Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Awakening ❯ ONE: What's past is prologue ( Chapter 1 )

~*~*~* Awakening*~*~*~

"You must do the thing you thing you think you cannot do."

--Eleanor Roosevelt

ONE: What's past is prologue

Feelings.

In their pure form they can move destiny, make or destroy a world…and even return the will to continue living…

"I want to see that world with you," Hitomi said softly. "The truth is, I love Fanelia, and I would love to stay."

Feelings of duty, of friendship, of…love.

She looked up at him hopefully, her heart telling her she should articulate what she really meant, but something was keeping her mouth from functioning properly.

Feelings that draw toward each other, but souls that have not yet grown to match…

Van smiled as her sadly, wanting nothing more than to have her by his side always, but knowing that their lives were worlds away from each other.

"We can see each other anytime," he told her, knowing that he would regret this conversation later, "As long as we share a common feeling."

…someday they might…

Hitomi felt tears sting her eyes. She didn't want to admit the fact that he was going to be noble and send her home. It was so sweet that he would consider her feelings that way, even though it would mean their separation.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she extended her arm out to him, her grandmother's pink jewel swinging below her fist.

…but for now…

Van blinked as he realized with surprise what Hitomi was doing.

"I want you keep this," she said, "To remember me by."

Van slipped his hand underneath the pendant, moving his hand up to hers. Suddenly, he pulled her into his arms, wanting to hold her one last time.

Hitomi let the tears fall from her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his back and leaned against his chest.

"I'll never forget you, Van, even if I become old," Hitomi said tearfully, moving her arms to wrap around his back. "I'll never forget, no matter what."

Van clenched his jaw and bit his tongue. He knew that if he uttered a word to her he wouldn't be able to fulfill his promise of making sure she got home safely.

…parting is inevitable.

Van gripped the energist in his hand, making a final debate with himself before lifting it up into the air, watching it glow, sealing both his fate and hers as the column of blue light descended.

She was lifted heavenwards, her arms outstretched, holding on to Van as long as she possibly could, praying that maybe they would be able to stay together longer. Finally, she let go, tears continuing to stream from her eyes.

"I'll never forget!" she swore to him.

"Hitomi…" he breathed her name before she disappeared from his blurry vision and dissolved into the light. He was fighting to keep his emotions from taking over and to keep a reassuring smile on his face, if only for her sake.

The blue light was seen through out the greater part of Gaea. It shown brilliantly in the sky for a minute just before disappearing, along with its precious cargo, back to the giant blue orb hanging in the sky.

He watched the sky for a while until the Mystic Moon also disappeared from the Gaean heavens.

"I'll always love you," he whispered hoarsely to the air.

Someday…they might meet again…when their souls have perfectly aligned…

…Until then…

"I'm alright, Van," Hitomi said to him a year later. "I'm alright."

~*~TBC…