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 my love, my Van, my hero. He is the man who gives me strength to fight for all that I believe in.
Good-bye, Gaia!
By Hideki LaShae
Chapter Four: Love on the Mystic Moon!
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 died right before my eyes! Even my one true love, Van, died in my arms. I returned to Earth in despair, actually intending to kill myself so that I could be reunited with Van. But Yukari and Amano stopped me. I then learned that all my friends who had died on Gaia were in fact still alive. Their bodies on Gaia had died so that they could be born in new bodies on Earth. Their new bodies look very similar if not exactly like the ones they had before. Gaia died but her people were saved!
Hitomi Kanzaki opens the door and leads Van and Merle Fanel into her home. She runs her hand through her boyishly cut, light brown hair. "Mom! Dad! I'm home!"
Hitomi's parents come running into the living room followed a bit more slowly by her younger brother.
"Hitomi, we were so worried about you!" exclaims Mrs. Kanzaki.
"When you didn't come home last night," says Mr. Kanzaki.
"I thought it was a dream come true," mumbles Hitomi's brother.
"I can explain. I'm sorry for making you worry," says Hitomi smiling. She glances at Van and Merle with her green eyes shining happily.
Van smiles at Hitomi. His disheveled black hair falls towards his brown eyes.
Merle's nail file necklace dangles around her neck. Her pink hair falls in waves to her chin. Her eyes look curiously at the three strangers before her.
"Van, Merle… This is my family," says Hitomi as her smile widens, "Ma'aya Kanzaki, my mother. Shoji Kanzaki, my father. And my little brother, Junichi."
"I am Van Fanel, and this is my little sister, Merle," says Van bowing to the family.
"Let's sit down," says Hitomi.
Everyone sits down amongst the chairs and couch in the living room.
"About last night, Hitomi," says Mrs. Kanzaki.
"Mom… I was rather upset last night. Van had unintentionally broken a promise that he made to me," explains Hitomi, "So I went over to Yukari's house. I didn't even think to call you. I'm sorry."
"I think you should have stayed at Yukari's. Then I could have your room," says Junichi.
"Junichi!" exclaims Mrs. Kanzaki.
"Mom, Dad," says Hitomi slowly, "I have agreed to marry Van."
"What?" asks Mr. Kanzaki.
"I've come to ask for your permission to marry your daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Kanzaki?" asks Van bowing his head politely.
"You want to marry Hitomi?" asks Mrs. Kanzaki.
"Give him permission!" exclaims Junichi.
"I think Hitomi is too young for marriage," says Mr. Kanzaki, "How would you live?"
"Van owns his own business! Gaia Unlimited!" exclaims Merle.
"Gaia Unlimited?" asks Mrs. Kanzaki, "That company is enormous! You say you own it?"
"Shared ownership actually," says Van.
"Are you from Gaia?" asks Mrs. Kanzaki winking at Hitomi.
"Yes, Mom! They are!" exclaims Hitomi winking back at her mom. She pulls her necklace out from beneath her shirt so her mom can see it.
Mrs. Kanzaki looks at the necklace, knowing full well that it had mystically disappeared a few weeks before.
"What are you talking about?" asks Mr. Kanzaki.
"Shoji, let's go make some tea for our guests!" says Mrs. Kanzaki standing. She pulls Mr. Kanzaki to his feet and drags him into the kitchen.
"What is going on out there, Ma'aya? Did you know that Hitomi had a boyfriend?" asks Mr. Kanzaki.
Mrs. Kanzaki puts on a kettle of water to make tea. "No, Shoji. I did not, but it doesn't surprise me that she was able to hide him from us."
"Are you saying we're bad parents, Ma'aya?" asks Mr. Kanzaki, "That we're distracted? That we don't pay enough attention to our children to now what's going on with them?"
"No. I'm not saying any of that," says Mrs. Kanzaki pulling the teapot down from the cabinet and setting it next to the stove.
"Then what are you saying, Ma'aya?" asks Mr. Kanzaki.
"Shoji… there is a whole other world out there that we know nothing about. We can't see it or feel it. We have no influence over it. To us, it does not even exist!" explains Mrs. Kanzaki, "But to Hitomi, that world is more real than the one we're standing in."
"What do you mean?" asks Mr. Kanzaki getting the tea from the cabinet.
"My mother told me about this world when Hitomi was little. It's called Gaia, and one minute here can be months or even years there," says Mrs. Kanzaki.
The kettle whistles.
Mrs. Kanzaki turns the heat off and waits for Mr. Kanzaki to put the tea into the teapot before she pours the hot, steamy water in.
"And you're saying that Hitomi's been to this world?"
"Have you noticed the changes within her this past month? She is much wiser now," says Mrs. Kanzaki. She pulls the small teacup bowls down from the cabinet and places them on a serving tray. "Hitomi has spent a lot of time on Gaia, and she fell in love with that young man while she was there."
Mr. Kanzaki stares at his wife in disbelief.
Mrs. Kanzaki strains the tea.
"What do we do?"
"Hitomi is stubborn, Shoji," says Mrs. Kanzaki, "If we don't let them marry, they will find a way. They care for each other."
"Don't you think she's too young?" asks Mr. Kanzaki.
Mrs. Kanzaki smiles. "We were their age when we told my parents that we wanted to get married."
Mr. Kanzaki smiles. "So we were, Ma'aya."
"And they were just as skeptical as you are. They didn't see how we could have fallen in love," says Mrs. Kanzaki, "and they didn't see how we would last. We did make it though, and we have two wonderful children to prove it."
"You think we should give them permission, don't you, Ma'aya?" asks Mrs. Kanzaki.
Mrs. Kanzaki nods. "You remember what we did when my parents refused the first time?"
Mr. Kanzaki swallows hard. He flashes his wife a nervous smile. "I remember!"
"The tea is ready," says Mrs. Kanzaki. She places the teapot on the serving tray. She lifts the tray.
Mr. Kanzaki opens the door and holds it for his wife.
Mrs. Kanzaki carries the tray into the living room with her husband. She sets the tray on the table.
"Now… Van, why do you wish to marry Hitomi?" asks Mr. Kanzaki sitting down again. He looks at Van sitting with his arm wrapped around Hitomi.
"I love her," says Van, "Isn't that enough of a reason?"
"One would think so, but it isn't always enough," says Mr. Kanzaki, "Have you no other reasons?"
Mrs. Kanzaki pours up several small bowls of tea. She carries two over and passes them to Merle and Van.
Van looks into Hitomi's green eyes. He smiles. "Although no one has asked me to, I wish to protect her… when she needs it."
Mrs. Kanzaki passes a bowl of tea to Hitomi and another to Mr. Kanzaki. She hands a bowl to Junichi and takes the last tea bowl for herself. She sits down beside Mr. Kanzaki. "What have your parents to say about this proposal, Van?"
"Have you spoken to them of this decision?" asks Mr. Kanzaki.
"Our parents are dead," says Merle slumping her shoulders. She takes a sip of her tea, "We live in this small townhouse community with Chid, the other owner of Gaia Unlimited…"
"My teacher, Allen Shezar, lives there, too, with his wife and daughter," says Hitomi, "Chid has several bodyguards who live there as well. It's a very safe community."
"They are the closest living thing Merle and I have to family," says Van, "and they all think that it's a wonderful idea. They couldn't be happier that Hitomi and I wish to marry."
"I'm sorry to hear about your parents," says Mrs. Kanzaki. She takes a sip of her tea. "And do you, Merle, also approve? Do you wish your brother marry my daughter?"
"He's been happiest since Hitomi came into his life," says Merle, "I was jealous at first, because they looked so good together… they were hanging around each other all of the time, and they seemed so happy just to be in the other's presence. But I grew up!" She gulps down some of her tea and roars with pain. "That's really hot!"
Mrs. Kanzaki stares at Merle with wide eyes.
"Sorry, Mom, Dad! Merle comes from a different culture, and they don't really drink anything hot there," explains Hitomi. She whispers to Merle, "Apologize and bow slightly."
Merle bows. "I'm sorry. I wasn't sure what to expect."
"You shouldn't drink it so fast, Merle," says Hitomi. She sets her bowl of tea on the table, and she stands up. "I'll go get you some milk. I think you'll like that better."
"Thank you, Hitomi," says Merle as she sets her tea bowl on the table. She smiles thankfully at Hitomi. She hangs her head and blushes a deep burgundy.
Hitomi walks into the kitchen.
"I want Van to be happy. I knew he loved Hitomi long before he did," says Merle, "I'd be really happy if they got married."
Hitomi walks back in with a small glass of milk. "Here, Merle."
Merle takes the glass and quickly drinks half of it. She smiles happily. "Thank you."
Hitomi lifts her tea and sits back down. She leans against Van and takes a sip of her tea.
"What about you, Junichi?" asks Mr. Kanzaki.
"Yeah! I think Hitomi should get married!" exclaims Junichi, "Then I can get her room!"
"All you care about is a bigger bedroom!" exclaims Hitomi.
"And all you care about is sex!" snaps Junichi. He mimics Hitomi, "Oh, Van! I want you, Van! Take me!"
Hitomi stands up abruptly and glares furiously at her little brother. "Junichi!"
"Hitomi, sit down," says Mrs. Kanzaki firmly, "Junichi! Go to your room this instant!"
Hitomi sits down looking angrily at her little brother.
Junichi grumbles as he stands up and walks out of the room.
"Hitomi, Van, I will give you my blessing to marry," says Mrs. Kanzaki. She smiles.
Hitomi looks at her mom in shock. She instinctively sets her bowl on the table. "Mom?"
Van sets his untouched bowl of tea on the table.
"I am giving you my blessing. As far as I am concerned, you two can get married!" exclaims Mrs. Kanzaki.
Hitomi looks at Van happily and shows him a huge smile.
Van pulls Hitomi into his arms and kisses her lips happily.
"Don't celebrate yet. Ma'aya was only expressing her opinion," says Mr. Kanzaki.
"Dad?" pleads Hitomi holding on tightly to Van.
"Mr. Kanzaki, I understand that you may not be ready to give up your only daughter," says Van, "but I will take good care of her."
Mr. Kanzaki smiles as the young couple holds onto each other tightly. "I grant you my blessing!"
"Thank you, Dad! Thank you, Mom!" exclaims Hitomi. She pulls herself away from Van, and she quickly hugs both her parents. "Thank you so much!"
"If you're planning on moving in with him, you'll have to call us at least once a week," says Mr. Kanzaki.
"What?" asks Hitomi.
Mrs. Kanzaki nods and smiles.
"Thank you, Mom!" exclaims Hitomi, "Merle? Would you help me pack?"
"Pack what?" asks Merle crinkling her eyebrows.
"I'll explain once we're upstairs," says Hitomi.
"Should I come as well?" asks Van.
Hitomi smiles and nods. "Once I've moved all my stuff out, Mom, I think you should turn my room into a den or an office or a sewing room or something!"
Van and Merle follow Hitomi up to her room.
"What are we packing?" asks Merle.
"My parents have given me permission to move into your apartment with you!" exclaims Hitomi, "Move in now instead of after we're married, Van!"
Van blushes slightly. "We'll pack only what you'll need for a few days. We can come back for more later!"
Hitomi blushes as she nods her head. She searches through her room quickly and tosses various items onto her bed.
Merle crams everything haphazardly into a suitcase.
"I can come by on Saturday to get more," says Hitomi placing her address book into the suitcase and closing it. "I'm ready. I should be able to make do with all this for a few days, but we'll need to grab my duffle bag on the way out."
"Merle, could you take the suitcase downstairs? We'll follow in just a minute," says Van looking at Hitomi.
Merle blushes as she grabs the suitcase and hurries from the room.
Van and Hitomi move into each other's arms.
"I love you, Van!" exclaims Hitomi kissing his face quickly.
"I love you, Hitomi!" exclaims Van. He kisses her lips long and slow. "I love you. I've wanted to tell you that for a year."
"Van…" Hitomi smiles and lightly touches his cheek.
"I wasn't expecting you to move in so soon. Our townhouse is only set up with two beds… you could share Merle's room until after we're married," says Van.
"We'll discuss it later," says Hitomi, "Let's go home."
"Home," says Van smiling, "I like how you say that."
"Why?"
"It makes me feel like I am home with you," says Van.
Hitomi gives Van a passionate kiss. Then she pushes Van out the door and escorts him down the stairs to the living room.
"Are you ready to go, Hitomi?" asks Mrs. Kanzaki.
"Yes," says Hitomi, "Oh! I forgot to show you the ring Van gave me!" She holds up her left hand for her mother to see.
"It's beautiful! What kind of stone is that?" asks Mrs. Kanzaki.
"A dragon heart stone I believe. Their proper name is drag-energist. Right, Van?" asks Hitomi smiling at him.
"Yeah, Hitomi. That is a drag-energist," says Van smiling.
Hitomi hugs her mother. "I'll call you tomorrow."
"Are we ready to go?" asks Merle.
Hitomi nods. She lifts her duffle bag.
Hitomi, Merle, and Van leave with Hitomi's two bags. They return to Van and Merle's two-story townhouse.
"Make yourself at home, Hitomi," says Van.
Hitomi sets her bags down and walks around the house.
"I'm tired, so I'm going to bed," says Merle. "Hitomi, if you're staying in my room, be quiet when you come in. I'll save you some room."
"Thank you, Merle," says Hitomi smiling.
Merle walks off into her room and closes the door.
"You normally take a bath before bed, don't you?" asks Van.
Hitomi smiles. "You remembered!"
Van nods. "I'll give you a quick tour, then you can take your bath."
Hitomi takes Van's hand and lets him lead her around the townhouse.
* * *
Hitomi looks in at Merle after her bath. She pulls her robe a little tighter around her and closes the door. She climbs the stairs and knocks gingerly on the door to Van's bedroom.
"Come in," says Van drowsily.
Hitomi opens the door and walks inside. She sees Van lying in his bed with the blanker covering him up to his waist. She smiles as she looks upon his bare chest.
"Is something wrong, Hitomi?" asks Van turning on the light beside the bed. He sits up quickly.
"No, Van… Nothing's wrong," says Hitomi, "Could I sleep in here tonight? Merle, she's…"
"Of course you can stay in here," says Van smiling.
"I'll turn the hall light off," says Hitomi quickly walking out. She turns the hall light off and returns to Van's room. She closes the door. "This will be our room someday."
"Today is someday," says Van as Hitomi walks towards the bed. He pulls the blankets on her side down a little.
"Is that an invitation to stay here every night?" asks Hitomi smiling.
"It is your right as my fiancée," says Van. His cheeks turn pink.
Hitomi slowly unties the belt around her robe and drops her robe to the floor.
Van's jaw drops as he looks upon Hitomi's bared flesh. He swallows hard. "Do you always sleep naked, Hitomi?"
"No," says Hitomi blushing as she crawls into bed, "but this is a special occasion."
"Why?"
"It's my first night with you."
Van looks over Hitomi once more. He looks into her eyes and kisses her quickly. "You are beautiful, Hitomi."
Hitomi touches her pendant and looks at Van.
Van turns the light off. "Let's go to sleep, Hitomi."
Van and Hitomi lie down together.
Hitomi slides her body up beside Van's. "I love you, Van."
"Hitomi…"
"Since you are my fiancé, Van, you have the right to bed me," whispers Hitomi letting her lips tickle Van's ear, "Would you like to exercise that right?"
Van kisses Hitomi's lips passionately. "I'll dishonor us both, Hitomi."
"You couldn't," says Hitomi shaking her head. She pulls Van's pants down and slowly off his body. She drops them out of the bed.
"Hitomi," whispers Van as he kisses her and rolls over on top of Hitomi. He moves his hand quickly down between his legs to block his access to Hitomi. He fights against his body's every desire to engorge her and grant her every pleasure that his love can provide.
"Oh, Van… yes," whispers Hitomi as Van's hand slowly starts to explore her lower body.
Van massages Hitomi for a moment before he slides his hand up to her hip.
Hitomi gasps quietly when Van penetrates her.
"You are so beautiful, Hitomi! Not to mention wonderful! I love you!" exclaims Van. He slides both his hands up to Hitomi's chest and starts to rub her nipples gently. He kisses her full on the mouth and slides his tongue between her lips. "Hitomi… Please, tell me to stop, Hitomi!"
"I don't want you to stop, Van!"
"I don't want to dishonor you."
"You could never dishonor me, Van," says Hitomi rubbing his back in an attempt to coerce him to continue, "I…"
"I love you, Hitomi," interrupts Van.
"I love you, Van!" exclaims Hitomi pulling Van down to press tightly against her body, "I want you!"
"I want you, Hitomi! I want you to stay with me forever!"
"Yes, Van!"
* * *
Over the next few weeks, Hitomi moves completely into the townhouse with Merle and Van. They all continue to go to school.
After school, Van and Chid spend the remainder of the afternoon going over different aspects of Gaia Unlimited's business details.
Also after school, Hitomi goes to track practice with Merle, who has opted to become an assistant manager for the team.
Hitomi sits down after making her run of the hundred-meter. She shakes her head wearily.
"Kanzaki!" exclaims Amano walking over and sitting down beside Hitomi, "Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine. I've just been having some weird dreams recently," says Hitomi.
"Your time is slipping," says Amano.
Yukari walks up and sits down. "Hey, Hitomi. What's happening with you?"
Hitomi closes her eyes. "Yukari, I'm just a little worried. Could you tell the coach that I had to go home sick? I'm going to see Allen's wife, Millerna. She's my new doctor."
"Are you sick, Hitomi?" asks Yukari.
"I could give you a ride, Kanzaki," says Amano.
"I don't think I'm sick, Yukari," says Hitomi, "I'll call you tomorrow to tell you all about it. Okay? I just don't want to talk about it until I've seen Millerna."
"Okay!" Yukari nods her head. "I'll cover for you."
"Do you need a ride, Hitomi?" asks Amano.
"I don't want to take you away from practice," says Hitomi, "but thanks for the offer, Amano."
"I can miss one practice," says Amano, "Yukari, would you explain to the coach that I'm taking Hitomi to a doctor?"
"Sure!" exclaims Yukari. She kisses Amano quickly.
Amano escorts Hitomi off the track field. "Would you like to tell me what's bothering you?"
"I thought I said I didn't want to talk about it," says Hitomi as they get into Amano's car.
"Okay…" Amano starts the engine. "Where to?"
"Millerna's at home today. Asturia Townhouses," says Hitomi.
The car pulls away from the school.
"You're not dying, are you, Hitomi?" asks Amano glancing over at her.
"No!" exclaims Hitomi. She sighs. "All right… I'll tell you. It's a woman thing. I'm late, and I'm just a little worried."
Amano smiles. "But you're all right. That's good. I won't tell Yukari."
"Thank you, Amano."
* * *
"Hello, Hitomi, Amano," says Millerna, "Come in."
Hitomi and Amano walk into Millerna's house.
"What brings you here?" asks Millerna.
"I think I may be pregnant," says Hitomi quickly blurting the words out, forgetting entirely that one of her best friends is standing clueless beside her.
"Well, Van certainly moves quickly," says Millerna getting her bag.
"Too quickly," says Amano staring at Hitomi in shock.
"It's my fault," says Hitomi sitting down, "He would have liked to have waited until we were married, but when I asked him, he wouldn't refuse me."
"Hitomi, would you come upstairs with me?" asks Millerna, "Amano, you don't have to stay if you have somewhere else to be."
"I'll be meeting Yukari here when she brings Hitomi's bag back," says Amano, "So I'll wait if it's all right."
"Of course," says Millerna pulling Hitomi upstairs. She pulls something from her bag, and she passes the pregnancy test to Hitomi. "That's more accurate than half the tests we would do at the hospital!"
Hitomi heads into the bathroom with the test. She returns in a few minutes and sits down to wait.
Millerna reads the results. "Oh, Hitomi…"
"What is it?"
"You are going to have a baby," says Millerna.
"I need to go tell Van," says Hitomi.
Millerna nods. "Do you need help?"
"I… I think I can manage," says Hitomi.
"All right. I'll keep Amano here while you talk to Van," says Millerna. She heads downstairs with Hitomi following. "Amano, could you tell me about your track team?"
"Yeah, sure," says Amano.
"I'll go talk to Van," says Hitomi. She leaves.
"Is something wrong?" asks Amano.
"That depends on how Van reacts to what she has to tell him," says Millerna, "She'll tell you later."
Amano nods.
* * *
"Van!" calls Hitomi as she enters the house.
Van walks out of the study with Chid right behind him. "What are you doing home so early?"
"Van, could I speak to you alone in our room?" asks Hitomi.
Van follows Hitomi up to their bedroom. "What is it, Hitomi?"
"Van… I'm with child," says Hitomi hesitantly.
"You're…"
"With child."
"You're pregnant?" asks Van.
Hitomi nods.
Van embraces Hitomi and kisses her lips. "That is wonderful!"
"You're happy?"
"Yes! I would have liked to have waited a little while longer, but I do want you to bear my children! Now is as good a time as any!" exclaims Van happily. He smiles and holds Hitomi close to him.
"We should try to hasten our wedding," says Hitomi, "I would like to be your wife before I'm a mother."
"Of course!" exclaims Van.
"We'll tell Amano and Yukari and Allen tonight, but we won't tell my parents until after we're married," says Hitomi.
Van kisses Hitomi. "I love you!"
* * *
With Merle, Millerna, Selene, and Yukari helping, the wedding plans get arranged in only a few weeks.
Selene sits in a comfortable chair feeding Baby Hitomi. She wears a long pink and lavender dress. Her short white-blond hair has pink bows pulling her bangs away from her face. Her blue eyes watch the others happily.
"I'm so happy for you, Hitomi!" exclaims Yukari hugging her best friend. Her shoulder-length reddish-brown hair is folded onto her head in spiraling curls. She wears an ankle-length kimono made of pink silk. She also wears a baby blue obi tied about her waist with a large bow in back.
"I am so nervous," says Hitomi. She looks at her reflection and lifts her make-up pallet. She sighs. "I didn't have time for this on Gaia. I usually didn't wear make-up. Maybe that's a good reason not to now."
Millerna takes the make-up pallet from Hitomi and sets it down. "Oh, Hitomi. There's nothing to be nervous about. This is your wedding day. It's going to be the most beautiful and wonderful day of your life."
"Thank you, Millerna," says Hitomi.
Millerna wears the same long, pink kimono as Yukari. Her silk obi, however, is of a deeper blue to match the blue of her eyes. Her blond hair falls loosely down to her waist.
Merle grabs the brush and starts to run it through Hitomi's hair. "Why would you be nervous, Hitomi? You're already carrying Van's child, and this is something you've wanted for a long time."
"I'm just… I think I'm just really anxious!" exclaims Hitomi glancing over her shoulder at Merle. She smiles. "I am ready to be Van's wife."
Merle sets the brush down and hugs Hitomi. "Welcome to the family, sister."
"Merle…"
Merle wears a baby blue kimono that extends to her ankles. Her pink obi is tied around her waist with a large bow in back. "You look beautiful, Hitomi. Van will love it."
"I think Van would be happy no matter what Hitomi wore," says Selene smiling. She burps Baby Hitomi and rocks her to sleep.
Yukari giggles. "That sounds so true!"
Merle tucks the end of her pink chin-length hair behind her ear, and she smiles. "How much longer until the ceremony starts?"
Millerna looks at her gold watch. "Fifteen minutes."
Selene stands with Baby Hitomi in her arms. "I'll head out there then with Baby Hitomi. See you in a few minutes."
"Take care of Hitomi, Selene," says Millerna.
Selene smiles as she walks out with the baby girl in her arms. Merle lifts a white floral crown and passes it to Millerna with a sly wink.
Millerna stands in front of Hitomi. She gently places the crown of white roses upon Hitomi's brow. "I now crown you Hitomi, Queen of Fanelia."
Merle giggles.
Hitomi laughs. "Close, but not quite! Van isn't a King anymore! Gaia was destroyed."
"Are you ready, Hitomi?" asks Yukari.
Hitomi stands. "I am ready."
Everyone smiles at Hitomi.
Hitomi wears a white kimono with an ivory, cherry-blossom pattern to her silk fabric. Around her waist is tied an ivory obi with a large bow in the back. The crown of white roses presses down upon her light brown hair. Her green eyes shine happily as she smiles.
"You're beautiful," says Yukari. She lifts a bouquet of cherry blossoms and passes it to Hitomi.
"I wonder how the guys are doing," says Merle.
"We'll find out in a minute," says Millerna, "I bet they look so handsome."
"Particularly Amano," says Yukari.
"And Dryden even came for the ceremony," says Millerna, "As the Vice President of Gaia Unlimited, I didn't think he would come. Being a merchant suits him…"
"It's time to head down," says Yukari.
Everyone heads out the door. They meet Van, Dryden, Allen, and Amano at the entrance to the courtyard shared by all of the townhouses.
"You look beautiful, Hitomi," says Van smiling.
"As do you, Van," says Hitomi taking his hand and smiling.
Van touches the pink stone pendant that dangles about Hitomi's neck. He wears an opaque white kimono-style top with tight black pants and knee-high dark brown boots. Draped over his shoulders is an ivory cape with a black border. His disheveled black hair hangs down towards his brown eyes as he gazes lovingly at Hitomi and smiles at her.
"Well, Amano… I think it's about time for us to walk down the aisle," says Yukari smiling. She runs her hand through Amano's chin-length, medium brown hair.
Amano smiles at Yukari, and he detangles her hand from his neatly brushed hair. He kisses her hand and looks at her with his soft blue eyes. "You look lovely, Yukari."
Yukari blushes slightly. "Thank you, Amano. You look really handsome like this."
Amano wears a pair of tight navy blue pants with tall brown boots. He wears a lilac lavender colored kimono style top with a navy blue cape falling over his shoulders down past his hips. He whispers into Yukari's ear, "Do you think we might ever do this for real?"
Yukari kisses Amano quickly. "We'll see, Amano."
Amano and Yukari hold hands as they walk out into the courtyard.
"Amano and Yukari make such a cute couple," says Hitomi watching her friends.
"They do," says Van, "Was she upset when you chose Merle as your maid of honor?"
"When I told them all, I explained that it had been a special request for your sister to be my maid of honor," says Hitomi smiling, "So she wasn't upset."
Van chuckles. "You put all the blame on me!"
"Yukari understands," says Hitomi holding on tightly to Van, "Besides… we didn't have a wedding shower, so the only difference is the color of the dress."
"It's time, Millerna," says Dryden moving up to her. He wears a pair of tight navy blue pants with tall brown boots. He also wears a lilac lavender, kimono-style top with a navy blue cape draped over his shoulders and falling gracefully down to his waist.
"You're looking well today, Dryden," says Millerna taking his hand.
Dryden's long brown hair is pulled up in a ponytail, and his eyes are nearly hidden behind his round-lensed glasses. He smiles at Millerna. "I don't look half as nice as you do, Millerna."
Dryden leads Millerna off into the courtyard.
"Why did you ask me to be your best man, Van?" asks Allen.
Merle giggles knowingly.
"You're my worst rival, Allen, and my best friend," says Van, "You and Merle will need to go soon."
Allen's waist long blond hair falls loosely down his back. He smiles before kissing Hitomi's cheek. His blue eyes gaze into Hitomi's green. "You make a beautiful bride, Hitomi."
"Thank you, Allen," says Hitomi smiling.
Allen wears a pair of tight black pants with tall dark brown boots. Over his chest, he wears a lilac lavender colored kimono-style top with a black cape hanging over his shoulders and falling down to his hips.
Merle hugs Hitomi and Van in turn. "We need to go, Allen."
Allen offers his arm to Merle.
Merle takes Allen's arm and walks out into the courtyard with him.
"All our family and friends are out there," says Van, "and I'm sure you'll even recognize the man performing the ceremony!"
Hitomi takes Van's hand. "I love you, Van."
"I love you, Hitomi." Van kisses Hitomi before they walk out into the courtyard.
In the courtyard, rows of people sit on either side of a long red carpet.
On the left side of the carpet sit many of the students and teachers from Van and Hitomi's high school along with Hitomi's family. On the right side of the carpet sit the familiar faces of their friends from Gaia including Chid and his bodyguards, the crew of the Crusade. Also on the right side, Gaddes sits beside Selene and the baby.
Van and Hitomi walk up the carpet and stand before the squinty-eyes, bald headed man who will perform the ceremony.
"Mr. Mole?" whispers Hitomi smiling at her old traveling companion.
"I'm a jack of all trades, little lady," whispers Mr. Mole. He clears his throat.
Hitomi glances to her left and smiles at Yukari, Millerna, and Merle as they stand just a little ways from her.
Van nods his head to Amano, Dryden, and Allen who stand near his right side.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Friends and family. We are gathered here today to witness the joining of Hitomi Kanzaki and Van Fanel in matrimony," says Mr. Mole.
Hitomi holds her cherry blossom bouquet tightly as she smiles at Van.
"If there are any who have reason why these two should not be wed, please speak now or forever hold your peace," says Mr. Mole.
Van squeezes Hitomi's hand as they wait in silence.
Van and Hitomi stare into each other's eyes. For a long time they gaze at each other, neither hearing a word from Mr. Mole's long speech about love and marriage.
"Hitomi?" asks Mr. Mole.
"Yes?" replies Hitomi looking towards Mr. Mole.
"Hitomi Kanzaki, daughter of Ma'aya and Shoji Kanzaki, sister to Junichi Kanzaki, do you agree to love and to honor this man? To stay by him in sickness or health? For richer or poorer? Until death do you part?" asks Mr. Mole.
"I do," says Hitomi. She looks lovingly at Van. "I most certainly do!"
"Van Fanel, brother to Merle Fanel, do you agree to love and to honor this woman? To stay by her in sickness or health? For richer or poorer? Until death do you part?" asks Mr. Mole.
Van gently caresses Hitomi's cheek. "Forever. I do!"
"Lord Allen, could we have the ring, please?" asks Mr. Mole.
Allen slides a ring off his little finger and passes it to Van. He whispers, "I'm proud of you, Van. You've done good with Hitomi."
Van nods as he takes the ring.
"Van, repeat after me. With this ring," says Mr. Mole.
"With this ring, I enter into the most sacred of agreements, an agreement of love," says Van sliding the silver band up against the silver engagement ring with the puffed-up pink, heart-shaped stone.
"With this ring, I wed thee," corrects Mr. Mole.
"With this ring, I wed thee," says Van.
The pink beam of light surrounds Hitomi and Van.
Several of the students gasp.
Chid jumps to his feet.
Hitomi's pendant starts to rise into the air. With a brilliant yet blinding flash of light, the pendant drops back down to rest against Hitomi's chest.
The pink beam of light shoots up to the sky leaving Van and Hitomi standing together in front of the assembled crowd.
Chid sits down again and smiles, thankful that his two friends didn't leave.
Hitomi and Van both look at the pendant.
The stone, which should appear pink, is actually an opaque cream color.
Hitomi looks at her ring wondering if it too may have changed, but she finds the stone within the ring is still pink. She whispers to Van, "My pendant was from an energist, as was the ring, but only the pendant changed."
"Gaia is gone," whispers Van, "but I don't think we've seen the last of the power of Atlantis."
"Lady Merle, could we have the ring, please?" asks Mr. Mole.
Merle pulls the silver ring from a fold in her obi. She passes it to Hitomi. "Sister."
"Sister," whispers Hitomi taking the ring.
"Hitomi, repeat after me. With this ring," says Mr. Mole.
"With this ring, I enter into the most sacred of agreements, an agreement of love," says Hitomi sliding the silver ring onto the left hand ring finger of the man she loves.
"With this ring, I wed thee," says Mr. Mole correcting Hitomi.
"With this ring, I wed thee," says Hitomi.
"Now by the power invested in me by the city of Tokyo, I now pronounce you… husband and wife," says Mr. Mole.
Van kisses Hitomi passionately before Mr. Mole even finishes his statement.
"You may kiss the bride, Van," says Mr. Mole. He smiles.
Hitomi holds her bouquet out so Merle can take it from her. Then she wraps both her arms around Van and gives him a long kiss.
"How sweet," whispers Mr. Mole, "You two finding love on the Mystic Moon."
The chairs are quickly pushed away to make room for dancing and celebrating.
At the end of the day, the single girls gather to try to catch the bouquet.
Hitomi sees Amano and Yukari standing close to each other in an intimate conversation. She looks at the white pendant on the silver chain about her neck and the pink stone in her ring. She secretly makes a wish on the two stones for her two best friends to find true happiness. Then she turns her back to the crowd and tosses the bouquet over her shoulder.
Yukari touches Amano's chest lightly and inches closer to him. She nearly screams when the cherry blossom bouquet falls in between her and Amano and gets stuck between their bodies.
Hitomi turns around quickly and grins happily as she sees Amano and Yukari kiss over the cherry blossom bouquet.