Disclaimor: I do not own nor claim to own Escaflowne.

Author's Notes: Another chapter. It's been, what, two months? Sorry. I was kind of busy coupled with writer's block. But I'm back! Hope you like this one! As always, please read and review!

Thanks to Anime Monkey, SabineballZ (I don't really know if you'll be happy with this chapter), and peachy-keen for reviewing! And thanks to all the readers!

Chapter 5 – Close Encounters

Barking was what brought Hitomi into the world of the waking the next day. Dilly was running around her room as if he would die if he stopped. Drowsily, Hitomi pulled herself out of bed and started to get ready for a morning run with a yipping puppy at her heels.

When she was ready, she clipped the leash Celena leant her to Dilly's collar and headed out the door.

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The sky was cloudy and it looked as if it was going to clear up anytime soon. Hitomi had been hoping to see the sun, but in that cold morning she'd have to go without.

As Hitomi jogged along with Dilly, she thought of the boy she had met yesterday and what Celena had said. He had been quite good-looking. Pink tinted her cheeks at that. But did she like him at all? No. Allen was the only boy she really liked. A content smile crossed Hitomi's face as she thought about her blond haired crush. If he would only notice her!

But didn't he already? Celena had said he talked about her. Then again, why would he notice Hitomi? She didn't have to die for looks like other girls. She had no special talent besides running. If she were injured, she wouldn't even have that.

Loud barks and a sharp pull on her arm brought Hitomi back to reality. Dilly had seen a tabby cat and was going crazy. Hitomi held on tight so he could not harm the poor creature since all Dilly's actions meant that he wished to attack. Finally the cat disappeared and Dilly calmed down.

"Jeez," Hitomi murmured. "I didn't know you were so intolerant of other species. Maybe it was good that Van left." She gave a small sigh and didn't notice the person who had just arrived.

"Talking about me?" a voice came from behind.

She whirled away to find a slightly amused Van. "Van!" she exclaimed. "Don't scare me like that." She placed a hand on her chest to calm her rapidly beating heart.

"Sorry," Van muttered as he bent to pat Dilly.

A disapproving sniff came from Hitomi. "I was not talking about you, anyway. I was talking about my cat. I believe yesterday I said my cat's name was Van."

"Well so you did." He momentarily glanced at her outfit. "Running?" he asked.

"I have to stay in shape," Hitomi replied defensively.

Van appeared to not have heard as he walked away. Hitomi barely caught his last few words that he appeared to say to himself.

"Of course. She has track."

A frown crossed Hitomi's face. How did he know she was on the track team? Then Hitomi felt like laughing. If he went to her school, of course he could find out who was in what activity easily enough. Hitomi continued to run.

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As the fog slowly lifted and the birds started singing, Hitomi found herself jogging through one of those nice neighborhoods. It was similar to the one she found Van in but not the same one. She recognized it as something else that sent her heart racing faster than it already was.

This neighborhood was the one Allen lived in. Being the foolish girl she was when it came to the blond boy, Hitomi had memorized everything about him that she possibly could. She knew his address, his phone number, his favorite color, his favorite food, his favorite sport, his favorite restaurant... She could go on for hours. Well, as long as she was here, she might walk past his house.

The Shezar's house had a shining white outside with a lovely flower design on the east side. Celena had been the one to paint the design. The lawn was always well cared for, but by whom, Hitomi did not know. She assumed they paid a gardener. Of course, while Hitomi did guess correctly more often than not, this time was one of those rare occasions.

As she approached the house, she at first failed to notice the figure that was trimming the hedges. When the figure spoke, she nearly jumped high into the air.

"Kanzaki?"

Hitomi turned her eyes to the tall young man that stood there. Her heart was hammering in her chest. 'Calm down, Hitomi. You can handle this. It's just your crush. You can handle this. Just don't make a fool of yourself.' With a shake of her head, Hitomi tried to dispel any other thoughts than talking calm and collectedly to Allen Shezar.

"Hello, Shezar," she finally said.

Allen, on his part, had been watching Hitomi's subtle face expressions change with interest. At first she had seemed surprised, before a little flustered, followed by confusion, frustration, and finally a confidence. He grinned at her in his amusement.

"So what brings you this way, if I may ask?" Allen smoothly went into conversational mode.

"I, oh, um, I was just," Hitomi pathetically began. Maybe she wasn't as much in control as she thought. "Running," she finally managed.

"Running," Allen mused. "At six-thirty in the morning?"

Hitomi silently fumed. Did everyone have to think it was strange for her to run? 'Slow down, girl. You're blowing this out of proportion. Two guys find it slightly interesting.' "Actually, it's closer to seven," she replied, trying to save the conversation from ending. "Besides, why would you be trimming the hedges so early?" she countered.

A chuckle escaped Allen at her defensiveness. "I'm a morning person," he explained. "Morning is the only time I feel I really have to myself. Gardening relaxes me."

"Gardening? I never thought you'd like something like that." Hitomi yelled at herself for that remark. She didn't know anything about Allen besides what ran around school by word of mouth. For all she knew, he could be training to be an astronaut.

"The beauty of life is fascinating, Kanzaki. Whether it be a rose or even a simple hedge, with the proper care, magnificence can be brought out."

'Wow. He's perfect.' "So," Hitomi started, looking desperately for another topic.

"So," Allen in turn said.

A bark interrupted the two's thoughts. Allen peered down at the little white shape circling Hitomi's feet. He pointed at the moving shape. "That, no that, couldn't be... Is it," Allen tried desperately to ask.

"Oh!" Hitomi exclaimed. "Yes, it is Dilly. Celena asked me to watch him for her for a while."

"Oh." Allen just watched as Hitomi tried to calm the impatient puppy. "So you've made friends with my little sister?"

"Yes."

He released a sigh. "I'm glad. She's never really met the right groups of people to spend time with."

Pink tinted Hitomi's cheeks. "You think I'm a good person?" she asked shyly.

"Yes. I've heard many good things about you, Hitomi. Anyone would be lucky to have your heart." Allen's flirting caused Hitomi to blush even more.

After an uncomfortable silence, Hitomi managed to say, "I'd better be going now."

As she started to walk off, Allen came onto the sidewalk and caught her wrist. "Wait, please," he said.

Hitomi turned slowly towards him, trying to fight down the rising color in her cheeks. "Y-yes?" she stammered.

"Kanzaki, I was wondering if, after clubs of course, you'd like to catch some dinner with me?"

Hitomi stood there staring at him. Allen Shezar had asked her out. He hadn't exactly called it a date, but he was implying. With a start, she realized she was taking long to answer. "I'd love to," she replied with a genuine smile.

"See you after school then, Kanzaki."

"Bye," Hitomi murmured mostly to herself as her crush entered his house. Several loud yips brought the daydreaming girl back to reality. "I'm coming Dilly, don't worry." For the rest of her jog, all Hitomi could think about was those last few moments she had spent with Allen Shezar, the most sought after boy in school.

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Van took a deep breath as he entered his new school. He sure hoped that things would go smoothly for at least a few weeks. But, with the way things had turned out during he past year, he highly doubted that.

After visiting briefly the office, Van found his homeroom class easily enough. Everyone had cleared out of the hallways and headed towards their own classrooms just moments ago. As he stood in front of thin barrier between being a normal kid and himself, Van felt like he wanted to tuck is tail between his legs and run. Van reached out a hand to turn the knob when someone bumped into him. He and the other person crashed to the ground.

"Watch where you're going, newbie," the other boy said while he gathered his fallen belongings.

Van merely stared at him. The boy had silver hair and blood-red eyes. About to speak, Van saw that the boy had already rushed off, in his attempt to get to classes.

As Van entered his new classroom, only one thought ran through his mind. 'That couldn't have been. Albatou?'

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Mrs. Takani was about to start class. Hitomi truly tried to listen, but her head was still in the clouds. Allen had been so nice. He had talked to her, responded to her questions, even laughed around her and not in a cruel manner. And best of all, he had asked her out. No one could match...

Her thoughts were interrupted when the door swung open. In came the first boy she had seen that day, Van Fanel. He was not dressed in school uniform as was required. That puzzled her a bit. Surely, he could have gotten one the weekend before.

It seemed Mrs. Takani shared the same opinion as Hitomi as she voiced it to the whole class.

Van tried to save himself any way he could. "I was unable to leave my current accommodations due to an illness of mine," he said helplessly. With a sigh, the teacher accepted Van's explanation, introduced him to the class and sent him to an empty seat. The seat was right next to Hitomi, so he gave her a weak smile as he sat down. Hitomi, however, had gone back to daydreaming and did not notice the kind gesture.