Disclaimer: I do not own The Vision of Escaflowne (Tenkuu no Escaflowne) nor its characters and themes. This story is purely fictional and non-profit.

A Different Kind of Fairytale

I wonder... I always wonder. Those curious 'what ifs' and daydreams of what-might've-beens. It's been five years. It didn't end happily but that doesn't mean it has to be for ever after. This time it will be different.

This story takes place five years after the Great War (Escaflowne series). We're in the beginning of Hitomi's third year in university, about April 2008.

Legend:

"..." – speech

'...' (italized) – thoughts

Author's Note: [11.17.08]

Too long! It's been too long! I missed this story! It will undergo a complete plot change that's why I'm rewriting the chapters. Maybe they'll be longer this time. I also changed my penname from elina-chan to Mieru (mi-eh-ru) Kawayui (ka-wa-yu-ii).

It'll be all fluff, fluff and more fluuuff. I've always wanted to give Hitomi and Van their 'happily ever after' so this will just cover their personal lives. Maybe some baddies for added spice plus a lemon or two. *wink*

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Chapter I: The Angel and the Dreamer

'Hmm...' she thought. It was Monday and she's currently in her first class. Fighting back a yawn, she settled for reviewing her notes which were blurry at the moment. 'Damn, I am just not a morning person.'

She watched as some students entered and noticed one, as usual and unusually absent-minded.

"Kanzaki-san!" She called as the other students took their seats.

"Yes, Otomo-sensei?" the one known as Hitomi Kanzaki asked her blankly.

Ikari Otomo looked disapprovingly at her student and friend. Her attitude was way out of the ordinary and that's what got Ikari interested. It seems the girl was depressed but she continues to lead a somewhat normal life with a few achievements here and there. They've known each other since Hitomi entered Tokyo University two years ago.

"Please take the attendance," Ikari said to give her something to do, "I just need to go get something."

"Yes, Sensei." Hitomi answered. Ikari nodded and went out of the classroom to the teacher's lounge.

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"Sasaki-san?"

"Hai." (Here.)*

"Sato-san?"

"Hai! I'm not late!" Hitomi didn't care either way.

"Tanaka-san?"

"Hai."

"Watanabe-san?"

'What am I doing?' Hitomi thought to herself as she mechanically called to her classmates and took their attendance.

"Yamada-san?"

Her mind was a haze. Everything was a blur. She should have skipped this class... if only Ikari wouldn't worry about her.

"Yoshida-san?"

She was done, and perfectly aware of every little movement she made, she put the attendance sheet on her teacher's desk and then took her seat.

'Although,' she frowned ever so slightly, 'I don't think Watanabe-san is here yet and I put a check on her attendance. Oh well, an honest mistake.'

Everyone chatted and mingled about while waiting for their professor. Hitomi was in her third year of university at TokyoU where she got a track scholarship. She knew she wouldn't even be here without it for she concentrated solely on running back in high school, only keeping her grades at qualification levels. Her life was considerably duller now, to the point of tedious and overwhelming.

'I know I'm depressed,' she sighed, 'but I shouldn't be. Then again how can I help it? I've had the taste of what can only be fantasy. Nothing can satisfy me here anymore...'

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She rose with her classmates as they all bowed and greeted their professor. She saw Ikari raise an eyebrow at her and correct her mistake on the attendance sheet. Class started, and then it would end. Ikari would want to talk to her before going to teach her next class, maybe. She would be either at the library or canteen to pass the time 'til her next subject. It was all very, very monotonous. She didn't understand why she was this way. She should have left the dream long ago.

'But I did,' she told herself as she half-listened to the lecture. Ikari wouldn't mind, she hates morning classes. 'I left it, I left everything.'

"How would you answer to a political alliance offered by your old rival?" She heard the question and thought about it.

'An old rival?' Suddenly a man with long blonde hair came to view, clashing swords with a younger, raven-haired male...

She jumped as she heard the bell. The memory was so intense she could almost have heard the sound of their swords as they parried.

'Oh I left it alright,' she thought crossly as she gathered her things, 'Only I thought I did. I thought I could leave as the pillar of light took me away.'

But he remained. After everything: being busy with studies, track, family, friends, and heck even trying to move on and date. Nothing worked and all that was left was to run. Track wasn't a sport anymore, it was an escape.

And still, he caught up with her. He was with her as she ran, with his beautiful, unfair advantage. It made her feel like she was being watched over as she competed. She laughed at that thought. 'Who knows? Maybe he is watching, though that would be extremely cruel of him. Seems more likely he's moved on.'

She didn't want to think of it like that. Though not thinking about it wouldn't have made it less true... only less painful, perhaps.

All the while her feet took her to one of her favorite haunts: the library. Most people avoided it on Mondays so she had the chance to be alone at the moment. She desperately needed it as a tear rolled down her cheek. God, how she missed him.

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Author's Note: What do you think? The next four chapters will be posted soon. I'm on a writer's rush (if there is such a thing, but with writer's block, who can tell?) and the inspiration is flowing away like... like... Oh what the heck I'm writing before I lose it. Shorter chapter right now, but better.

Mieru

P.S. Edited 01.05.09 8:12 pm