Hi… This isn't my first fanfic although it is for Escaflowne. Sometimes people don't finish their fanfics, and, although I am a flake. I would like to finish this one as well as continue my other ones. So you wouldn't have to suffer as much as my other readers.. (Sorry ) I wrote several chapters so I could post one up weekly. I try to go with more quality than quantity. Please review so that I know what the readers prefer.

Disclaimer: I don't own Van, Hitomi or anything to do with Escaflowne except this story I have written with my own tears sweat and blood. Other fanfic writers, don't take my story or I will eat you.

Warning: This will be a trialsome journey for our Hitomi and Van. I will make them suffer! But that only helps them and you appreciate the happy ending… If there is one (DUN Dun Dunnnnnn… My choice, you deal with it). So on with the show.

Going Back

Prologue:

"Goodbye Van…" Hitomi was starting to tear up as she was about to leave for the mystic moon. 'I can't believe I'm leaving. But I don't want to go. I don't want to be alone.' The thoughts in her head were starting to show on her face until she forced herself to look happy. Forced herself for him.

"Goodbye… Hitomi" Van stood there holding her hands in his. She was leaving but he wanted her to stay. But what could he do, that was her home up there and not here. 'She's smiling because she misses her home. What right do I have to ask her to stay. But if she leaves then I'll be alone.' He, however, couldn't force a smile.

"Van, I will see you again, right?" Hitomi pleaded. The look in his eyes were hurtig her but also giving her hope. Like he really didn't want her to go. 'Please ask me to stay.'

"Of course you will. I'll always be here waiting." 'Don't leave me.'

"Do you promise?"

"I promise."

"Then I promise too. I'll wait for you no matter what happens." 'Please wait for me.'

"And I promise to wait for you." 'I'll wait for you if you wait for me.'

"So we'll never be alone?"

"So we'll never be alone."

Those words made Hitomi sad and happy all at the same time. He was going to wait for her. She gave him a hug and was holding on so tight she didn't want to let go. He too held her close to his heart, although his heart was telling him to not allow her to go but to keep her there. It felt like they could spend eternity just staying there in each others arms. Slowly they pulled away. Looking in each other's eyes they started to lean toward each other. Hitomi closed her eyes and Van allowed his to flutter shut. But before their last farewell could commence a pillar of blue light descended from the heavens and pulled Hitomi to the sky, away from her beloved Van. Slowly the Dragon King let his winged goddess slip from his arms.

'I'm losing her.'

The look on his face tore at Hitomi's heart. It felt like she was abandoning him but she was too far now. All she could do is reach for him as the light pulled her upward and yell.

"Van! I promise to come back! What for me! And even though I never said this before I've always wanted to say that I…."

The light vanished. Then she was gone.

Van was left standing there with his arms to the sky. 'Hitomi.' She was actually gone. Again. This is the second time he allowed her to leave. His heart broke and he felt emptier than he had ever been in his entire life. Emptier the when his kingdom burned to the ground. Emptier than when he had lost her before.

The rain sky became dark and cloudy. Then rain started to fall and drip down his face. After an eternity he let his hands fall to his side. Then after a second eternity, he fell to his knees. Not caring about all the mud that catered to his body. He simply sat there looking toward the sky where Hitomi had just left. Taking his heart with her.

A wet trail started to flow from is eyes and down his face. Of course he wasn't crying. The Dragon King of Fanelia wouldn't cry and never allow himself to be so weak. No, these weren't tears. It was just the rain.

Just the rain.

Out on the side, under a tree protected from the rain but not protected from the coldness in herself. She felt Van's pain. She couldn't believe Hitomi actually left. And what's worse that Van let her leave.

"Oh Lord Van. Why did you let her leave? I know you wanted her to stay. Why couldn't you of just asked her… Oh Lord Van. What am I going to do with you."

With that she let her head drop as a few tears of her own dripped from her eyes. With this hurt, she couldn't go over and help or even comfort her lord. All she could do now was wish toward the sky.

"Hitomi. Make sure you hurry back for Lord Van. He's not as strong as he pretends to be."