Well, hiya fellow readers and writers!  My name is Jayli and this is my take on Vision of Escaflowne if it had ever continued on.  I don't in any way own Escaflowne, it's characters, it's themes, it's plots, etc… Now that all the legal stuff is over, on with the show.  Oh yeah, don't forget to review, cuz I so do love hearing from all of you.

As a side note, thanks for the few reviews that I have gotten so far.  I don't have any idea how many people have read the story but I do want to let you know that reviewing is essential.  I mean who wants to write a story that no one likes.  I sure don't.  So reviewing is a good way of letting me know what you think of my writing.  I do know that Hitomi being a Ryujinbito (Draconian) has been done, but when I came up with my story arc it seemed essential in getting the story to move along.  Once again thank you to all who have reviewed and thank you to those that will review and those that will review again.  Ja ne!

Vision of Escaflowne: Homecoming

Chapter Two: One More Time

            "Hitomi? Hitomi?"  Hitomi's mother gently cradled her daughter in her lap.  She winced as a sharp pain penetrated her skull.  The headaches were steadily increasing in strength and she knew that she didn't have much time.  There was so much to explain and if Hitomi didn't wake up soon to prepare the end would surely come to pass.   It was one of those things that warranted the phrase, "So much to do in so little time."

            "Unnhhh…" Hitomi moaned.  "Where am I?"

            Hitomi's mother grinned, "With me, Hitomi-chan."

            "Okaa-san?"

            "How are you feeling?"

            "Dizzy, Nauseated, and I have a pounding headache." Hitomi sat up from her mother's lap and put her head in her hands.

            "What's the last thing you remember?"

            Hitomi looked into her mother's eyes, "Everything, Okaa-san.  Everything.  You sure have a lot of explaining to do."

            Hitomi's mother smiled, "That's one of the qualities that I love about you, your mind is like a steel trap."

            "Yeah, a steel trap," Hitomi pretended to knock on her head, "Why didn't you tell me?" The mood was suddenly serious.

            "When your sister disappeared your mind couldn't take the devastation.  The next day after the accident, you had totally forgotten about your older sister, your mind locking away all the pain by blocking out Myami, and instead you focused on the baby that I was pregnant with." She sighed, "As you got older, I kept up the barrier with some of my powers.  I didn't want you to be hurt again."

            "Myami, that's my sister's name." Hitomi thought as she closed her eyes, then out loud, "And my brother, why did he disappear?"

            "The stress was too much for me as well.  I miscarried one month later.  Not wanting you and your father to know I used my powers to manifest an image of what your brother would be.  The illusions I had set up were easy enough to maintain as long as things didn't get too complicated."

            "The brain tumor, it did get complicated didn't it?" Hitomi put her hand on top of her mother's hand and squeezed it in comfort.

            "Yes, it was the tumor.  Because of the longevity of my illusions it was taking a toll on my mind.  You see a ryujinbito's powers come from within your mind.  My continued and labored use of it caused my mind to hemorrhage, resulting in the brain tumor.  None of the doctors could explain its appearance, considering I was a healthy woman with no past history of illness.  It baffled them to say the least." Hitomi's mother took a deep breath and continued, "At first I couldn't explain it, I used a little bit of my powers everyday and it didn't occur to me that keeping up your mind block and your brother's illusion, being that they were constant, were killing me."

            "So what are we going to do?"

            "Nothing.  WE aren't going to do anything.  But YOU are going to do something."

            Hitomi gave her mother a blank look.

            "Your home is no longer earth Hitomi-chan.  I as well as yourself can feel the change in your heart."

            "Okaa-san…"

            Hitomi's mother put a hand up to stop her comment, "I know about Van."

            When Hitomi nodded she continued, "Myami, your sister, was taken to Gaea.  That bright light you saw that day took her and the man, who was going to take you, back to Gaea.  He too was Ryujinbito.  You need to go back to Gaea, back to Van.  Find your sister and save our worlds."

            "Save our worlds?" Hitomi was so confused.

            "Something is disrupting the balance between the two planets.  If it isn't stopped one world will disappear and the other will have all life as they know it destroyed."

~That night in the dream world~

            "That's a lot to take in." Van was pacing in front of Hitomi as she sat on the ground.

            "Just like a king," Hitomi thought to herself.

            "So, Myami, is here somewhere in Gaea?"

            "Yes," Hitomi shook her thoughts away, "Okaa-san said that since my memories were released that Myami should be in the same condition."

            "Then I'll send search parties out right away.  What does she look like?"

            Hitomi thought for a moment, "She's probably a little taller than me.  She has the same face and same color eyes as me too.  The only thing different is that she'll have black hair, although I don't know how long or short it will be.  Oh, and one more thing.  Myami has a birthmark in the shape of a star on the side of her neck."

            Van nodded, "And Gaea and the Mystic Moon, do you know what we need to do?"

            "No," Hitomi shook her head, "I won't know until I see Myami again.  It has something to do with the Ryujinbito prophecies and the consequences of the Great War."

            "That's another surprise," Van knelt down next to Hitomi, "You're just like me."

            Hitomi smiled. "I know.  After my mother went to sleep I went to my room to take a look at my wings."

            A mutual silence overcame the two friends.  After a bit, Van cautiously broached the question that they both knew needed to be asked, "When can I come to get you?"

            "I have to take care of things here.  I don't want to leave until Okaa-san…until she…" Hitomi choked back a sob.

            Van put an arm around Hitomi, "I know.  Just call me when you're ready."

            "Arigato, Van." Hitomi turned and hugged him.

            "We'll get through this, I promise." Van comforted Hitomi as he tried to keep despair from creeping up on him as well.

~Two weeks later – Earth, Mystic Moon~

            It had been a long two weeks for Hitomi.  Once everything had been explained to everyone, Yukari had brought it on herself to be Hitomi's roommate until Hitomi had things under control.  Unfortunately for Hitomi she didn't know exactly when she would have any control over her life, at least for now.  Today had been her mother's funeral and thankfully her mother had had everything all ready prepared, up to the part about her brother.  Hitomi at first was angry that no one even remembered her brother, but she soon got over that.  It was best that her mother had erased everyone's memory of her brother.  Hitomi fell into a fit of despair.  How was she going to go on?  When she was sure she was going to feel even lower a familiar presence entered her mind. 

            Van was there comforting her.  It had been like that the last two weeks.  Every time her spirits sank low, Van would whisper encouraging words across her mind.  His simple gesture of assurance had kept her going.  There were so many times where she could have just given up, and she had Van to thank for helping her stay strong.  Hitomi sighed.  She had told Yukari that she would be leaving soon and didn't know if she was coming back at all.  Yukari had at first looked sad then had plastered on her biggest smile, "Don't worry about Amano and me, Hitomi-chan.  If and when you do come back to Earth, I'll be here waiting for you."

            At Yukari's remark Hitomi had jumped into her friend's arms and had proceeded to tell her to try and call out to her if she and Amano were ever going to get married.  Yukari and Hitomi had cried for a good hour, reliving childhood memories.  She was going to miss her best friend. 

            Now alone, Hitomi sat in her mother's empty bedroom.  When her mother had passed away last week, simple keepsakes began disappearing.  Pictures that her brother had been in and some other trivial things, which Hitomi guessed had been part of her mother's illusions, had faded away.  The only thing that Hitomi had left of her mother was a pink pendant; identical to the one her grandmother had given to her.

~Flashback~

            "Hitomi?" Hitomi's mother said weakly.

            "Hai, Okaa-san," Hitomi came quickly and knelt by the bed.  "What is it?"

            "Reach into the first drawer and hand me the small velvet box."

            Hitomi reached over the side and opened the drawer.  Extracting the box, she handed it to her mother.

            "I want you to have this." Hitomi's mother winced as another headache invaded her mind, "Your sister had one and I know grandmother gave you hers, before you left it with Van.  Now I want you to have mine."

            Hitomi watched as her mother opened the small box.  She already knew what lay inside, but it surprised her that there was more than one pendant.  Hitomi stared at the familiar pink jewel as it rested on the satin.  Slowly she picked it up, feeling the coolness of the necklace.  "Myami got hers right before she was taken.  Remember it was her 13th birthday and we had all gone to the park to celebrate."

            Hitomi nodded and slipped the necklace around her neck.  It's familiar weight once again gracing her collarbone.  "I remember."

~End Flashback~

            Hitomi fingered the pink jewel as she stood and left her mother's room.  She began wandering around the house silently thinking about what to take to Gaea.  Even though there were still so many questions, Hitomi knew that she would no longer find the answers here.  Gaea and the Earth needed her help.  Once back inside her own room, Hitomi glanced at the things she had set out on the bed.  She had already called to Van and they had agreed that he would be at the track field at midnight.  Glancing at the clock it was already 10:30.  Hitomi took a deep breath and began to pack.

~Fanelia~

            Van watched the two moons of Gaea.  Perched on top of Escaflowne's shrine, he lay peacefully awaiting the time when he would go and bring back his love to Gaea.  Van had constantly had his mind on Hitomi for the last two weeks.  Everyone had noticed and when he was questioned, Van usually ignored them.  Hitomi needed him now more than ever and he was determined to be there for her. 

            "Is it time?" Merle quietly asked as she pulled herself fully onto the roof. 

            Van sat up and motioned for Merle to sit next to him, "Almost."

            "Are you going to tell her how you feel?"

            "I don't think I can.  At least not yet," Van said thoughtfully, "I mean her mother just died, she's found out that she's Ryujinbito, and that she has a sister.  Oh, and don't forget that Gaea and the Mystic Moon are both in danger."  He sighed loudly, "And on top of all of that I'm going to tell her that I love her.  I don't know if it'll help things or worsen them."

            Merle scratched behind her ear, "Love always helps.  It can never worsen, unless it's like an obsessive type of love where you're kinda maniacal."

            Van chuckled, "How do you know that I don't have an obsessive love for her?"

            "Cuz, you're Van." Merle giggled, "I know you, remember." After some silence, Merle stood to leave.  "Just don't let it go unsaid.  Regardless of what her feelings are, which I happen to think are favorable, if you don't tell her you'll end up regretting it even more than you do now."

            "When did you get so smart?" Van inquired.

            "We all grow up, Van." Merle leaned down and kissed him on the cheek, "Now go get Hitomi and bring her back home." Merle smiled and jumped off the building.

            Van jumped down as well.  He watched as Merle disappeared into the surrounding trees.  Van took the necklace Hitomi had given him off his neck and held it securely in his hand.  "It's now or never." Van closed his eyes and concentrated on Hitomi and the Mystic Moon.  He willed his mind and body to travel to the Mystic Moon.  He felt the power of the pendant and the power of his heart call out to Hitomi and as he opened his eyes a column of light engulfed his body.

~Arkanium Wood – Gaea~

            Tardus watched the night sky.  All of a sudden a beam of white light flashed down onto a place beyond the trees.  "How odd." Tardus turned away from the window and walked back to his friend's bedside.  He watched her as she quietly slept.  It had been two weeks since she had collapsed.  Yil had found her and had brought her back to the cabin.  Tardus had been by her side ever since.  For as long as he could remember she had never gotten so ill.  Sure there were the occasional colds and nagging coughs but never something that would have kept her in bed for so long.  Myami was a strong woman and had very few weaknesses.  So what had gotten her so sick?

            Today had been a good day.  It was the first time that her fever had broken and that she wasn't thrashing around in her sleep.  "What happened, Mya-chan?" Tardus brushed back some bangs from her forehead.

            "Mmmm..unnnnhhh.." Myami stirred.

            "Shhh, Mya-chan." Tardus pulled a chair to the bedside and held her hand while he sat, "Sleep some more.  Rest and all will be well."

            "She's coming," Myami slowly opened her eyes, "I have to find her."

            Tardus placed a calming hand on her shoulder, "Find who?"

            Myami yawned and closed her eyes again, "My sister.  She needs me."  Myami fell into a deep sleep.

            "Since when do you have a sister?" Tardus stared at Myami, confused at what she had just revealed.  "What's going on?"

~Earth – Mystic Moon~

            Hitomi sat in silence in the middle of the track field.  It was this same place that she had met Van for the first time.  It was where her adventures in Gaea had started and now she was here again.  "One more time." Hitomi whispered to herself.  This time she was going to Gaea to stay.  Although she felt sad for leaving so many things here on earth, she couldn't help but feel joy at going back.  She could almost feel the peace settle over herself.  She was going home.

            Hitomi stared up into the night sky.  Her senses began tingling making her aware of the growing light of her new pendant.  Hitomi lifted the pendant off of her chest and looked at it's bright light.  "Van's coming."

            No sooner had she uttered that statement, a blast of white light penetrated the night sky.  It's beam shot straight down in front of Hitomi.  Hitomi gasped and shielded her eyes from the blinding light.  As soon as the light dimmed a bit Hitomi stared into the light to find Van hovering within it.  "Van!" Hitomi waved to him happily.

            "Hitomi!" Van landed softly.  The bright light dissipated and Van stood there with a grin.  "It's good to see you again."

            Hitomi slowly walked up to Van.  She knew he was standing right there but she didn't want to rush to him in case this was all still a dream.  "It's good to see you too."

            Van and Hitomi stood closely facing each other.  Neither one made a move to do anything.  They seemed both content to just look at each other.  "She's even more beautiful in real life." Van thought to himself.

            Hitomi shared similar thoughts, "He's even more handsome in real life."

            Finally it was Van who broke the silence, "Are you ready to go?"

            Hitomi slowly shook her head and stepped up closer to Van.  Van felt Hitomi enclose him within her arms.  They stood like that for what Van wished was an eternity, then Hitomi released him, "Thank you, Van.  Without you I don't know what I would've done."

            "Like I said before, I would do anything for you." Van pulled her back, this time into his arms, "I'll always be here for you."

            "I'm ready, Van." Hitomi looked up at him.

            Van nodded and concentrated on bringing them back to Gaea.  Then in a flash of light they were gone.

~Gaea~

            The "ride" back to Gaea was just as Hitomi remembered it.  Quick, blinding, and efficient.  They had managed to land in front of Escaflowne's shrine, the place they had parted company the last time.  It was kind of ironic to Hitomi to be coming back to that exact spot.  To her surprise when they had arrived, Merle was there to greet them.  As soon as their feet had touched the ground, Hitomi was tackled by a very excited cat-woman. 

            "It's so good to see you again, Hitomi-chan!" Merle happily hugged her friend.

            Hitomi hugged Merle back, "I've missed you to Merle!"

            Van laughed as he watched Merle keep Hitomi pinned down.  Finally Van decided to be gracious and helped Hitomi and Merle both up, "Let's get back to the castle, I'm sure Hitomi must be tired."

            Hitomi nodded and walked with Van and Merle down the path towards the castle.  Hitomi stared at the sky.  She saw the two moons and silently said good-bye to her planet.  "This is my home now," Hitomi thought, "Call me when you need me Yukari-chan.  You'll always be in my heart."

            "Hitomi-chan?" Merle broke through her thoughts, "Daijobu?"   

            Hitomi smiled at Merle, "Daijobu."

            Merle grinned and took Hitomi's hand, "So tell me everything that you've done the last five years."

            "Sure." Hitomi laughed and proceeded to tell Merle everything that had happened to her the last five years.  Van smiled in happiness.  Just seeing Hitomi back made his heart sing.  She was here with him and she was here to stay.  Now how would he tell her that he loved her.

            The trio reached the now sleeping palace and entered as quietly as they could.  After stopping by Merle's room to let her sleep, Hitomi and Van wandered down the hall towards the room Van had prepared for her arrival. 

            "This is going to be your room." Van opened the door and ushered her in.

            Hitomi walked inside and gasped at it's lavishness.  She had caught a glimpse of Merle's room and had noticed it was just as exquisite.  "The castle has certainly improved." Hitomi said awed by her surroundings.  "Are you sure I can have this room?"

            "Of course," Van chuckled, "It's across the hall from my room and two doors down the hall from Merle's room.  The baths are at the end of this hall and are private for Merle's, my and now your use."

            "So this is your wing of the castle?" Hitomi dropped her duffel bag by the chest at the end of the bed.

            "Yes.  There are only two more bedrooms, which are only used when friends come to stay, and the other room here is my study."

            Hitomi nodded and went to sit on the bed, finding it soft and appealing.  "So what do we do now?"

            "Well first," Van said walking up and sitting next to Hitomi, "we all get some rest.  Then tomorrow a messenger is coming from the search parties to bring news of Myami.  After that I was hoping you could fill me in on what to do."

            "Finding Myami is the key.  Once we do, we'll all have some much needed answers." Hitomi turned to Van and smiled.

            Van noticed how close they were sitting next to each other, not to mention the fact that they were on her bed.  Hitomi had noticed the same thing and was beginning to blush.  Her mind began to think about what it would be like to kiss him.  They stared into each other's eyes caught up in the moment.  Van began to lean forward, "Just one kiss." He thought. 

            Hitomi saw Van lean in closer and her heart skipped a beat, "He's going to kiss me." She closed her eyes and leaned in as well.

            Van closed his eyes and was just about to kiss Hitomi when a slight jingle caught his ear.  Van looked down and saw a pendant identical to the one Hitomi had given him hanging from Hitomi's neck, "Hitomi?"

            Hitomi opened her eyes and tried to hide her disappointment, "Van?"

            Van pointed at her necklace and Hitomi smiled, "My mother gave it to me." Hitomi lay the cool jewel on her palm, "It matches the one my grandmother gave me, which I gave to you.  And the one my sister has."

            "So there's more than one." Van placed his jewel in his palm and brought it close to Hitomi's.  The two jewels grew a little brighter and seemed to be humming with energy.  Van and Hitomi stared in wonder as they could feel the power emanating from the pendants. 

            "Wow," Hitomi breathed, "That's new."

            "What do you think it means?"

            Hitomi shrugged, "I wish I knew."

            Van sighed and quickly pecked Hitomi's forehead, wishing they could've continued their "almost" kiss, "Why don't you go to bed and I'll see you in the morning."

            "All right," Hitomi squeezed Van's hand, noticing the look of disappointment pass across his handsome features, "We'll talk then."

            Van nodded and closed the door softly as he exited the room.  He leaned his back against the door and blew his bangs out of his eyes, "Almost." Then Van turned and touched the door with his hand, "Aishiteru, Hitomi, " He whispered and went to his room to get some rest.  There were a lot of things to take care of in the morning.

            Hitomi had watched Van leave her new room and sighed, "Almost."

            When she was sure she heard Van's door close she opened her door and checked the hallway.  Before shutting her door Hitomi blew a kiss at Van's bedroom door, "Aishiteru, Van," Hitomi whispered and then shut her door to go to bed. 

            Both Van and Hitomi fell asleep dreaming of what kissing the other would be like.

            The next morning Van was up early as always.  He quickly went through his morning routine and found himself wandering the palace with his advisors.  They were giving him the daily run down on how the country was fairing.  Van was listening intently, giving his views in-between his advisors statements.  It was only around 9 in the morning and he didn't want to disturb Hitomi just yet.  The messenger from his search parties had yet to arrive and after everything Hitomi had been through the last two weeks she deserved some rest.

            The group made their way to the training grounds for Van's soldiers.  After dismissing his advisors, Van leaned against the wall and watched as his generals put their soldiers through their paces.  It seemed like it had been an eternity the last time Van had picked up a sword.  The last time was when he had practiced with Merle, and that had been almost three weeks ago.  Van walked over to the rack that held all the swords and selected a blade.  After making a selection, Van took a couple of practice swings, smiling at the techniques that he had perfected.  Soon Van lost himself in his swordplay.

            Back in the palace, Merle was pacing impatiently in front of Hitomi's door.  She had wanted to wake up Hitomi and show her around, at the same time trying to pry any information about how Hitomi may feel towards Van.  Merle smiled to herself at how clever she was.  Maybe if she was able to find out how Hitomi felt, which she was sure was love for Van, then everything would fall into place.  Those two needed each other and if they didn't get their acts together they would have one annoyed cat-woman to deal with. 

            Inside Hitomi was totally oblivious to what Merle had planned for her.  She had been up since she had heard Van leave his room and she couldn't decide whether or not to come out yet.  She had already ventured to the baths, after she had made sure that no one would see her.  Now dressed in a soft linen shirt, a pair of form fitting pants, and a pair of leather boots, which she had all discovered inside the chest in her room, Hitomi felt more like a Gaean.  She had already packed away all her belongings into the spaces provided for her and had started to make the room more fitting to her personality.  When she had finished all of that Hitomi found herself drawn to the desk where she had put away her tarot cards.  "Where could you be, Myami?" Hitomi opened the drawer and fingered the tarot cards. 

            Hitomi slid into the chair and pulled the tarot cards out.  She began to shuffle the cards and felt the familiar rush of air between the cards.  There were still so many questions that needed answers and maybe doing a reading would help.  Hitomi took a deep breath and drew the first card, "One more time."

~Somewhere deep within Gaea~

            "Nigel!" Dorser called out. 

            "What is it, Dorser?" Nigel came out from around the corner with a beautiful woman tucked under his arm, "Can't you see I'm busy?"

            "Get rid of her.  The Master wants us."  Dorser turned away from his counterpart and started to walk away.

            Nigel grumbled, made a quick promise to the woman and hurried to catch up with Dorser.  The two weren't exactly friends nor were they enemies.  Their only bond was that they both owed their lives to the Master.  The two entered the dark room where Master Kirok always stayed in.  They found him in the familiar position staring out the windows over their underground base.  "The sisters will be together again soon.  How are the preparations coming along?"

            "The guymelef production is up to 78%.  Troop training is going well and the Graveler is almost complete." Nigel reported.

            "I want statistical reports on everything in the morning." Kirok patted his eye patch, "And the sisters, I want a run down on them too."

            "But don't we already have the file on Myami?" Dorser inquired. 

            Kirok hated to be questioned, "Yes, but it has been 10 years since she has been here.  I would like to know how our little Myami-chan has been fairing."

            Dorser heard the irritation in Kirok's voice.  "Yes, sir."

            Dorser and Nigel bowed and turned to leave when Kirok's words stopped them. "When you have all the information I want come to me with it as soon as you receive it.  I have another special assignment I want both of you to handle."

            Dorser and Nigel bowed again and left the room. 

            "Kami, he's always given me the creeps but that was just a little too creepy." Nigel patted Dorser on the back.

            Dorser ignored Nigel.  His mind was on his current assignment and on the one woman that haunted his thoughts, dreams and nightmares, Myami.

~Fanelia~

            Van had enjoyed his exercise with the soldiers.  He had almost forgotten how much fun it was to get into practice.  By the time he was satisfied that his skills were still intact, Van had made his way through 15 soldiers and 2 of his generals.  Van smiled as the familiar soreness began to creep up over his muscles.  He knew that later on her would be paying for his strenuous activity but it had felt good.  Van looked up into the sky.  It was probably about 11 in the morning.  Hitomi was probably awake by now and since he hadn't seen Merle yet today he assumed that she was with Hitomi.  Van headed into the castle, first to quickly take a bath, then to find Hitomi and Merle.

            Van was humming to himself as he entered his wing of the palace.  The sight that greeted him wasn't at all what he had expected. 

            "Hitomi!" Merle used her fist to bang on the heavy bedroom door, "Hitomi! Open up! Hitomi!"

            Van rushed over, "What's going on?  Is something wrong?"

            "I had fallen asleep waiting for Hitomi to come out when I just heard her scream." Merle turned to Van to explain.

            "Merle stand aside," Van ordered, "Hitomi!" He yelled as he rammed his shoulder into the door. 

            The door shook within it's frame. "Hitomi! Answer me!" Van shouted as he ran into the door again.

            The commotion they were making brought some other palace occupants running.  "What's happening, Lady Merle?" one of the servants asked.

            "Lady Hitomi is trapped in the room," Merle explained, "Get help and the palace physician."

            The servant went running with her orders.  Merle returned to Van's side and proceeded to help him bang into the door.  All of a sudden the doors were released and Van and Merle ended up on the floor inside Hitomi's room.  Van scrambled to his feet, his eyes instinctively going to Hitomi.  Then quickly he checked the rest of the room.  Nothing in the room was disturbed.  What had happened?

            Merle saw the look of worry settle itself on Van's face.  She got to her feet and saw the palace doctor and some other servants appear in the doorway.  She motioned for them to stay still as she watched Van approach Hitomi's still form. 

            Once Van was satisfied that everything was secure he rushed to Hitomi's side.  The truth was he didn't rush to her first for fear of finding her incapacitated in some way.  He had occupied himself with the room being clear of danger before he had calmed down his mind enough to face Hitomi.  Van knelt next to Hitomi.  He peered around her profile to stare at her face, "Hitomi?"

            Hitomi stared blankly out at nothing.  She had taken the chance of using the tarot cards again and she had just experienced her first real vision in the last five years.  Hitomi knew it had been powerful.  It had manifested itself outside of her mind, creating a virtual reality within her room.  She had shouted in surprise at what had happened and it was what had kept Merle and Van out while she had taken herself through the vision.  Hitomi had been in a forest.  It had looked as if she was in a forest kingdom.  There were huts everywhere, in the trees and all over the forest floor.  There were children, cat-people, shape shifters, and all sorts of characters.  She walked into the heart of the village to find a small hut.  A tall cat-man exited and before he closed the door Hitomi saw what the vision had meant her to find.  There on the bed within the small room lay Myami.

            "Hitomi?" Van brushed a stray hair and tucked it behind her ear, "Please speak to me."

            "I know where she is." Hitomi got out of her chair and knelt on the floor with Van.  She encased him in her arms and rested her head on his shoulder, "She's safe for now, but we need to find her."

            Van instinctively put his arms around Hitomi.  She was safe.  His mind and heart soared with relief.  Merle saw that everything was okay and quietly dismissed the others.  Shutting the door softly, Merle stayed inside the room to find out what was going on.  When Hitomi was feeling more secure in her body being able to stand she motioned for Van and Merle to sit down. 

            "What just happened, Hitomi-chan?" Merle reached a comforting hand out to her friend.

            Hitomi took Merle's hand in her hands and softly squeezed in assurance, "I think my powers are growing.  The vision I just had was so real, so lifelike."

            Van rubbed Hitomi's shoulder. "Tell us about it."

            And that's how the three sat for the rest of the midday.  Hitomi explained every detail of her vision, being careful not to leave anything out.  Sometime during their conversation Merle had answered the door to receive a message from one of the servants.  She had handed the message to Van who quickly read it out loud.  It seemed that the search parties had not found any clue of Hitomi's sister.  Hitomi had then asked Van to call back the search parties since they already had a general idea of where Myami was.

            Just then Hitomi's stomach grumbled, "I guess I'm hungry."

            "Hitomi! With everything that's been going on you've missed both breakfast and lunch," Merle jumped up and proceeded to drag Hitomi towards the dining hall. "Let's go and get you something to eat."

            "Wait, Merle." Van stepped up to Hitomi and placed a light kiss on her forehead, "I'm glad you're okay.  As soon as you feel you're ready we can start looking for this forest kingdom and your sister."

            Hitomi nodded and blushed at Van's spontaneous show of affection, "Arigato, Van." She caressed his cheek lightly with her hand before she was once again pulled by Merle.

            Van watched as Merle and Hitomi disappeared from the room.  He had made a decision.  He was going to win Hitomi's heart the old-fashioned way.  Van left Hitomi's room with a ridiculous grin.  Van was going to woo Hitomi into falling in love with him.  He was going to be the most romantic man on Gaea.  Luckily for Van no one saw him walking into the library that day, because if they did, they would surely be questioning their king's sanity.

End Chapter Two

That's Chapter Two folks!! I hope you enjoyed it.  As always please don't hesitate to review.  And I hope that you like my story enough so far to be eager for upcoming chapters.  Thanks again to all the readers and a special thanks to the readers that reviewed.  Don't hesitate to e-mail me if you feel that you need to let me know anything, jayli123@rocketmail.com.  I have the third chapter on the way and it should be out by next weekend barring any complications, which I doubt there will be any.  Till next time, Ja ne!

Jayli