Hello again my faithful readers, and another hello to all you first timers.  Welcome to Chapter 5 of my story.  I want to say a special thanks to all that reviewed after the last chapter.  I really appreciate it.  All of the reviews were helpful and insightful.  Once again THANK YOU!!!

Disclaimer: I do not in any way own Escaflowne; it's characters, plots, themes, etc.  Somebody else very lucky owns it and I kick myself everyday wishing that I were the intelligent bastard who thought it up first. 

Anyway with that all out of the way, welcome to Vision of Escaflowne: Homecoming.  Read on and enjoy. 

Chapter 5: Reunions – Part Two

            Myami sat up in the room that she had Ryley pay for.  As far as she knew her friends were already in bed.  Pristelle, of course, had been the first one to slip into her own dream world.  Ryley and her had decided to share a room, so for Pristelle's sake Ryley drifted off as soon as she did.  Then there was Tardus and Yil.  She really didn't know if they were asleep.  Sure they probably were both lying down, but both were known to stay up and keep watch.  Myami had already tried to lie down, but had found that she was too restless to actually sleep.  It was as if all her nerves were humming with some unseen energy.  Ever since they had reached Astoria, Myami couldn't help but feel that Hitomi was near.  Deciding that she wasn't going to get any sleep, Myami got dressed and quietly crept out of the inn. 

The streets of Astoria were quiet and deserted.  Myami took in a deep breath.  She could smell the ocean.  It had been so long since she had seen the ocean.  Heading in the direction of sea breezes, Myami hummed an old tune she had long ago thought she had forgotten.

Her path to the ocean led her through Astoria's many shops and residences.  Of course they were all closed and locked up for the night, but Myami could just imagine what they would all be like once the sun's rays signaled another day.  She couldn't help but stare at the dimmed beauty of the city.  Knowing she had a ways to go before reaching the shoreline, Myami picked up her pace. 

Once she had reached her destination, Myami sat herself down right at the water's edge, the waves just touching her feet.  Myami watched as her feet began to sink into the wet sand.  Wave after wave lulled a sense of calm into its observer.  Then an idea occurred to Myami.  "Why didn't I think of this before?" Myami slapped a hand to her forehead. "She's my sister, I should be able to link if she's in the city."

Myami closed her eyes and thought of Hitomi.   Slowly an image of Hitomi appeared in her mind.  Myami smiled.  Hitomi looked so much like herself, with the exception of her sandy blond hair.  Hitomi was certainly older than the 8 year old she once knew.  Myami found herself wondering how tall she would be.  Suddenly excited with the prospect of actually seeing Hitomi, Myami continued to examine her sister.  She seemed to be asleep in what looked like a very comfortable bed.  Myami concentrated harder.  Maybe if she looked around Hitomi she would be able to find out where in this city she was.

Myami tried to take a look around the area in which her sister lay sleeping when she noticed that Hitomi was opening her eyes.  Without thinking, Myami called out through the link, "Hello Tom-Tom."  The last thing Myami saw before she blacked out was Hitomi's astonished face.

~Hitomi's room~

"Hello Tom-Tom."  Hitomi jolted upright at the sound of a voice in her room.  Through her haze of sudden fear, Hitomi sent out a blast of psychic energy.  Hitomi clutched the sheets and looked cautiously around the room.  Sensing that she was alone, Hitomi felt herself relax.  Who was that calling out to her? And why did "Tom-Tom" sound so familiar?  Finally understanding what exactly just occurred, she began to rub her temples.

In self-defense, she had sent out enough energy to knock out whoever had been establishing a mind link.  Who could be trying to establish a mind link with her?  As far as she knew only people with a strong enough connection, such as relations or being in love, would be able to create a stable mind link.  Hitomi reached out with her mind, systematically checking everyone she knew in the castle.  All she found was that everyone was asleep.  She knew that she wouldn't be able to find the mind that had tried to connect with hers because she had knocked them out, but maybe she could at least find the base of the psionic energy.

Hitomi stood up from her bed and threw open the window of the room.  Holding her hands out and concentrating, Hitomi sent out feelers of energy.  Unfortunately she was limited to within the castle walls and Hitomi sighed in defeat.  Too tired and drained to think about it now, Hitomi slowly shut her windows and returned to bed.  She would tell Van in the morning after she gave her mind some rest.  She had recently discovered that her powers were growing ever since she had returned to Gaea, but she knew that during this process their usage would continue to drain her almost to the point of exhaustion. 

Hitomi yawned.  Tomorrow would be soon enough to find out what had happened.  Hitomi smiled before closing her eyes.  Besides, she knew whoever it was should be sleeping soundly until morning.

~Shoreline~

            Yil had followed Myami through the streets of Astoria.  He had heard her leave her room and had silently watched her through her small journey.  Yil had smiled when he saw her curl up like the little girl he once knew.  She had been radiating psionic pulses, probably searching for her sister.  So he had stood and watched over the dear friend that had lit a candle of hope in his life. 

            When he had seen Myami collapse after the surge of energy that had penetrated into her mind from an outside force, Yil had run to her fallen figure.  He was nowhere near Myami's capability but he knew enough to set up a psychic shield. 

            Picking up Myami, Yil made his way back to the inn.  It was almost dawn and Tardus and the others would be up soon.  From the force of the psychic blast, Yil estimated that Myami would be out at least for five hours, maybe even less than that.  Upon reaching the inn, he crept as quietly as he could up the stairs.  Nudging Myami's door open with his foot, Yil gently placed her onto the bed.  Yil smiled as he finally realized the magnitude of what had just occurred.  He knew that Myami had probably been searching for Hitomi.  The feedback of energy could only mean that Myami had found her. 

            Yil closed the door to Myami's room and headed for Tardus'.  Tardus would want to know about his discovery.

~Vastras~

            Nigel and Dorser had finally reached the final leg of their journey.  Nigel had been able to convince Dorser that they needed at least two hours of decent rest before they saddled up and headed for Astoria.  Only one more day and Nigel would be able to test out his new skills.  Sure he had practiced with fellow soldiers but he had never put his new powers to full strength.  Knowing he would have the opportunity to do what he wished once they reached Astoria excited Nigel.  They would be in Astoria by dusk tomorrow; maybe even earlier if Dorser stayed true to the pattern they had created on this journey. 

            Nigel yawned and headed for the room he had paid for.  He had only two hours of sleep ahead of him and he was going to make the best of it.

            Dorser, already in his own room, stared at the ceiling.  He knew that he wouldn't get any sleep.  Two hours of rest would be enough for him to sustain himself for their next part of the mission.  He thought to the possible hidden page of the Ryujinbito prophecies.  If it were truly in the scepter, a lot of people would have to die before they would be able to get their hands on it.  Dorser knew that the scepter was only taken out for the King's use on special occasions.  Otherwise it was heavily guarded in a vault underneath the castle. 

            He had already arranged for their horses and food to be ready upon their departure from Vastras.  It would only take them till dusk to reach Astoria's gates.  He didn't want to alert the entire city to their presence, so he knew it was best to start their attack from within the castle walls. 

            Now closer to the city, Dorser was even more sure that Myami would be there looking for her sister.  He felt his blood sing with excitement.  Soon he would be able to face her.  She had been the only one to match his skills and he was itching to show her all the new things he had learned.

~Next Morning – Castle~

            "Hitomi?" Van knocked lightly on the door, "Are you awake?"  Van put his ear to the door.  He had not seen her at breakfast and had tried looking for her in the same place where he had found her the day before.  When he hadn't seen her there either he had returned to the breakfast room to see if she had appeared there.  She hadn't been there either and that was when Selena had suggested that maybe Hitomi had wanted to sleep in.  So here he was standing at her door, "Hitomi?"

            Hitomi sat up and stretched.  Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, Hitomi wrapped the blanket around her and opened the door, "Morning, Van.  What can I do for you?"

            "Nothing, really." Van nervously rubbed the back of his neck.  Now that he had found her, Van didn't know what to say.  Finally finding his voice again, Van smiled, "You didn't come down to breakfast and I got a little worried."

            "I'm sorry," Hitomi motioned for Van to enter her room as she made her way to her travel bag.  "Should I have been down there?  I didn't offend Millerna-sama or Dryden-sama did I?"  Hitomi pulled some items out of her bag and went behind the dressing screen.

            Van sat tensely as he realized that she was going to change her clothes while he was in the room with her.  Even though he couldn't see behind the screen, he knew that it couldn't be at all proper for him to be in the room while a woman was changing.  Just knowing it was Hitomi behind the screen began to inspire his imagination.  He knew her skin was soft from all the times he had kissed her forehead and cheek and the times he had held her hand.  Van closed his eyes, as images of what Hitomi would look like naked invaded his mind.

            "Van?" Hitomi stepped out from behind the screen fully dressed, "You didn't answer my question."

            Van's eyes flew open and he knew he was blushing.  Hitomi looked at him quizzically and he quickly shook his head and put his imagination away.  "Sorry."

            Hitomi sighed, "Weren't you paying attention?"

            "Of course," Van quickly searched his mind for what he knew Hitomi had asked of him, "And no, you didn't offend anyone." Van smiled, proud that he had answered her earlier question.

            "Good," Hitomi was still unsure of the look she had seen on Van's face but knew that the look wasn't a bad one so she decided to leave it be.  Then remembering what she had wanted to tell him, Hitomi began straightening things up in the room, "Van, I think someone was calling out to me last night."

            At that Van's attention was peaked, "Calling out to you? How?"

            "Hai," Hitomi sat across from Van on the chair by the desk, "You know how we can talk to each other through our minds?" Hitomi waited for Van to nod, "Well I think that whoever was calling out was doing just that.  They were trying to connect to my mind."

            "What happened?"

            "Well at first I was scared and I sent out a psychic charge."

            "What's that?" Van was curious about what Hitomi could do.  She had confided in him that she could feel her powers growing and he had in turn let her in on his secret of manifesting some powers of his own. 

            Hitomi thought for a moment, "It's kind of a reflex defense.  I sent a strong blast of energy back through the mind link, shutting down their powers momentarily.  In short I blacked out whoever tried reaching me."

            "Do you know who called you?"

            "That's just it.  As far as I know only closely connected people can form a mind link.  Like us, we're best friends.  Then there's family and…"

            Van grinned, "Hitomi, that's it."

            'What's it?"

            "Family." Van nudged the idea. 

            Hitomi's face lit up.  "Oh my god."  Hitomi smiled as the ramifications of what she had just discovered sank in, "No wonder 'Tom-Tom' sounded so familiar." She thought to herself.  Then out loud to Van, "I don't know why I didn't figure it out sooner."

            Van nodded in understanding.  "We've got to tell the others.  It looks like we don't have to journey to your dream forest."

~Noon – Dryden's den~

            "I still can't believe she's here." Hitomi was so excited.  Myami was here.  Now all they had to find out was where in Astoria she was.  After Hitomi and Van had explained about the event that had happened to Hitomi last night, their group of friends had spent the last part of the morning discussing ideas of how to find Myami.  They had all agreed that Dryden would send some people out into the city with the description Hitomi had provided to start their search. 

            "So when are we going to go out and help look?" Merle was just as excited as Hitomi.

            Millerna stood, "I'm ready now.  The messengers have been out for about two hours now.  That should have given them plenty of time to spread the word through the city.  If anything people will be shoving all the black haired, green eyed women onto our path."

            Selena giggled at Millerna's image of what would happen, "Somehow I don't think it will be exactly like that."

            "Hitomi," Dryden scratched his chin, "Once you and your sister are reunited, are you going to be leaving immediately on the next part of your quest?"

            "Hai.  Finding Myami will answer a lot of questions, but it won't change the fact that Gaea and the Mystic Moon are still in danger."

            That comment sobered up the group a bit.  They already knew about the foretold danger.  "One world dies, the other disappears." Allen quietly said.

            "All the more reason we should get going," Merle responded, "Like Millerna-sama said, the messengers should have gotten the description out to enough people by now."

            Van nodded, "All right we should split up.  We'll cover more area that way.  Will you be joining us Dryden-sama?"

            "Hai.  Millerna and Selena can accompany me.  We'll search Astoria's eastern area." 

            Allen was about to protest Selena going with Dryden but Merle stopped him by grabbing his hand, "Allen and I will search the western area."

            "That leaves the southern area for Hitomi and me." Van stated.

            "If anyone finds her.  Just concentrate on me." Hitomi suggested.  "I should be able to hear you calling out to me.  Then I can inform the others and we'll join you."

            Everyone nodded and began to head out.   At the front door of the palace Hitomi turned to her friends.  "Arigato, minna.  I don't know what I'd do without any of you."

            Selena walked up to Hitomi and gently embraced her.  "Arigato, Hitomi-chan.  But we would be the one's lost without you."

            Hitomi gazed gratefully at everyone.  A single tear slipped onto her cheek.

            "Enough of this mushy stuff," Merle grinned playfully, "The sooner we find Myami the better."

            Hitomi released Selena and nodded.   After some last minute instructions the group split up to find Hitomi's sister.

~Noon – Between Vastras and Astoria~

            Dorser and Nigel had stopped to relieve themselves, eat a quick lunch and rest their horses.  They still had a good five hours more before they would reach Astoria.  Dorser turned to the trees as Nigel came back buttoning his pants.  "Did you save me some of that?"

            Dorser threw the last piece of the bread at Nigel.  Nigel caught it and bit out a chunk, "What is it?"

            Dorser shook his head.  Ever since they had gotten on the road to Astoria, he had gotten a feeling of foreboding.  Gazing over the expanse of road, Dorser cleared his mind.  Dorser had long ago trained his latent psychic abilities to sense other psychics.  Although he wasn't as powerful as Master Kirok, Dorser was skilled with what power he had claimed.  After finding that he couldn't sense anyone within the near vicinity besides Nigel, Dorser blew out the breath he had been holding.  "Time to go."

            Nigel nodded in response and vaulted onto his horse.  He waited until Dorser had mounted his horse and the duo once again set out on their path.

~Noon – Myami's room at the inn~

            "Pristelle." Myami whined, "You gotta let me out of here.  Hitomi's out there."

            Pristelle clucked her tongue at the pacing woman, "Your heard Tardus.  Ryley and Yil will assist him on the search today.  You are to stay in here and rest."

            Myami knelt down next to Pristelle and placed her head in Pristelle's lap, "But I don't want to stay in here.  I should be out there looking for her.  She is MY sister after all.  Please Pristelle.  Pretty please."

            "You know you can be such a child sometimes." Pristelle pushed Myami off of her lap. 

            Myami landed in a heap on the floor.  She looked up hopefully at Pristelle. "Does this mean that you're going to disobey Tardus and come with me to look for Hitomi."

            "No," Pristelle calmly replied and returned to reading the book she had brought along with her.

            "Pristelle!"

~Western Quarter~

            "Come on, Allen." Merle dragged him along by the hand, "Don't be such a worry wart."

            Allen shook Merle off him and crossed his arms across his chest. "Excuse me.  I have never been nor will I ever be a worry wart."

            "Yes you are," Merle took the same stance as Allen and faced him.  "First you worried about Hitomi-chan during the Great War and now you worry endlessly about your sister.  Selena is a big girl you know."

            "She still needs someone to protect her," Allen protested. 

            Merle couldn't believe that she was having this conversation with Allen.  "Selena is 21 years old.  She's been trained by you how to use a sword.  She still has Dilandau's quick reflexes, although, thank god, none of his insanities.  She's grown up."  When Allen didn't respond, Merle continued, "She may need protecting once in a while, but for the most part I happen to think that she's very capable."

            Allen stood silently as everything Merle had just told him sank in.  Each and every word rang true.  Selena had grown up and he was still treating her as if she were 12.  Allen shook his head, what a fool he had been.  "I still don't like it."

            Merle laughed at the unsteady acceptance Allen was beginning to display, "No one ever said that you were going to like it.  All you have to do is accept it."  Merle linked an arm through Allen's arm and began to walk, "Just let Selena discover who she is.  I'm sure that's all she wants.  She still needs her big brother."

            Allen comforted himself with that and the two friends continued their search.

~Eastern Quarter~

            Selena sighed as she shielded her eyes looking up at the sun, "It's about three in the afternoon and still no sign of Myami."

            "I know, " Dryden turned to Millerna, "How are you doing?"

            Millerna smiled and caressed Dryden's cheek lovingly, "I'm doing just fine, my love.  Besides being a little tired, I think I'm up for more searching.  Although something tells me we should have brought out our horses."

            "I know what you mean.  I wonder how the others are doing." Dryden kissed his wife's hand.

            "Well, we haven't heard anything from Hitomi, so it's safe to assume that no one has seen Myami yet.  The one thing we have on our side is that the city is spreading the word of finding a black-haired, green-eyed woman.  But so far no one is throwing those kinds of women onto our path." Selena winked at Millerna.

            Millerna mock pouted, "You would think that they would do so after their King and Queen have commanded it."

            "Millerna-sama," Selena shook her head and giggled, "I guess we just have to do it the old fashioned way and ask around."

            "You're right." Dryden declared.  Then offering his arms to both Millerna and Selena, "We should keep on going.  We only have a little bit more to explore than we can go and join one of the other groups to help."

            Millerna and Selena took Dryden's offered arms and the trio once again set out on their task.

~Southern Quarter~

            "Anything?" Van placed a comforting hand on Hitomi's shoulder.  They had been searching for the last four hours and there was still no sign of Myami. 

            Hitomi let out a deep breath, "I try reaching out to her, but it seems that every time I get to where she might be I'm being blocked."

            "A barrier?" Van thought for a moment. "Could it be that she's put up some defenses since last night?"

            "I guess," Hitomi smiled hopefully at Van, "Let's keep looking a bit longer.  If we don't find anything by sundown, like Dryden suggested, we'll just return to the castle and search again tomorrow."

            "Are you disappointed?" Van asked as they began walking again.

            "Hai," Hitomi looked out into the crowded street. "I know I didn't send enough to keep her out cold all day.  I would hope that she would be looking for me."

            "Maybe she's just a bit disoriented.  You did say so yourself that because your powers are growing that it's sometimes hard to control.  You could have sent her enough to be asleep all day." Van offered comfortingly.

            "I suppose."

            Van saw the look of disbelief on her face and sought to pacify it, "We still have a good hour or so before we should return to the palace.  Let's put it to good use, huh?"

            Hitomi nodded.  Van took Hitomi's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.  Then still holding her hand, Van led Hitomi through the streets of Astoria.

~Astoria's gates~

            "Dorser!" Nigel reined in his steed.  "We're here."

            Dorser nodded in response to Nigel and motioned for them to dismount, "We go on from here on foot."

            Nigel complied and took their horses into Astoria on foot.  They walked toward the western portion of the city, foregoing the first three inns they came upon.  Once they reached an establishment that Dorser approved of they stabled their horses and went inside. 

            "Why here?" Nigel inquired, "We passed three perfectly decent places."

            "We're closer to the castle this way."

            Nigel noticed the look on Dorser's face. "We're going out to look for the sister right now aren't we."

            "Hai."

            Nigel shook his head and stepped back out into Astoria's still bustling streets.  After Dorser had paid for two rooms, he stepped out to join Nigel.  Dorser pulled out the tracking device that Master Kirok had given them.  He pointed the small instrument towards the castle and slowly swept his arm across the city.  Nigel watched as the light grew brighter the closer the instrument got to the southern section of the city.  When Dorser was satisfied with the light's intensity he put the device away, "We head that way."

            Another look passed across Dorser's features.  Nigel stopped Dorser from walking away, "What is it now?"

            "Myami," Dorser's eyes grew dark, "I can feel her.  She's here too."

            At that Nigel grinned, "What a big day: a family reunion."  Nigel released Dorser and let him lead the way.

~Southern Quarter~

            "I knew you wouldn't let me down," Myami stretched her arms above her head and took in a deep breath of fresh air. 

            Pristelle nervously twisted her hands together, checking to make sure that the guys hadn't come back yet, "Okay, that's enough time outside." She reached out to pull Myami back into the inn.

            Myami deftly danced away from Pristelle, "Come on, Prisy.  Please let's go help look for Hitomi."

            "Oh no you don't.  You promised that all you wanted was some fresh air and now you've had some, so lets get back to your room."

            "Pristelle." Myami had had enough of waiting for Tardus and the others to return in order to learn if they had found Hitomi.  Taking her most authoritative tone she looked Pristelle in the eye, "Hitomi is MY sister.  I NEED to be the one looking for her."

            Pristelle could see that Myami was getting impatient.  She only used that type of tone once she was starting to get upset.  And for Pristelle, she'd rather have Tardus upset than Myami, "All right.  I give."

            At Pristelle's answer Myami broke into a huge grin, "Don't worry, I'll handle Tardus." Myami hugged Pristelle, "Now come on.  Let's go and find Hitomi.  Oh and before I forget can you please negate Yil's dark magic.  He used it to create a protective barrier.  Your white magic should do the trick."

            Pristelle sighed and extended her arms.  She closed her eyes and chanted a short spell.  Myami watched as Pristelle softly glowed a bright white.  When Pristelle was done she smiled at Myami, "Happy now.  Anything else Princess?" Pristelle mock bowed to Myami.

            "No nothing else that I require for the time being," Myami laughed as she began to walk away, "But I will be sure to let you know when I think of something."

            "Oh you!" Pristelle caught up to Myami and pinched her side.

            Around the corner, Ryley, Yil and Tardus were coming back after searching for any information leading to the whereabouts of Hitomi.  As far as they could tell, Hitomi had been a hero of the Great War.  Although the war had never found them and their haven, stories of the war had reached their ears. 

            "Myami's going to flip when we tell her that Hitomi has been in Gaea before," Ryley stopped at a nearby bench and sat down. 

            Tardus plopped down next to Ryley, "I still can't believe it.  She was here five years ago only to return to the Mystic Moon.  The people here almost revere her."

            "I basically found out the same thing." Yil offered, "It seems that Myami's little sister is famous."

            "It certainly does." Ryley stretched his legs out and leaned against the back of the bench. 

            Tardus sat quietly thinking about the information they had gathered.  Except for the castle and the western quarter, they had searched the entire city.  After finding out from Yil what had happened early this morning with Myami, they had immediately begun planning how to find Hitomi.  They had gone out as soon as the sun had peaked over the horizon.  Leaving Pristelle to "baby sit" Myami, they had separated and scoured Astoria.  Around noon they had met up to eat at a local restaurant.  They had each discussed their findings thus far and agreed that splitting up again would cover more area.  After they had finished their meal, Tardus suggested that they continue the search and meet back at the inn around four. 

            Here they sat, not too far from the inn, resting a bit before joining their female companions.  "You know," Ryley broke the silence. "Myami must've been awake for about 7 hours now."

            Yil caught on, "She must be pretty pissed if Pristelle was able to keep her in doors all day."

            "You're right." Tardus looked up at the sky, "It's about 5 now.  I think it's time that I face the music."  Tardus stood up and brushed his pants off.

            Yil shook his head and patted Tardus on the back, "Don't worry, you have Ryley and me to protect you."

            "Count me out of that!" Ryley laughed, "The last time Myami was upset with Tardus they busted up my hut cuz I was trying to protect him.  Myami's not my favorite person, when she's angry."

            Tardus rubbed his temples and sighed, "Ryley's right.  When Myami's angry, she lets you know it."

            Ryley stood and motioned for the guys to join him, "You know I've only seem Myami really angry twice: the time with my hut and the time with Dorser.  Other than that, Myami is diffused pretty easily or she doesn't really get angry at all."

            "He's right," Yil added. "We should get back anyway.  Pristelle must be pulling her hair out by now."

            The trio shared a laugh and began to walk wordlessly to the inn. 

            Hitomi turned to one of the tables outside of a vender, "Van do you think we could sit over there." Hitomi pulled out her tarot cards, "I'd like to do a reading before we head back to the castle."       

            "I don't see why we can't." Van walked ahead of Hitomi to ask the vendor if it was all right for them to use the table temporarily.  After the vendor nodded in agreement, Van motioned for Hitomi to come and sit down. 

            "The vendor says that we can use the table as long as we need it." Van took the seat next to Hitomi. "Are you going to use the cards to look for Myami?"

            "We've already tried out necklaces and our powers.  The last thing I haven't tried is the cards," Hitomi shuffled the cards.

            "What about that barrier?  Will the cards allow you to see through it?"

            Hitomi shuffled the cards once more then began to deal them, "I don't know.  I'm hoping that she's put the barrier down."

            Van remained silent as he watched Hitomi perform the reading.  He watched as familiar cards presented themselves:  La Luna, The Swords, and La Reyna.  Van looked up at Hitomi.  Her eyes seemed to have taken on a glassy quality.

            For Hitomi the cards she was seeing were somehow different, as if they were glowing with some unseen force.  She felt herself go into a trance as a vision began to claim her senses.  It wasn't as powerful as the first vision she had in Gaea, but it was equally important.  The vision revealed the streets of Astoria.  Hitomi found that she could navigate this vision as she had in the others.  Moving cautiously, Hitomi studied her surroundings.  It seemed familiar somehow.  Then suddenly she stood face to face with Myami.  Myami wore her hair in a high ponytail, which made her slightly darker than skin tone birthmark stand out.  It was her green eyes so similar to her own that confirmed for Hitomi that this was her sister. 

            Hitomi smiled as she watched Myami talk to a smaller woman standing next to her.  They seemed to be looking for her.  Hitomi's heart was filled with joy.  She knew Myami would search for her.  This would make finding each other so much easier.  She observed the petite woman pointing at someone with surprise on her face.  Myami turned to where she was pointing at and the surprise that had first appeared on her face quickly turned into terror.  The vision ended as Myami ran through Hitomi screaming out her name.

            "Hitomi?" Van knew she had just had a vision.  The glassy look was retreating from her eyes and Van gently placed a hand on her shoulder, "Hitomi?"

            Hitomi's eyes finally returned to normal and she gasped, "Van, Myami is here.  Something is going to happen and it's going to happen soon.  We have to call the others."  Hitomi quickly shut her eyes and concentrated on her friends. 

            Selena looked to Millerna and Dryden, "She's found her.  They're near the southern gates of Astoria."

            "Hitomi's found her, " Merle turned to Allen, "This way." 

            "Are they coming?" Van asked.

            "Hai." Hitomi stood and began looking around her. "They're on their way."

            "What's going to happen?"

            "In the vision, Myami is somewhere near here.  She's searching Astoria with another woman.  The other woman pointed at something and when Myami turned to see what it was, she screamed out my name."

            Van understood the urgency of the situation, "Then lets keep our eyes open."

            A few feet away Dorser had spotted Hitomi.  It was remarkable.  The sister's resemblance to Myami was unmistakable.  Those green eyes and facial features.  If it hadn't been for the sandy blonde hair Dorser would have certainly mistaken her for Myami.  "There she is."

            Nigel's gaze followed to where Dorser was pointing to, "Shit! She's Myami's splitting image."

            Dorser grunted, "Are you ready?"

            "If we grab her first, won't we draw attention, " Nigel pointed out.

            "You're right."  Dorser agreed and found an idea that was very appealing, "Shoot her."

            "What?"

            "Shoot her.  See that man she's with, " Dorser waited until Nigel saw him.

            "That looks like the Fanelian king." Nigel remembered from their lessons with Master Kirok, "So what happens when I shoot her?"

            "She's apparently his friend.  If you injure her enough, he'll be sure to take her to the castle.  Being royalty that's where he'll be staying for the duration of his visit."

            "And if she's taken to the castle to recover, we'll be able to kill two birds with one stone." Nigel finished Dorser's thought.

            "Exactly."

            "Well who could say no to a little carnage." Nigel held out his hand and aimed.

            Everything else that happened after that moment occurred in slow motion for Van.  Hitomi yelled out Myami's name and began to run to the woman she had identified.  Van watched happily as the woman beside Myami pointed out Hitomi to her.  Myami turned and smiled.  Then the look of happiness changed to one of terror. 

            Van saw a beam of light head straight for Hitomi from the left.  He began to run after Hitomi. 

            Myami had seen the same thing and also broke into a run, "Hitomi!"

            Hitomi froze as her vision sprung to life. 

~End Chapter Five~

Hope you all enjoyed that.  I'm so sorry for the delay.  As most people know it was spring break and I went out of town for a couple of days, thus being away from my computer.  When I returned though, I did burn the midnight oil to get this chapter out as soon as I could.  Once again thank you for reading and please don't forget to review.  The number of reviews that I have is nowhere near the number of hits I've received.  So as always I URGE YOU TO REVIEW!!!

To all my readers I apologize profusely for the delay, but I promise to have the next chapter out a week from the release of this chapter.  So stay tuned for Chapter Six. 

Thank you again! Ja ne! Jayli.