Disclaimer: All Escaflowne characters and references belong to their respective owners. The song No Need to Promise and translation belong to the company that recorded and were used in this story with the best of intentions. Story elements © Hideki LaShae. No money was gained in the writing of this story.
Dedicated to the people of Gaia and the people of my world, may they never meet in anger.
Good-bye, Gaia!
By Hideki LaShae
Chapter Three: Go Home, Hitomi!
Was it all just a dream or maybe a vision? No, no, it couldn't have been! I know it really happened! It all started when I was with my best friends, Yukari and Amano! I had this terrible vision that Fanelia was burning again. I called on Van to take me back to Gaia where I learned that a strange disease is killing everyone I care about…Most of my friends are dead! Now, only Van and I survive, but since he can't come to Earth with me, how much longer will we have together?
Hitomi Kanzaki wraps her arms around her companion and rests her head on his shoulder. Her light brown hair, with its boyish style, flies behind her in the wind.
Van Fanel sits in front of Hitomi holding the controlling reins of the dragon they ride. His brown eyes look quickly over his shoulder as his disheveled black hair rustles in the wind. "Are you tired, Hitomi? We could stop for awhile."
"I'm only a little tired, Van," says Hitomi, "I think I'm mostly just sad. All our friends are…"
"Gone," says Van, "but we can't bring them back. Let's land for a bit."
The white dragon starts its descent. It isn't a real dragon. It's metal and machinery, one of two forms that the Hyspano guymelef, Escaflowne, is capable of taking on. It lands in the center of a field of wildflowers.
Van and Hitomi climb down from Escaflowne's back.
Hitomi looks around with her green eyes.
Van notices the worry in Hitomi's eyes. "Are you all right, Hitomi?"
"Oh… I just was thinking," says Hitomi quietly. She looks deeply into Van's eyes. She smiles. "About my reading. It was so confusing, but what if it comes true?"
"We'll deal with that if we ever need to," says Van. He hugs Hitomi tenderly.
"Van…"
"Hitomi…"
"I want…"
Van presses his lips firmly against Hitomi's making it impossible for her to finish her sentence.
Hitomi pulls herself closer to Van as he kisses her.
Van slowly pulls out of the kiss and looks deeply into Hitomi's eyes. "Hitomi… I've been thinking quite a lot recently. Since Fanelia burned down again."
"About what?" asks Hitomi smiling. She relaxes in his arms.
"About us. About the future. I would like to build a small house for us," says Van, "Not too big… just something for you and me and maybe one other."
Hitomi blushes.
"I would like you to live in that house with me, Hitomi," says Van, "I would like for you to be my wife."
"Wife?" asks Hitomi.
"Would you marry me, Hitomi?" asks Van.
Hitomi smiles. "Oh, yes! Van! I'll be your wife!"
Van kisses Hitomi quickly. "Thank you! That makes me very happy! I'll be a good husband to you!"
Hitomi embraces Van tightly. "Lay down with me, Van. Hold me close to you while we sleep."
Van lowers Hitomi to the ground and lies down beside her. He gently lays his arm over her chest. He smiles lovingly at her. He whispers into her ear, "Please don't ask me to go any further. I couldn't refuse you… but I don't want to dishonor you."
"I won't ask you," whispers Hitomi, "Not tonight anyway." She smiles at Van.
Hitomi and Van stare into each other's eyes for a long time before they both finally fall asleep.
* * *
Hitomi passes a piece of jerky to Van. "That's the last of the lunch my mom packed."
"We'll need to find our own food then," says Van taking a bite of the dried meat.
Hitomi nods as she slowly eats her own piece of jerky.
Van sits down and sighs.
"Are you all right, Van?" asks Hitomi, "You look a little flushed."
"I'm fine," says Van quickly.
Hitomi quickly reaches her hand up to feel Van's forehead. She swallows hard and looks at him fearfully. "You have a fever."
"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't want you to worry," says Van.
Hitomi falls into Van's arms and cries. "I don't want to lose you, Van! I don't want to lose you!"
"I know, Hitomi! I don't want to lose you either!" exclaims Van wrapping his arms tightly around Hitomi.
"We haven't much time left!" exclaims Hitomi drying her eyes, "Your last moments are going to be as happy as we can make them!"
Van's cheeks turn a deep crimson as he looks at Hitomi. "We should be close to a small farm. Would you like to go there? Maybe we could borrow a few supplies from them."
"All right!"
Van climbs up onto the back of Escaflowne and holds out his hand to help Hitomi up.
Hitomi climbs up behind Van and wraps her arms tightly around his waist. "I'm ready, Van!"
Van rubs Hitomi's arm before turning his attention to control Escaflowne and have the dragon rise into the air.
"This is the way our life was meant to be," says Van, "Soaring above the world together."
"I agree," says Hitomi.
Van turns his head to look back at Hitomi.
Hitomi kisses Van quickly.
Van smiles and blushes slightly.
"Hey, is that the farmstead?" asks Hitomi pointing to a house amidst the fields.
"Yes, it is."
Escaflowne dives down and lands in front of the house.
"Hello! Is anyone home?" calls Van.
"Stay where you are! You mustn't come any closer!" shouts a man from inside the house.
Hitomi climbs down from Escaflowne's back. "We come to ask for help."
"You can get none here! Now go away!" yells the man.
"Has the fever struck this place?" asks Van jumping down.
"You know of the disease? Yes. We are all infected! Go, before you get sick!" yells the man.
"The disease has already afflicted us," says Hitomi.
The door to the little farmhouse opens, and the man steps out. His pale red hair hangs from his head in patches. Most of his fur has already been shed, leaving his wolf-like image tattered. His skin is dry and cracking. "You are also ill?"
"Yes," says Van, "All our companions have already died from this disease."
A small girl slips past the man, and she walks towards Hitomi slowly. She stumbles every third step she takes. She is at the most six years old, but probably younger. Her yellow eyes are filled with tears, and her skin hangs loosely from her body, making her look very much like she's been starved almost to death.
"Maria! Go back inside with your mother!" exclaims the man.
The girl looks at Hitomi with pleading eyes. "Help me!"
This girl! She's the one from my vision! She's the one who called me back to Gaia!
Hitomi moves quickly to catch the little girl as she falls. She smiles. "My name is Hitomi Kanzaki."
"My name is Maria. Will you help me?" asks the girl.
"I don't think I can," says Hitomi.
"You just need to believe… and wish," whispers Maria.
"What?" whispers Hitomi.
Maria whispers something into Hitomi's ear.
Hitomi looks back towards Van, and she smiles. "Would you mind if I take Maria for a little walk? She would like to show me something."
"No! Maria must stay here!" exclaims the man.
"She's dying. Let her go," whispers a woman coming up behind the man.
The man looks at his wolf-woman wife. He sees how weak and frail she is because of the disease. "You may go, Maria."
Hitomi nods and starts to walk away with Maria. Her duffle bag is still slung across the shoulder of her sailor girl uniform.
"Do you know why you came here?" asks Maria leading Hitomi to a small flower garden.
"No…"
"You're the witness. You get to see the death and rebirth," says Maria.
"Do you know who I am, Maria?" asks Hitomi.
"You're from the Mystic Moon," says Maria.
"Where are we going? How do you know I'm from the Mystic Moon?" asks Hitomi. She stops walking.
"We're here. This is where I'll die," says Maria. She looks at Hitomi. "Wish… wish for us to join you on the Mystic Moon!"
Hitomi closes her eyes and makes her wish.
I wish for the people of Gaia to be born on Earth! I wish to see all my friends again on my home planet of Earth! I wish, I wish, I wish!
Hitomi opens her eyes as the ground starts to tremble and quake. She screams.
Maria falls to the ground.
The ground beneath Maria starts to crumble and fall into itself.
Maria falls into a vast hole in the ground.
Hitomi turns and tries to run away.
The ground beneath Hitomi's feet falls away.
Hitomi screams.
A pair of strong arms wraps themselves around Hitomi and stops her fall.
Hitomi looks over her shoulder and sees Van smiling at her.
"You're safe now, Hitomi," says Van.
"Thank you, Van," says Hitomi smiling at him.
Van flies them over the farmhouse. He lands them on Escaflowne's back. He shouts towards the man, "Would you come with us?"
"We'll die here!" exclaims the man, "But thanks for the offer, King of Fanelia!"
Van nods briskly, and Escaflowne lifts up into the sky.
"My vision came true. All of it," says Hitomi sitting in Van's lap.
"I know. I'm sorry you had to see this," says Van.
"I chose to come back, remember?" replies Hitomi.
"I'm glad you did. I couldn't handle this without you!" exclaims Van holding Hitomi.
Hitomi wraps her arms around Van's neck. "Van, what would you like to do?"
"I want to spend the rest of my time on Gaia with you… alone with you," says Van.
"We… we could pretend…" Hitomi's cheeks turn crimson. She swallows hard. "We could pretend that we're married… No one should die without first knowing… the physical act of love."
"I do not wish to dishonor you, Hitomi," says Van smiling and blushing bright red, "but thank you for the offer."
"You don't want me?" Hitomi turns her gaze away from Van's brown eyes.
"I do! I want you to be my wife and mother to my children!" exclaims Van taking the Escaflowne down for a landing, "I want you to be in my bed… doing all the things that only a wife would do! Hitomi, it is taking all of my willpower trying to keep me from unclothing you and touching every part of your body!"
Escaflowne lands.
Van releases the controls and embraces Hitomi tightly. He turns her around and starts kissing her face feverishly. He searches her face desperately for her mouth, kissing his way to her lips. When he finds her lips, he gives her a long, passionate kiss.
"You want to bed me, but you want to marry me first," says Hitomi breathing heavily after their kiss.
"That is my wish exactly," says Van smiling, "but there is also another concern…"
"Let me guess… you don't want me to be a young widow," says Hitomi.
Van nods.
Hitomi smiles. "Maybe then we should just spend the rest of our time together lying side by side and kissing when we feel the need."
Van jumps down from Escaflowne's back and pulls Hitomi down into his arms. "That would be a dream come true, Hitomi!"
"Can you make us a fire? I can climb up these trees and pick this fruit," says Hitomi.
"The fruit is sour but edible!" exclaims Van, "We can roast it over the fire. I'll make the fire. You be careful climbing that tree."
"I will," says Hitomi.
Van starts to gather up firewood as Hitomi takes off her jacket and sets it on the ground with her bag.
Van watches as Hitomi starts to climb up a tree. He sees flashes of the white undergarment she wears. He smiles as his cheeks redden. He continues about his task of making a fire.
"Hey, Van! Can you help me?" asks Hitomi.
Van runs over to the tree. "Are you hurt?"
"No. I just can't climb down with these," says Hitomi, "I'll toss them down to you!"
"I'm ready."
Hitomi drops the hard-shelled fruits down to Van, and he catches them.
"This should be enough for awhile," says Van, "Come on down."
Hitomi climbs down the tree with Van watching her every move. She lifts her jacket and duffle bag.
Van leads Hitomi to the fire. He puts two of the fruits on the edge of the fire to cook and sets the rest aside. "It won't take them long to cook."
"How do you feel?" asks Hitomi as Van sits down.
"Hot. Otherwise fine."
Hitomi rolls up her jacket and sets it behind Van. She pulls him down so that his head rests on her jacket. "Are you comfortable?"
"Yes," says Van smiling.
Hitomi lies down beside Van and rests her head on his shoulder.
"Tell me about your world, Hitomi. What do you do there?" asks Van, "Tell me everything."
"Well, I wake up in the morning, and I put on this uniform. Then I go downstairs. My little brother complains about having to go to school. I eat a bowl of cereal and have a glass of juice. Then I jog off to the subway station. I ride the subway for several blocks, then I walk the rest of the way to my high school and see my best friend Yukari," says Hitomi.
"Is she the girl you were with the first time I met you?" asks Van.
"Yes. That was her and Amano was there too! They are dating now," says Hitomi, "I have several classes where I learn things that will help me on my way to a career. After school, I change into my track clothes and go to practice. That's where I trained my body so that I can run so fast and jump so far."
"Please go on," says Van.
Hitomi caresses Van's chest. "After that, I walk several blocks towards my home with Amano and Yukari. I take the subway the rest of the way home. I do my homework. I have dinner with my family. Then I take a bath and go to bed. On the weekends though, it's a different story."
"What do you do on weekends?" asks Van touching Hitomi and stroking her side.
"I get up and get dressed. I have breakfast and watch a few cartoons with my little brother. Then I normally go out with Yukari. Sometimes with Amano too. Yukari and I will go shopping or we'd go to a movie with Amano," says Hitomi, "Is it time to check the fruit?"
"It should be done. Use a stick to push it from the fire. Once it cools enough to touch, we'll need to crack it open. Then we can eat," says Van.
Hitomi sits up. She grabs a stick and pushes the two hard-shelled fruits away from the flames.
Van pulls Hitomi back down to him and wraps his arms tightly around her. "I would like to be there… going shopping with you and Yukari. And going with Yukari and Amano to this movie with you."
"A double date," whispers Hitomi.
"I'm rather tired. Once we eat, I would like to sleep awhile," says Van. He sits up to check the fruit. He grabs one and cracks it in half on a rock. He passes half of it to Hitomi.
Hitomi and Van eat the two fruits in silence. Then they lie down together to sleep.
~ ~ ~
Van walks towards a small house. He wears odd clothing, the same type of clothes he saw on Hitomi's friend, Amano. He opens the door and steps into the living room. "I'm home!"
Merle runs into the living room. "Van!"
"Merle!" exclaims Van.
Merle pounces on Van. "I've missed you!"
"You saw me three hours ago!" exclaims Van embracing Merle.
Hitomi appears in the doorway to the kitchen. "Welcome home, Van."
"Hitomi!" Van rushes to Hitomi and kisses her. "I love you, Hitomi!"
"Van…"
~ ~ ~
"Van!" exclaims Hitomi shaking him, "Van!"
Van slowly opens his eyes.
"Oh! You're awake! I think the hallucinations have started!" exclaims Hitomi, "You were mumbling in your sleep!"
"I was dreaming. I came home to find you and Merle waiting for me," says Van smiling at Hitomi.
Hitomi feels Van's forehead. "Your fever's gone."
"Hitomi, I want to hold you."
Hitomi lies down beside Van.
Van holds Hitomi close to him. "Hitomi, may I call you my wife?"
"Of course, Van!"
"Hitomi, my wife, I would like for you to take your necklace back. Please return to the Mystic Moon," says Van.
"Only once you're gone will I return to the Mystic Moon," says Hitomi. She takes the necklace from around Van's neck and places it around her own. "I won't leave you."
Van holds Hitomi tightly. "Hitomi, there is something I really must tell you."
Hitomi kisses Van's lips.
"Don't try to distract me, my wife. I must say this now before it's too late," says Van.
"I don't want you to leave me, Van," says Hitomi, "my husband."
"I don't want to leave you, my wife," says Van, "but I am dying." His skin starts to look dry and scaly. It starts cracking and preparing to fall from his bones.
"I know, but I don't want it to be true!"
"Hitomi, listen to me," says Van.
Hitomi looks into Van's brown eyes, and she brushes his dark brown hair away from his face. "I'm listening, Van."
"Hitomi, I want you to marry me and be my wife. I want you to be the mother of my children," says Van, "I love you, Hitomi."
"Van! I love you, Van!" exclaims Hitomi. She starts to cry.
Van pulls Hitomi to him and he kisses her forehead. "I had to tell you, Hitomi. I love you!"
"I love you too, Van! I love you very much!" exclaims Hitomi, "I want you to be my husband! No one else!" She rests her head on Van's chest to listen to his heartbeat, and she cries herself to sleep.
Van wraps his arms around Hitomi and allows himself to drift off to sleep with her.
* * *
Van wakes Hitomi. "How do you feel, Hitomi?"
"Sad," says Hitomi looking at Van, "How do you feel, Van?"
"I feel like I'm losing you!" exclaims Van.
"You don't have to. I could stay here and die beside you," says Hitomi clenching his hand desperately.
"No. You must live, Hitomi," says Van, "My lovely wife… You can't die that easily, Hitomi!"
Hitomi starts to cry as some of Van's skin caves in.
"I don't have much time left. Please, tell me you aren't sick, Hitomi," whispers Van.
Hitomi feels her forehead. She lifts Van's hand to feel her temperature. "It's normal. I'm not sick."
"Thank the Gods," says Van. He smiles.
"I love you, Van!"
"I love you, Hitomi!"
"Good-bye," whispers Hitomi, "until we meet in the place beyond death."
"Good-bye, my wife, until we meet again," says Van quietly.
Hitomi holds onto Van tightly as fist his skin collapses and then as his skin falls from his body completely. She holds the skeleton for many more minutes until it falls to dust in her arms. "Van!"
Hitomi screams and bursts into a fit of tears. She sobs uncontrollably for what seems like forever. She finally calms herself as the sun sets in the distance. She looks up at the Mystic Moon. She grabs her jacket and stuffs it into her duffle bag.
Hitomi stands up and swings her duffle bag onto her left shoulder. She clenches the pink stone of her pendant in her right hand and she yells, "Take me back to the Mystic Moon! Take me back to Earth!"
The beam of pink light surrounds Hitomi and connects Gaia with the Mystic Moon.
"Good-bye, Gaia!" Hitomi rises slowly towards the celestial body. She feels the pendant in her hand getting warmer, and she starts to have another vision.
~ ~ ~
Hitomi walks down a stone garden path. There are roses and rhododendrons all around her. She wears a long white dress that shimmers in the morning light. She passes a small ornate fountain, and she stops to admire her reflection.
Hitomi sees the crown of white roses upon her head, and she smiles. She continues to walk down the stone pathway. She walks through an ivy-laden lattice archway. She steps up beside Merle.
Merle wears a knee-length, pink dress, and her tail hangs limply beneath the dress. She smiles at Hitomi, and her ears perk up.
Hitomi looks beyond Merle and sees Millerna.
Millerna wears a baby blue, knee-length dress. She nods her head and smiles at Hitomi.
Hitomi looks past Millerna to see Yukari wearing a baby blue, knee-length dress.
Yukari waves and smiles at Hitomi.
Hitomi smiles at her three friends.
Van steps up beside Hitomi and offers her his hand.
Hitomi's heart pounds as she takes Van's hand. She looks past Van and sees Dryden with his dark brown ponytail and glasses.
Dryden wears a black tuxedo and stands next to Allen who also wears a black tuxedo.
Hitomi looks past Allen to see Amano in a sleek black suit.
The three men smile at Hitomi.
Hitomi looks into Van's eyes.
Van kisses Hitomi. He slips a gold band onto the ring finger of her left hand.
Hitomi looks down at the pink stone pendant she wears and she watches as the pink stone turns to an opaque cream.
~ ~ ~
"Hitomi! Hitomi!"
"Oh, I'm all right, Yukari," says Hitomi quietly as she opens her eyes. She blinks quickly as she realizes that she's lying in the middle of the track.
"I think you must be anemic," says Amano helping Hitomi to stand up, "You just passed out. That is the third time this month. Did you speak to the school nurse like I asked you to? I'm worried about you, Kanzaki."
Hitomi looks all around her. "How long was I out?"
"Maybe five minutes," says Amano, "Are you okay?"
"I… I'm fine really. You don't have to worry about me," says Hitomi, "The nurse said I'm fine."
"Kanzaki?" asks Amano as Hitomi walks back to the bench to slip on her windbreaker.
Yukari runs over and throws her arms around Hitomi's neck. "Hitomi! You ran the hundred meter in twelve point three seconds!"
"What?" asks Hitomi with wide green eyes, "I had barely broken thirteen seconds."
"It's true, Hitomi! Twelve point three!" exclaims Yukari releasing Hitomi.
"You were running, and all of a sudden, you just sped up!" exclaims Amano, "Where did you get that extra motivation, Kanzaki?"
Hitomi runs her hands through her short, light brown hair and buries her face in her hands. She shrugs her shoulders. She shakes silently as she cries.
"Kanzaki, are you sure you are all right?" asks Amano.
"Hitomi? You're trembling!" exclaims Yukari.
"I have to go!" exclaims Hitomi grabbing her street shoes and running off the track. She pauses only for a second to quickly change shoes then she runs off again.
"Hitomi Kanzaki! Where are you going?" screams Yukari.
"I have to go!" exclaims Hitomi running away faster. She runs across the courtyard and enters the school. She gets her bag from the girls' locker room and quickly leaves. She doesn't even bother with changing into her school uniform. She just hurries away from the school, and she doesn't stop until she walks into the kitchen at home. She looks at her mother. "Mom…"
The woman turns to look at Hitomi. "Hitomi? What are you doing back so soon?"
"Mom… the man I love promised me he'd come back with me," says Hitomi, "He broke his promise… I really love him!"
"Hitomi… this man, is he from a world called Gaia?" asks Mrs. Kanzaki taking Hitomi's hands, "Your grandmother told me all about Gaia. Do as you must, Hitomi. Live a happy life!"
Hitomi quickly embraces her mother. "I love you, Mom!"
"I love you too, Hitomi," says Mrs. Kanzaki.
Hitomi runs up to her room. She drops her bag on her bed and opens her desk drawer. She lifts a deck of tarot cards and shuffles them. She smiles and lays out ten cards on her desk with their faces down. She turns over the first two cards. "The Three of Swords and the World… Gaia is in pain."
Hitomi flips over the third card. "The changes Gaia's going through."
Hitomi turns over the fourth and fifth cards. "Alone. Reunion with old friends."
Hitomi turns over the sixth card. "Death," she says flipping over the next card, "The Moon."
Hitomi flips over the next two cards. "Learning new skills, a new beginning."
Hitomi turns over the last card. "The spare," she whispers as she draws the top card from the deck, "and me… The High Priestess."
Hitomi gathers up all the tarot cards and places them in her bag. She pulls out her school uniform and changes into her Sailor shirt and skirt. She puts her track clothes into her bag beside her tarot cards. She touches her neck where the pendant hangs. She zips the bag closed and slings it over her shoulder. She heads downstairs and into the kitchen.
Hitomi kisses her mom's cheek and leaves. She heads back to the school grounds as the sunsets. She places her bag on the finish line and changes into her track shoes.
"Hitomi!"
"Kanzaki!"
The lights around the track flare to life.
Hitomi looks up to see Yukari and Amano running towards her.
"Hitomi! What's going on? You're acting so strange!" exclaims Yukari.
"I'm sorry, Yukari. I have to go! I must go to him!" exclaims Hitomi, "He's gone! He's gone!"
"Who's gone, Kanzaki?" asks Amano as Hitomi starts to cry.
"Van!" Hitomi falls to her knees in a fit of tears. "I must go!"
Yukari looks at Amano with fearful eyes. "I don't know where you think you're going, but we're not letting you! Hitomi, you aren't yourself!"
Hitomi wipes her eyes and takes off her jacket. She drops it on her bag and moves to the starting block.
"Hitomi! Are you listening to me?" asks Yukari as Hitomi sets herself up on the blocks.
"Yukari, would you time me? I want to try to beat twelve seconds before I go," says Hitomi looking up at the finish line.
"I'll time you, Kanzaki," says Amano, "but if you don't beat twelve seconds… we won't let you go."
Hitomi nods.
Amano holds up his watch to look at it. "Whenever you're ready, Kanzaki!"
"Give it everything you've got!" exclaims Hitomi. She pushes herself forward and starts running as fast as she can.
"One… two… three," says Amano counting the seconds.
"Hitomi!" exclaims Yukari.
Van! I'll be joining you soon! I'll end my life so we can be together.
"Four… five… six," says Amano.
I just need to beat twelve seconds!
"Van!" screams Hitomi.
"Hitomi!" exclaims Yukari fearfully.
"Seven… eight… nine," says Amano, "Ten… eleven… twelve…"
Hitomi falls to the ground inches away from the finish line. She curls up into a ball on the ground and wails as the tears pour forth from her eyes.
Amano and Yukari race to Hitomi's side.
"Hitomi!" exclaims Yukari pulling Hitomi into her arms.
Hitomi pulls both Amano and Yukari into her arms and holds them close to her as she cries.
"Hitomi!" exclaims Yukari, "You scared me to death! I thought…"
"I intended to kill myself once I'd beaten twelve seconds," says Hitomi.
"Kanzaki! You can't be serious!" exclaims Amano, "Nothing… no man… is worth losing your life for!"
"Hitomi! Come home with me tonight," says Yukari, "I don't think you should be alone!"
Hitomi nods her head.
Amano stands up and lifts Hitomi into his arms. "Are you all right, Kanzaki?"
Hitomi buries her face in Amano's shoulder and whispers, "I'm fine, Allen."
Yukari stands up. She moves to get Hitomi's bag. "Let's go!"
Amano carries Hitomi off the track and to his car with Yukari following a step behind.
Yukari opens the back door.
Amano places Hitomi in the car and locks her in.
Yukari and Amano climb into the front seat.
Yukari drops Hitomi's bag into the floorboard at her feet. "Um… Hitomi, how do you know that… uh, Van is gone?"
"I… I saw it. I saw him die."
"Hitomi." Yukari reaches back towards her best friend.
Amano starts the car and begins to head for Yukari's house.
"I love him so much," says Hitomi, "I wanted to marry him."
Amano looks sideways at Yukari. "Kanzaki… don't give up hope. Life never deals us a fortune that we can't handle."
Hitomi dries her eyes and smiles. "You're right, Amano."
The car pulls up in front of Yukari's house, and the three friends head inside. They put a movie in to watch.
The movie isn't even halfway through when Yukari notices that Hitomi's asleep in her chair.
* * *
Hitomi sits sadly at her desk as her classmates talk noisily around her.
The door opens, and the new teacher steps into the room. He is followed by a lovely woman holding a baby. "Attention, class!"
Everyone turns their attention to the man at the front of the room… everyone except Hitomi who keeps her eyes on her desk.
"I am your new teacher. My name is Allen Shezar!" exclaims the man, "Hitomi Kanzaki! Would you please pay attention!"
Hitomi's head snaps up quickly, and she stares wide-eyed at the people before her. She stands up in shock, and her jaw drops.
Allen Shezar stands at the front of the classroom in a navy blue suit with a cream vest and a white shirt. His blue eyes look at Hitomi happily. He smiles. His long blond hair falls loosely down to his waist. He winks at Hitomi. "Welcome to the Mystic Moon, Hitomi!"
"Allen!" exclaims Hitomi.
"Mystic Moon?" whispers Yukari in confusion.
"That is an inside joke," says the woman standing beside Allen. Her blue eyes gaze upon Hitomi. Her hair is also blond, falling down to her waist.
"Millerna! Hitomi!" exclaims Hitomi. She runs up the aisle and flings her arms around Millerna and the baby.
"It's good to see you again, Hitomi," says Millerna.
Hitomi releases Millerna and Baby Hitomi. She embraces Allen quickly.
"We'll explain everything over dinner tonight, Hitomi," whispers Allen.
Hitomi steps back and nods her head. She smiles happily.
"Class. This is my wife, Millerna, and our daughter, Hitomi Marlene," says Allen, "We know Hitomi here from what seems like another time and place! Hitomi, would you please take your seat again?"
"Yes, Allen," says Hitomi walking back to her seat and sitting down.
"Mr. Shezar? Can we all call you Allen?" asks a boy, "Or is that something just for the teacher's pet?"
"Hitomi is my friend, and as such I will be harder on her than I am on the rest of you students," says Allen, "Contrary to your belief, I won't go easy on her because she's one of my best friends. And yes, you may all call me Allen."
"Allen, Baby Hitomi and I will be leaving now. I think you can handle this crowd on your own," says Millerna smiling. She kisses Allen quickly.
Allen nods. "Hitomi and I will see you at dinner then."
Millerna waves to Hitomi as she carries her child out of the classroom.
"Now…"
A loud booming voice echoes over the intercom system drowning out whatever Allen had been trying to say. Hitomi Kanzaki, please report to the principal's office immediately!
"That must be about the new transfer student," says Allen, "Go on, Hitomi."
Hitomi stands up and walks out of the classroom. She walks down to the offices and knocks on the principal's door.
"Come in, Hitomi!" calls a strange voice from within.
Hitomi opens the door and steps inside. She looks at the principal with wide eyes. "Gaddes?"
"That's Principal Gaddes to you," says the dark haired man behind the desk. His face is kind and fairly handsome, and one Hitomi recognizes all too well. He stands and walks around his desk. "Well… if it isn't the little lady from the Mystic Moon! You haven't changed a bit, Hitomi!"
"Gaddes?" asks Hitomi again.
"Yeah, it's me, Hitomi! Gaddes from the Crusade… resident of Asturia on Gaia!" exclaims Gaddes, "I know this all must be a big shock for you."
"How is this possible?" asks Hitomi.
"Allen and Millerna wanted to explain it to you," says Gaddes, "I just called you here because I need you to show around two new students. One will be in your class and the other will be in the grade beneath you."
Hitomi nods her head.
Gaddes pushes a button on his phone. "Would you send in the two transfer students?"
The door opens, and two people come in.
Hitomi turns to look at the new students. She sees the girl first, and she smiles warmly.
The girl has chin-length pink hair and familiar looking eyes. She smiles at Hitomi and pulls out her nail file necklace. She wears the same Sailor outfit as Hitomi.
"You look so familiar… Do I know you?" asks Hitomi. She looks at the nail file dangling from a cord about the girl's neck. "That's Merle's nail file!"
"Hi, Hitomi! I wasn't sure if you'd recognize me like this!" exclaims the girl, "I'm Merle! I lost the fur, got normal ears, and I lost the tail!" She pulls her hair behind her ears.
"Merle? Oh, Merle!" exclaims Hitomi pulling Merle into an embrace and squeezing her tightly. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again alive!"
"When I passed over, I was so scared that I wouldn't see you ever again!" exclaims Merle holding onto Hitomi as tightly as she can. "I'm Van's little sister now! Merle Fanel!"
"Van?" asks Hitomi.
Merle and Hitomi separate from their embrace.
Merle nods and smiles. "Everyone from Gaia is now on Earth! I came over here as Van's little sister! I was almost his sister on Gaia! Now I really am!"
"That means…!" Hitomi looks at the young man standing patiently by the door. Her heart skips a beat.
The young man's disheveled black hair falls oddly about his brown eyes. He wears a tan suit, the traditional uniform for all boys at school. He smiles. "So… you've finally noticed me, Hitomi!"
"Van!" exclaims Hitomi. She hugs him quickly and starts to cry.
"Hitomi! What's wrong? Why are you crying?" asks Van rubbing her back comfortingly.
"You didn't come back with me! I thought you…"
"Lied? Broke my promise?" replies Van, "I'm so sorry, Hitomi! I really wanted to come back with you! I did not mean to break my promise!"
"I'm glad you're here now!" exclaims Hitomi. She wipes her eyes and holds Van close to her.
"We'll explain everything to you tonight at dinner," says Merle smiling.
Van kisses Hitomi passionately. He steps back and kneels in front of her. He pulls a ring from his jacket pocket and holds it out to Hitomi. "Hitomi, I love you. Would you marry me?"
Hitomi smiles. She falls weakly into Van's arms. "Yes, Van! I've already said yes once! I will marry you! I love you, Van!"
Van slides the ring onto Hitomi's left hand.
Hitomi looks at the ring.
The pink stone is cut to look like a puffed heart and is set in solid silver.
Van stands and helps Hitomi to her feet.
Hitomi wraps her arms around Van's neck and kisses him.
"Hitomi, would you take them to class now?" asks Gaddes.
Hitomi blushes as she turns towards Gaddes. "Of course, Gaddes!"
Hitomi walks out of the office with Merle and Van. "We'll walk to Merle's class first."
"I wish I could be in your class," says Merle.
The three friends walk quickly down the halls.
Hitomi knocks on the door to Merle's class.
"Entrez!" calls the teacher.
Hitomi opens the door and steps in. She bows to the teacher. "Miss Kiboshi. I bring you a new student. Her name is Merle Fanel."
Merle steps into the room. She looks around nervously.
"Merle? Where are you from?" asks Miss Kiboshi.
Van steps into the doorway.
Merle looks at Van in desperation.
"Merle and her older brother, Van, are from a small town in North America called Fanelia," says Hitomi smiling, "but I'll let Merle tell you more about that. If you need me, Merle, I'm just down the hall on the right, past the stairs."
Merle nods.
Hitomi squeezes Merle's shoulder.
"Merle, would you take the empty seat by the window?" asks Miss Kiboshi, "You can tell us about Fanelia when you feel more comfortable here. I'm sure it's been difficult for you, moving all this way."
Merle walks over to the desk and sits down.
Hitomi nods at Merle and heads out with Van.
"She looked really nervous," says Van.
"I know… Maybe we could have her transferred to our class until she feels comfortable in school," says Hitomi, "We'll meet her for lunch and see how she's holding up."
Van nods.
Hitomi leads Van down to their classroom. She knocks on the door.
"It's open," calls Allen.
Hitomi opens the door and walks in with Van.
Allen and Van nod at each other.
"We were just sitting here getting to know each other," says Allen smiling, "Which one of you two would like to go next?"
Hitomi blushes. "First… maybe we should introduce ourselves. I am Hitomi Kanzaki, and this is my fiancé, Van Fanel."
Yukari jumps to her feet. "Fiancé?"
Amano stares at Hitomi and Van in shock.
"Fiancé?" asks Allen with wide eyes.
Hitomi nods. "Yes… He's been my boyfriend for some time. He just asked me to marry him."
"You haven't been dating him that long, and you've already agreed to marry him, Kanzaki?" asks Amano standing up.
"We have known each other a lot longer than it seems," says Van wrapping his arm around Hitomi's waist and smiling. "We met in my hometown of Fanelia. It's rather small… in North America."
Allen smiles proudly at Hitomi and Van. "That will be enough for now. Please take your seats."
Hitomi leads Van to her desk.
Van sits down in the desk behind Hitomi.
Amano and Yukari both stare at Hitomi as they sit down again.
"As I said before, I am Allen Shezar. I also come from Fanelia," says Allen, "Now that we know a little about each other, let's get down to learning."
Yukari looks at Hitomi and whispers, "We need to talk at lunch."
Hitomi nods.
* * *
"Yukari, I'll meet you in the courtyard in a minute. I just want to check on Van's little sister," says Hitomi.
"Okay, Hitomi," says Yukari, "But don't take too long."
"I won't! I promise, Yukari!" calls Hitomi as she jogs off towards Merle.
Van starts to follow Hitomi.
Amano steps in front of Van. "I'd like to talk to you."
"About what?" asks Van.
"Kanzaki," says Amano.
Van nods his head and follows Amano out into the courtyard. "Her name is Hitomi."
"Her name is Hitomi Kanzaki. I've called her Kanzaki since we were in Junior High together," says Amano sitting down on the grass. He pulls his lunch box from his bag.
Van sits down and pulls an apple from his bag. He takes a bite from his piece of fruit. "You don't like me."
"I don't know you," says Amano after taking a bite of his sushi, "but I am concerned about Hitomi. How did you meet her?"
"I saved her life," says Van.
Amano nods his head. "And you fell in love with her?"
Van chuckles. "You make it sound like it happened overnight! We've known each other for some time. Our relationship was mostly just talking to each other long distance. I love her very much, Amano, and I would do anything for her."
Amano continues to eat as he ponders his next question.
Van finishes his apple and starts to dig in his bag for the small loaf of bread.
"What are your plans for the future?" asks Amano.
"I intend to marry Hitomi," says Van pulling the bread out of his bag.
"What do your parents say?" asks Amano.
"My parents are both dead," says Van, "I live alone with my little sister, Merle. Allen and Millerna are our neighbors." He takes a bite of bread. "You're concerned about Hitomi's welfare, aren't you?"
"Kanzaki is one of my closest friends. She's young. She has her whole life ahead of her. I don't want to see her make a mistake," says Amano. He finishes his lunch.
"You needn't worry about that. I am one of two president/CEO's of Gaia Unlimited. The other is a friend of mine, Chid, a young child, but an excellent leader," says Van, "I will support Hitomi and myself through my work at my company. I will work really hard to make a good home for Hitomi, Amano. She will never want for anything."
Amano nods.
Van slowly finishes eating his bread.
"You love her?" asks Amano.
"I love her."
"She loves you?"
"Yes," says Van.
"As long as that remains true, I will have no objections against your relationship with Kanzaki," says Amano.
"What will you call her once she's my wife?" asks Van.
"I'll ask her that," says Amano. He pulls two bottles of water from his bag and holds one out towards Van. "Would you like some water?"
Van takes the bottle. "Thanks. Does this make us friends?"
"Yes… I guess it does, Van," says Amano, "I would like to be your friend."
"I would like to be your friend as well, Amano," says Van.
* * *
Hitomi jogs up to Merle. "Hey, Merle!"
"Hitomi!" exclaims Merle.
"How are you doing?" asks Hitomi smiling.
Merle smiles. "I never knew this school thing could be so much fun!"
"Hey, Merle! Come have lunch with us!" calls a girl about the same age as Merle.
"I'm going to go! I'll see you after school!" exclaims Merle hurrying off to join her classmates.
Hitomi nods happily and hurries to the courtyard. She moves over and sits down beside Yukari. "What's on your mind, Yukari?"
"Hitomi… I don't think you know what you're doing," says Yukari, "Last night you were bawling because you had a dream where Van died. I don't think you really thought this marriage idea through."
"I have thought about this, Yukari!" exclaims Hitomi getting out her lunch box, "This was the second time Van asked me to marry him. He asked me a few days ago too… before I had the dream." She shows Yukari the pink and silver ring on her finger. "He didn't want anyone to know until he'd gotten the ring for me."
Yukari feels the ring with her fingers. "Wow! That's beautiful!"
"Yukari. I really love Van! Can't you just be happy for me?" asks Hitomi. She starts to eat her lunch slowly.
Yukari wraps her arms around Hitomi's neck. "Are you sure this is what you want, Hitomi?"
"Yes, Yukari!"
Yukari nods and smiles. "I understand how you feel! I am happy that you've found love! It just seems so fast to me!"
"It wasn't. I've known Van for a long time… I used to talk to him about my crush on Amano," explains Hitomi as Yukari starts eating, "it took me a long time to fall in love with Van. For a while, I actually thought I was in love with Allen! I wanted to tell you everything, but it all seemed so much like a dream! I didn't want you to think it was a dream." She finished her sandwich and takes a bite of her fruit salad.
"I thought I was your best friend, Hitomi," says Yukari.
"Yukari! Please… I can't explain it right now. I don't know if you would believe me if I did!" exclaims Hitomi.
Yukari finishes her lunch in silence and pulls her bottle of juice from her bag. "Try me, Hitomi. Tell me and let's see if I believe!"
Hitomi pulls her juice from her bag and takes a drink. "Okay, Yukari. Do you remember earlier this month when I was late for track practice because of an essay?"
"Yes. I am the manager," says Yukari.
Hitomi smiles. "Well, later that night, I was magically transported to another world named Gaia. Earth hung in the sky of this new world. The inhabitants called it the Mystic Moon. Van saved my life. A dragon would have eaten me if he hadn't been there. I met Van, Merle, Allen, and Millerna on Gaia. I spent months with them as we traveled around. The Zaibach Emperor was trying to destroy the world, and we were the resistance trying to stop him."
Yukari stares at Hitomi in amazement.
"My tarot readings weren't foretelling the future, they were creating the future! I had a crucial role in the survival of their world! Then I came back here, only I returned seconds before I had left so no one knew that I had ever gone," explains Hitomi, "Then yesterday… last night I returned to Gaia. I spent a few weeks there with Van. He asked me to marry him, and I said yes! Then he died in my arms. I came back here. That's when you and Amano found me at the track."
"If he died, how is he here now?" asks Yukari.
"I don't know. I think they're going to explain it to me at dinner tonight," says Hitomi.
"That explains a lot, Hitomi! You changed so much overnight! Now I know why!" exclaims Yukari hugging Hitomi. She smiles and adds, "Later, I want you to tell me all about Gaia."
"You believe me?"
"Of course I do! A story that fantastic could only be real!" exclaims Yukari.
"You're the best, Yukari!" exclaims Hitomi smiling.
"Let's go join Amano and Van!" Yukari glances towards the two young men.
Hitomi nods.
Yukari stands and pulls Hitomi to her feet.
The two teenaged girls walk over to their boyfriends.
"I hope we're not interrupting anything!" exclaims Yukari.
"Not at all!" exclaims Amano smiling at Yukari.
Van stands and gazes at Hitomi. He smiles.
"Van." Hitomi hugs him quickly.
"I love you, Hitomi," whispers Van. He kisses her, half on the lips and half on her cheek.
Hitomi and Van sit down together.
Yukari sits down beside Amano and holds his hand. "What were you talking about?"
"Hitomi mostly," says Van, "I was telling Amano about how I fell in love with her and a bit about my business, Gaia Unlimited."
"Gaia Unlimited?" asks Yukari, "I've never heard of it. What does it do?"
"We have many branches. One makes vehicles for air travel, and one makes boats. We have one that makes furniture and houses. We also have branches in the service industry. We have restaurants, martial arts schools, hotels, theaters," says Van, "It's a large company. We do a lot of business. My wife and sister will always be well provided for."
"As long as Merle's happy," says Hitomi, "I don't need anything more than to be with you, Van." She leans against him and rests her head on his shoulder. "She's enjoying school. She's made a few friends."
"Good," says Van holding onto Hitomi.
Amano looks at his watch. "We should head in. Class will be starting in a few minutes."
Everyone nods and rises to go in.
* * *
Merle walks down to the track field with Hitomi. "What's going on here?"
"Track practice," says Hitomi, "I run and jump here. It strengthens my muscles and makes me able to jump farther and run faster."
"I think I'll just watch," says Merle pulling out her nail file.
"You can sit by Yukari," says Hitomi leading Merle towards her friend, "Hey, Yukari! Merle's never seen any track before. Do you think you could try to explain it to her?"
"I'll try, Hitomi!" exclaims Yukari.
Merle sits down beside Yukari as Hitomi goes off to stretch with the other girls.
After track practice, Hitomi changes back into her school uniform and heads off with Merle and Yukari. "I would invite you to come to dinner, Yukari, but the others don't know that I've told you about Gaia."
"That's okay, Hitomi. You can tell me how the dead were revived later," says Yukari waving. "I'll see you tomorrow!"
Hitomi waves as Yukari runs away.
"You told her about Gaia?" asks Merle leading Hitomi onward.
"She is my best friend, Merle. I had to tell her so that she'd understand my feelings for Van," explains Hitomi.
"Oh… I see," says Merle. She leads Hitomi to a large grouping of townhouses. "This is where we live!"
"It's lovely," says Hitomi following Merle into a large, center courtyard with a canopy of stars. She looks at all the people standing in the courtyard.
"Hitomi!" A young boy with short blond hair smiles at Hitomi. His blue eyes gaze upon her as if he hadn't seen her in several years.
"Prince Chid!" exclaims Hitomi.
"It's just Chid now," says the boy, "Chid Asturia."
Hitomi walks up and kneels before Chid. She smiles. "Chid! It's nice to see you!"
Chid hugs Hitomi quickly.
"Hey, little lady!" calls Katz. He still wears his dark brown vest, but the sword he normally carried in Gaia is nowhere to be found. He rubs his short, stubbly beard with his hand. His light brown hair is short and disheveled, a perfect match to his chiseled face.
Hitomi looks around and sees the entire crew of the Crusade.
Gaddes and Allen stand by a long table talking quietly.
The rest of the men gather around Hitomi.
Piru's bright red nose and long brown hair stand out like a flag heralding his arrival.
Teo smiles at Hitomi. His skin is dark tan, almost brown, and his short hair is pure black. "Hey, Princess!"
Kio is by far the tallest and broadest member of the people in the courtyard with disheveled brown hair and a thin moustache.
"We're Chid's bodyguards," says Ort smiling. He scratches his baldhead where his long scar is.
"Bodyguards? Why does Chid need bodyguards?" asks Hitomi.
"Van and I are the presidents and CEO's of Gaia Unlimited," says Chid, "I need bodyguards to protect me."
Reeden still wears his red bandanna over his light brown hair. He wears a slick black suit as indication of his new status. "I'm the head bodyguard!"
A woman with short white-blond hair and blue eyes steps up beside Hitomi. She holds Baby Hitomi in her hands. "Remember me? Selene Shezar?"
"Selene! You look quite well!" exclaims Hitomi.
"I'm Baby Hitomi's nanny. Millerna's going to school to become a doctor!" exclaims Selene.
"Come on, everyone! Let's eat!" exclaims Allen.
Everyone sits down around the table to eat.
"So… who's going to start with the explanation?" asks Hitomi.
"I will," says Gaddes, "I died first after all. The disease that Gaia inflicted upon the people only killed our bodies on Gaia. Earth willingly accepted us."
"Hitomi, what Gaddes is trying to say is that your tarot reading does have a meaning," says Millerna, "Gaia was in pain. The planet was dying."
"Gaia was trying to change everything so she could save her people," adds Merle, "She wanted to die alone."
"But she would reunite the people from Gaia. In order to do that," says Van smiling at Hitomi, "She had to kill everyone so that we could all be revived on the Mystic Moon as humans. Merle lost her fur. I lost my wings."
"So we were all brought back to life on Earth with new skills, new abilities," says Allen, "She was kind enough to let us keep our memories from our time on Gaia."
"We were given a new beginning," says Chid.
"And Gaia's been destroyed," says Selene.
"Gaia had no future, and so you, Hitomi, could have no place in it," says Van.
"My grandmother was right," says Hitomi crying, "Even though I didn't understand, all I had to do was believe in Gaia!"
Van pulls Hitomi to him and holds her as she cries. "Are you all right, Hitomi? My love?"
"I'm just so happy to see you all again!" exclaims Hitomi. She dries her eyes and smiles.
Everyone eats their dinner and talks in the way that old friends do.