A young man walked across a vast, empty land, his hazel eyes searched the golden fields. For something…but what had brought him here? Closing his eyes he could hear a restless scream in his mind, the aching of his body brought him to his feet.

The ground seemed to move beneath his feet, the strange motion seemed to make his stomach churn. Feverishly grasping hold to the ground the sound of rushing water was in earshot of his hearing. Standing shakily onto his feet he trudged through the waist-high wheat field.

A cold liquid met his foot as he took another step, this was where it was, the rushing waters he heard. Looking down he kneeled down to the side of the pathway of water, seeing how clean and perfect the water was.

The transparent perfection amazed him, never had he seen the waters from where he lived on land like this. In fact, it was if he stood in a dream, where all that surrounded his body seemed of flawlessness.

Over the sound of the waters was laughter, footsteps running in the dusty grounds not to far off. Was it his own madness that he heard others than himself? There wasn't a possible reason why he was still alive; the Grand Stream surely must've killed him.

"Hand me another clothes pin will you?" A voice said aloud, the glint of silver peeking past the gold stalks caught his eye. As he drew closer there was actual people sitting on the old gray machine.

It was a vanship…

Just to stand away from them seemed enough for him, to keep the sane feeling inside his mind. These others seemed so grateful, living in a spectacular home as this. Did he even wish to draw near? Would they be afraid?

Voices faltered, he could feel one's watch on him, someone saw him standing there. Soon the feeling of being watched grew stronger; cautiously the young man came near them. The light of the sky seemed to touch him, seeing the storm clouds were what kept him in shadow.

One blonde haired boy stopped in his tracks, holding a bundle of laundry in his arms. The red head even dropped the clothespins she held, her and the other women's dresses moving listlessly in the winds.

"D-Dio?" A small, gentle voice asked, there he saw a young girl atop the vanship, her sky blue eyes watching him. A smile spread on his pale lips, he knew who this girl was, Alvis…it was Al.

"Hello…" Dio replied, seeing the rest just gape in wonder as he stood there. It seemed all of them saw a ghost, barely believing that the person standing there was truly alive. Alvis slipped from where she sat and embraced him without speaking any words.

"Oh Dio…" She whispered, he could hear her crying as she buried her fast into his chest. "I thought we lost you…" Tears welled in his eyes, embracing the little girl in his arms for the first time.

"Immelman…" He spoke sweetly, the boy at first stepped back, afraid this was his mind tricking him. Al stepped back, turning to see Claus, unaware of whether to reply or stand silent. All eyes turned to him.

"Dio…it really is you. And all this time…" Claus seemed to lose his words, looking down at the dirt beneath his feet with tears in those blue eyes, "I wanted to protect you and Alex…to do all I could to help…but I didn't…I watched you die…" The clothes slipped from his hands, not even aware that he did so.

"But now, now that you're hear…" He smiled shakily, "Your with your friends now- -" Claus noticed his friend in pain, the hurt and regret in those creamy hazel eyes. Now he understood, it was Lucciola he was thinking of…

"I apologize…I tried…to kill you…and- -" Dio felt her embrace again, "Alvis…"

She shook her head, tears welling in those eyes of hers, "Don't blame yourself Dio! You didn't know what you were doing, right? I know…I know you would never have done that!"

"Claus…" Lavie said quietly, he looked aside from Dio, seeing where the blonde Guilder stood. He stood there the whole time, watching his friend from afar.

"Lord Dio- -"

The young Guilder's eyes met with the one who spoke just then to him, the sorrow look on his companions face. It was truly him…he was alive…his friend…his Lucciola.

"L-Lucciola?" Dio could feel uncontrollable sadness surge through him, tears streamed down his cheeks. Without hesitation he embraced him, feeling so overjoyed to be in Lucciola's arms again.

A wavering smile was trying to keep on his face, seeing Dio holding to him desperately. Being afraid to let go of him, afraid he would disappear… Tears came down his face, he had only shed tears twice in his life…and this time… as it had always been…was for Dio.

Releasing his hold on Lucciola the Guilder suddenly felt different, his mind seemed to drift as he felt himself falling…

- - -

"Dio…??"

He wearily opened his eyes to the room where he lay, seeing Lucciola sitting on the wooden chair beside the bed. A look of relief on his face, he had seen that look before, remembering when he was ill and was taken care of by his friend when Delphine couldn't.

"How did you survive…Lucciola, I though Delphine- -" He felt Lucciola's finger touch his lips, the warmth from his touch…he was truly alive.

"I found myself here…it was if a dream… I didn't think of it as real…but it was Dio…" His eyes softened and a smile he rarely saw came to his face, "we're truly alive."

He forced himself to understand, why, why was he still here? The world had been rejuvenated after all, was Exile…truly a place for them? Was it because of breaking away from Delphine that brought them here? Then if that was true…why wasn't Alex alive? Was it of his mind wrought on revenge and death?

The door opened, breaking from his thought he saw Claus enter quietly.

"You're awake…I'm glad." He walked over to the bed, seating himself carefully at the end. Dio warmly greeted him with a cheery face, though he didn't seem in the best condition. "I don't see how, you can always have that smile on your face.."

He smiled, closing his eyes wearily to sleep, "It's nice really…now I…know your name. So Claus you shall remain." Dio didn't need to open his eyes to see the look on the boy's face. His kindness was enough.

"Thanks, Dio…but it's sad really," He smirked seeing the Guilder cock an eyebrow, his eyes still closed, "I actually seemed to like being called that…Immelman."

He opened his eyes, seeing Claus laugh slightly in his embarrassment, his face lightly red. Before he could reply a figure in a white blouse jumped on top of him playfully. It was Alvis, she held out her goat to him.

"What's this for?" He asked, seeing the girl beam, placing the goat in his arms.

"It's a gift, for you!" Alvis said joyfully, her eyes shining, "It's a friendship token!" Those words made him teary eyed. Letting her embrace him yet again, hearing her soft giggling muffled against the sheets.

"And this is for you!" She handed back a black item shaped as a diamond, a long silk strand looped around it. "I wanted to give it back…" Lucciola felt the item touch his hands, it was so light feeling, he had nearly forgotten about this.

"Thank you…I gladly accept."

A booming noise echoed through the house, hearing Lavie call over the noise of banging the panel of metal in her hands. "Supper time!!" She called, the continuous ringing seemed endless.

"Come on Dio," Alvis took a hold of his hand, lifting him from the bed he stumbled to keep balance. "Here," She placed his hand in Lucciola's, "You two can walk together to supper!" The two friends nervously blushed, Lucciola laughed lightly.

"It's good to be home," Was all he said as the two followed the rest to the kitchen.

- - -

-End of Chapter One- -Please R&R-