Chapter Two: Reunited Once Again

Meanwhile in Fanalia Van was dealing with his own problems. Gaea is having many of the same problems as Earth. Earthquakes have been tearing up the land, and the weather only seems to be getting worse. Van was trying to keep his people calm.

Ever since Hitomi left Van has been preoccupied with rebuilding Fanalia and its people. He tried to keep himself busy that way he wouldn't have time to miss Hitomi. Merle told him that he keeps himself busy so that he doesn't have to face reality. Van knew it was true. He did miss Hitomi very much and he could never forget her.

With all the new problems that have been arising Van knew that he would need the help of Hitomi and Escaflowne once again. He needed Hitomi's help but he didn't want her to suffer like she did last time.

Van stood in the field where he and Hitomi had parted. Why did it hurt so much? Van inhaled the fresh air and sat down by Escaflowne. "Looks like I'll be needing you again old friend. I really did want to see a world of peace brother, but what other choice do I have?" Van said as he got up and left.

While Van was walking back to the castle he was looking at the necklace that Hitomi gave him. Pictures of her flowed through his mind. He looked up into the sky and he notice a pillar of light. Was Hitomi coming back?

Van hurried back to the castle and saddled a horse and left for where he saw the pillar of light. Merle had wanted to join him, but Van told her to stay. If it was Hitomi he would bring her back to Fanalia.

When he finally got to his destination there appeared to be nothing there. It was a wide open field with tall grass everywhere. Van went deeper into the field of grass. He noticed a flat patch of grass which he assumed was where she had landed. Van stood still and listened. Something was moving around him, but what? "I demand to know who's there?" Van said in a authoritative voice. Something flew at him and knocked him off his horse. When he looked up he saw a man with short blond hair and green eyes.

"Who the hell are you? What the hell is this place?" he asked abruptly. He stood above Van staring at him.

"I am Van of Fanalia, and by the way your dressed you seem to be from the Mystic Moon or what Hitomi called it Earth" Van said as he got to his feet.

"What did I somehow end up in an insane asylum? Maybe I'm dead. Well as long as I'm not in prison I'm fine. I hope you don't mind me stealing your horse" he said looking at Van. He jumped up on the horse and rode away.

Van didn't know what to think of the mysterious man. He appeared to be cold hearted and fearless. "He could become a problem. Better inform the other countries of the situation" Van said as he started walking back to Fanalia. Van felt his head where he was hit by the mysterious man. He was bleeding and pretty badly too. His vision was blurry so he had to take breaks so that he wouldn't pass out. Van arrived back in Fanalia and collapsed at the stairs to the castle.

Yuki who is one of the castle guards saw Van collapse on the ground. He ran up to Van and turn him over on his back. Yuki noticed the large cut on his head and immediately called for a doctor.

Van woke up in his room. His vision was still a bit blurry but he knew someone was in his room. "Who's there?" Van asked.

"I'm Karri your doctor. You got a pretty big cut on your head. I suggest you lie back down before you fall and hurt yourself. Yuki the palace guard brought you to me when you collapsed" Karri said as she sat down beside him. "Here is some medicine for the pain and put this cream on it so it doesn't get infected. I have to leave soon. Let me take one last look, and replace that bandage. Then I can leave you to rest" Karri said gently taking off the bandage.

Hitomi woke up in a daze. She was lying on her back in the middle of a field. She looked up into the sky and she saw Earth and the moon. When she was resting in her bedroom she must have gotten taken away by the pillar of light. Hitomi looked around. Gaea didn't look much better than Earth. Hitomi guess that the same things that were happening to the Earth was happening to Gaea.

"Van. I must see him and tell him what's going on" Hitomi said as she started walking. Hitomi used dousing to find her way to Fanalia. When she got there it was dark. Thankfully there were torches lit so that Hitomi could find her way to the castle. Hitomi looked around and smiled. The last time she saw Fanalia it was burnt to the ground. Now buildings stood tall and the people were happy. Beside some worn building which was probably from earthquakes it looked better than new.

Hitomi walked up to the castle doors. "And who might you be miss?" the guard Yuki asked.

"My name is Hitomi. I'm a very old friend of Van's" Hitomi said.

"Ah yes. Lord Van often speaks of you. My name is Yuki. I'll take you to Lord Van right away" Yuki said as he signalled another guard to take his place.

Yuki took Hitomi too see Van. Hitomi looked around the castle. It looked different but it had some similarities to the old castle. Yuki walked up to a large door and opened it.

Hitomi looked in the room to see Van with another woman. Hitomi's heart stopped. It's been so long since she saw him. She wouldn't be surprised if he had a wife. It still broke Hitomi's heart to see him like that. Hitomi didn't know what to do but run. She ran just as Van caught sight of her.

Van knew what the situation looked like and he had to explain it to her. Van got out of bed and ran after Hitomi. "Van be careful! Your still hurt!" Karri said.

"I guess I should have knocked first" Yuki said to Karri with an innocent smile.

Hitomi was sitting in front of Escaflowne crying. "Why did I run? Why do I do this to myself" Hitomi said as she looked at Escaflowne.

Van caught up to Hitomi and slowly walked beside her. He touched her on the shoulder. "Hitomi let me explain" Van said.

Hitomi turn around to face Van. He looked very handsome in the moonlight. "There's no need to Van. I understand. It has been so long. I would understand if you..." Hitomi stopped as Van put his arm around her.

"Silly Hitomi. Always jumping to conclusions. That woman you saw me with was my doctor. You see I have cut myself and she was just attending to me" Van explained.

Hitomi looked at him and she saw the cut on his head. She threw her arms around him. "I'm sorry. I just assumed that you were with her. Oh Van you don't know how much I've missed you and all this" Hitomi said as more trears flowed down her cheek.

"But I do Hitomi. There has never been a day that I didn't miss you. Just ask Merle" Van said as he wiped away her tears.

Hitomi and Van were finally reunited. Hitomi had returned to Gaea but why? Who was that mysterious man who attacked Van and stole his horse? Both worlds are in danger can Hitomi and Van's love save the world once again?

**** See you in the next chapter****