Hi Everyone

Sorry for the late update but my mum was visiting and I don't get to see her all that often as she lives the other side of a country to me.

Anyway here's the latest chapter. As always, any feedback is appreciated but not expected.

Chapter 7

She yawned as she settled on the sofa, waiting for the phone to ring. She had gotten up early so her father could call on his lunch break after she'd text him the day before. She'd only got a couple of hours after the nightmares had done enough to keep her awake. She was close to falling asleep again when the phone rang, making her jump.

"Hey dad," she mumbled after answering.

"Get much sleep?" she heard him ask worriedly.

"Not really," she answered trying not to think about the nightmares from last night.

"A run should help clear your head enough to get some more sleep."

"I'll go for one later. How's Britain?"

She smirked as she listened to him talk about the sights he'd usually seen, the work he'd been doing and a few customs he'd learned of for the royal family. She knew he'd enjoy it more than he'd admit to himself but if it was keeping him distracted, she could listen to him rattle on.

"Now what did you want to talk about?"

"It's about the people who died. During the war on Gaea," she answered quietly.

"The ones who got new lives?"

"Not exactly. I had a weird thought when I was thinking about it. What if some of them weren't given new lives? Like they were stuck somewhere else."

"Are you thinking of trying to find them?"

"No, blame it on movies but what if they were stuck in someone else's head or they're stuck in between in some sort of purgatory."

"Then whoever amplified the wish probably wanted it that way. It's a common tactic in warfare. If there are individuals that could threaten your plans, you take them out first. In this case, they've not allowed them back onto the playing field, because they can threaten their plan for Gaea," he stated.

"How do you think they could get their own body back then?" she asked.

"I'm not sure it is possible but if it could be done, you would be the only one who could pull it off. If you or they had the pendant and you both made the wish strongly enough, you may be able to give them their body back. But it would depend on how strongly it's wanted, and your pendant is back on Gaea with Van."

"Ok."

"Hitomi, I know you're struggling but don't attempt it. Your mother and brother could have already been re-born."

"I'm fine dad, really. It was only brain-storming," she said with a smile.

"If you're sure. I've got a meeting to get to. I'll speak to you soon."

"Bye Dad!"

"Bye Princess."

She smiled as she stared at the phone in her hand, before losing it ass she looked around. She was lonely, the house just felt empty. Like it wasn't home anymore. Getting frustrated, she stood up and headed for her bedroom so she could get ready for that run she so desperately needed.

Meanwhile on Gaea…

She screamed as she came awake, sitting up and trying to catch her breath. She'd been having the same nightmare for a few days now but she'd been able to deny it or hide it until tonight. She'd gotten some answers though.

"Celena!" Van and Allen shouted as they burst into the room, "What's wrong? What happened?"

She tried to find her voice but she realised she was shaking too much and crying. She just shook her head and pulled her knee's up to cry into them. She felt both of them sit either side of her on the bed, trying to comfort her. Neither were helping though if she was honest. She was too shook up.

"Van I'm going to get her breakfast, do you mind staying with her?" Allen asked.

"Of course."

She waited to hear the door shut and her brother's footsteps to grow quieter before she looked at Van. He looked distraught.

"Are you ok?" he asked softly, "Is it Dilandau?"

"It's just a nightmare," she stated, "But Van, I think I'm being shown Hitomi."

"What happened?"

"Her mother and brother were killed in an accident. It was horrific. She was all alone with no friends, distraught and angry."

"Then once the war is over, we'll find her a home here where she can live out her days peacefully if she comes back," he offered, "It doesn't change anything between us."

"And what if she held out for you? Still is? You didn't…"

"Then I'll try to explain to her why. My council have approved our engagement and they're already waiting to hear back from your court. Once they approve, preparations wills begin. I'm devoted to you enough that we'll be wed if and before she returns," Van explained, placing a hand on the cheek, "She's still a friend. She'll listen and try to understand at least."

"You really think it'll be that simple Van?"

"I hope it is. But in the meantime, I think we need to look at separating Dilandau from you. You've had nightmares for a few days now, he could be feeding them."

"Can we not tell Allen about this?" she pleaded.

"Whatever you wish my love."

She smiled and moved to kiss him gently. They settled against the headboard of the bed, cuddling before Allen returned. However, she couldn't help but feel regardless of her concern for Hitomi, the woman would hate her for what she had done.

What do you plan to do if she does?

'Apologise and try to make amends.'

You think that will work?

'No but it's a start. My wish caused this. If my dreams are correct, then I don't expect forgiveness.'

Such a shame your future husband does though. He knows nothing about women if he thinks this is all understandable.

'Be nice or say nothing. We won't be stuck together forever and this would be your last chance for redemption.'

You used to like my honesty once. And I don't need redemption sweetheart. Everyone else does. You might want to start praying for them. When Hitomi returns she could be a force to reckon with.

'IF Hitomi returns.'

Oh no, it's definitely WHEN Celena. After all, the necklace she cherished from her grandmother is still here and a new war is coming. She was brought her during the last one, it stands to reason that she will again. Being stuck, listening to them and accessing your memories is rather useful.

She heard him laugh manically as he disappeared but Allen arrived before she could say anything to Van. She faked normal behaviour as she mulled the information over. He knew something, his cocky confidence was at the forefront again. He had information that he wasn't going to give willingly and she couldn't take it by force like he could from her. Was it possible he was able to contact Hitomi wherever he was disappearing?

Back on Earth…

She had been running for a few hours when she finally took a break, breathing heavily as she folded in half to stretch her back. By the time she finally took in her surroundings, she regretted not running longer. Thankfully there was no one around to witness how shocked she was to find herself here. With it being the weekend, the school was at least empty and she was less likely to to bump into anyone who knew her. She slowly walked up to the fence, looking at the track. It held some fond memories until…

Turning to look behind her, she saw the path and without thinking, started to follow the path up. Everything for her went blank until she was stood in the spot where her first journey to Gaea began. At first, she was upset. But then her rage took over. At it's highest peak, she failed to notice the lanterns lighting on fire and the wooden structures creaking and trying to split.

"Look girls, it's the freak!"

She almost laughed at the put on evil sarcasm the girl was trying to throw about. It was downright hilarious when she compared it to Dilandau.

"Do I know you?" she asked turning around spotting three girls stood not so far away from her.

"It's your fault Amano died," the blonde in the middle of the brunette and red-head stated. She had been the one to call her a freak.

"But that doesn't tell me who you are now does it? And Amano died in the accident that also killed my mother and brother."

"We were in your class and you don't know who we are?" the red head asked.

"Well when the people I thought were friends ditched me, I made it a point not to bother with people who didn't bother with me," Hitomi stated bored, "Now was there something you actually wanted or can I go home?"

"You could have predicted this so he could avoid it. His death is your fault!"

"I see. So you want revenge?"

"Actually yeah."

The blonde of the trio moved forward to slap her but her body reacted on it's own. She caught the girl's wrist and then the other when she tried with that one. Her rage consumed her as the blonde growled to be let go.

"You think I would just let you hit me because you need someone to blame for your little fantasy being ruined?" Hitomi sneered as the girl complained about being hurt, "What? You thought if I'd predicted it and he avoided it, he'd leave Yukari for you? How naïve."

"You're wrong!"

"Let her go!" the others shouted whilst shrinking back in fear.

"Actually I'm hitting a nerve," she smirked ignoring the slight smell of singed skin and wood breaking, "Since you want a prediction so badly, I'll give you one. No man will ever love you, you're children will leave you and forget you, and you will die alone. No will care and no one will cry for you."

"It's not true," the blonde cried.

"And what's really sad is that it would have been your future if Amano was alive."

"Stop!" the blonde cried.

"Never come near me again and I will wish for a happier future for you," Hitomi said looking over at the other girls, "Same for you."

She let go of the blonde, letting her collapse in a heap and cradling burnt wrists as she agreed. She gave the other two girls a glare before walking away, heading back down the path, ignoring the crying and panic. When she got back to the road, the adrenaline took over and a smile broke out on her face as she started running again. She felt alive, like part of her old fighting spirit was back. No more timidness, no more docile behaviour. She hadn't cared she'd hurt that girl, if she hurt anyone who had hurt her first. The adrenaline didn't wear off until she got home and sat on the sofa. Then regret and curiosity overwhelmed her for how she'd hurt that girl. The loneliness set in tenfold. She had no one to talk to or spend time with on Earth and she had no idea when Dilandau would be done with Celena.

Tears pricked at her eyes. For all confidence and determination she had earlier of not being hurt. Her anger had spurred it on. But in all honesty, she was a lonely, depressed and broken girl who's only use was to be used by people she once trusted, never wanted or loved just as Hitomi. Laying on her side, closing her eyes and letting the tears flow, her subconscious belittled her endlessly.

"Hitomi?"

She tried to ignore the voice curling in on herself, putting herself into a fetal position as she sobbed uncontrollably. Though it lessened when she felt a hand on her head trying to be comforting. She opened her eyes to see Dilandau crouched in front of her watching her carefully.

She opened her mouth to say something but instead choked out a sob as the tears she tried to hold back from him came through, burying her face into the cushion beneath sobbing apologies for being so weak. She felt the cushioning below change to a mattress and then the sinking of Dilandau laying beside her, rolling her enough to pull her awkwardly into his chest and keeping his arms around her.

So that's it for this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.

For anyone who's a beyblade fan, I've uploaded my latest chapter for my new Beyblade Story, 4 Queens - another slow burner but I'm partial to long stories lol

As always, any feedback is great feedback, but it's not expected.

I'll be uploading the next chapter on 2nd October

Until next time xx