With a groan, Van shifted himself into a sitting position. The earth felt crusty and rough under his hand. He looked down at the ground in wonder. It was unnaturally flat and grey. The new smells of car exhaust and smoke made his stomach feel weak. Everything was strange to him. The same as the last time he was here. A pair of fake yellow lights blinded his vision. Van lifted his arm to shield his eyes as the light passed and squinted at his surroundings. He found himself on a sidewalk nestled in suburbia.

Blinking slightly in confusion, Van pushed himself off the grimy sidewalk. The street was quiet and still. Above him, the sun began to set. There was also no sight of Hitomi. How am I going to find her? The endless line of houses around him became overwhelming. He couldn't search them all. It would take too long, and it was already getting dark. He was ready to give up when he saw two girls walking down the street towards him, wearing the same school uniform Hitomi had worn. Their strange glances said it all. He was different. Their eyes flicked to the sword resting at his side. The two girls went out of their way to avoid him, stepping off the sidewalk momentarily to walk around him. He tried not to take it personally. He probably looked scary. Looking down, he saw that his shirt and pants were extremely wrinkled. As for his hair, well it had always been messy. Despite his scruffy appearance, Van tried looking friendly.

"Does Hitomi live around here?" In fear, they clutched their books closer to themselves. Nervously they shook their heads and quickly scurried away. Van heaved a sigh. At least he had tried. Frowning, he headed out in the opposite direction the girls went. No need to scare them again. Quietly, he wandered down the street. People gave him dirty glares as he walked by but Van held his head high and ignored them. He soon found himself at the outskirts of a park. The trees were shrubs compared to Fanalia's but they were softer on the eyes than the bland sidewalk. He parked himself down on an empty bench, hands clasped the sides of his head, elbows resting on his knees. Hunched over, he studied the grass at his feet. He feared his task was hopeless.

That's when he heard laughter. Carefree laughter. It echoed down the path. "Come on Yukari. You were the one who wanted to come jogging with me, so you can at least try to keep up." Van buried his face into his hands. Am I hearing things? I thought I heard Hitomi's voice…

"Hitomi, wait! I need a break. Could you wait? I need a minute to catch my breath." Yukari panted, desperate for a break. Hitomi laughed and came to a halt.

"Okay, but only for a minute. You were better at this when we were younger."

Van shook his head, slightly in astonishment. Hitomi? Slowly he sat up straight and looked out ahead. There she was, standing in front of him. His heart leapt for joy. She looked almost exactly like she did ten years ago. Her honey-coloured hair was still cropped short, her eyes were still the same vibrant green. Hitomi sat down on the plush grass beside her breathless friend. She looked content. "It's been a long time since high-school, that's for sure." Yukari took a swig from her water bottle and, as an afterthought, she handed it to Hitomi. She smiled in thanks.

"Yeah," She rocked the bottle back and forth in-between her hands, listening to the swishing sounds it made. Van felt like he was in a trance. He watched in awe.

"I can't believe that you've stuck with your running this long, Hitomi. You're amazing to watch. You look so focused out there, you know? I wonder what keeps you going."

Hitomi looked down in embarrassment. "You're too much." She brushed invisible lint off her jogging pants.

Yukari giggled. "Don't be so modest. You're really good at running. I can't even see how you manage to train with your busy schedule."

Hitomi shot her friend an amused look mixed with slight irritation. "Yukari…" Yukari continued to chatter on. Hitomi sort of zoned out. Instead of paying attention, her eyes wandered around the park.

It's been ten years since I left. I wonder how he's doing.

She sighed wistfully as she took in her surroundings, eyes narrowing as something caught her eye. Plain dark burgundy boots, cut in a peculiar fashion. Her gaze swept up to see pale brown pants and a dusty red shirt laced up with leather twine, both looking rumpled. Her throat snagged with a gasp when her eyes met his.

Van?

"What's wrong Hitomi?" Yukari waved a hand in front of Hitomi's face to get her attention.

"Nothing." She tried averting her gaze but it was an impossible task. She sat there, dumfounded, looking right at him. This can't be real. I'm starting to see things.

"Do you know him Hitomi? The one with the strange clothes. Why are you staring like that? Hitomi!" Her friend shook her shoulder lightly.

"I think I do." Van began to smile. It started off as a shy smile at first but it slowly progressed into a toothy grin.

"Hitomi it's getting late. Amano is probably wondering where I am. We should get going." Yukari stood up and motioned for Hitomi to do the same. She looked down with annoyance when Hitomi just sat there. "Hitomi!" She placed her hands on her hips and shifted her weight to one foot.

"I think I'll stay a bit longer."

Yukari sighed and glanced over again at the strange man sitting on the bench. "Well, see you later then. I'll call you sometime tomorrow, after work." Yukari shook her head when Hitomi didn't even look up. She was smiling like an idiot at that guy who was grinning back at her. Who exactly is he? She's got strange tastes in men, that's for sure. She smiled at the thought of Hitomi secretly seeing someone. It wasn't like her. It's been awhile since she's dated anyone seriously. The way these two are smiling at each other you would think that they'd found true love. Yukari shrugged. Guess it's possible. Her absence went unnoticed.

Hitomi was waiting for someone to pinch her. Yukari can see him, so he must be real. Cautiously she got up and began walking towards him. Why is he here? Uncertainty clouded all possible answers. She took her time in walking to him. Was there a rush? Van stood as she approached. He towered over her. When did he get so tall? He looked welcoming, standing in front of the green background of the park, his arms spread out, ready for an embrace. His smile lit up his deep penetrating eyes. Hitomi gladly stepped into his embrace. She was so happy that she felt like crying, however instead of becoming overcome with tears she began to laugh. So did he.

"Hitomi, I had to come back. I wanted to see you again." His voice was a gentle calming wave. She held him closer.

"It's good to see you again. I've missed you." A woman passing by them cleared her throat. Hitomi flushed pink and backed away. Van stepped forward. He didn't seem to care what other people thought.

"Why did you come here, Van?" She knew it was a silly question to ask, but she asked it anyways.

"I have my reasons." He could not bear to tell her the truth.

"How is everyone? Is everything okay?"

He nodded, sadness washing over his features. "Everything's fine. It has been stressful lately at the palace, that's all."

She paused, studying his face with concern. Eventually she held out her hand. "How about I take you home with me and then you can tell me all about it?"

"Sure," he said as he took her hand, managing a tight smile. "Thank-you, Hitomi."

"It's no problem." She smiled back as she led him towards the parking lot.

To be continued...