Return to My Heart (Cont.):
Keetra: Hey all! Sorry for taking so darned long to post this chapter. I got so busy with work and school that I kept putting it off. But no more!!! Hitomi and Van are back and so am I and on a roll with a new laptop to type my story anywhere and anytime I want and a renewed inspiration! Thanks to all that helped me on this chapter and especially thanks to you reviewers! This story has gotten the most first chapter reviews than any other story I have written!! Cheers Anyway, special thanks to reviews:
damson rhee: Yeah, I guess it would be weird for them to leave, but if they left before she stopped doing card readings and getting teased, then it wouldn't be that weird would it? They had left soon after she got back so all this stuff hadn't happened yet. Does that make sense? Thanks a lot for your input! I love it when people question things in my writing! Then I know that I need to be a little more clear in my explanations in the story! Arigatou!
Solar: LOL! The disclaimer thing was a joke. I put weird disclaimers in all my stories. It's a trademark kinda thing I guess. shrug
Flipsides: Hmmmm. 'Make it better, your story rocks', huh?.... doesn't that kinda contradict itself? LOL! Well, I'm always trying to make each chapter better than the last so that's a definite there. And I'm really glad you think my story rocks. . Arigatou!
Saotoshi Yay! Multi personality person!! (or siblings…. Sometimes twins are alternate personalities as well if identical). Yes, the punching scene WAS beautiful… she had so deserved that. I've wanted to do a bitch slap scene for the longest time now and was gonna have that break out into a fight, but figured it was better if I just had Hitomi punch her; shorter, and easier on my writing abilities (aka: got lazy :-P). Plus, Vilarya aint the type to start a cat fight, she's just a bully that crumbles under pressure so Hitomi could only get in one shot and I had to make it serious enough to get her suspended. Only punch would do. . (plus, I can just see Vilarya with a hugs bruise over her eye and trying to pick up Michio. LOL, too hilarious! Anyway, Arigatou!
Kya77: Thanks for the compliment on my descriptions!!! I'm always so worried that I'm not being clear enough in descriptions. I get scenes flashing into my head like a theatre and I try to get down as much description as I can before I lose the image. It's nice to know that someone's understanding it! Arigatou!
Flame Saber: Read one of your fics… right… I'll definitely try to find the time to do that since you found the time for one of mine. I only know a few animes so hopefully you have fics of series that I know the chars! Arigatou!
Random: AW, do I really look like someone who's evil enough to kill off such a handsome guy like Van? hides trident, and stuffs devil's tail under the shirt and putting hat over horns Really, I don't see why people think I would be that evil! . Arigatou!
Wake-Robin: Arigatou! Short, sweet, though I would really like I little more feedback if you have the time. It helps me improve things and gives me things to go off of in the next chapter.
Inda Here ya go! Just for you, hon! . Arigatou!
Azn-ani-freak11: Even professional writers know that no story is ever "perfect". There will always be room for improvement. But thanks for the vote of confidence! Arigatou so much for reviewing!
Patty: Ack! Sorry it took me so long to update! Please don't die!!! does CPR on the dying reviewer Please keep reading! I'd hate to think a reviewer died because of me! T.T
Komi-kitty: You know, considering I wrote it on your fave series, hon, I thought you'd have more to say. . Just kidding Freshy! . Hope you read this chapter too and all the rest (if I post them fast enough for your fast boredomness :-D)
Chapter 2: Going From One to Two?!
The light drops Hitomi off in the middle of a large grassy plain. She looks up to see the comfort of the Earth hanging in the sky of Gaea.
I'm back. Back in Gaea, the one place I thought I may never see again except in memory…Her thoughts are interrupted as many horns call into the night. She looks to the direction she hears them from and looks down upon Fanelia, looking almost exactly as it did before it was destroyed by the Dornkirk invasion.
The horns sound again as the doors to the wall surrounding Fanelia open and a half dozen riders gallop out in her direction on the unique horses of Gaea. She stays where she is, knowing they are heading towards the location of the light that brought her here and has nothing to fear from people of Van's country since most of them knew her anyway. They ride all the way to her and come to a neat stop ten feet from her. The man in the lead, whom Hitomi recognized as Benji, steps his horse a couple feet forward and turns his beast sideways. Hitomi scowls at the thought that Benji was still here. He was a good commander, so that gave him some merit, and kept all the soldiers in strict order and fighting ready, but he had no real social skills outside of that. Plus, Hitomi scowls at this memory, he was the biggest feminist she had ever come across. Absolutely no women were allowed to fight in Fanelia and the glare he gave to female fighters from other countries didn't help relations with them much, since other countries would find ways to avoid bringing female fighters.
Benji sends this glare down at Hitomi now. No, she wasn't a fighter, but she was a woman more famous than himself that had no royal blood yet a romantic connection with his ruler. This had never tided well with Benji and he never liked her because of that. But, then again, Benji didn't like any woman so hadn't expected him to treat her any different. Doesn't mean I have to like him much though…Hitomi smirks to herself, not moving her gaze from Benji's brown eyed glare, framed by tanned skin and light brown hair, that is almost bleached blonde by the sun. His dark blue outfit is lavishly decorated with all his pins of rank, honor and service. These glinted in the bright sun of Gaea and threatened to blind her, but she returns Benji's glare just the same, refusing to back down from only a glare.
"Hitomi of the Mystic Moon." He states bluntly, more stating the obvious than inquiring, since he obviously knew her. Hitomi just nods at him and he continues gruffly. "We are to bring you back to the palace. Your… things…" he says this, taking a glance over the small bag she has brought with her, wondering how a woman stays sane with so little possessions with her, "Shall be taken to your quarters. If you need rest or food, they will be given to you if you request them. Millerne-hime," his scowl deepens, "is at the palace, as well as Allen Schezar and those under him. They have requested to see you as soon as you get to the palace…"
"No!" Hitomi states firmly making Benji Startle at her tone towards him. I love being able to do that, she grins at her success before taking her serious tone again. "I must see Van before anyone else. You will tell them that I will see them AFTER I see Van. They will understand."
Benji gives her a curt nod, though she knows that some poor servant girl is going to be forced to take the message. She gives a moment sympathy for the girl in her mind before concentrating filly on Benji. Dealing with him takes all the willpower any woman can muster. He turns his mount back to face the others.
"We must leave now. Altan! You take the… His Highness' guest!" he calls to one of the soldiers, changing his wording at the last moment.
One of the blonde riders, for there were the three blondes and two red-heads in the group, rides forwards and dismounts to help her up. He gives her a smile that is both apologetic and courteous at the same time, though he is careful in his facing so that Benji cannot see it. He helps her onto his mount then gets on behind her with practiced ease. He nudges his mount forwards and they easily catch up with the rest and head back to the palace.
I'm coming Van. She thinks to him within her mind. Just wait for me a little longer…
Few Minutes Later:
Hitomi walks through the halls of Fanelia's palace, led by Benji. Though the hall is filled with beautiful art and designs, she notices none of it as she keeps her eyes straight ahead, following Benji to Van's quarters. A had servant girl had taken Hitomi's bag to her quarters already, saying not a word to either of them. She knew not to speak around Benji or she would be "volunteered" for something else. Another girl had been "volunteered" to take the message to Millerne and the others. Hitomi had cringed at this.
They come to a hall just outside Van's door, the same hall where Van's upcoming death was announced. Since that time, the lights in the hall have been respectfully dimmed, adding to the gloomy nature of every soul in the palace. Two guards jump to attention as they turn the corner, their eyes widening only slightly upon seeing Hitomi. Even through the dimmed lights, Hitomi notices the slight slump in their shoulders, the weight of worry and grief weighing heavily upon them both. Hitomi stares at the wooden door, suddenly unsure if she can go within. Her feet feel like ten-ton weights that are merging her feet to the floor. Something seems to be pushing her away, keeping her from what is beyond the door. Benji nudges her from behind, and impatient urgency behind the motion. Hitomi forces her feet to leave the floor and move forward. One of the guards leans to the side and opens the door for her. She gives him a nod of thanks. As she slowly passes the doorway, the guard silently closes it behind her, sealing her within.
For the second time today, Hitomi sees Van lying on the bed panting, the pain he feels obvious upon his tanned face. His body is still dripping with sweat and the cloth on his forehead is dry from his body heat. Hitomi walks over to his side and sits lightly upon the bed, almost afraid to wake him. Benji had told her nothing, and she in turn had said nothing to him or anyone, wanting to see Van first before she lost what little strength she had remaining. Her hand reaches out and removes the cloth, soaking in the bin of water. She runs her other hand lightly down his temple to his cheek. Is skin is burning hot and clammy but she does not remove her hand, having not touched him in so long.
"Oh Van, I'm sorry. I should have been here sooner. Van, please wake up and say you forgive me. Please…" she fades into a fit of sobs upon Van's shoulder, releasing the emotions she has held in since she got to the palace. Her tears evaporate as quickly as they fall on Van's bare shoulder.
Elsewhere in the Palace…
Benji walks into a large room, causing the faces within to look up from whatever they were doing.
"Did you tell her?" Allen asks, voicing one of the many questions that had been floating through the room before his arrival.
"No." Benji says bluntly. Seeing Millerna open her mouth, he guesses her question and continues. "She didn't ask so I didn't say. She insisted upon seeing him so I brought her to him."
Everyone in the room glares at him upon hearing this. Everyone, that is, except Merle who instead dashes determinedly towards Benji. She surprises everyone by not attacking him, but instead passing him without a glance and heading quickly through the hall.
"Merle, wait!" Millerna yells, getting to her feet to go after her.
"Let her go, Millerna-hime."
"Gaddes!" Millerna stops and turns to him in surprise, as well as everyone else.
"Merle should be the one to tell her." Gaddes explains calmly, "She stands a better chance of getting a positive reaction from Hitomi than the rest of us. Their bond is strange but unique."
Allen watches as Merle turns a corner. "I hope you're right Gaddes." He says hugging Millerna to him. "For Van and Hitomi's sake, I hope you're right."
Back in Van's room a few minutes later…
Hitomi sits up as the door to Van's room is thrown open. An out of breath Merle runs in and pounces into her lap.
"Hitomi… Hitomi, thank goodness… you came…" Merle gasps out between hard breaths.
Hitomi hugs her friend tightly as Merle gets control of her breathing. "Merle, what's happened? What's wrong with Van?" Hitomi asks gently.
"Van-sama…" Merle starts but she chokes upon the words as sorrow fills her heart and her throat. She takes a deep breath and tries again. "Van-sama is gonna die!"
Hitomi stares at Merle in speechless shock at this news. However, she does not have to say anything for Merle continues, slightly more calm now that she got the more serious news of her chest.
"At first he just had a fever. The doctors said it wasn't serious and just had him stay in bed and sleep. But Van-sama would not listen! He said he felt fine! Then it got worse. Van-sama started getting really bad headaches and parts of his body would go numb. Then, one morning about a month ago, Van-sama didn't wake up and all he would do was scream in pain. Van-sama would sweat blood sometimes and bruises would appear on his body then would disappear. The doctors thought he was being hurt from the inside."
Hitomi's mind flashes back to the last time she heard those words. "Escaflowne. Did anyone check Escaflowne?"
Merle nods sadly. "Allen-san checked it himself. Escaflowne was in perfect shape and still asleep nobody can understand it!" Merle sobs.
Hitomi can't understand it either. But, then again, she thinks to herself. There are still things about Gaea that I do not understand. She sighs to herself. What am I supposed to do?
Merle interrupts Hitomi's thoughts as she forces an object over Hitomi's head and around her neck. Hitomi stares at it in shock.
"My pendant…" she mutters as her gaze is drawn to Merle's. Merle's eyes, still wet from the tears, have taken an edge of stubborn determination that always means Merle is at her most serious and expects to get what she wants.
"Hitomi must help Van-sama, she states, her voice flat with a no-nonsense edge. Her words hit Hitomi like the sharpest of knives.
"D-demo…" Hitomi stutters in response.
"Iie!" Merle screams, her voice breaking from the high note she hits as the tears flow down her cheeks yet again. "Hitomi MUST help Van-sama! Merle prayed and prayed that Kami-sama would send Hitomi to help Van-sama. Now Hitomi is here so Van-sama can't die!" She thrusts her face into Hitomi's chest, not noticing her paw landing on the pendant as she screams at the top of her lungs, every other note breaking. "VAN-SAMA CAN'T DIE!!!"
The pendant flashes a blinding bright pink and Hitomi is plunged far, far down as a rainbow of colors swirl around her, becoming increasingly darker until everything around her is pitch black.
What is going on? A vision? But I cannot SEE anything! She thinks frantically.
She brings her hand up to her face. It touches her nose with her still not seeing even the faintest outline of it. Am I blind? What kind of vision IS this? She wonders in confusion.
"Not a vision. A separation," a female voice echoes through the void around her, startling Hitomi.
"Who are you?" Hitomi challenges, still not able to see anything.
"I am Draconian. Your friend's wish was strong, but difficult to carry out. I am helping you to fulfill it."
Hope builds within Hitomi's heart. "How?"
But the voice does not answer this. Instead, Hitomi's vision begins to brighten as a dungeon room takes shape piece by piece around her. The stones on the walls are many shades of gray and go higher than the eye can see. Set within the walls themselves, behind red glass, are many lit candles, the flames low and immobile. On the opposite side of the room, Van's figure stares at her, crouched on the ground with a chain securing his ankle to the wall with a very long chain.
"So. You're here." He says, the cold tone in his voice makes Hitomi freeze for a full three seconds before she starts running towards him. "Don't come any closer." He yells at her, his voice still cold and his eyes narrow in hatred.
"Van… What's wrong? Don't you recognize me? It's Hitomi…" she says to him, her mind not believing, not comprehending at all what her ears are hearing.
"I know who you are. At least, who you SAY you are. You never give up, do you? You think you can pull that trick again! You are not Hitomi! You may look like her, but so did all the others! It won't work anymore. So just go back where you came from! You will not break my heart this time with your tricks!" With that, he turns his back to her so all she can see is the cuts upon his back. What they are from, she has no way of knowing.
Hitomi stares at his back, shocked at his cold demeanor towards her. He had not treated her this way since she first came to Gaea. She thought he would never treat her that way again.
"Van, I'm sorry. I came when I could. I didn't know." She says, her lips working by their own will since her thoughts have died.
"Yeah of course you did. Lemme guess, you had a vision. Or maybe or did a reading with those cards of yours. Or a beam of light suddenly picked you up and brought you into here. You think the others didn't say those things?" He doesn't even turn his head to face her as he says this.
Hitomi hangs her head in defeat. It's not as if I knew what I was going to do anyway. He won't even LISTEN to me! Her eyes in tears she takes the pendant off her neck and holds nit before her, her eyes closed in concentration. Take me back. There is nothing I can do here.
But nothing happens. She opens her eyes to the same sad sight of Van's back to her. She stares at her pendant in confusion.
"I can't go back." She says in a low voice, but it echoes of the walls so Van hears it and he snorts in response.
"Why not? Scared your master is gonna be mad at ye? Well, I don't care. Get outta here!"
"I told you I couldn't! I tried to leave and I couldn't!" she falls to her knees in sobs. She didn't want to leave, but Van was being so cold. She can't stand him like this.
There's a pause before Van speaks to her again.
"You really couldn't leave?"
Hitomi looks up from the floor to see him looking at her over his shoulder. His voice isn't as cold anymore, and his gaze seems to show his interest in her answer.
"Yeah." She whispers, her voice still echoing so he can hear her. "I couldn't."
He stands up and turns to her, his eyes soft with hope.
"You tried to leave me. Why?"
Why does he care? He doesn't want me here, right? She wonders to herself before answering. "You were so cold. I couldn't stand it. You didn't want me to help you, even though Merle's in tears screaming that you're going to die. I can't imagine how everyone else is, but everyone else in Fanelia is so depressed. But if want to die that's your own problem and there's nothing I can do about it."
Van slowly walks towards her, hope shines upon his face as he seems to stares into her eyes as if he could read her mind.
"None of the others would try to leave. They wouldn't leave, no matter how many times I asked them to. They would stay all day, begging me to go with them back to Fanelia, or to the Mystic Moon. But as soon as I stepped out of the door they would attack me, scratching me and beating me and something kept me from moving, from blocking them from hurting me. Then I would pass out and wake up back in here." He comes to a stop about 30ft away from her. "Are you really Hitomi? Please tell me you're really the Hitomi I love."
Tears stream down her cheeks and she doesn't bother to wipe them off, for they are tears of relief and joy. "I only know what I think I am. My name is Hitomi, and I am from Earth. Whether you still love or not after four months of not talking to me is within your own heart, Van of Fanelia."
Tears fall down Van's cheeks as well as realization of the fact that his real love is really there dawns upon him.
"Hitomi…" Love fills his eyes as he starts towards her again, the chain rattling along behind him. Hitomi starts running towards him as well, overjoyed at the fact that she had somehow gotten through to him.
They are but fifteen feet away from each other when the ground between them splits and shakes as it creates a deep chasm between them. Van jump back to safety but Hitomi is not so lucky as her foot slips upon the loose rock and she falls into the chasm. A loud scream pierces through her vocal chords as her hand shoots out and manages to grab onto a ledge, only to have that crumble and break in her grasp. She tumbles down and a rock jutting out from the wall takes the wind out of her and nearly knocks her unconscious. The pendant flies from her grip to the other side of the chasm, snagging on a random rock.
"Hitomi!" Van's voice cuts into her semi-conscious mind and she looks up as he dives off the edge.
"Van!" she yells, holding out a hand for him to grab her since she didn't know if she could move.
However, he never makes to her as the chain reaches its end and jerks him to a stop five feet out of reach. He swings like a pendulum straight into the opposite wall. The shaking of his crash, breaks the rock holing the pendant and it falls towards the lava that is filling the bottom of the chasm now.
"Van! The pendant!!!" She screams, pointing at the falling object.
Van pushes with his feet sideways and just manages to grab the necklace as it falls near him before swinging back and forth on his restraining chain. The chain that keeps him from helping his loved one.
"Van, fly! Fly to the top Van!" Hitomi calls to him from her ledge, thanking Kami that the cliff had stopped shaking.
"I can't! Their broken!" He calls back, grappling for stable handholds to turn himself right side up, never mind get back to the top.
Hitomi does a double take at this statement. Broken? You can break a Draconian's wings? Yet another fact about Gaea I didn't know. Funny how they ask me to save a world I know so little about. Sure, I figured out a lot of its history last time I was here, but I still dunno what those weird looking horses of theirs are called!
Van finds some handholds and he stats making his way back to the top. Hitomi watches him climb, feeling hopeless as she watches him slip many times. He reaches the top, puts the pendant around his neck so it does not fall again then yells over the edge.
"Can you move Hitomi?" he asks.
She mentally smacks herself for not trying to figure that out. She moves her body slowly, starting with her head and working her way down, careful to not to shift her weight too much and break the ledge. She screams in agony as she moves her right leg.
"Hitomi, what's wrong?" Van calls down.
"My hip! It hurts! Oh Kami, it hurts so much! Van, help me please!" She sobs, the fact that he cannot reach her not registering through the agony ringing through her brain.
Van bites down the retort that springs to his lips, knowing that, with the pain she was in, it would only make her angry with him and cause her more pain. He shuts his eyes and holds back the tears trying to run from his eyes. I need to help her. Tears will not solve anything!
The chasm starts to shake again before van can think of anything. Bits of rock break off from the top of Van's side of the chasm, and he dances back to avoid falling into it again. A scream from Hitomi brings him right back to the dangerous edge and he nearly passes out at what he sees. One of the rocks from the other side had hit the ledge supporting Hitomi and had broken it, leaving a crevice barely big enough for Hitomi to slip her hands into and hold on. Though she had managed to find a foothold with her non-injured leg, her handholds were weak and it was already beginning to loosen.
"Van! I'm slipping! Oh someone please help me!"
"Hitomi!" He screams, not sure what to do now, as the love of his life hangs by a weak grip on crumbling rock.
"Van! Don't let me die! Please somebody help me, please!" Hitomi screams in hysterics as her grip loosens more.
Van falls to his knees in helplessness, his heart breaking harder than when the fake Hitomis had tricked him into believing they were real. But this one's real! Te real Hitomi is going to die and all I can do is watch! But I can't! I cannot just stay here and watch her die! I have to help her! Somehow, I have to help her.
Van grabs a chunk of rock from nearby and starts banging on the chain with it. The rock lasts about two hits before crumbling within his hands. Hitomi's screams tell him her grip has gotten even looser as he bangs with another rock and another, but each crumbles within his hands after a couple hits, the last rock not even lasting until he hit the chain. Looking towards Hitomi, he sees that only her fingertips are holding her there. He watches as a shake of the cliff breaks the rock her fingers are gripping and she falls in slow motion towards the lava below, soon too far from the edge to grab another hold or be caught on another ledge.
"VAN!" she screams as she falls, her voice reaching him through his scrunched as that are freely flowing tears!
"Hitomi!!" He pounds the ledge in aggravation, ignoring the blood that starts flowing from the side of his palm. "Not, she can't die…" he says quietly to himself then raises his voice as Hitomi lets out another piercing scream, "HITOMI CAN'T DIE!!!"
A blinding pink light shines around him and the next thing he sees is falling down the chasm towards the lava, Hitomi within his arms.
"Van!" Hitomi gasps in surprise then quickly notices that they are still falling. "Van you have to fly!"
"I can't!" He says, holding her tightly to him At least we'll die together. I won't have to live without her.
"Yes you can, Van! Fly! You have to fly so I know you can fly!" She clutches his chest, one hand unconsciously grabbing the pendant there. "YOU HAVE TO FLY VAN!"
There is another bright light, but it lasts only a second and Van's wings sprout from his back, causing Hitomi to gasp in shock. Van's wings were indeed broken, for from the break to the tip, the wings held black feathers of death. But the wings starting to move in a flying motion, slowing and then finally stopping their fall before slowly raising them towards the top of the chasm. Van makes it painfully to the top and sets Hitomi down as they stare at each other in shock. A metallic rattling makes Hitomi notice the chain links still attached to his ankle.
"I flew!" Van announces the obvious as Hitomi does suit by exclaiming, "You broke the chain!" The latter, apparently, had not occurred to Van, as he looks down, surprised at the chain on his ankle.
"But… how? I couldn't break it with the rock!" he stutters, completely perplexed by this.
"Yes, but your wish was strong enough to give you that power, as well as the power to fly on broken wings." A female voice replies as a woman materializes before them. She appears no older than a teenager with long blonde hair and glowing green eyes. Around her shoulders is a heavy purple robe with thin silver trimming. For clothing, she wears a long white gown, the middle sewed with gold ribbon and the collar and bottom hem lined with silver. Tiny diamonds trial from the shoulders to the middle of her breast, ending where a large Drag-energist hangs on a thick gold band. The energist is still lightly glowing pink.
Van steps protectively in front of Hitomi, shielding her from the intruder. "Who are you?" he challenges the woman.
The woman smiles at him. "I am Draconian."
Van's eyes narrow in annoyance. "I didn't ask what you are. I asked who you are!"
Her smile widens as a parent's does when being patient with a stubborn child. "My name is Draconian. The draconians are named after me."
Van remains silent at this news, not seeing when Hitomi steps out from behind him and walks towards Draconian.
"It's you. You're the one I heard before I came here."
Draconian's smile turns towards Hitomi, a very warm smile that lightens the heart.
"Yes Hitomi. Our friend's wish was strong enough to reach my energist and gave me the power to help you. However, her wish is not fulfilled completely. You must do the rest. I have done all I can to help you. Now you must go back, before the master in this place notices my barrier and stops me."
Her energist begins to glow brighter and the light seems to surround Hitomi and Van.
"But, what can I do? There's so much I don't know!" Hitomi cries, trying to understand.
Draconian gives her the patience smile she gave Van. "You have the knowledge you need, Hitomi. You just have to think about what you know, and what is missing from what you know to be true." Though this was supposed to be an explanation, it only achieves in confusing Hitomi more than she already was. Draconian's smile slowly diminishes as she listens to something only she can hear. "He knows I am here, you must go back. He does not belong here, not yet. I will do what I can, but you must go, NOW!" she raises her voice on the last word and the light becomes increasingly bright as Hitomi feels a slight displacement. You have the knowledge you need, Hitomi. You just need to believe you can see it. Draconian's voice whispers into her mind as her surrounding become those quarters, with a worried Merle staring at her about an inch from her face. Hitomi screams and pushes her away in shocked reaction, Merle landing neatly on her paws.
"Merle, what were you doing that close to my face?!"
"But you weren't saying anything! You had just passed out on top of Van-sama and you weren't breathing! Figures, I ask you to help Van-sama and you nearly die. How is that supposed to help anyone?!"
'But she did help me.' Hitomi hears Van's voice.
"Van!" she says excitedly and turns to his face. But his eyes are still closed, though his breathing has stilled to long, deep, healthy breaths. Merle looks as well, then turns back to Hitomi with the 'Strange Mystic Moon Girl' look upon her face.
Strange.Hitomi thinks, still watching Van, I thought heard Van.
'You did hear me. I am here. Van's voice answers her thoughts. Hitomi looks around, trying to see him, but she still sees nothing.
"Where are you Van?" she asks, still looking around.
Van's voice pauses before answering. I think… I'm in your mind.
End Chapter Two
Keetra: Yeah, I'm back just to quickly say, yet again, to please review. For some reason I keep thinking there are evil people out there who read these marvelous stories and don't review. If you are one of these people and you decide to review my story, then I will no longer consider you evil. If you decide not to hit the button and voice your opinion, I will consider you evil and therefore a rival of mine and I shall doom you into the pits of eternal pain! (AKA: My pet dragon Leisule (New pet dragon, for those that keep track!)) If I get 12 reviews this chapter like the last one did I will be so incredibly happy that the next chapter will come out quickly! If I get more, I will be ooberly happy and the story will get out even quicker (Hint: If you want it out really fast, get everyone you know to read this! .) but if I get less than 12 reviews, I will not be so happy, but I will do my best to still get the next chapter out very quickly. Arigatou again, Readers!!