Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Escaflowne: All you need is Love, Isn't it?

Chapter 45

The High School Track and Field Center

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Yukari carried on a mostly one-sided conversation with her friend. While the redhead rambled on about one thing or another, her friend responded mostly with single syllable replies or the occasional, "Hmm?" As they walked out onto the field Yukari became silent as she followed Hitomi out to the middle of the track. Stopping at about the 60 meter marker, Hitomi set her bag down and sat cross-legged on the floor.

The redhead stood about two meters in front of her just looking at her. "So, I guess this is the moment of truth?"

The light brunette looked up at her and smiled. "Starting to have some doubts?"

"Well," She looked away for a moment, then took a deep breath and looked back at her friend. "No, if you say this is real. Then it is real. I believe in you Hitomi." She sat down. "So what exactly do you do to get sent over there?"

"I need Van to be thinking of me while I'm thinking of him." She said. "When we share the same feeling it becomes possible for me to travel back to Gaea without the pendent." She closed her eyes and straightened her posture. "I'm going to start thinking of him. I'm going to try and communicate with him and let him know I'm ready to come back."

"What should I do?"

"Just wait and watch."

"And when will you be back?"

"Well…" She opened her eyes for a moment as she considered the question. "That depends. If I was able to return to Gaea as I expected, then I'll be back here within the hour. If not, I'll probable be back before these events even took place. In which case, you won't have any memory of any of this."

"Well, I hope you manage to return when you plan. For both our sakes."

"Me too." She smiled as she closed her eyes once again and began to think of the man she loved. 'Van… Van… Van… Can you hear me Van? I'm ready Van. I'm ready to return to you. I'm ready to return to your strong, safe arms. I'm ready to feel you next to me once again. Just like it was yesterday. Just like it was only a day since I left. Was that the longest night you've ever experienced? It was for me. I slept forever but while my body rested, my mind couldn't rest. All I could do was think of you. Van… can you hear me Van. I'm ready to return to you Van. Don't you want me back in your arms Van? Don't you want to feel my lips against yours once more? I know I do. … Van… Van… Van… Van…'

Suddenly a brilliant light appeared from high up in the sky and engulfed the young teen. Instinctively, she reached out next to her and grabbed hold of her bag as she began to levitate.

"Oh my god! I believe! I really do believe!" Yukari jumped to her feet as she watched her friend float higher and higher up into the air. A thought crossed her mind and she yelled out. "Hey Hitomi, don't forget to bring me back a souvenir!" She smiled as she noticed a faint grin reach her friend's face even though her eyes remained shut.

On the roof of the palace in Fanelia

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"Hitomi… Hitomi… Hitomi… Hitomi…" Van tossed his head to and fro as he whispered in his sleep. "Hitomi… Hitomi… Hitomi… come back to me Hitomi… please come back to me… Hitomi… Hitomi… Hitomi… Hitomi…"

The catgirl stirred as a bright light filled her closed eyes. "Mmm, is it morning already?" She turned her head in the opposite direction, nuzzling closer to her king and friend, her head resting on his chest. And while she was correct in assuming it was morning, it wasn't the sun that shown in her eyes. As the clouds that concealed the sun parted, its light shined into her eyes, causing her to squint once again. "What the… " Slowly she lifted her head and opened her eyes to see the sun rising in the horizon. Blinking several times as she saw the red sphere slowly rise in the distance, a thought occurred to her and she turned her head back to the direction she previously had it. Looking up she saw a bright beam of light descending from on high.

"Lord Van!" She sat up quickly and shook him. "Lord Van, get up quick!"

"Mmm, what is it Merle?" The king said as he slowly pulled himself up.

"Look!" She pointed to the beam of light.

"HITOMI!" Van yelled as he jumped to his feet. "It's Hitomi, she's come back to us." He yelled as he ran to the stairwell leading off the roof and rushed through the castle with Merle close behind.

Running out into the garden that bordered the forest, Van came to a stop within the beam of light. Squinting and shielding he eyes with his hand, he looked up and saw a vision descending toward him. A wide, joyful smile appeared on his face as he reached with is arms up to the heavens.

Hitomi saw him as he ran out of the castle. Her own smile grew as she saw him step into the beam of light and smile up at her. She reached out for him and struggled to restrain her tears of joy as she gently descended into his waiting arms.

"Oh Van. I missed you so." She lowered one arm and let her bag fall to the ground then wrapped it around him once again. "Hold me. Hold me forever." She pressed her cheek against his chest, as the tears she held back would wait no more.

In an instant, the light was gone and the skies cleared.

"Hitomi, I can't believe you've come back to me so soon. Am I dreaming? If so, I never want to wake." The king replied.

"It's no dream. I'm here." She whispered.

"Hitomi! You're back! You're back!" Merle jumped up and down with excitement.

Looking up she stared into his eyes and asked. "Tell me, how long have I been gone?"

"You only left yesterday. I didn't expect you to return so soon." He caressed her temple and her cheek and gave a soft laugh. "I can't believe you're back already."

Smiling broadly she replied. "It worked. It really worked. Three weeks have past in my world but only a day here."

"Three weeks? But… how is that possible?" Van marveled. "You learned the secret didn't you? You learned how to control when you arrive."

She nodded happily. "I'll explain everything, but first I need some rest. It really took a lot out of me this time."

"Of course, what was I thinking?" Van reached down and picked up her bag, quickly noticing the weight it bore. Shouldering the bag he smiled knowingly as he took her hand.

"Hitomiii?" Merle wined.

"Merle!" The girl from the Mystic Moon reached out with her free hand and pulled the catgirl into an embrace. "I missed you too." She grinned and rubbed her cheek against the younger girl's head.

Hugging the taller girl tightly. "I'm so glad you've come back to us."

"So am I Merle, so am I."

Van waited a few moments for the girls then he gave a gentle tug on Hitomi's hand. "We should go inside."

Looking over to him, Hitomi smiled then she took Merle's hand and smiled at her as they walked toward the castle.

As they approached the teen's chambers Van said, "Merle, can you go to the kitchen and ask the chef of prepare something extra special breakfast later as well as for dinner tonight?"

"Of course Lord Van." She turned to leave then suddenly turned back and kissed Hitomi on the cheek. "See you later!" She yelled half way down the hall.

The teen turned a bright red with embarrassment from the unexpected action by the catgirl.

Van looked over at her and smiled. "I'm glad you came back to us so soon."

She smiled back at him but was unable to respond. The intensity of his gaze having stolen her words.

Entering her room she walked over to the window and opened it. Van deposited her bag on the bed then walked over to her. Coming up from behind he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "I still can't believe you're back."

"Neither can I really." She placed her hands over his arms and rested her head on his chest. "When I returned to earth, I spent so much time and energy trying to convince my friend, Yukari, that Gaea was real, that you were real. She almost had me convinced it was all just a dream before I pulled out the handkerchief. With that she finally believed. She helped me study for my exams and with other things too."

"Like what?" He asked casually.

"Mostly just keeping me too busy to think about you, so I wouldn't die of a broken heart."

Van tightened his hold on her slightly and rubbed his cheek against the side of her head. "I know the feeling."

Turning around in his arms she looked up at him. "Van, I need to ask you a favor."

"Anything."

"I need you to be strong for both of us when it comes time for me to go. I need you to put on a happy face and tell me everything will be all right then see me off with a kiss and a smile. Can you do that for me? Because of you can't…" She looked away. "I don't know how often I'll be able to come back. I don't know if I can endure the heartache that I suffered last time, again. I know this isn't a fair request but it's something I need from you. Can you do this for me?" She stared back into his eyes hoping he was strong enough to do this for her.

Van stared at her pensively for several minutes even after she was done speaking. Finally he replied. "There is nothing you could ask of me that I wouldn't do for you, Hitomi. If this is what you need from me then this is what you shall receive. All I ask in return is a kiss and for you to tell me you still love me when you return to me."

She smiled lovingly and raised her lips up to his. He responded in kind, tilting his head down and to the side. As their lips met a rush of emotions filled them both. For Hitomi, feelings of loss, separation, her fears of encountering a withered old man rushed into her mind and were in an instant, swept away. She tightened her hold around him and moaned with a hunger and longing that was finally being filled. For Van, feelings of guilt and regret for some of the words he spoke to her before she left. Realization that much of the suffering Hitomi had to endure were because of his selfish desired to have her with him always without ever asking what she wanted. These feeling also vanished.

'She is here, with me again. I will be true to my word. I will wait three years and I will do all I can to make your departures as pleasant as possible. This I promise you Hitomi. This I swear.' He mused as their kiss intensified.

Bounding toward the door, Merle was ready to announce that the chef said breakfast would be ready in an hour but as she stepped into the room she saw the young pair in a loving, passionate embrace. She just stood there for a moment staring then she turned around and pulled the door closed quietly, and walked away. Slowly a gentle smile crossed her face. 'I'm happy for you Lord Van, and you too Hitomi. I'm so glad your back.'

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AN: Is it what you expected? I didn't want it to be too over the top. Tender and sweet was what I was shooting for. Sorry it took so long to update. Been kinda busy lately. And sorry to end it where I did. There was much more I wanted to write for this chapter but if I did, it would be another couple days before I would be able to post it. I'll try and get the next chapter out ASAP. ^_^

Thank you for all the reviews of my last chapter. I'm so glad you all liked it and thought I was right on with the Hitomi/Yukari interaction.

A. Amishi