Disclaimer: I only own Arathnia, and the characters from there. I do not own Escaflowne, even though I wish I did.

* mark dream sequences.

The Past, Future, and Somewhere in Between

Chapter 2 ~ The Cards Have It

Hitomi arrived at Yukari's house promptly at seven. It had been a since the two had possessed some extra time to spend together outside of school and track. It did not take long for Yukari to delve into the contents of Hitomi's duffel bag in search of the 'sacred' tarot cards. In the meantime, Hitomi made a short trip to the bathroom. However, when she returned she found her friend kneeling on the floor staring at something in her hands. Her amethyst crystal laid on the floor beside her, with her old tarot deck beside it. Curiously, Hitomi peered over her friend's shoulder and realized that the red head was staring in awe of the large pearl white feather she had packed into the bag. She was inspecting it, a look of pure amazement etched onto her thin face. She ran the soft object across her palm in a similar fashion that Hitomi had when she herself was inspecting it.

Hitomi recalled how she had managed to obtain the feather from the Fanelian king. When he had rescued her from Zaibach that fateful day, it had fallen into her hand. She had stashed it in her pocket, and it wasn't until she returned home that she had remembered she had it. A small token to remember him, her own small little piece of Van. She kept it safe for the last three years, never allowing it to leave the safety of the locked drawer.

"This is huge," Yukari stated in amazement breaking Hitomi out of her memory filled daze. "How did you get it?" She questioned curiously as she turned it over in her hands. No bird that Yukari knew of possessed feathers this big. None of them had the wing span to require feathers to be this large.

Hitomi shook her head to clear her last remaining thoughts. "It's a long story," She stated sitting down on the floor across from her best friend.

Yukari placed the feather on the floor between them, watching as Hitomi picked it up gingerly, holding it delicately in bother her hands. She looked at her clock. "We got time," She stated flatly.

Hitomi sighed. She had told Yukari, and others of Gaea before, but never in detail. No one ever believed her anyway. She especially never told anybody the details about her complex relationship with Van. She doubted anyone would ever believe her, but it did not hurt to try. She began her story when her and Van landed in Gaea, and ended when they said their farewell. She refused to leave out any details this time. She poured her heart and soul out to her best friend. After her tale was finished, Yukari was dumbstruck. She had, had no idea that anything Hitomi had said could ever been real. However, here she was looking at the gigantic feather from a winged man. Hitomi had a fairly good imagination, but not that good of one. Yukari shook her head, and reached out hugging her friend tightly. Hitomi accepted her friend's comfort and smiled, tears filling her green eyes. She never realized how traumatizing the whole experience of Gaea had truly been, and how she'd surprisingly put all that behind her so easily.

Yukari sniffled, "I always thought you made that up," She stated truthfully. "Now I know for sure that there is no way that you could have," She said taking the feather from her hand, "This proves it."

Hitomi smiled wiping her eyes with her sleeve, "Thank you Yukari. You really are my best friend," She said smiling.

She grinned, "You know it," She replied pulling the lonely tarot card from the brown haired girl's jacket pocket. It had been poking out for a while now, but felt it was not the time to ask questions about it yet. "And this?" She questioned raising an eyebrow.

"Remember the first time you asked me if I ever did a tarot card reading about Amano?" She asked earning a nod from the red head. "Well, I did. But I know now that it wasn't about Amano," She began to explain earing a strange look from her. Hitomi smiled. "It was about Van," She explained taking the card from her friend. "This card means courage, which is Van through and through. This is Van's card," She said fondly gazing at the image painted onto the small piece of cardboard.

Yukari's mouth formed a perfect 'o'. She quickly shook her head and smiled at her friend's behavior. She hadn't seen this side of Hitomi in a long while. "I see. It has sentimental value," She said pointing her finger in the air.

Hitomi looked at her friend placing the card down, "Something like that."

It had been a couple of hours since Hitomi had spilled her guts to Yukari about her tale of love and war on that strange world called Gaea. Hitomi had done Yukari's fortune, and she had decided to do one for herself. Maybe it would be the key to discover the meaning behind her dreams. Eleven cards lay on the floor in front of her in the Celtic cross spread. the Fool, the Ace of Cups, the Lovers, the Devil, the Two of Swords, the Six of Cups, the Six of Pentacles, the Three of Swords, the Magician, the High Priestess, and the Tower. Dread filled Hitomi's heart as her expert eyes scanned over the cards.

"Well?" Yukari spoke up, "What do they say?" She asked noticing her friend's paled expression. Curiosity filler her as she scanned over the images on the cards.

Hitomi took a deep breath, "The beginning of a journey," She began pointing to the cards as she spoke, "drawn by a feeling, balanced choices, a warning, a tough decision, faced with a memory, giving away your resources, heartbreak, discipline and responsibility, knowing beyond logic, and destruction," She finished placing her hands into her lap. Even she was unsure what the cards were telling her. All that she knew was that something was calling her back to Gaea.

"What does it mean?" Yukari asked breaking Hitomi out of her thoughts.

"I don't know Yukari, I'm trying to make sense of it myself."

*Hitomi opened her emerald green eyes and found herself in a strange land that she had never seen before. It was beautiful. It was ten times more beautiful than Asturia, and rivaled the beauty of Fanelia. Mountains surrounded the city like walls of protection to keep others out. From the mountains, a large waterfall fell into two rivers that flowed out, but met in the center of the city. A giant rock formation stood directly in the middle of the two rivers. However, a castle was situated a top the mountain-like structure. It stretched out beyond the formation, and she could see where giant levistones had been placed to keep to structure stable. A grand staircase led from the ground up to the castle. A top the side mountains, she could see exotic trees, like a rain forest. The back mountains were bare.

She seemed to float through the empty streets of this vast city. "Where am I?" She asked air gazing in awe at the gorgeous rounded buildings. It was truly spectacular architecture, that she had no clue that Gaea even possessed. Her mind reeled as she began to float up that grand staircase to the castle. The whole thing looked as if it were made of white marble. Columns at the front of the solid structure seemed to be just a decoration than a structural asset. Inside the building was more breath taking than the outside had been. The walls were draped in royal blue fabrics and rich tapestries. The walls, ceilings, and columns on the inside all looked crystalline. It was a lot different than the castle in Palas, or Fanelia. It stood completely on a different level.

Faster than she could blink, she found herself in a throne room. It was as if she had been teleported there somehow. It was a circular room with one door leading into it. Two thrones were placed on a long rectangular platform. One had a ridiculously tall back, and the other was a regular size. Leading up to this platform was another large staircase. A royal blue rug ran from the thrones and down the staircase to the floor. The thrones were up so high, that the one with the tallest back almost touched the high ceiling. It was a real sight to see.

She looked at the scene before her. Her eyes fell to the tallest throne. The same woman she had seen with Van in Fanelia was perched upon the marble seat. She wore a fitted black dress that pooled at her feet. The regal air that seemed to follow this woman made Hitomi feel humbled in her presence. She more a satisfied smirk on her seemingly flawless face. Beneath her, just at the foot of the staircase, was a striking blonde girl. Her dress was covered in sapphire jewels at the chest where the dress as bunched up in the center. It was the same royal blue color that the golden haired woman from her other dream had been wearing. A silver crown sat a top of her head, the jewels glittering in the light. The girl was bowed, but her eyes gazed upon the woman on the throne. Her eyes were the same cold blue as hers. She looked to be no older than Hitomi herself. She was probably younger.

"Excellent my daughter," She stated her voice echoing making it sound as though she was on stereo. "The proud king of Fanelia will fall, and then Fanelia will be mine," She stated gleefully, a sinister smiled appearing on the woman's thin face.

Hitomi gasped her heart almost stopping. "They're going to kill Van," She said feeling her blood run cold, "But..."

She trailed off as the scene changed. She found herself back in Fanelia. In the clearing where Van has sent her home, and placed Escaflowne to sleep. Her eyes fell on Van, who was looking silently at the large monument that marked his families grave site. She watched as the young king pulled the energist from his pocket and placed it back into the army, "I can't do this alone," He sighed sadly as the machine roared to life.

"Oh Van," She said wrapping her arms around herself. Something big had to have happened in order for Van to call upon Escaflowne once more.

As soon as the scene had appeared, it vanished. Fire erupted all around her roaring loudly like a caged animal. The sky above her was blood red. And the grass beneath her feet was dead and barren. Escaflowne stood, the large sword drawn and raised. It was facing a gold guymelef that did not look like any she had ever seen before. The two guymelefs were locked in combat.

"Van!" She yelled as the golden guymelef's sword was about to come down on his head, but they vanished. Everything then proceeded to fade to black. She looked around the blackness and let out a frustrated cry. It was all a confusing swarm of images in her head, and she couldn't make heads of tales of any of it. Was is just her dreams, or was someone really trying to tell her something.

"Hitomi," A familiar feminine voice called from behind her. It sounded so inviting, so angelic.

The brown haired girl turned and her green eyes widened. Her eyes fell upon a figure she had seen so many times on her last trip to Gaea. The long dark-haired draconian woman named Varie Escariina Fanel. Van's lost mother. It took Hitomi a minute to compose the rush of emotions that flared up upon seeing the older woman. "Varie?" She asked thinking her eyes were playing tricks on her.

The woman smiled warmly at her, "You must return to Gaea, to Fanelia," She said, her voice echoing all around her. This made Hitomi shudder. A cloud of despair clung to the older woman like a second skin. "You must go back to Van," She stated, her voice booming and never faltering.

"But he told me not to," She replied with uncertainty. She didn't want to go against Van's wishes, but something told her that it was worse than she feared, and Varie's appearance made the worry and dread fill her heart.

Varie took a deep breath, "Without you, his fate is grim," She explained looking down at the darkness beneath their feet. "You must return to him Hitomi, if you truly care for him, you must," She said with pleading eyes.

"Why Varie? What's going on?" She demanded.

Varie spread her snowy wings, feathers falling off of the perfectly groom appendages. They flew up in a flurry around the two, then faded away taking the darkness with them. Vaire had also disappeared along with them.

Hitomi felt herself drifting away. It was a good feeling. She closed her eyes peacefully allowing the feeling to take it's course. When the feeling passed a few moments later, she opened her eyes. She found herself back in Fanelia. The capitol was decorated with red and gold fabrics, and strings of lowers of every imaginable color. It was definitely a tremendous occasion in the kingdom. She looked up and saw the bright blue sky, and the sun shining down over the dragon city. A beautiful day for sure. Her gaze moved to a man dressed in white standing on a slight platform where hundreds of people had gathered. A and gold carpet ran down the long walkway between the crowds of people leading up to the man in white. A sword was held in the man's right hand, and a jeweled medieval cross in his left. It hung from a chain that was wrapped around his wrist. It didn't take Hitomi long to realized that the man was a priest. In front of him and to the right stood Van. He was wearing his royal attire, that Hitomi could ever remember him wearing once. That was at his coronation. Her eyes fell upon the woman who stood at the end of the long red carpet that led up to the two men. It was the same blonde haired girl who had been kneeling before the ebony haired woman. Her crown looked more like a tiara, securing a veil on top of her perfectly groomed head. Her hair was pulled up at the top, but still flowed down freely past her shoulders. She was wearing a tight jeweled dress in a very pale shade of blue. So pale it seemed almost white. She watched as the strange girl began her stride down the long red carpet towards the Fanelian king and the priest. The train of her dress was carried by four hand maidens who were also dressed up for the occasion.

"This is what will happen if you do not return to Gaea," Varie's voice stated in warning.

Hitomi found herself unable to look away as Van took the blonde's hand before both of them knelt down in front of the priest. He then held the sword between the two. Her mind reeled back to Dryden and Millerna's wedding. They had done the exact same thing. "It's Van's wedding?" She asked shaking her head slightly overwhelmed by the situation she found herself in.

"Yes child," Varie stated appearing beside her. Varie's eyes narrowed at the scene. "That girl was sent to steal the throne of Fanelia," She explained watching as the blonde stood, a smile stretching across her features. "If you do not return to Gaea, she will succeed, and war will once again come to Gaea and plunge it into darkness," She explained as the crowd around them cheered for the couple at the 'alter'. "Van will die, and you are the only one who can save him Hitomi," She stated placing a hand on the girl's shoulder as the two people below kissed.

Hitomi felt a great sadness wash over her as the scene faded from view. Varie stood in front of her again. The older woman reached out and rested her hands on the girl's shoulders both anger and sadness reflected in her expressive eyes. "Why?" She felt herself asking.

Varie shook her head, "It's not my place to say young one," She said pulling the girl into a small embrace. She pulled away and cupped her face in her hands her eyes locking onto Hitomi's. "The sins of the father, do not need to be reflected on those of the son," She said her hands falling down to her side. "Promise me that you'll return," She pleaded tears welling up in her wine colored depths. The same eyes both her son's had inherited.

Hitomi felt her heartbreak at the sight of the sadness in her eyes. She could picture Van with the same look in his eyes in her dream. She nodded firmly taking the older woman's hand in her own. Tear had welled up in her own eyes, "I promise. I promise you, I'll save Van."

The draconian woman smiled affectionately at her, and gently stroking the younger girl's face wiping a stray tear away. "Thank you," She said as fer image faded away. *

Hitomi bolted up, and found herself in Yukari's bedroom. She sighed and wiped the heavy sweat off of her brow. That dream was one of the most intense that she had ever experienced. She turned to look at the clock that rested on her friend's bedside table. It was two o'clock in the morning. She sighed and threw the slightly damp covers off of her sweaty body. The room felt extremely warm to her, like it was on fire. She rose from the bed and began to search for her bag in the darkness of the room. A task that seemed nearly impossible since it was so difficult to navigate her way through Yukari's bedroom without bumping into anything, and everything. If it was her own bedroom, she would have no problem.

She bumped into Yukari's small table, and fell forward onto her knees. She cursed quietly at the racket she made. She heard a rustle, and then light assaulted her eyes, causing her to close them on instinct. Her eyes were used to the previous darkness.

"Hitomi what the hell," Yukari whispered loudly as her own eyes adjusted to the light as well. When her eyes refocused, She noticed her friend kneeling on the floor beside her small table about three feet her the bag her friend had brought along with her. "What are you doing?" She asked remaining in her bed.

"I'm leaving," Hitomi stated opening her bag and digging inside for her gray sweatpants. No matter what hour it was, she could not leave wearing her pajama shorts.

"What! You can't leave!" She exclaimed throwing the covers off herself, and jumping to her feet. The mattress creaked with the loss of the red head's weight.

"I can't stay here anymore, not when my friend's lives are in danger. I have to go back Gaea," She explained quickly changing into her sweatpants. "I can't stand not knowing entirely what these dreams mean Yukari. I need to figure it out."

The red head scoffed and watched Hitomi throw her belongings into her duffel bag. "And you think you can stop it? This 'danger'." She asked crossing her arms over her chest.

"I don't know, but I have to try Yukari. You have no idea the things I've been seeing," She explained throwing the last remaining items that belonged to her, and zipping the bag up in one swoop. She stood, holding the bag's straps with both hands.

Yukari sighed, "So you really are leaving?"

Hitomi nodded once. "Yes, I have to see Van, and I have to find a way to stop my dreams from coming true," She said moving over to the red head's window and opening it with ease.

Yukari was silent as she watched her friend climb out her window. "Hitomi wait," She called causing her friend's head to pop back into the room. Yukari sighed shaking her head in disbelief. She couldn't believe she was actually gonna do this. "I'll go with you," She said with a sigh.

Hitomi looked surprised, "Really, you wanna come with me?"

She nodded in response dumping everything out of her track bag. "I can't let you go alone," She expounded putting some clothes, and some of her important personal belongings into the duffel bag. "What kind of friend would I be to let you face danger on your own? No I'm definitely coming along."

Hitomi smiled warmly at her friend, "I guess not a very good one," She stated watching her friend close her own bag and throw it onto the seat at her bedroom window.

"Nope we're in this together from now on. You're not having another journey without me," She explained climbing out the window and joining her friend on her front lawn. She pulled her bag out and shouldered it. Unlike Hitomi, she had not bothered changing from her pajamas.

Hitomi laughed, "I guess I'm not."

The two girls had been walking for what seemed like hours. But in reality, it had only been about twenty minutes. Yukari followed Hitomi's lead silently, re-thinking her sudden decision to follow her friend on this seemingly pointless quest. She followed silently until they reached the temple in which Hitomi had been taken away the first time all of this crazy stuff happened. Yukari watched as her friend looked around with a distant look in her eyes. She followed the brown haired girl's lead as she sat down on the top step. She placed her bag beside her and stretched her tired muscles.

"Why are we here?" She whined recalling the events that had taken place over three years ago. She groaned and laid back on the cold, stone ground. She was too tired for all this.

Hitomi rolled her eyes. "This is where I left the first time," She explained pulling her knees up to her chest. "I believe that if we depart here, we'll end up in the same place as I did that night," She said looking up at the star filled sky. "I should be able to find my way from there...I think."

"If we can even get there," the red head stated forcing herself up into a sitting position.

Hitomi sighed and stood up. "Well I have to try. It's now or never," She stated holding out her hand for her friend to take.

Yukari sighed, but nodded none the less. She took her hand and used it as leverage to pull herself up. The two girls walked to the center of the landing, just in front of the temple itself. Yukari watched as Hitomi closed her eyes. It wasn't long before a pillar of bright blue light surrounded the two teens. Yukari's heart pounded and fear started to fill her when she felt herself being pulled upwards by an unseen force. She watched as Hitomi floated beside her, her eyes remained closed, and a happy smile had been painted upon her lips. Before the red head had time to saw anything, they were gone.

Hitomi's extremely powerful wish had come true, and the two teenage girls disappeared into the night. Once the pillar of light disappeared into the sky, only the tranquil silence of the night remained. There was no trace of the two girls anywhere at the temple.

AN: Just so you know, I know hoe to read Tarot card, but I did pull this out of my butt. Anyways, R&R