Summery: Hitomi discovers she needs to return to Gaea. Van's been hurt seriously and she can feel it, but when she returns someone else is expecting her, there's a desire for blood, for Gaea's blood, Hitomi knows she cannot let this happen, war can't start again, with Van she needs to find a way to stop all this nonsense, and her new powers shall help them well.

Would Gaea be safe?

Disclaimer: I don't own Escalfowne; its plot, or anything to do with it.

Escaflowne – An Epilogue

Chapter 1: Since you've been gone.

Earth –

Hitomi lay down in a bed of flowers, the light of the sun was hurting her eyes and by means of it she woke up.

"Where am I?"– She asked. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep in her bed. She looked around, a beautiful garden surrounded her, white and lilac lilies were everywhere. She loved lilies…she couldn't help but smile, the breeze was soft and everything seemed perfect.

"This must all be a dream" - she thought sadly, closing her eyes, she could feel as two birds fly away from a tree behind singing in harmony, suddenly she felt something soft touched her cheek, she opened her eyes slowly, white feathers where falling from above, she raised her eyes and saw the Earth and the moon on the sky.

She gasped, "This cannot be… I can't be in", her heart beat start racing, her heart filling with a strange happiness, "Run! Run! Fanelia is near," her mind screamed.

Hitomi didn't move – "I'm back?" – she asked out loud, as if someone would give her an answer, she was about to give a step forward when everything turned into crystal and broke, leaving her in a black space.

Before her, a faceless silhouette appeared, she couldn't speak, from the silhouette white angelic wings spread out. – "Van" – her lips softly murmured and her eyes gave a tender look. You could see a pink pendant glowing from the neck of the silhouette, Hitomi recognize it at once.

"Van?" – She dared to ask.

But no one answer. Her lips were about to move again when the silhouette spoke.

"I have missed you, Hitomi" – Van's voice echoed in the black space – "Since you've been gone…" -

Hitomi shook her head in disbelief, as a great happiness soaked her body. – "I-I haven't forgotten you, Van" – Hitomi said, tears falling, it had been long since she'd heard his voice, the voice she had missed for five years, to be exact. She had missed him greatly, his face, his crimson eyes, his jet black messy hair, just all of him, her life hadn't been the same since her return from Gaea.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she saw, with wide eyes, Van's wings bleed.

"Van " She screamed, her green eyes were wide. In the black space a whole was open and she start falling, loosing Van from her sight, she knew he couldn't save her, he was wounded, she knew this was the end, as she fall she let a single scream out that was silenced by the darkness.

The clock's alarm rang, the light entered from the window besides Hitomi's bed, it was once again hurting her eyes, slowly she opened them, holding tightly to the pillow wishing this wasn't a dream as well. Everything felt real she could smell her lavender scent; she was back to her room. She rolled over, placing her arm in her eyes so the rays of the sun wouldn't hurt them.

"It was all a dream" – Hitomi said…"Or was it a premonition?" Her mind spoke. – "What!" -

"Could it? Is Van hurt? Or going to be? NO" – she said firmly – "No, it was just a dream, it didn't even felt real". Her mind went quiet, she didn't feel agitated by such a disturbing dream, the happiness was washed away as she saw Van bleed and that she was still on Earth. It had been a long time, since she wished she was back at Gaea.

"I hope Fanelia is alright, I hope Van is alright" –

When Hitomi returned from Gaea, she use to have dreams about Van, about Gaea blooming into a gorgeous place, about Allen, Merle, about everyone, but they have stopped, it had been five years since she last saw Gaea, she was 20 now, her whole life had change, and even when she try her best to move one, she have come to the conclusion that she wasn't able.

At home, her mother believe Hitomi's tale about Gaea and Van, since her grandmother had pass through the same, her father play along but deep inside he didn't believed it, at least not completely.

Yukari believed her too. Everything seemed normal, but it wasn't, her family drew a bit far away from her, Yukari start spending more time with her boyfriend, Amano. Hitomi decided to continue in the track team and in school; it was a way to shove her thoughts of Gaea away. Everyone asked her weird questions about where had she been, she try to avoid them, because she certainly didn't know what to answer, she felt so lonely…and then she felt it.

"Someone is calling me" – she whisper, sitting in her bed, she looked at the sky, the unease feeling didn't leave, she tried to spot Gaea but she knew it wasn't possible.

She spend some minutes there, just sitting and staring at the sky, the uneasy feeling leaved, she stood up, she need to get a shower, she hadn't notice before but the dream caused her to sweat.

"I need to hurry up"– Hitomi said sighting, - "I can't be late for class" she was in her first year of University, but she was still undeclared taking various subjects to try to find which career was the best for her.

In the hot shower tears start falling, as she remember the bleeding wings, they had to be Van's, she knew it. She start washing her hair, it was silky and long almost reaching the shoulders, she started to think of how she lost contact with Van after she leave Gaea; she didn't have the pendant with her anymore.

"I should have known" - she talked to herself, - "I need to stay in contact with him, oh Hitomi, why are you so melancholic, common cheer up!" –

But it wasn't much help; she didn't spend a day without thinking of him, and how much she missed Gaea.

She was now out of the shower and changing into some comfortable clothes. She went to the kitchen for some quick breakfast.

"Does he remember me?" – The question emerged from her mouth "How is Fanelia and Gaea?" – She needed to know, all this years she had been wondering the same. – "I wanted to see it with Van, but I decided to come back, I can't regret it, besides I can't go back" –

Why was she so melancholic? Wasn't she happy on Earth? Hadn't she made a wise decision? "Apparently not", her mind told her.

She felt it again, someone or something was calling her, her thoughts were interrupted by the uneasy feeling again and the tick tacks of the clock, 7:30 am, she read. – "I got to get going!" – She said cheerfully, "I need to forget all about this."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Two men with white cloaks and their hoods up, where discussing in whispers.

"We must deliver this to the Goddess" –

"Indeed, Gaea's blood shall not be spilled again" –

"What way can possibly be the best way to gave this to her?"

"I don't know"– his companion shrugged

"The elders told us not to be seen"

"Nor to make contact with her, yes I know, we must find a way quickly"

"Look, the woman there, I can sense she has great contact with the Goddess"

"Ok, then we'll do it that way"

With their powers, that would have amazed anyone, they made a diamond pendant appear on a jewelry store, right besides the window where Yukari might be able to see it.

Yukari and Amano were walking, hand in hand.

"Amano, we need to tell her soon" – She told his loved one.

"I know" – Amano answered her kissing her lips gently.

Yukari looked at him dreamily. When Hitomi came back she had encouraged Yukari to tell Amano about her feeling for him. Finally, Yukari listen to Hitomi and let Amano know everything she felt, for two years they played around, getting to know each other better, and now they have been for three years an official couple.

"I want to get her something special, something to remember me" – Yukari said looking at the jewelry store – "something for her to remember us…" - she spotted it, it was beautiful, it almost felt like destiny, like that was what she had been looking for all along.

"Amano look! Isn't it beautiful?" – Yukari lead Amano to the jewelry store, and they stare at the window, Yukari was talking about a pendant.

"It is, darling, I think it would fit Hitomi perfectly" – Amano agreed – "but would she wear it? You know how Hitomi thinks about pendants, she hasn't wore one, since she lost her pink one"-

"I know"– Yukari said with a sight – "but this one is worth the try!" –

The pendant was gorgeous; it was a heart of a diamond, with silver wings detailed so extremely that you could see every feather that composed the each of the two wings, and the pendant came with a silver necklace.

"It looks expensive" – Amano frowned as both of them stare at it.

"It's for Hitomi, I want it for her"– Yukari said – "Let's go in, I want to know how much it is" –

Yukari walked inside, and grabbed the pendant along with the necklace, she saw a chubby lady standing not far away, and she assumed she was the person in charged of the store.

"Excuse me" – Yukari said

Something crashed in the back of the store, it sounded like a thousand crystal cups have crashed into the cold floor.

"Luke, would you please go and checked what happen?" – The chubby lady asked a boy.

"Yes, Madam Spencer" – the boy obeyed and walked away.

"Excuse me?" – Yukari tried – "How much is it?"

Luke came out again, - "Madam Spencer, you need to see this" – he said with a concern look.

Madam Spencer was about to follow Luke, when Yukari grab her by the arm. – "I want to buy this" – she said.

"It was near the window, wasn't it?" – said Madam Spencer, not looking to the pendant, she wanted to go as quickly as she could with Luke.

Yukari nodded. – "50 dollars then" – Madam Spencer told her.

Five minutes later, Yukari walked outside the store with Amano by her side.

"It was cheaper than I expected" – she told him.

"Maybe it was in offer or something" –

"Ok then, it's Saturday, let's go to Hitomi's house" – Yukari said smiling – "she must be home" –

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo Kanzaki's House oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Yukari rang the bell, she was impatient and nervous. She started to hope Hitomi wasn't at home, she didn't know if she was able to do this, "I can always come back another day."

She couldn't stop wondering how Hitomi was going to react; "Oh please let her not be home…"

Hitomi's mother opened the door.

"Yukari, Amano nice to see you" – she smiled –"looking for Hitomi? I'm afraid she isn't home" –

Yukari sighted – "Thank you, we can come another day" –

Hitomi's mother closed the door, and Yukari and Amano decided to leave, there was nothing else they could do.

As they turned the corner, they found Hitomi.

"Yukari!"– She smiled.

"We've been looking for you, young lady" – Amano said.

Yukari nodded looking into Hitomi's eyes, there it was, that strange look in her eyes, she couldn't remember when it appeared; their sparkle was gone, and it seemed that something was always missing, she even doubted her smiled and laughter were authentic.

"I come from a quick stroll by the park, why don't you come to me house, maybe we could have some tea?" – Hitomi offer.

"Sure" – Yukari said, it was now or never.

As they walked in, Yukari looked around, she always did, there was something about that house that she loved.

"Wait for me in the living room, I will go for the tea and some cookies"– Hitomi told them.

She entered the kitchen, suppressing the tears, today she had been thinking about Van again, and then she saw both of them, they seemed so happy and in love that it hurt, she start hoping she could fade away, back to Gaea, this didn't feel like home anymore.

"You could have been happy" – her mind gently echoed – "No, I'm happy here, I am" – It was the same lie she had been telling herself for five years, but it didn't have any effect on her, not anymore.

"I can't go back, I don't know how… "- She didn't know why, but these days have been all about Gaea and Van, her desire to return to his arms hadn't been stronger, not even that time when she returned home in the middle of the war.

"Please, stop" – she begged herself, this all felt like torture, in all those years she had felt sad for leaving Van, but why it had grew stronger, why?

"Do you need any help?" – Hitomi was surprised by Yukari appearing in the doorway.

"Huh? No, no, I have everything ready" – she fake a smile – "Let's go"-

Yukari looked at her – "She misses that world, I can feel it" –

She hurried up to the living room, right after Hitomi.

They start settling everything, and soon they were all drinking tea and eating cookies, while chatting.

"Not to be rude, but why were you looking for me?" – Hitomi asked curiously.

Yukari almost chocked – "Oh yeah, I've forgot, we have something important to tell you" –

"Well, let's hear it" – Hitomi smiled.

"Please, let her keep that smile when I finish telling her", Yukari begged. – "Amano has receive another offer to study in England" –

She began, five years ago, Amano was about to leave but she stayed for Yukari.

"Oh! Congratulations! That's great, but you'll leave Yukari here, won't you?" – Hitomi asked

They looked at each other.

"Won't you?" – Hitomi wanted to hear a yes.

"I'm leaving with him" – Yukari said, not looking at her friend.

It hurt, Hitomi let a single tear fall, her best friend was going away, the numbness she had been feeling all this years grew stronger, she had felt alone, when she hadn't completely been, but now it was going to be true.

"I asked her to marry me" – Amano continue

"We've decided to marry after he finishes his career"

Hitomi clean the tear from her cheek. – "I'm so glad for you two, it's great, you'll be happy and together, that's what's important, remain by the side of the one who you love" –

Those words hurt more than everything that was happening, she realize the mistake she had done, she swallow, trying to smile again.

"We've brought you a gift for you to remember us" – Yukari took out an emerald velvet box.

Hitomi extended her hand to grab the box; she hesitated but grabbed it. Slowly and gently she started opening the box, trying not to opening never, but she finally did.

Her eyes glowed at the sight of it, it was beautiful, immediately she had a vision of white wings spreading and some crimson eyes looking at her, her looked grew tender, and smiled.

"This is beautiful" – Hitomi looked at them, the uneasy feeling return to her heart.

"D-do you want me to put it on you?" – Yukari asked carefully.

Hitomi smiled and nodded – "Please do" –

Yukari sighted, - "Thank god, I fear you didn't like it" –

Hitomi giggled – "but it is beautiful, the heart looks like a real diamond"

Yukari quickly finish placing the necklace on Hitomi.

As Hitomi felt the necklace on her, a warmth wave surrounded her, Gaea start dissolving in front of her, Van was standing with his wings wide open, he extend a hand to her.

She opened her eyes, and saw Yukari and Amano, she was still on Earth, but know she knew.

"Gaea is calling me" – she told them.

Yukari nodded – "I know, Hitomi, do what you must" – she hugged her friend.

The hours past, the three friends spend the evening talking and as it ended it was time for Yukari and Amano to leave. Hitomi stood a while in the doorway, in a way she knew it was their last goodbye.

End of Chapter 1

Next Chapter!

Van-sama! – Merle screamed

Stay here, I need to save them – Van spread his wings out and fly whishing he could made it.

Chapter 2 – The Angel's Flight.

Thank you for reading this far, this is my first Escaflowne fic, I hope you like it so far, it was all Hitomi's but you'll see more of everyone soon, I promise!

Please if you like it review, if you don't well please review as well, I would like to know your opinions.

EDIT: I corrected some mistakes hehe and put quotation marks on the dialogues  Thanks for the reviews, I'll be typing in the next chapter soon!