Sunlight splashed onto her face and she opened her eyes slowly. Where was she? Hitomi looked around in confusion. The room she was in was beautiful, but she had never seen it before.

Hitomi shifted. It was the softest bed she had ever slept on! The blanket had strange, but pleasing patterns woven into it.

The sunlight had hit her from the open window across the room. What struck her as strange was that there was no glass in the window. It was just cut into the wall.

She swung her feet over the bed and stood up. Hitomi gave a startled cry when she almost collapsed. Why did she feel so weak?

Hitomi used the smooth stone wall as a support and tried to make her way over to the window. She intercepted a bookcase on the way. She glanced at the books, then her gaze snapped back to take a second look.

There was one book open on the desk next to her, next to an oil lamp. They weren't written in English. There was only one place she had ever seen those symbols. Hitomi stumbled over to the window and looked up.

There were two moons in the sky. She could see the Earth, but she wasn't on it.

She was back. She was back! She commanded her legs to stay under her. Hitomi stared out of the window. It was a beautiful view. It seemed almost too familiar.

Then all at once she recognized… She was in Fanalia! Hitomi glanced down and felt her heart stop. There was a familiar dark head, with a sword in his hands, attacking a wood practice pell.

"Van!" She cried softly. Hitomi bolted out of the room, stumbling only once or twice. She rushed past a towering hall, and down more stairs than she remembered. All the memories had come clashing back and were flashing across her vision.

Unconsciously she followed the pendent, it glow in her head marking out her way. She ran/ stumbled past several people who she didn't even glance at who continued to stare in her direction, even after she was out of site.

All of a sudden she burst in to sunlight. Hitomi gasped for breath.

"Van!" He turned and dropped his sword. She ran into his open arms, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Hitomi!" He laughed and swung her around in circles until they were both giddy and so dizzy everything was spinning and bubbling, both of their faces flushed and smiling in unabashed, ecstatic joy.

"I missed you so much!" Hitomi sobbed into Van's shoulder, drenching the rough fabric of his red shirt.

"I know." He held her tight, and thought nothing felt so right in his entire world. Van put a hand under her chin and titled her face up.

If anything, she was even more beautiful then the last time he saw her. Hitomi titled her face upwards and Van bent his head and finally, finally their lips met.

The kiss started hesitant and unsure, but grew sure and confident, sweet and possessive. They felt bridges rebuilding, slowly at first, then in a rush, till they couldn't tell who was who, in an exquisite rush of heightened senses, and beating hearts.

Someone coughed, shattering the spell that held them in its thrall. Van jumped back, and Hitomi's face glowed. Their glances met, and even though they weren't touching, their thoughts were still fused. The bond between them had been restored

………………………………………………………………………………….

Selena sighed with pleasure, "Oh, Allen, they're perfect. Why didn't you tell me, brother?"

"Excuse me, I didn't know." Allen looked disgruntled. He coughed. Van and Hitomi sprang apart, their faces glowing. They were still holding hands. Allen didn't think they even realized it.

"Oh! Allen!" Hitomi exclaimed. Another cough. She turned again.

"Millerna!? Dryden?"

Millerna smiled and said, " It's so wonderful to see you again, Hitomi! We were so worried when you remained unconscious for so long!"

Hitomi frowned and looked confused. "What? But…How long was I…"

"3 days." Van said softly. She chanced to look up, and her gaze caught his.

She promptly forgot anyone else existed, entranced by the light and warmth in his gorgeous amber eyes. For real at last… We cannot be separated again… Was that Hitomi's thought? Or Van's? She couldn't even tell anymore…

"Wha---what?" Hitomi ripped her gaze painfully away.

"I said, 'maybe your appearance in Gaea is more coincidental then we think. I assume you know more than what little Van has already told us." Dryden repeated, considering Hitomi intently, but a small, smug smile played around his mouth. "I think that maybe you should be included in our meeting this afternoon."

"I agree," Eris stated, giving Hitomi a critical look.

"But I----"

"Hitomi! You're back! You're okay!" A blur that was Merle launched herself into Hitomi, and they both went tumbling to the ground, Merle delightedly licking Hitomi's face.

"It's been so long, we thought we would never see you again! We were so worried about you when you didn't wake up!" She reared up on her knees and shook a finger at Hitomi. "How dare you worry Lord Van like that! Honestly, you foreigners have no manners! Dropping out of the sky like that with no warning!"

Hitomi grinned, unabashed, "I missed you too, Merle." She wiped some of the slobber off of her cheek, and pushed herself off of the ground.

When Hitomi was brushing off her skirt, she was mortified when and LOUD complaining noise rumbled from her stomach. She felt the blood rushing to her face again. She was so embarrassed!

"I---uh…" Van tried to stifle a chuckle, but a brilliant smile still leaked through.

" Well, the Lady Hitomi has every right to be hungry, given as she had survived on water and tea for the last 3 days!" Everyone spun quickly and found themselves looking at Lady Aronic.

"Hitomi, the is Lady Aronic." Van introduced, giving the embarrassed Hitomi a slight push till she stood in front of him.

"I have been waiting to meet you for a very long time, Hitomi Kanzaki. I am honored. More than you know. You have much to tell us, especially at the meeting this evening." Aronic stare left Hitomi disconcerted.

Aronic caught Hitomi hand, and started to lead her towards the entrance of the courtyard. Van made a motion to follow, but Aronic halted him.

"Hitomi needs to recuperate still. She been through a lot of trauma. And I have a feeling that your presence going to help the healing process." Aronic grinned, turned to Hitomi, and said kindly;

"Come on, girl. You can tell me all about those strange structures on the Mystic Moon, while you eat."

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Hi there, readers! I hoped you've liked it so far!

Disclaimer; I'd like to say, again, unfortunately I don't own anything from Escaflowne. (Doesn't everybody wish they do? I mean, right now, I think I would make the 'fair trade' of my right arm in exchange for Van…..

More Chapters are coming, but only if you review! Tell me what you think. If you give me suggestions they definitely will be considered for my fic! I've had a lot of technical problems, but hopefully I can figure this site out….

I really liked writing this chapter! Oh…how sweet! ^_^