Hey guys! HAPPY BELATED NEW YEAR!!!! Lol ;; I hope the year has been great for ya so far! So much has happened recently that I don't even know where to start nn;; all I can say is that during the winter break I was barely on the internet…and coming back to school was just a roller coaster with work! So that sums about everything but at least I'm around my goal, ne? one-two month up-date (I just have to do the same for other fics u.u;;) thanks for the wait! Next chapter is when things start to really happen…and it's Hitomi's first day of school! Meet the other Esca characters!!

Thank You list

jossi-31- thanx for the review hehe, the nw guy if for you to find out in the next chapter! (I swear)

Liviania-lol, I researched;; hope ya enjoy this chapter too!

SabineballZ- Umm…can't say anything…but good try ah! Van is here again! And Barbie bashing is sure gonna come more times thanks for the review!

Ryuu Angel- ah! Don't worry pal. You worked VERY hard and I still have to review so many stories (and yours)…sobs great work that you passed!!! grins muhaha! Always leaving the long reviews for moi grins and this time it was two! TWO!! AHHH! hugs you like mad lol! 'hombres'…!! Don't we all do that? ;; hehe, you'll find your Spanish Van someday, ne? drool he better have a twin!! and I thought a change would be good with Millerna, she's always the popular one…you'll see how it's gonna be in school ah! I know! Poor Mahad dar Freid is always being neglected! LOL! Yeah! At least Hitomi used her brain and admitted Van has nicer eyes than Amano! ;; hehe, you got it and Chid is so cute! The brainy bro :p thank you sooooooooo much!!!!!!! You're the best reviewer ever peace!

Bradybunch4529-lol, the cliffy;; it seems I'm very good at ending a chapter with one…but at least this one won't be!

Onigir Momoko-LOL! Yeah, new guy;; but you'll see who it is in the next chapter…along with other Esca characters.

JoJo-AH! Thanks for the compliments hehe, poor Hitomi! And you'll find out who the guy is, I promise (next chapter, though) thanxs!

sqeekers- ha! Cool that I helped ya with the other names of Meg Cabott thanks for the cute review and the inspiring e-mail!! THANKS!!! And enjoy the new chapter!

Jess131346-sorry if I said anything that offended you…it was only a joke, really;; and I totally understood what you said, no problem I hope ya like the new chapter

Dahee Fanel-you reviewed twice! Wow, thanks;; haha! Yeah, Jess was super nice…and Van being the sometimes-too-arrogant character gives a new side of 'Jess'. It also has to do with what happened to Van before he died….so yeah mystery and yeah, merle was just a crazy ride to add her nn;; thanks for everything, and Brain had to say something…uh..brainy soon anyway, enjoy the new chapter!

kanberry-late review??? Bah! It's never too late for me thanks!!!!!!! cackles you'll find out who the mystery guy is and van is back! drool the fic wouldn't be the same without him

Thanks again for everything, the reviews helped a lot!! Enjoy the chapter!!!!!!!!! :)

Mediator Hitomi

Chapter six-Calling a Truce

So okay, I can't really say it was love at first sight. Well…because I've never been in love, with all that mediator stuff and people thinking I'm a freak. So…my love life isn't the highlight of my day, if you know what I mean. But I felt something tug in the pit of my stomach, or maybe it was too much food.

But anyway, after acting like a complete idiot and staring to oblivion with no clue at all that my mother was talking to me, I suddenly saw a hand waving in front of me. Snapping my eyes, I realised my mother was in front of me waving her hand at my face with a curious gaze in her eyes. I blushed furiously despite myself. Great, just great. It's only my second day and I'm already making a fool of myself in front of my new family.

Barbie Boy seemed to take great pleasure in this, because the next thing I knew he burst out laughing, in front of everyone! Honestly! If it wasn't enough getting me caught daydreaming, this must top everything. I sunk into my seat as Barbie roared in laughter, bits of his food flying out of his mouth. God, I just wanted to close myself in a closet in die.

I sunk lower as more people turned their heads towards our table, including that cute guy. Have I ever mentioned that i´ve dreamt of killing Allen? Well, that dream is not far from reality... "Allen!" Hissed Jeff sternly, "stop this at once! Or I'll ground you for a week with no surfing allowed!" At those words, Barbie Boy smacked his chest furiously as his laugh subdued, "Sorry dad," Coughed Allen with that irritating smirk on his face with his blue eyes glued to my face, as if saying 'idiot'. Have you ever looked yourself in the mirror? Idiot.

Jeff grunted in reply.

As if sensing the climate was shifting to a bad direction, mom the saviour rescued the sense with her smile and change of topic, "Is everyone almost done?"

I nodded my head slowly while my eyes searched for that good-looking guy in the counter. To my disappointment, or my relief, I didn't find him amongst the people in the restaurant. At the sound of my mother's voice I was snapped out of my curse of thoughts.

"Well, since everyone is done, shall we go?"

Finally! I was back home with the cool AC blowing my hair as we entered our house again. My feet were aching, my legs were sore, my hair was a mess, and I was sweating like hell, and the list goes on and on. If I thought people in California were just as smiling and sweat-free with awesome hair 24/7 as Bay Watch people, I was waaay out of track.

To put in small words I was basically a sweaty frizzed haired monster. I swear! I have never sweat so much in my life, not even when I had to run during track practice. I'll probably have to take towels with me to school, how embarrassing! This really stinks, literally.

The day has been long and tiring. After the super embarrassing sense in the restaurant, Jeff quickly paid the waiter and we left while I ducked my head hoping not to be seen by that cute guy even though I had a strong feeling he wasn't there anymore. Anyway, after we left, Barbie boy argued again with the idea of going to the beach. Not feeling like doing anything, or hear any argument, I agreed and off we went. Lucky for me (or not) my mom had brought one of my swimming suits along. I sat on my beach towel hoping not be bothered and just watch the waves crash on the smooth sand.

As if sensing my dislike for any type of disturbance, Jeff suggested we play volleyball. Without a word my mother dragged me to the game and I can't even bare the thought of how poorly we played. My team was my mom, Brain and I. Now, knowing my mom was awful in sports, I had unfortunately received those genes. (except running, of course) And well, Brain was almost half my size and has thick glasses, and every time a ball came hurling to his direction, he would duck his head and through himself to the ground. The game was barely over 10 minutes when the 'buttheads' (the name I have given for Jeff's and the boys' team) won over us, the 'pathetic' (again, another master mind name by me). At least I got one point in our team. Woo-hoo.

After the game, mom thought it would be nice if we walked along the beach. I thought it would be nice, you know, have a short walk with the sand and the warm sun. By that time the sun had already started to set down and turn a reddish color. And boy, was I wrong about the short walk. So after walking non-stop for two miles everyone decided to turn back and go home, which would be another two-mile walk. I have never felt so tired in my entire life, and therefore I desperately need a bath.

With that in mind, I was determined to take a good deserved bath. Smiling to myself, I went up the stairs and swung the door to my room. Than something in my mind flickered. I groaned with my eyes closed as I remembered the stuck up dude-ghost with his weird cat girl. Waiting for the worse to come, I opened my eyes. I let out a sigh I did not know I had been holding when I realized I was completely alone in my room. Must be a first.

I felt proud of myself that I was able to shoo that dude-ghost away without me having to kick his annoying ass. See? I don't have to always use violence, but I think it would have relieved my nerves a little if I did. Throwing that thought aside as I tugged at my dress, my feet shut the door with a soft click. I paddled my lazy feet to the direction of the bathroom, a.k.a temporary heaven.

I pushed the door slowly, almost done opening my dress. After I closed the door and locked it, I quickly tossed the dress to the side of the door and turned on my heel with nothing but a pair of navy blue sports bra and undies. I leaned forward to the metal tab of the white bathtub and turn it right-wards. I almost fell inside when my left foot slipped a little backwards. I successfully turned on the hot and cold water full blast, trying to fill the damn tub as hastily as I could. There's only so much a girl can take, and feeling sweating is not one of them. I tapped my foot on the creamy tiles of the floor.

Suddenly there was a soft voice calling me. Grunting to myself, I swung the door open and hurriedly leaned towards my bedroom door, "What?"

"Hitomi?" It was mom.

I cracked the door open just enough to stick my head out, "What is it?"

"You're taking a bath, honey?" my mom asked with the evident sound of water running in my bathroom.

"Yeah," I replied quickly as I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, how long will it take before I'm able to take my so awaited bath?

"Well, just to tell you that in an hour or so dinner will be ready, and this time, try not to sleep in," my mother joked while she flashed me a smile before she left.

"Uh, okay," I said before I shut the door and raced back to the bathroom. When I opened the door I saw that the water was almost to the top, "Shit!"

I leaned forward and slapped my hand down to cut the circulation of water. I cursed when I hit the hot tab, forgetting that it would be hot because of the metal tab.

I shook my hand as I flashed my eyes to the tab once more; cursing it even knowing it was really my fault. I sighed to myself as I once again closed and locked the door and emptied the tub a little. I turned my back to the tub as I leaned towards the sink, screwing the tab to cold water, and shoving my hands under the cool running water. I sighed as I close my eyes. Much better. I snapped my eyes open and almost grimaced at the image before me.

No wander I don't have a love life. I noticed my frizzed hair due to humid climate and I suddenly reminded myself of those ugly witches with the large zits at the end of their noses. My face is so oily that it looks as if my skin is glowing. I touched my hair and came to the conclusion that I have to clip my hair in place, other wise it will be bad hair day for the rest of my life. Boy, things are really looking up, aren't they? First, the additional family to the list, than the annoying smart-ass ghost with that weird feline, and now damned with sweatiness and frizzy hair. Great.

Feeling that it was enough time with my hand under the water, I slipped my hand out and screwed close the cold tab. Breathing deeply I turned around again and in a heartbeat I was only wearing the suit that I was born with. A shiver came down my spine as I felt the AC blowing on my naked body. I dived into the tub.

My head slipped backwards as I felt every muscle in my body start to relax. This feels sooo good. I opened my eyes to see a bit of steam swaying upwards. I could let myself forget about everything in this condition. I lazily opened my eyes to reach forward for the bubbles and shampoo. There's nothing better than a bubble bath, reminding me of those old movies with candlelight and soft romantic music as the leading actress takes a bath with bubbles.

I unscrewed the shinning cap of the bubble bottle and turned it down with a light squeeze. I watched as a small trail of white ooze fell into the clean water. My free hand started to flap quickly under the water and created peach smelling foam. I dipped the bottle forward as I turned it upright again, screwing the bottle safely and placing it on the corner of the bathtub. I continued with my process of foam making and I smiled when I saw that the foam was almost conserving my whole body.

When I felt satisfied with myself and the puffy foam, I grabbed the shampoo bottle and flickedthe cap open and poured a good portion of soapy liquid into my clean hand. Rubbing the rose fragrant shampoo into my hands, I thrust my fingers to my head while I made circular motions, massaging as I took the frizziness and grease out of my scalp. Once I was done, I ducked my head under the water and rubbed my fingers to take the shampoo off.

I lifted my head out of the water as I smoothed my hair and took as much water as possible. I placed my arms to either side of the tub, leaning my head careful against the hard tub. I could only hear the sound of my beating heart as I was almost lulled into sleep with the steam floating around me and the stillness of the bathroom. I wriggled lower into the water with a sigh. This is heaven.

Strangely, I felt as if I wasn't the only one in the room, and almost dreading the possibility, I opened my eyes. I let a soft squeak when I saw two curious eyes right in front of my face. Automatically my arms stitched themselves around my chest, not even caring that it was impossible to see anything with the foam floating around. I snapped my eyes to the face of my intruder, and I almost exploded when I recognized the face of that infuriating feline.

"Strange how you humans clean yourselves," Said what's her name with some exasperation, "It's so much easier to just lick yourself clean. I don't know why you bother like Lord Van to make a hole where you through water and wash yourselves, just a waste of time."

I grinded my teeth as my hands became fists, "What the hell are you doing here?"

The cat-freak shifted her bored eyes at my face, "This is my house, I can go anywhere as I please."

If I were in other circumstances, that cat girl would be flying to the moon.

"Excuse me! But I'm taking a bath and I'm sure you understand the meaning of privacy!" I snapped back at her.

The cat girl didn't seem to be intimidated by my glare, and only snorted as she glanced at her fury hands, "Lord Van didn't mind when I would stroll as he took his weekly bath, why should you flinch when we are in the same sex?"

I scolded deeply as I grunted, "I'm sure if he was taking a bath now with you as a cat girl he would definitely mind."

The feline flicked her eyes at my face with a bored expression, ignoring my last statement completely.

I felt like screaming my head off at this cat girl, "Is there any reason why you came here!?"

The feline looked at me in the eyes and I could see herself smirk, "Actually, I do I have a reason to be here. Lord Van directed me to tell you that we are not leaving, despite your threats and childish behaviour. This was his home and mine and there is nowhere else we would rather stay."

I wished I had something to bang my head against. Or rather have something to bang that stupid feline's head. Not feeling up to an argument and circumstances I sighed, "Can we continue this later? If you haven't noticed, I'm very busy and would like to finish this without interruptions."

The feline smirked again as her eyes flickered over my state and I could feel my cheeks heat up, "I suppose I can wait."

"That would be great, um…?"

"Merle," the feline unnervingly responded, "for a human, you have a horrible memory."

I bit my lip to prevent me from saying anything, "Are you done?"

Merle purred softly which made the hairs on my neck stand up, "We'll continue this later, mediator."

In a flash she disappeared, "And the name is Hitomi, you freak!" I yelled at the white walls that stared back me. I grumbled as I sunk in deeper into the water, my mouth almost touching the now cold water. So much for relaxation.

I can't believe what I'm seeing. Just as I had been told, dinner was ready just in time for me to go down the stairs. I was about to go inside the kitchen when I distinguished the voice of my mom calling, "Dinner is ready!"

Just after my mom had called, I swear I thought an earthquake had erupted. You know, since there are earthquakes in California. Just when I strained my neck to the direction of the stairs, I saw four figures stomping furiously down the stairs in such a hurry; you might have thought they had won the lottery. I was barely in time to throw myself against the wall before I would have been thrown away by those wild creatures. I'm telling you, living with the male species so far is hard.

After I caught my breath and recovered from the shock, I entered the kitchen. Oh. My. God. That's all I could think at the time. To me, it looked my stepbrothers and step dad weren't fed in a week. They spared no time, stuffing more food even though it was already full. Well, I'm mainly talking about Barbie Boy, of course. I'm glad to see that Jeff has a least some manners. Good heavens, otherwise I would have doubted my mother's taste. Well…not that I've already done that…but you know what I mean.

I swallowed slowly as I touched the chair next to Brain who was happily stuffing his face full of food. How lovely. If I had any thought of eating at any point in time, I suddenly felt a little sick. I snapped my eyes to my mom, who was eating her food as slowly as possible. As if sensing my eyes on her, she lifted her head up and met my gaze.

"Oh, 'Tomi," it almost sounded like my mom was surprised I had joined. I guess it's still new for us to eat together at dinner time, since when we lived back home we would usually eat dinner at separate times because of her jammed schedule and my nightly routine to kick ghost ass.

"Hi," some reason my voice had suddenly gone to a whisper. With my response, everyone seemed to realize I had joined. I felt myself blush with all the attention and the curious glances Barbie Boy keep sending me.

My mom stood from her seat, "You can sit beside Chid if you like. I'll just…um…get you a plate," I watched my mom hurriedly cross the kitchen to the far end, where she opened one of the cupboards and retreated a china plate. I slowly pulled the chair back next to Brain and sat down quietly, waiting for my mom to return. I watched my mom as she came back to the table with a pleasant smile on her face.

"I'm so happy the whole family is together!" my mom squealed as she handed me the plate. Everyone grunted in agreement. Ditto.

I quietly grabbed some food and ate slowly like my mother. Than Jeff fell his eyes on me, "Hey, squirt? Is that all you're eating?"

I turned my head and nodded, not certain whether my voice was back.

He laughed, "Here, eat more. Otherwise when the wind blows it will take you too."

Before I could say anything, he scooped a large portion of mashed potatoes and grabbed a big piece of chicken and chunked it on my plate.

"There you go," he smiled.

And so, after everyone was done, I stayed at the table for some few minutes trying to finish my food. I didn't want to look bad in front of all the boys and mom was so happy that I didn't want her to start scolding. After I was barely done with my food, I stood up slowly. God, I ate a lot. After I helped mom to clean up I stretched myself sluggishly.

"Tired?" asked my mom facing her back at me while she washed a plate under the running water.

"Yeah," I said lazily.

"Hitomi?" Asked my mom still with her back at me.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for trying your best to fit in," Said my mom turning her head to smile at me.

"No problem," I couldn't help but smile back.

"You better sleep well tonight, because tomorrow we're going to buy your school material," mom said with a small smile.

I groaned inwardly as I paddled towards the stairs, "Okay."

"Goodnight, Hitomi!" Called my mom when I was half way through the stairs.

"Night!" I yelled back when I had reached the top of the stairs and walked towards my room.

Again. Again that I can't fall asleep when I'm lying in my bed. The lights were all out, and I was pretty sure almost everyone was asleep. I drummed my fingers against my covers as my eyes looked out the veranda and to the bright moon. The room was barely illuminated that I could hardly distinguish the objects around me.

I sighed as I pulled my arms under my head. In two days I'll start a new school, a new life. It had only occurred to me now that I can be anyone when I go to my new school. I don't have to be the mediator freak if I don't want to. I smiled to myself with that thought. I shut my eyes with an intake of breath.

Yup. I can be anyone I want. I slowly opened my eyes feeling satisfied with that conclusion when something caught my eyes. Peering closer, due to the limit of brightness, I saw something move quickly. Strange. Looking closer, I noticed something shot up…what is that? I almost tumbled out of my bed in shock when I saw it wagged from side to side!

A fury head popped up from the foot of my bed, "Boo!"

I yelped as I threw a pillow at the strange creature.

I heard a soft thump and instantly I could hear hisses and curses. Than my pillow hurled back at me and hitting me square on the face.

"You sure don't have a sense of humour, do you?" hissed a muffled voice from the ground.

I blinked a couple of times before I recognized the voice. Merle.

"What are you doing here??" I hissed back at the cat girl wherever she was.

"Humph, no manners either," said Merle as her head popped up again, and the only thing I could see was her scold.

"Humph," I crossed my arms over my chest and tried to peer at her," Why are you really here?"

"We have to finish our discussion."

I froze as a new voice spoke next to my ear. I snapped my eyes to the voice and stared at maroon eyes glaring at me. I scooted backwards and glared back at him, "Can you at least tell me when you feel cosy to come and visit me?"

Van ignored what I said and strolled to Merle's direction with a cool pace, "Merle told me you were busy earlier."

Thanks God there was hardly any light to see the faint pink tint on my cheeks, "Y-yes."

Van moved his eyes to my direction, "We are not leaving."

I growled, "No shit Sherlock."

Van stared at me with a hard gaze, "What?"

"Nothing," I muttered under my breath as I broke eye contact.

"Precisely," said Van.

I growled again, "What do you want?"

Van leaned against one of the canopy posts with his arms crossed at the chest, "I don't want anything from you. I only want to make it clear that I'm not leaving and neither is Merle."

I bit my lip hard, "Didn't we agree on something?"

"I never agreed to anything, mediator," Snorted Van with his unruly mane blinding his view.

"Look," I sighed irritably, "what if we make this agreement, okay? You can stay at this house, but you are to never enter my room and bathroom at all times."

Van almost looked amused at what I said, "What if I don't want to agree to a truce and these…agreements?"

I grinded my teeth, "You're not helping."

Van grinned for the first time at me, "Good."

I let a pent up growl with my fists clenched tightly, "What do you suggest than? You have to at least leave the bathroom off bases."

Van looked at me with a strange glare, "I want to stay in this room."

I brought my hands to my face and almost wanted to scream, "Why?"

Van ignored what I said, "Look, Hitomi. I don't want you going into my business, got that? And I won't go into yours. This can be very simple: I stay in this room without bothering you, and you don't bother me. I will accept this request of staying away from the bathroom."

I closed my eyes to contain my anger, "Fine."

"Good."

I breathed before I opened my eyes to say something to that smart-ass. But before I could say anything, he was gone. Along with that most annoying companion of his. I grabbed my pillow and scream into. Great, now I have to share a room with a guy. That almost made me laugh when I imagined what my mother's reaction if I told her. 'Yes, mother, I'm sharing my room with an ass of a ghost guy.'

Laughing softly to myself, I closed my eyes and laid my head against my soft purple pillow. The last thing I remember was this weird feeling that someone was watching over me. Van…

yeah, the chapter is over and now the things are really gonna start heating up! hopefully I'll post the next chapter before this fic celebrates one year…bah! Can you believe it? Almost one year! Geez…time flys when you're having fun, ne? ;; anyway, stay tuned for the next chapter!!! Keep reviewing and I'll keep writing! c ya!

hitomi-chan

21/01/04