who were slowly but steadily pulling the Crusade along. "Where are we going?" She asked, curious.

"First we'll be making a stop in Torushina to re-supply and see Dryden," Allen began.

"Dryden! How is he?" Hitomi asked, excited at the mention of the old friend.

"He's fine, and as contrary as ever," Allen smiled.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Hitomi asked, resuming her position leaning on the railing, looking at the oxen with a smile in her eyes.

"And then we will be going to Adon."

"Adon?" Hitomi asked, looking up at Allen.

"Mmm," he nodded. "Van sent a message a few weeks ago, asking us to pick up some supplies for the village."

"Oh." Hitomi said simply, leaning back on the railing, her chin in her hands.

Allen cocked his head to the side, looking at Hitomi with curious eyes. "He should be there, Hitomi. Van, I mean…" Allen patted Hitomi's shoulder and then went back to the spirited jovial men inside.

Hitomi sighed, turning and sliding into a sitting position. She pulled her knees to her chest, her back to the sturdy railing. She placed her cheek on her knees, thinking.

Do you even remember me, Van? Hitomi thought sadly. How long has it been here? Surely by now Fanelia has been rebuilt, and you are probably so much happier without me…

Hitomi shook her head, dispelling the depressing thoughts, though the movement did nothing to disturb the newly awoken ache in her heart.

Van…she thought longingly.

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*Yuri Amano is actually the woman who was the voice of Princess Eries Aria Aston (Millerna's older sister, and second oldest princess of Asturia, next to Marlene) but only in the series. Marlene and Eries do not even appear in the movie. Yuri Amano was also the voice of Naria, who when she was eight, was called Narunaru. Yuri Amano did both the 18 year-old voice of Naria and the eight year-old voice of Narunaru. For those of you uneducated people: Naria and Eriya are the gold and silver cat women twins that are loyal to and answer directly to Folken in the series. In the movie, Naria and Eriya are, interestingly enough, never actually named, but work for Dryden, in his tavern as singer-entertainers. More interesting stuff: Naria and Eriya bore different names in Katsu-Aki's Shounen Manga version of "Escaflowne". Naria was called Silha or Shiruha, (a play on the Japanese word for silver: shiruba) and Eriya was called Kolt or Koruto (a play on the Japanese word for gold: go-rudo). Eriya's voice, both when she was 18 and when she was eight (when Eriya was eight she was called Belubelu—or by some—Beruberu) was done by Narumi Hidaka. Wow, that was a really long little asterisk thingy. Hehehe, aren't I evil?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FINAL A/N: Mwahaha! I made you think that Hitomi would see Van again! Aren't I a stinker? Nope, no Van yet, but he will show up sometimes soon. This will be a Van and Hitomi romance eventually, but I have to torture my wonderful readers with suspense. *dodges flying object* Don't hurt me! I can't finish the story if you hurt me! Anyway, here are some notes to my wonderful reviewers, who I love and adore so much:

Tsuki: I agree that at a first glance in the movie, Yukari and Hitomi don't seem that close, but in truth they are. I mean, how many people do you know that would say, "If you're going to, tell me so I can do it with you," when talking about suicide? Okay, one can argue that she was just joking, but I know how things work between those two types of friends, because I have several friends that are like that. So, I'm just saying, that was my interpretation of the relationship between Yukari and Hitomi. I agree that Yukari chasing Amano around was ridiculous if it was after the phone call, so I went back and edit that part of the story, have a look and tell me what you think. I think I did a pretty lame job, but that was only because I was anxious to finish this chapter up and start the next.^^

SabineballZ: No, I'm not going to torture Hitomi needlessly with a Van-bride-to-be. I'm evil—but not that evil. I'm so glad you like the story, because I'm putting a lot of effort forth into this story, and I want people to like it.

Kiya: Yes! Hitomi is not sad! Whee yay! Yeah, I noticed that, in a lot of fics, Hitomi was miserable after leaving Gaea. In reality, I don't think Hitomi would be sad, because of Yukari, and her newfound faith in life, and her newfound wish to live life. So, I have a happy Hitomi as a result—sorry to all the fans of Hitomi-is-miserable-until-she-returns-to-Gaea fics—but this isn't one of those! (And it sure as hell won't be either!)

Katsu-chan: You haven't seen the movie yet?! You poor soul! All the pretty and nice drawings and much more enjoyable characters you're missing out on! My mom bought my "Escaflowne" DVD's at www.half.com (which is a branch of www.ebay.com) I'd suggest checking there for the movie, because it is very much worth it in my opinion. I'm glad you like my story, and I'm glad you want to know what happens to the wonderful Van. (If I had it my way, I'D get Van.^^) No, seriously now… Anyway! I have to leave my chapters with cliffhangers—that way you come back for more! And I left you with another one today! Mwahahaha!

Azure: Gah! Don't kill me! I'm updating! I'm updating! *ducks for cover and hides* Yes, Yukari is married to Amano (who actually didn't show up in the movie, but I felt like sticking him in there anyway^^) and yes, she is having his baby…and I'm not telling what the baby is! Mwahaha! (Sorry, I'm in an evil laugh mood today.^^)

Narouki: I'm updating as much as I can! I am! Really! I have school too, you know! I'm only 17! Give a girl a break! But, I love you forever for reviewing for me, and giving me the encouragement! I need as much as I can get! *hugs Narouki*

Larania: Yay! Another review! (Mmm…yay, I've got a loyal reader.^^) If you have ideas, please, feel free to email them to me, because, I have a general idea of what's going to happen, but any suggestions would be wonderful and would make me very happy, because I'm always a bit short on ideas, but who isn't? (Don't answer that.^^)

Ungoddess: You're probably going to kill me for this, but I have no clue what "tsubasa no kami" means. *dodges flying object* Yeah, things have to go well for Hitomi, damn it! Besides, it's not like she's getting the royalties of a best selling author (which are, in truth, not very 'royal' and actually pretty pathetic…) Hitomi is only getting to be special enough to have good things happen, and then more good things, like going back to Gaea. (I never said everything on Gaea would be good. *grins evilly* I never said a thing, all I know is…don't hurt me *cringes in fear*) Oh, and I guess this chapter kind of answers your question, "Is Yukari going to have her baby on Gaea, now?" Doesn't it? Heheh, hope you liked it.^^ Oh, and you should still write your story, even though I'm doing mine. I'm so, so, so, so, so very happy that you like mine. *dances in happy circles* Okay, not really, cause I can't dance…

Wow, I'm in a very ^^ mood today, aren't I? Well, I guess that's what happens when you come back from your first day back at school after spring break, and your email inbox is filled to the brim with reviews. I love you all so, so, so, so, so much! *hugs all* A shout out to dillpops: what are you talking about? These chapters are long! I checked, each one is about 3 pages long without any of the 'enters' between! That makes them about 6 pages long when I put them up on the web! Crazy! And you'd better appreciate this chapter! It's six pages long to begin with! Without the 'enters'! (But, that's what happens when you come home from school and type for about three hours straight, give or take the time I played with my little sister. I really should do my homework…bah! Homework sucks! Screw it!) Now if that wasn't a long, long, long, long "FINAL A/N," then I don't know what is. Phew! Anyway…thanks again a million times over for the reviews, they really make my day, and make writing this so worth the time and effort I put into these things. Please keep reviewing for me, no matter how annoying the suspense is. I love you all! Thanks for the reviews, keep up the good work! (And for those of you reading and not reviewing: Baaaaaddd! Go review! Now I tell you! Please?)