Obligations [Prologue]

[Waking Dreamer]

After watching the series, and being completely dissatisfied with the fact that Van and Hitomi don?t get married and have 20 kids (fine?2. ;D), my lovely friend and beta-reader strongly hinted that ?someone? should write a fic about them getting together, while giving me a Look. So, I?m taking the hint. This will be a series fic?how long? I've mapped it out, but I thought my last fic was only going to be 4 chapters, and it ended up being 7. <shrug> So, enjoy the ride. =)

Title is being worked upon.. not sure if I liked what I picked, but I wanted to post this.. Any suggestions are welcomed. =)

Thanks as always to my beta reader Sphinx?she?s the one who inspires the fic! (And you are not nit picky-- just honest. =))




Prologue?Was it Just a Dream?





?Van!?

?Hitomi.? His lips curved upwards, before opening up into a wide grin.

The two met in a fierce embrace. Wrapping his arms around her, Van couldn?t believe that he was holding her again. He had missed this bundle of life and energy, whose spirits never seemed to falter, whose faith and belief in him never wavered, and whose love he could always count on. He nestled his face in the tawny, short strands of her hair, sniffing in the light, flowery smell. Tightening his embrace, Van cradled Hitomi even closer to him.

At first, Hitomi was shocked at the sudden affection. Sure, she knew that Van loved her, but he was still awkward in displaying any signs of his love. Usually, she was the one to make the first move. She would hug him, which he would return, but he was never the one to initiate. However, it had been a long time, since she had last seen him, so she stopped analyzing and decided to enjoy the feel of being held by the man she loved.

Nestling her head onto his shoulder, Hitomi let a little sigh of happiness escape.

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Side by side, Van and Hitomi were lying on the soft grass, holding hands, as they looked upwards to the indigo night sky. A crystal clear night, the atmosphere was filled with twinkling lights that were dancing. Both sat in contented silence, happy to be in each other?s company.

?Look!? Van suddenly said in the still silence. Sitting up, he pulled Hitomi up with him. Turning his head towards Hitomi, he pointed his finger to the flashing light: a shooting star was gliding in the night sky.

Hitomi gazed at the sparkle. How many times, had she sat at her desk, staring out of her window, wondering how the inhabitants of Gaea were faring? Merle. Allen. Malerna. Dryden. Shiid. Van? How many times, had she shut her eyes tightly, wishing on every star that she would be able to see them all again? And now?her dream had come true. Here, she was, sitting beside Van, as though years had never flown by, as if time itself had stopped for the couple. She couldn?t help herself?a tear trickled down her cheek.

Still holding her hand, Van noticed the hand?s owner seemed to grow a little limp. Tearing his eyes away from the shooting star, he noticed the lone tear, also glittering from the reflection of the moon light, cascading down Hitomi?s cheek. Instantly worried, Van asked, ?Hitomi? What?s wrong??

Through blurry eyes, Hitomi was touched at Van?s immediate concern. Giving a full smile that eclipsed her face, though the lips were a bit shaky, Hitomi shook her head. ?Nothing.. I?m just happy to be with you.?

Giving a smile of his own, Van pulled Hitomi closer to him. However, he didn?t tuckle her into him, as he did before. This time, he gathered Hitomi into his arms, so that she faced him. Her face was inches away from his. ?Van..?? she whispered.

This was it. She was sure. Van would surely kiss her. She had waited so long. Tilting her face up, Hitomi could see the beams of the moon?s light highlighting the contours of Van?s face. His dark eyes were pools of intense feelings that she drowned herself in every time she looked at him. She saw the creases in his forehead, as he, no doubt, was debating with himself as what to do next. Grasping his hand tightly in her grip, Hitomi closed her eyes in anticipation.

Bringing his free hand up, Van cupped her face from her ear to her chin. With his thumb, he caressed her cheek. He then moved his thumb to touch her lips in a gentle and excruciating slow outline. Moving his head down, he breathed one word, ?Hitomi..? Using his thumb again, he brought her head closer to his.

She could feel his breath upon her lips. Swallowing, she waited to feel the slight pressure that he would soon bestow.

Their lips were a centimeter apart.

Parting his lips slightly, Van leaned in, when?

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He awoke with a start. His heart was racing; his hands were clammy. Running his fingers through his hair, he took a deep breath, before realizing where he was. He was in his bedchamber, in his castle of Fanelia. Turning to his side, he saw that no one was there. Disappointed, he flopped down on his bed again. It had been a dream- or had it? It was so real to him. He could feel Hitomi in his arms. He could smell her sweet scent. He could hear her voice, calling him. Rubbing his temples, Van closed his eyes. Sporadically, he would dream about her, but lately, the dreams were more intense and frequent than they had ever been before. He didn?t know what to make of these visions he had. Opening his eyes again, he got out of bed and decided to venture to that spot to help clear his mind.

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Meanwhile?.

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On the other planet, a girl also awoke from the same, vivid dream. Breathing fast, she closed her eyes and willed herself to pace her inhales and exhales back to normal. She had felt him. Touching her lips with the tips of her index and middle fingers, she pictured the scene in her mind again. The heat, radiating from their bodies, was nothing compared to the oncoming warmth of Van?s lips. Damnit, she thought. I?ve waited seven years for this.. and it was only a dream. Climbing out of bed, Hitomi walked over to her window and stared at the moon. Its silvery beams cascaded throughout the room and enveloped the girl, much like Van?s arms had. Gazing at the silver source, the girl wondered how Van was doing throughout all that time. Right now, with everything in her life completely screwed up, she really could use a comforting hug. Well, she admitted to herself, I really want Van right now? Changing into a pair of sweats, she decided to trek to the one spot, where she felt closest to Van.

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On his knees, Van mumbled a prayer for his deceased family. He stood up and looked to his right. There it stood, as it had, the past 7 years. Escaflowne. Even after all that time, the Guymelef hadn?t rust. It stood as if no time had passed. Walking closer to his machine, Van ran his hand down it, remembering all those years ago? All the destruction, loss of lives, burning of villages? hopes and dreams shattered, yet rebuilt again by the courage of those, refusing to give up? and the belief of one certain girl who seemed never to falter in her wishing. Sighing, Van tousled his hair with his hand, trying to make some sense as to why he was persistently conjuring up images of her, whenever he was awake, and even more so, when he was asleep. Closing his eyes, he let the cool night air refresh his weary limbs. He breathed deeply in the scent of the tangy smell of grass and trees. His body relaxed, the king of Fanelia meditated, clearing his mind of any outside thoughts to get to the root of his haunting nights. As soon as he fell into a state of pure serenity, he felt the burning tip of ice cold steel against the side of his neck, accompanied by a low voice, ?You should never be left unguarded, Van, King of Fanelia.?

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Huff huff puff puff

The short gasps of air were rhythmically beating in and out of the girl?s lips, as she ran around the track. It had been a while since she had last been here, but the track at her old high school was the same as ever. The bleachers, the orange rubber track, the soft light beaming from the lamp?yes, things had not changed one bit. Completing the final lap, Hitomi caught her breath. Gasping at the air, she slowly walked around the track, trying to reset her rapidly beating pulse back to normal. She stopped suddenly, for she reached the spot that held two of the most memorable events of her life. It was this same spot, where Van had first appeared. He had protected her, along with her friends, yet, he also had been very curt and brusque. Hitomi felt the corners of her mouth tug upwards into a knowing smile, as she remembered how rude the boy?s manner had been. The smile then slowly turned into one of wistful reminiscence, as she then replayed the second image of when Van came to bring her back to Gaea. And if she wasn?t mistaken, she felt that Van was about to declare something, but she had interrupted him with her fierce embrace. Not like it didn?t matter?she later learned that Van loved her, and she loved him. Rooted to her spot, she glanced up at the moon again, its glow, not as bright as before, with dark clouds blocking the beams from illuminating the earth. She gave a little sigh and felt a tear trickle down her cheek. Van had said that they would always be able to see each other, but, right now, she really needed that promise to come true. Seeing fleeting visions and evocative dreams were not enough. Closing her eyes, Hitomi began to wish with her entire heart that she could see him. Be with him. Tangibly be at his side.

Pit pat pit pat

?Van?? The girl tentatively called out. Surely?it had to be him!

?What are you doing out here so late at night, Hitomi??

The girl turned around to face the familiar voice.


TBC.

[Silent Moon Sphinx]

YAY! I've been meaning to reply to this for such a long time! I am sooooo intrigued! Awesome, as always. You must write more! We need fics like this to prevent Esca withdrawal, so goooo! I need me some shirtless Van!

~Sphinx

[Winged~Trinity]

i've really wanted to tell you that this is a great start!!! sorry i didn't reply sooner

Anyways keep it up, and plz don't leave it here!!!!!!!