Author's Note: This Fanfic contains SPOILERS for Escaflowne- as it takes
place after the ending. I liked the ending, but it didn't have real closure
for me- so I made an ending! Enjoy, and comments are welcome- direct those
to monica@pipeline.com. 


Trust and Fate: A Continuation
			-By Monica Shin

	"Hitomi?" Yukari ran to catch up with her friend. "That was a good
run. You've really gotten better at the sprint. Hitomi shrugged, and just
smiled. Yukari looked at her friend apprehensively. "How are you? I haven't
really seen you around for a while... Are you OK?"  Hitomi looked at her
for a second, before answering, "I'm fine, Yukari. I'm just a little... 
tired. I've been really busy, I guess." 
	Yukari looked down at the ground, a little scared to look Hitomi in
the face. She felt so guilty because of Amano... 
	"Ano... Hitomi. I want to talk to you about something- it's about
Amano. Well, I... I'm going out with him. I'm sorry! I know you liked him a
lot, but I've loved him for so long, and when he asked me... I'm sorry." 
Yukari looked at Hitomi, wondering what her reaction would be.
	Hitomi walked over to Yukari, and hugged her. "Don't be sorry. You 
love him a lot, and that's the most important thing. I thought that I loved 
him  from the bottom of my heart, but I know now that I didn't... I don't 
love him like I  used to, and I never loved him as much as you did. So don't 
be afraid, Yukari. I'm happy for both you and sempai." 
	Yukari stared at Hitomi in amazement. "You're really not mad? I 
thought that you had already found out, and that was why you were avoiding
me."
	Hitomi shook her head. "I did know, but I only realized it recently.
But I haven't been avoiding you. It's nothing..."
	Yukari stopped walking. "Hitomi, I want to ask you something else.
Do you remember when you did the run, for Amano? This sounds crazy, but I 
remember such strange things from that night. I remember this dragon, and
this strange boy, but then I remember something else, where you go flying
off on another dragon, with that same boy. Then I remember what really 
happened... you just finished the race, and nothing like that happened... 
Hitomi, I'm really confused. I've talked with Amano about this, and he 
remembers this, too.  I keep on getting dreams about how you were missing 
for weeks and weeks, but then you haven't been gone at all. Then you just 
come in the next morning, as usual, but now, you won't do fortunes anymore.
What's going on?"
	Hitomi looks down at the ground. "It's not important, Yukari. Don't
worry about it."
	"What do you mean, don't worry about it? How can I not? I thought
that I was going crazy, until Amano said this was happening to him, too. But
if it's not me, that what's really happening?" Yukari grabbed Hitomi by the
shoulders, and looked into her eyes. "You're hiding something from me... 
Why? Is it because of Amano? Do you not trust me anymore? If it is, then-"
	Hitomi yelled out, "No, it's not that at all! Yukari, just... just
trust me. I can't explain now, and I don't think that I should. Besides, even
if I did tell you, you'd just think that I was crazy. So, please, just let
me keep my secret for now. I promise that one day, I'll tell you everything."
	Yukari wanted to ask her, to demand that she tell her everything.
But she looked at her best friend for real, without any of the fear that had
been clouding her eyes for the past week. She saw so much more in Hitomi's
eyes; pain, fear, power, love, all new things that hadn't been there before.
"I'll trust you, Hitomi. I promise that I won't ask, but I hope that you'll 
tell me what happened, someday. Trust me enough, too."
	"I trust you, and I'll tell you when I can, later. But for now...
Anyway, tell me about you and Amano. Have you gone anywhere together yet?
Has he kissed you? Come on, tell me!"

--------------------------


	"Yukari-chan, have you told Hitomi about us yet?" Amano asked, while
sitting down at the cafe table.
	"Yeah, I told her. She doesn't seem to mind..." Yukari looked down
at her hands. She still felt a little nervous about the two of them, even
if Hitomi wasn't jealous.
	"That's good. I don't want our friendships to break up over this. Did
you ask her about our dreams?"
	"I did, but she says that she'll tell us someday, just not now. I
don't think that we should try to push her now. She's been through something
that I can't even guess yet. But I know that when she can tell us, she will.
That's the most important thing, right?" She looked up at his pensive face,
and took his hand. "Let's not ask, OK? Let's trust her enough."
	Amano gazed down at her, and replied, "OK, we won't ask her. But lets
go talk to her anyway together. I haven't seen her for a few days, and she
hasn't seen us together, either. This may be a good way for us to see if she
really is all right about us."
	"Let's go, then." They both get up. "I think that she's still at the
track. She said something about needing to practice some more." Yukari got
her bag, and they both started back to school.
	After they got to the track, they did see Hitomi sprinting. The two
were about to go talk to her, when they noticed her stopping suddenly. 
Then they saw Hitomi start to apparently talk to herself, stopping at times,
as if she heard someone replying to her. 
	"What's she doing?" Yukari whispered. Amano answered, "I don't know.
I think that she thinks that she's talking to someone..."

-----------------------


	"Yeah, I'm fine. I've gotten back to school, and I've started to get
used to this world again. I hadn't realized how much I had missed this world,
until I had gotten back, and seen my family, and my friends again... But I
still miss everyone back on Gaia, too." Hitomi stopped, and looked at Van
for a second. "Van, you look tired. Are you all right?"
	"I'm just working hard, restoring Farnelia to what it should be.
It's not as hard as it could be, because all the countries are cooperating
for once, and King Shido sent help as well." Van looked around, seeing her
world, and her happiness. "I'm glad that you're so happy to be back to your
home. You seem much more relaxed and content now... that's good."
	Hitomi moved her hand toward him, almost touching his cheek. "I know
that we'll always be able to talk together like this, so I don't mind not 
being with you so much. But still... I sometimes wish I was back on Gaia. 
I feel a little guilty because you have so much work, while I'm back home, 
not doing anything important. I could be helping you-"
	Van interrupted her with an impatient gesture, his hand almost
passing through hers. "Don't talk like that. You're home, where you should
be, doing all the things that are important, to you. You shouldn't feel 
guilty, just because you're happy. Besides, you're doing what you should
be doing, and I'm doing my duty as well. Just be happy, for now, and maybe
someday..."
	Hitomi and Van just looked at each other for a minute, each knowing
that it was time to separate. "I wish that we could touch..." Hitomi 
whispered, while Van's intangible hand went through her cheek, leaving 
nothing but a slightly chill feel. Van replied, "Our wish will someday be
granted, by our love. Believe, Hitomi." With that, he vanished, leaving
her staring at the sky, looking vainly for a planet that could not be seen
from her home.

-------------------------


	Amano and Yukari stood, frozen, while Hitomi got her bag, and left 
the track. Amano started to go after her, but Yukari stopped him. "Amano,
we should let her be." Amano protested, "But she just-" Yukari interrupted
him, saying, "You know that Hitomi is special. She has a gift, that makes
her different from other people. What we saw might not be what is true, and
I don't want her to think that we were spying on her, or something like that.
Trust her, and she'll tell us when she thinks that she's ready, or when she
needs too." 

-------------------------

	Time passed, and both Amano and Yukari noticed that while Hitomi was
happy, she seemed less and less focused in the real world. She was still 
running track, but now, she seemed to be running toward something that she 
could never reach, and this seemed to sadden her. They never noticed her
carrying on an animated conversation with thin air again, but Yukari did see
her gesture, and smile into nothingness, when Hitomi thought that no one was
looking.
	For Van and Hitomi, they knew that they could never truly be apart.
However, Hitomi soon realized that her own world was less than what she had
remembered it being, and Van knew that his work was not complete, without
her. But they were both silent, each knowing that the other's heart would
feel what they felt, and were content to stay as they were, until the time
that both had decided on, secretly in both their hearts. Hitomi knew that 
when she had grown up enough to be ready, she would go back with all her 
heart, and Van knew that someday, she would come back to him. 

---------------------------

	"Congratulations Hitomi! Yukari-chan!" Amano shouted, as the two
came toward him. He handed flowers to both of them, as the two new graduates
thanked him. "I'm glad I could stop by from the university for this. How
are both of you feeling?"
	"I feel so relieved. I'm finally finished with high school!" Yukari
exalted, while Hitomi looked both sad and happy. "I'm glad that high school
is over, too, but now..." With that, Hitomi looked with sad eyes to her 
friends, and then said, "I want both of you to come to the track tonight.
I'm going to finally explain what happened two years ago, because soon, I'll
be..." With that, she turned, and ran back toward her parents, who started
to congratulate her.
	Yukari and Amano stared at the retreating girl, before Yukari 
commented, "Finally, she's going to tell us? I'm glad, but I think that there
may be a reason for this that we probably won't like..." 

----------------------

	"Mom, Dad, there's something that I have to tell you..." Hitomi
gazed up at her parents with saddened eyes. They both stopped their chatting
and looked at their daughter with surprise. "What's wrong, Hitomi? Are you 
feeling tired? I thought that you'd be happy that we went out to an early 
dinner to celebrate, so that you can meet your friends later." Her mother
looked at Hitomi with concern, noticing the depression which had become
more and more noticeable within her daughter.
	"Do... do you remember that time, a few years ago, when strange
things happened for a while? When you thought that I had disappeared, but I
hadn't, and-" Hitomi was interrupted by her father, who said, "Yes, my 
memories of that time are still confused- but why are you bringing that up 
now?"
	Hitomi spoke to her mother directly, ignoring her father. "Mother,
do you remember grandma's experience, with the other world?" Her mother
replied, "Of course I do. But why are you bringing that up?" Then realization
dawned in her eyes. "Hitomi, you visited that place? Is that why we are so
confused, about that time? That would make sense- you seemed so different,
so distracted for a time after that..." There, her father interjected, "What
are both of you talking about? Hitomi, tell me what's going on!"
	But he was ignored, as Hitomi's mother looked at her daughter with
new eyes. "Is that why you're so sad? Because-" 
	"Because I have to go back, to see-"
	"To see that man, right? Like your grandmother did... she knew, that 
you would be the one to follow, to that other world. That's why she gave you
that pendant. But are you sure?"
	Then she looked at her daughter, and answered herself. "Of course 
you're sure. I can see it in your eyes. This is why you've become so 
depressed lately, isn't it? Because you knew that it was time for you to
go back, soon. To go after that man of your destiny- but now?"
	Hitomi nodded, and her mother said, "You know that you're going to 
have to visit! Don't forget us back here on Earth- but you have to go now,
don't you?" Another nod, and suddenly, her mother got up, and gave her a hard
hug. "My daughter- I knew that I would give you up, just not this soon. Don't
worry about your father. I'll explain to him later. But now, you have to 
go. Don't worry about us- my mother told me that the most important thing was
to trust your feelings, and follow the destiny that you make for yourself.
If you're sure that this is what you're doing, then go."
	Hitomi stood up from her chair, and walked over to her dazed father, 
who had been staring at the two as if they were insane. "I know that you
won't understand, papa. But don't worry, and remember that I'll always miss
you, and love you." Then she gave him a hug, and then left, hearing behind
her the explanation her mother was giving her father.
	<Papa, I hope that you'll understand why I have to do this...>

-------------------------
	

	Yukari and Amano met Hitomi at the track a few hours later. Hitomi 
started out by saying, "You know that something strange happened a few years 
ago, that I never explained to any of you. That's because..." There she 
hesitated, and looked over their heads, to what seemed empty space for them, 
but had Van in her sight. He gave her a look of encouragement, and then 
started to raise his hand, which held the energist.
	She took a deep breath, and then said, "I had left this world for 
another, called Gaia. There, I found so many different wonderful and 
horrible things, that I couldn't have explained it then, even if I had wanted
to. But for now, I've gathered all of you here because I'm going to be 
leaving soon, to go back to the other world."
	Both of them were silent, utterly amazed, until Yukari exclaimed, 
"What are you talking about, Hitomi? What do you mean, you're leaving? And to
another world? I was expecting something strange, but not this!" Amano
joined in, asking. "Are you feeling all right, Hitomi? If you want, we can-"
	His question was cut off as a blinding column of light came down from
the heavens. When it had cleared, a young man was standing there, holding 
something resembling a pink stone, and Hitomi's pendant. "Van!" Hitomi 
yelled, running and hugging him. "Finally! Finally..."
	"Wha-?" Yukari muttered, as she took in this new sight. "What just 
happened? Who are you? I- I remember you! You're that boy, from that dream?
How are you here? And-"
	Van and Hitomi turned, hand in hand, to look at everyone on the
track. Hitomi said, "This is Van Farnel, the king of Farnelia, one of the
countries on Gaia, the other world. I met him when I was there, and he is
my... fiancee? lover? soulmate? He's my other half, and one of the reasons
why I seemed so different when I came back. He's also the reason why
I'm leaving.
	He and I remained apart these few years because I wanted to go home, 
and he had to rebuild his home, which had been destroyed. We knew that we
would always be together, in our hearts, so it wasn't so bad. But still, we
wanted to truly be together, someday. I had decided, in the back of my mind,
that I would go back to Gaia, after high school was over. I love my world,
but I love Gaia, too, and I miss all of my friends back in the other world.
And I want to be with Van."
	Van spoke up. "I don't want either of you to think that Hitomi will 
go forever to Gaia. She can come back whenever she wants to, and she will,
to visit. But now, we want to be together, in body as well as spirit, and
I can't leave my kingdom. I hope that all of you understand that this is our
wish, fulfilled by our love. We're making our own destiny..."
	The two entwined their hands even tighter. "But how can you just 
leave, Hitomi? What is so special about this guy-" Yukari asked. Hitomi 
answered with a look, which Yukari could see was filled with love, but also
with unrelenting determination. "I'm sorry, Yukari. But I will go. That is 
all. But I hope that you can understand..." Hitomi turned to Van, who enfolded
her into his arms, and then, suddenly, his wings also came out of his back,
to wrap around both of them.
	"To trust our feelings is the only thing we can do. That's how we 
make our own fate- that is all. We'll try to explain all that happened to 
me on Gaia- but after that, we have to leave. I've finally grown up, I
suppose, and I'm ready to live a new life."
	Hitomi started to explain what had happened to her on the other 
world, starting with what had happened on the track. Van occasionally put in
a comment or two, and together, they told their story. Both Yukari and Amano
looked stunned at what they had been told. Neither could say anything, or 
argue that the two didn't know what they were doing. Hitomi and Van, who had 
never let go of each other through the whole tale, finally separated. She 
went over to her two disbelieving friends.
	"Hitomi... I won't say that I won't miss you. But I can see why you're
doing this, and I can't tell you to stay. But visit every once in a while, 
please!" Yukari whispered, almost crying. Amano gave her a hug, and then
turned to Hitomi. "Hitomi, I knew that you had become a different person
two years ago. But now, I see that you are truly summoning up your courage.
Running like the wind... go and fly. Be happy."
	Hitomi hugged both of them, and started to cry. She told both of 
them, "You know why I won't foresee your future. But that doesn't matter, 
because I know for sure both of you will be happy together- that you'll make 
your own good fate with your love."
	Van held out his had, and Hitomi intertwined it with hers. Both gave
a look back at the Earth and at her friends, before he held up the Energist, 
and the column of light enfolded them both. Hitomi smiled, gently through her
tears, as she said one silent farewell to her old life. Then she look up, at 
the stars, at Gaia, and her tears ceased. 
	<We'll make a new fate, together.>


-----
Monica Shin----monica@pipeline.com- Anime Fan!!! 
CLAMP---RG Veda, Tokyo Babylon, X, MKR, CCD 
Dragon Ball Z-"Super-Saiyajin no BARGAIN SALE!!
Marmalade Boy, Gundam Wing, Escaflowne, Slam Dunk 
Fushigi Yuugi, Yu Yu Hakusho, Mac +,7, Evangelion
Visit my homepage! http://www.pipeline.com/~monica/