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Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne.

Rated: T just in case…

Author's Notes: I gave up writing some time ago but after reading way too much here I was inspired and decided to try it again…I hope everyone enjoys this. Please leave a review! It would be much appreciated! Thank you!

--Made a few edits to adjust the formatting and make it a little easier to read--

Fates Aligned

Prologue

The sky looked heavy as the clouds seem to be hung on the trees. It was unualually cold for this time of the year and the snow made it seem even more so. Her breath came in quick white puffs in the crisp air. How much longer she thought, get a hold of yourself it had been over 5 years you can make it a little while longer. She dusted off the bench near the track and decided to sit and have some of the coffee she had brought along to ward off the chill in the air. Hitomi Kanzaki sat as calmly as possible as she looked at the steaming liquid in the cup the swirl of the dark liquid was almost hypnotic. She placed a hand to the small heart shaped pendant that hung around her neck. It felt smooth and warm to her touch and if she closed her eyes she could almost hear its rhythmic pulse like a heartbeat in time with hers. Hitomi leaned back and thought about his last spoken words and how it seemed like only yesterday and not 5 years ago. Who was she kidding yesterday my foot the days had dragged by the pain in heart and the emptiness in her soul was almost more than she could bear. That was then and all behind her now.

"How much longer" she screamed. Settle down Kanzaki she thought as she set her cup down and placed her head in her hands and began to reflect over the past several years….

Reflections on the past

The first day back on earth was busy telling the story over and over and over again. Her parents were delighted and relieved when she walked through the door. Then the barrage of question began. She patiently answered every question make sure she included every detail. Her parents were somewhat skeptical as they tried to digest the story their daughter telling. Her father stood and started to pace the floor.

"So you mean to tell me, you were taken to another world and fought in a war over the power of Atlantis?"

"Yes" she stated in a very even tone. "Don't you believe me?" she asked as she looked to her father mother and finally her younger brother.

Her brother chimed in "tell me about the robots again...what were they called again?"

"Guymelefs" Hitomi stated evenly.

"yea yea and what about the King the guy who piloted Escaflowne, tell me about him again.

"Hitomi sat back and his named rolled off her tongue in a barely audible whisper "Van". She flushed as she said his name again a little louder this time "Van."

Her father sat back down "yes tell me about this boy you claim you spent the last 6 months with."

Hitomi gazed away with a dreamy expression "hmmm Van" she smiled and stated to feel the heat return to her face.

"Wait, what" she snapped back to reality "what do you mean by that Dad, you say that like you don't believe me."

The knock on the door came before he could respond. Her brother went to get the door and quickly brought Yukari and Amanointo the room to join the reunion. Although they were only able to validate a portion of the story it was enough. The reunion went late into the evening until everyone finally said their goodbyes. Himont went up to her room to get some needed sleep and as she lay in bed sleep would not come to her.

Every time she closed her eyes she only saw those chocolate eyes and unruly raven hair. Did I make the right choice she thought? Should I have stayed with him? I am happy to see my family but can I really go on without him? A sense of regret began to settle around her heart and the tears slowly began to well up in her eyes. "Oh god it hasn't even been a day and I already feel like this" she whispered. The tears began to flow freely now "this is so much worse than I ever could have imagined." She continued to sob before sleep finally took her…maybe tomorrow would be better…

The next few days were a little better only because she was so busy. Between catching up with school track practice and spending time with Yukari and Amano she stayed pretty occupied and seemed happy. It was the alone time the quiet time of reflection by herself that her true feeling came out. Hitomi seemed happy enough to everyone but her parents, Yukari and Amano; they knew something was missing. Hitomi had lost some portion of herself or portion of her heart it seemed and their seemed to be no way to truly ease her pain.

Hitomi had been back on earth for almost a week when she saw him for the first time. She was staring out the window at the moon trying desperately to see Gaea. Why hadn't she told him how she truly felt? More importantly WHY had she left? 'Stupid girl' she thought to herself. She gave her thoughts voice "Van do you think about me? Do you miss me?" she slowly turned away from the window and stumbled and fell to all fours. She gasped as a looked to see a hand offering to help her up. "eeek" was all that escaped her startled lips as she quickly backed up. The figure kneeled down in front of her hand still extended and in her mind she heard

"are you ok? Sorry didn't mean to scare you."

Hitomi slowly lifted her gaze to the person who kneeled in front of her all she saw was unruly raven hair and those eyes. "Van" she gasped as she tried desperately to focus on the person in front of her. She reached for his hand she couldn't really touch him but he was there smiling down at her. "Is that really you are you really here" she asked.

"Well sort of" she heard in her mind, "I really am not sure of how this all works."

Hitomi began to sob "I have missed you so much. I should have never left you." She began to cry again.

"I have missed you to and I am so sorry" he stated flatly.

"Sorry for what?" she began to panic what was he about to tell her…

"I sorry I ever let you go my love…I should have asked you to stay here with me"…he lowered his head "forgive me Hitomi I lacked the courage."

She smiled to herself 'my love' I like the sound of that as a slight blush crept into her cheeks. "Van" she said after a few moments, "how is it that you are here with me?"

"You called to me, so I came." He stated.

Her questions were almost coming too fast, "How long can you stay and why can't I touch you and how can I hear you?" as she reached for his hand and her hand passed through his.

"I don't know but I will find out" he stated. They sat and began to talk about the past week when his appearance began to waver. He looked at her and stated calmly "I will figure this out and be back…I love you Hitomi."

"I love you Van" she cried as she realized it was too late he was gone and their connection was broken. She dropped to the floor defeated realizing she had missed her chance again to truly give her feelings words. Hitomi began to cry again when she remembered his words "I love you and I will be back." That made the parting painful as it was worth it. She slept peacefully that night with dreams of Gaea and Van.

Over the next several months he was able to come to her often. At times he was only a brief vision smiling at her and other times he was able to stay for hours and she could hear his thought and felt she could almost touch him. Hitomi made sure that the very next time that they were able to hear each other's thoughts that she told him how much she loved him.

He smiled and said "I know I head you the first time I came even though it seemed like I didn't."

"Brat" she stated pretending to be annoyed "I thought you weren't able to hear me."

"I heard you, I just wanted to hear it again so badly" He said sheepishly.

"Well" she said moving closer to him "I will not make you wait again" Hitomi leaned close to his ear and softly stated "I love you Van Fanel".

He could almost feel her breath in his ear and on his neck; it sent chills down his spine. He reached to place his hand on her cheek she could almost feel the heat from his touch. She closed her eyes trying to savor the sensation. This is maddening she thought we are so close but truly worlds apart. It was so unfair why did fate have to toy with her like this. As she opened eyes to look into his but he was gone.

"It is never long enough" she cried but there was always next time.

Hitomi had been back on earth for almost 6 months when they discovered with the help of Dryden and Vans research that they would have the strongest link during the full moon. So for almost a year they continued as that had been with their special visits during the full moon. They would share what had happened in their lives and any new news from their respective worlds. Van provided her details and reports of the reconstruction of Fanelia and updates on her friends. The most surprising of new was about Allen Schezar. Hitomi listened in shock as Van told her of his observations of Allen and princess Eries Aston. "No way" Hitomi giggled "are you saying Allen and Eries are a couple."

She saw him reflect on that and then spoke "they spent a great deal of time together right after the war as Eries was helping Allen with Celena." "Oh" She stated almost disappointed "that was very kind of her to help Allen." "The interesting part" Van began "was that Celena has been fully recovered for several months now. Yet all their free time is spent together in the gardens, on outings with Celena. I find it all very interesting" Van said with emphasis on the last word and a wink to Hitomi. She giggled, it did sound very interesting she would like to question the Knight Caeli about it if she got the chance.

As the year drew on Van filled Hitomi in on the details he had discovered regarding their link and any other information he thought she would like to know. As Hitomi sat staring at the full moon waiting for Van to arrive she thought how wonderful this year had been. Their meeting left a lot to be desired she thought 'desire' she thought again then blushed and thought yes she desired his touch and his warmth but this was still better than nothing. Hitomi knew she would not have survived the emptiness in her soul if they had been completely cut off. She felt something stir in her soul and knew that Van had arrived. She turned to look at him but he looked tired almost downtrodden as he gazed at the floor.

"I am sorry my love I have bad news" he stated.

She rushed to his side "Van what is it what's wrong is everyone ok."

"Yes everyone is fine" he said flatly

"What is it then" she asked on the verge of panic.

"We will only be able to continue to communicate like this until the end of the year."

She felt a lump in her throat fighting back tears she asked "why, what has changed?"

"The link is somehow connected to the phase of the moon and its relation to our two worlds." He continued "as the alignment of the world's change our ability to communicate will become impossible. I have been working with Dryden for the past several weeks since we discovered this to try to find another way. There is none we can find." Van looked almost on the verge of tears "forgive me my beloved Hitomi I have failed you. I was not able to bring you back to me."

Hitomi began to cry "Is there nothing we can do?" she cried.

"We have to next two moons and then the dragon moon which is the last full moon of the year."

Hitomi looked up to say more and he was gone…"no "she cried she fell to her bed and her body shook as she cried over the thought of losing him a second time.