Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Mystic Moon ❯ I'll Never Forget ( Chapter 1 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]
Pilot Episode-Pt.1:
Ill Never Forget
One year. She calculated in her mind. Its been one year.The 16 year-old looked up at the bright blue sky, her thoughts wandering into the depths of space and time. Her eyes glazed over as she remembered what had happened exactly one year from that day...
~flashback~
She was running at night on the sports track behind her school. Her heart was beating rapidly in anticipation. Her mind flickered to the favour that she had asked from Amano, a guy at her school who was two years her senior. If I can run 100 metres in the time it takes for the pendant to swing 13 times, I
want you to do something special for me... she asked the boy with the chin-
length brown hair. She had bowed then, her hand outstretched with the pendant,
her cheeks blushing furiously. Give me my very first kiss? Much to her surprise,
the boy had smiled at her and had agreed.
This is why she was running.
The pendant swung its eighth cycle, and suddenly a blue light appeared
before her, bringing with it a boy with messy raven-black hair. She was running
too fast, she couldnt stop, and smacked right into the boy. He shoved her aside hastily, talking about
a dragon. Sure enough, from behind them appeared a horrible creature that must have
been a dragon. The girl and her friends ran as the boy battled the beast. After a horrible
slaughter, the teenager stranger and the girl were suddenly engulfed by an eerie blue
light which carried them to a different world...Gaia, a place where the Earth and moon
hung in the sky.
The girl, Hitomi, would soon discover that the boys name was Van Fanel, and
that he had the ability to sprout wings like an angel. He would protect her at any cost
because, unbeknownst to her, he was deeply in love with this girl from Earth. Despite
the obstacles that came before them, Hitomi would eventually come to realize that she
returned his love...
But as peace was restored the Gaia, it became clear that Hitomi would have to
go back home... to her home. With tears in her eyes, Hitomi had embraced her
soulmate tightly, promising that shed never forget him. With that, she was whisked
away back to Earth...
~End flashback~
What I would give to see him again... just to be with him, to be held in his strong arms,
to tell him I love him...
Hitomi? a voice asked with concern. Hitomis daydreaming was interrupted. She
looked to her left at her best friend. Hitomi, whats wrong? asked Yukari gently. Hitomi
shook her head a little.
Its nothing, she lied. Yukari wasnt stupid, something was evidently not right. But she
didnt pursue the topic any longer. When Hitomi felt the need to confide in someone,
she knew that her best friend would always be there. Yukari frowned a little but just ate
her rice in silence. Hitomi looked down at her own food. It remained untouched. She
looked down at her watch, realizing that the bell for lunchs end was about to start.
Putting on a fake smile, a task that she had become accustomed to over the past year,
she stood and offered Yukari a helping hand off the steps.
Class is about to start, she informed her friend. Yukari wrinkled her nose in disgust
but nodded, throwing her garbage into a trash can nearby.
Hitomis head was throbbing. She couldnt stand this anymore, it was like slow torture.
Her eyes wandered to the front of the class, where the teacher was giving a tedious
lesson on physics. His voice grew muffled and distant as Hitomis thoughts strayed to
the young king on Gaia... the man she loved, Van. Hitomi wondered what he was doing
now, how the reconstruction of Fanelia was coming along, if Merle had given up her
possessive act, but mostly, she asked if he missed her.
With the power of their love for one another, amplified by the pendants abilities,
they had kept in touch. They were unable to physically be there for each other, and
could only communicate in thoughts and feelings. Words were pointless.
Often times Hitomi found herself thinking how handy it would be if Van, no, if
Gaia, had a telephone somewhere. It would have taken a large bite out of Hitomis
wallet to pay the long distance fee, but it would be worth it just to hear his voice.
Closing her eyes for a moment, Hitomi turned her focus back to the lesson.

Wiseman, said the figure in a low voice, bowing.
Linaddua, replied the old man seated in a throne-like object. Hundreds of tiny
pipes attached the thrown to large flasks which boiled a strange grey liquid. His beard
was long and white, and hung over the throne.
The girl stepped into the light so that she could see the old man better. Her hair
was a silvery-blonde, and she wore it up in a ponytail. Her outfit consisted of a tight
red sleeveless shirt and a dark miniskirt. Her eyes flashed blood red, and the long
scar that stretched from her cheek to the roots of her hair matched the top perfectly. Upon
her forehead was a black crescent moon, upside down.
Linaddua, the man repeated. You now why you are here. You know what you
must do, the task you must carry out. Once you do, the future with be mine to control!
he began to laugh evilly. A smirk crossed over Linadduas own face and she began to
cackle maniacally in a high-pitched tone. Then she faded into the blackness.

It was 3 oclock. The bell rang and Hitomi thanked it silently. The gruelling
schoolday was over. She slung her bag over her shoulder and began to walk towards
home.
Hey Hiroko, let me see!
No way, I saw it first!
Hitomi walked past a small huddle of youngsters. She thought nothing of what
they were doing, and besides, she couldnt see what they were up to.
Theyre just little kids,thought Hitomi to herself. They cant be doing anything to hurt
someone.
It was then that she heard the sound. It was a cry that was barely audible, but for
some reason it was amplified in Hitomis ears. It was the sound of a young cat.
Immediately, Hitomi spun around back to where the children were.
Out of the way, you little brats! she ordered, pushing them from the center of
their little circle. They scattered. Hitomi peered down to see what had drawn their
attention... and what had made the noise. There, on the grass, lay a small grey cat with
a bandage on her forehead. Hitomi gasped before picking the feline up in her arms.
One word flashed through her mind: Naria.


Hitomi... his mind wandered out past the clouds, up to the larger of the two
globes in the sky. He closed his eyes for a moment, reflecting. His hand reached for the
pink pendant... his only material proof that she had been there, with him. He had his
memories, but he often wondered if it had all been some beautiful dream.
No... he decided. It was not a dream. Had it been a dream, I would have had the
bravery to bring her lips to mine, told her how much I loved her, and she would return to me,
to stay with me...forever....
He opened his eyes to the sound of a high-pitched squeal.
Lord Vaaaaaaan! screamed Merle excitedly. Van quickly hid the pendant back
underneath his red shirt. She rushed up to his sitting spot in the forest and clung to his
arm like glue.
Hey Merle, Van said with a fake smile. She looked up at him with adoration but then
frowned.
Stop pretending, Van. she said in a serious tone. Van looked at her, surprised. This
was the first time that she had addressed him without the Lord prefix.
Merle..? questioned Van, as if he didnt understand what she was talking about. Merle
released his arm so that she could face him, to look into his eyes.
You know damn well what Im talking about. she nearly hissed. In an instant, she had
her claw in and out of Vans shirt, bringing the pendant out. This, she said.
The pendant?
Merle sighed. Van, youre killing yourself. I see you everyday and bit by bit... youre
dissolving, shrivelling without her. I know how much you love Hitomi, but have faith. In
time, shell return to you. She stood and placed a paw on her best friends shoulder.
Be patient. Youll see her soon, she assured. Then, wanting to ease the tension, she
lowered her face down to his ear and whispered, ...and until you do... you always have
me. She winked at him flirtatiously and thus brought forth a bit of a smile to Vans face.
It was an old joke. He knew that it had been months since Merles obsessive love for
Van had come to an end. She had met a nice cat-guy who was helping with the
reconstruction of Fanelia.
With that, Merle hugged him and walked away. Van smiled a little more. Merles
words were encouraging... ever since his love had left, he doubted ever seeing her
again. But now that doubt had completely vanished.

Hitomi examined the animal. If the cat had been more human-like, it would have
been Naria exactly. The eyes, the colour, everything. But one thing was different... the
strange bandage on her forehead. Hitomis curiousity was piqued. Slowly and gingerly,
she removed the bandaid. She gasped again. Clearly visible through the fur was a
strange mark... a perfect circle, partially hidden by the crescent moon.
The Mystic Moon... Hitomi whispered. In the way that it was seen from Gaia.
She looked down at the little cat who had begun to purr. Why do I feel such a strange
connection to you? she wondered. Something inside her told her that this furry animal
was intended for her and her alone. Hitomi felt around the neck, searching for some
sort of identification. There was nothing. Hitomi felt a sudden happiness surge inside of
her and she smiled-a real smile- for the first time in months.
She had no idea that this cat was only the beginning.