Hi All,

Surprise! Here's a new chapter for New Years.

I hope you all had/have a great night wherever you are around the world and the next year is everything you hope it to be.

For now though, please enjoy and as always, feedback is appreciated but not expected.

xx

Chapter 13

Earth

She smiled as she watched Naria and Eriya tall with Chesta. Considering how the two had grilled him when they had come in, it was amusing to see them now acting in contrast so quickly. They'd bee comparing their experiences of waking up on a new world, with two sets of memories and the challenges of adjusting to that. She was just glad they could talk and compare. She hadn't had that, and it was awful, still was in all honesty. They would have a much easier time.

But Chesta had proven to be a tremendous help. He had started off by offering bits of advice and helping her stretch, deciding to train alongside her but he moved up to a sparring partner quickly. And whilst they'd taken breaks, he helped set up so the staff due in had less to do. It made her wonder if he'd be around often considering he lived a few towns over.

"Chesta," Hitomi called out, "Did you plan on staying in town?"

"I hadn't. I've got a hotel booked for tonight and tomorrow since I only planned to investigate but I think it's safe to assume I will. I just need to settle things where I am before I come back. Luckily, I was moving soon anyway, now my house is nearing it's sale completion. I just need to find somewhere to rent and a job," Chesta answered.

"Work here," Naria and Eriya offered, "We own the place anyway. We can just change the non-Gaean staff to night's only or weekends only when the rest of the dragon slayers arrive."

"What about when we leave though?" Chesta asked.

"Then anyone who doesn't want to go back can run it. We'll have a base on Earth then," Eriya explained.

"All you need to do is find somewhere to live," Naria added.

"Well apart from three rooms that are already kind of 'allotted', we do have 2 more bedrooms at the house. You're welcome to live with me," Hitomi offered.

"Are you sure?" Chesta asked.

"Yeah. My dad's in England at the moment so it's lonely. Plus, I could use some help soon, Dad wanted me to change the rooms around, but I've not been ready for that yet."

"Then I'll do the preparations over the phone, I just need to spend 2 days there then and I'll be your 'housemate'."

"Sounds like a plan. You're welcome to stay tomorrow night as a bit of a 'try-out' if you want."

"I may take you up on that."

She wandered off to the Ladies room as the three started talking business. She didn't want to feel out of place trying to keep up, since they all seemed to know a lot more than was normal. By the time she came back, they were all done, and Chesta was preparing to leave, intent on walking her home. He clearly wanted to take being her friend and protector seriously. On the way back, she'd been able to learn more about him. Like the twins, he'd woken up in a hospital after being in a coma, due to an accident that left him an orphan but with an inheritance.

He stayed in the house he'd inherited but started working, taking up martial arts in his spare time. It made her wonder if any of the other dragon slayers took up new styles of fighting. He offered to expand on the little self-defence she knew. It seemed she was getting training from everyone. At some point she was going to need lessons on politics and customs.

She smiled and conversed normally as Chesta walked her back. The smile stayed in place even after ensuring Chesta she'd be fine at home for the night three times, before he relented and left for his hotel. Though he did leave his mobile number, hotel room number and address of the hotel. It was almost brotherly how he worried which made the smile drop. Looking down the hall after she walked into the house, she finally dropped the smile altogether. She dropped her bag against the wall as she walked through to the lounge, collapsing onto the sofa, and curling in on herself as she started to cry. Going from being surrounded to alone, it was crippling in a way.

She didn't know how long she was crying, when someone touched her shoulder, causing her to instantly panic and try to get away.

"Hitomi, calm down. I won't hurt you."

She froze, blinking as she tried to clear her vision to make sure she wasn't imagining things. When it finally cleared, her jaw dropped.

"Folken?" she asked in disbelief.

"I'm real Hitomi,'" he answered with a gentle smile and offering his hand.

Cautiously she reached her own hand out, flinching when she got close for a reason she didn't know before grasping his hand. When she started inspecting it, marvelling at feeling skin instead of metal, he just smiled on.

"It's really you," she said in a whispered awe, "But I thought…"

"I wasn't reborn because you haven't seen me in your dreams?" he asked, "I've known where you are since I woke up here."

"You're the one who's been checking in on me for my dad?" she asked working it out.

"I am but I've been watching over you for a while now. But that isn't important right now," Folken said, "Are you ok? I wasn't even sure you was home until I heard you crying."

"Oh…It's nothing now,"

"It's not nothing. Don't dismiss your own feelings, Hitomi."

"I guess I got used to being around people and coming home to an empty house, I was lonely. I'm not even sure why it hit me so hard."

"You lost your mom and brother abruptly. It takes time to grieve and move past the hurt it causes. More time than you've had so far," Folken advised, "And you're never truly alone. Even if they aren't here physically, they're with you in spirit."

"I guess," she muttered.

"Come on, let's get you a tea. That should help a little."

She let herself be pulled off the sofa and guided into the kitchen to sit at the table. She watched as he went around the kitchen making the tea like he lived there. She wondered how often he'd stopped by to know exactly where everything was. Once he was done, he joined her at the table.

"How did you find me? How do you know my dad?"

"I woke up in the hospital near here. You'll probably find that anyone who died on Gaea will have the same story of waking up on Earth in a hospital. But your father was the one who was handling my affairs whilst I was in a coma. He took over from the man who raised him here and he was part of my Earth life before the coma. He didn't confront me about Gaea until I was released from the hospital, just after you started talking to him and your friend Yukari."

"He knew who you was? And neither of you told me?"

"We couldn't. After you told him about your adventures, he came to speak to me because my parents here were your grandfather's other adopted children from Gaea. Your biological grandmother delivered them along with the story for your father. They inherited the story and I inherited it when they died in my teenage years. She must have included something in it because as soon as he was done reading, he asked if I remembered you."

"So technically we're cousins?"

"Yes. Your father was worried you'd have a breakdown, so we kept it quiet. We was planning to tell you sooner but then we got a message of sorts, telling us we couldn't tell you until your connection to Van was broken and once you were ready. But this is the first time you've been awake when I stopped by."

"Sorry," she said sheepishly.

"It's fine," he stated, "Things are in motion, you've probably been busy. Tell me how are Naria and Eriya?"

"They seem happy. They're teaching me how to fight and make sure I have fun too. Have you seen them?"

"Not yet. I've been waiting for the right time."

"Well, if you don't want your cover blown yet, you won't be able to stop by every day. I kind of invited Chesta to live here."

"You already found the dragon slayers?" Folken asked, "How?"

"Just the one. He showed up today," Hitomi answered, "But I'm not sure you want the whole story. It doesn't exactly paint Van in the best light."

"That doesn't matter. I'm here to help you not him."

"But he's your brother."

"Hitomi, whether he's my brother or not, he hurt you. If we return to Gaea, my allegiance lies with you. If you choose to stay or come back to Earth, I'll be following. You've become a sister in my eyes, Van and I haven't exactly been close all this time."

So, for the second time that day she started explaining her story but this time going into more detail. Folken would occasionally get up and get them fresh drinks, he didn't pass judgement, make any comments, or ask any questions. Unlike her father at least. In all honesty once she started going into so much detail, she couldn't stop talking. By the end of it, she felt lighter, like the weight of it all had lifted from her shoulders even if temporarily. But her concern about how she'd spoken about Van made her wonder if she should have held back.

"My brother is a bigger fool than I thought he was," Folken stated, "You would have been a far better Queen for Fanelia. To speak of you as a weapon, that you can be persuaded to do as they ask undermines everything, he knew about you."

"You think so?" she asked.

"You came to Fanelia against Allen's wishes. You went to help those suffering against Allen's wishes. Whilst everyone treated me with suspicion, you treated me like I was just another person. I knew then that your personality, character, was independent. You will do what you want to do, even if it means going against what someone else wants," Folken explained, "But how easily he slipped into this. Has he done it before?"

"Once or twice. One time I slapped him for it," Hitomi answered shyly.

"Just a slap?"

"Why? You offering to do it?"

"Maybe. But I'm thinking someone might have other ideas."

"You mean Dilandau?" she asked, "He'll do what I ask but he's more likely to hold Van in place for me to get a punch or 2 in. He's all about me fighting for myself and helping me do that."

"Is he?"

"Yeah. I was terrified the first time he brought me to the void, but he was offering brutal honesty and he didn't want anything from me. He's been using the void to see my side of the war before Gaea and after Gaea. He's determined that I'll be able to fight for myself and he'll be fighting alongside me. He's already said he'll do whatever I want whether it means staying on Gaea or Earth," Hitomi explained.

"It sounds like he's your new knight," Folken noted.

"I guess. But I think he's more a friend. The first friend to make me feel like I'm normal or close to it. What makes me a freak here and a weapon on Gaea, doesn't matter to him. And I know I'm safe with him," she noted.

"Not something I'd thought anyone would say about Dilandau," he retorted.

"No one really knew him though."

"Too true," Folken offered looking at his watch, "It's getting late."

"Is it? I hadn't noticed. You can stay if you'd like."

"Are you sure?"

"I don't want to be in the house alone tonight."

'You're never alone at night… is that… How did you find Folken?'

'Uh… surprise?'

'Go sit on the sofa. If you hold his arm, I'll pull you both into the void.'

"Hitomi?" Folken asked

"Sorry. Dilandau wants to pull us both into the void," Hitomi answered, "I'm going to have to hold your arm though."

"Not my hand?" Folken teased.

'Absolutely no fucking chance.'

She giggled shaking her head, whilst Folken looked amused.

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.

Next upload is: 31st January

Again Happy New Year and see you in 2022 xx