The Return

Chapter Two

Home Sick

(AN: So chapter two is hurr! Haha, well after a few good reviews I decided to post a second chapter, so I hope you all enjoy!)

"I've got you baby!" Hitomi yelled over the almost lightning like sound as the suddenly found themselves in a dark night sky, floating down to a vegetated forest in a pink beam of light. They drifted down softly, like a feather, until their feet touched earth and the pink light was gone, returning to the sky whence it came.

Strong arms wrapped around Hitomi, and a warm pair of lips touched her hair. "Hitomi, Hitomi..." Van continued to call, hands sliding up and down her back, ruffling her warm autumn coat.

With her free arm, she hugged Van back, closing her green eyes to savour the moment, her heart beating hard and strong against her ribs. "Van... Oh, Van."

However, as soon as their embrace started, a little body, that was trapped between them, squirmed, little hiccups and sniffles catching their attention.

"Oh, sorry Elena..." Hitomi opened her eyes and reluctantly stepped back and hefted her child higher up. Her daughter, leaned back, wiping her eyes roughly.

"Where are we Mama? Who is this guy?"

The brunette looked up into garnet eyes, the exact same color as her daughters, and smiled softly. "This... guy... is your father."

Both exact same sets widened, and Van looked form his love, to his newly discovered offspring. "D-daughter..." He muttered, putting a hand over his heart and gripping the fabric of his red shirt. "You... after you left..."

Hitomi tilted her head, tears that had been held back for so long springing free. "After I left Gaea, five months after I left, I realized that I had brought something home with me. Something precious." Her only link to Van aside from her sparse visions of him she had had in the beginning. After a while, they dried up, and she'd been left alone with her love that would for the rest of her life go unrequited. Or so she had thought until morning sickness and a ever growing tummy showed her she was no longer alone.

Gently Van raised a hand and touched his daughters hair, the exact same color as his own, then reached up and touched Hitomi's face, wiping the stray tears that had escaped her seemingly iron strong hold.

"Papa?" Elena said, confused. The word had recaptured Van's attention and her looked into her eyes. "You have the same color eyes as me..." She murmured, still gripping onto her mothers coat.

"I do." He replied, smiling very lightly.

There was silence for a few moments, a silence Hitomi used to think, wonder just what relationship Elena and Van would, or could, have. The well hidden emotions behind Van's eyes made the woman from the mystic moon second guess every scenario she could come up with.

Finally, Van moved, reaching out to take Hitomi's hand and lead her gently through the woods. "We have a lot to talk about. But it is dangerous in the woods around Fanalia, as you know." Glancing over his shoulder, he gave her a smirk, and then continued to move through the dark woods.

Elena looked up at her mother, eyes inquisitive as they moved along. Hitomi could only smile, at a loss for words. I'm home...

Finally they made it to the grand city of Fanalia. Hitomi had to gasp at the way it looked, almost the same as when she'd first seen it... but better. A few people were still about and greeted Van with a bow and a smile. When they looked at the brunette and her little girl, they squinted their eyes. It was only after she walked past did they realize who she was. And who had returned.

The castle doors opened in front of them, and Elena stayed quiet, eyes looking around, taking in the kingdom, her kingdom.

"Lord Van!" A neko hurried down the steps, her pink hair and yellow dress so familiar to Hitomi that the woman had to smile.

"Merle."

At her name, the neko stopped and looked past her master. "Hi-... Hitomi?" She beamed and took of in a run towards her. "HITOMI!"

Opening her free arm, the brunette hugged the cat woman and smiled. "Hey Merle."

The pink haired girl purred and opened her cat eyes to look at the little girl in Hitomi's arms. "And who is this?"

Elena grabbed the opening of her mother's coat, almost to hide herself. Then the Van in her shone through and she straightened. "I'm... Elena..."

Merle tilted her head and nodded. "Well Elena, I'm Merle."

"Merle, reunions are for tomorrow. I want to speak with Hitomi." Van spoke, his voice echoing throughout the foyer. His eyes landed on Elena. "Alone."

A wave of fear and nausea hit Hitomi and she looked at her daughter. Not because she had to give her to Merle, she completely trusted the neko, but the fact that Van hadn't really accepted his daughter made her stomach turn.

The little girl held on tighter for a moment. "Mama..." She murmured, sniffling again.

Hitomi took a deep breath and kneeled down, placing her little girl on the floor. "Elena, do not be afraid. I trust Merle, so you can trust her too."

The brave core inside the little girl was nearly over shadowed by her simple fear. A new place, new sights, of course she was scared. But she was still Van's little girl. "Okay..." She said, wrapped her arms around her mother's neck. "Don't... be long. Okay?"

Nodding, Hitomi kissed her daughters cheek and stood, letting Merle take her hand. "Come Elena! I'll show you something really cool?" The neko looked at the woman and nodded, leading the little girl through a door to the left side.

Finally alone with Van, Hitomi looked at her love, and smiled. "You have me al-"

In a quick movement Van had Hitomi in his arms, his lips pressed to hers and her body tight to his. "Mm..." She moaned, closing her eyes and slipping her thin arms around his neck. She could feel the differences in his body, the muscles that had developed over years and... years. Still looks the same... She thought as he pulled back, looking down at her with so much... love.

"I couldn't do that in front of... your... our..." He fought for the right words, then sighed. "Elena."

Feeling the fear in her resurface, she shook her head. "She is your daughter. Trust me, ten years of watching her grow into a mini you has shown me that."

A strange expression passed over Van's face and then he nodded and turned, keeping one arm tightly around her hip and leading her up the stairs. He lead her to a room with a long table, and they sat down. He slipped off his brown leather gloves and ran his strong fingers through his hair. "Hitomi... when I went back for you... I didn't expect..."

"A child?" She offered.

"Yes." He nodded, looking at her. "I expected to be getting just you." With a softening expression, he ran his warm fingers over her cheek. "You have... no idea..."

Knowing how he struggled with letting his emotions, Hitomi nodded. "I missed you too." Reaching up, she placed her hand over his. "I never thought I would see you again. This is all so... suprising." She leaned her head into his hand before he slipped it free and leant back in his chair.

"Start from the beginning." Van said, getting comfortable to listen.

Hitomi explained what had happened after the last vision she had had of him. How she'd found out she was pregnant accidentally when she'd gone to find out why she'd been feeling so sick. Then giving birth, and having to struggle and live with her mother until she could get back onto her feet. Then everything about their daughter up until they had been transported back to Gaea.

The entire time, Van was near silent, only showing emotion when Hitomi told him about her struggles, an expression of torment and regret. When she was done, he ran his fingers through his hair again, then scrubbed his face.

"I let you go... thinking that life would be easier. And instead, I was only making it harder."

She shook her head and was quiet for a moment. "I had to go back. As much as I wanted to stay... as much as I've begged fate to let me come back..." Her voice got thick with tears, some spilling down her cheek. She covered her mouth and lowered her head, letting the sobs and the tears take her. She barely saw Van kneel in front of her, her blurry vision watching as her wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his face against her stomach.

Her hands slipped down to press into his hair, her body leaning over. "My God Van... am I really here? Am I home?"

Looking up, garnet eyes swimming with so many emotions that were hidden to everyone but Hitomi, he nodded. "You're home, Hitomi."

Okay, so there we go.

R & R as usual, but no flaming. I hate flamers. If you have nothing nice to say, or polite and supporting criticism, then don't say it.

KAYTHANKSBYE