Hello again. I didn't intend to get into another story while writing Last Person On Earth my AU but I came across the idea for this one and couldn't get it out of my head. Though where LPOE will be between 16 and 20 chapters this one is only aiming at 5.

Hidden Meanings my first and now dead story was written "What if I was (naked)in a vision... saved Van and became friends with the crew?" (My char took over too much of the story and I had to give it up. After that I only have cameos in each story.)

Far From Home came from the idea "What if Escaflowne was real and the anime was stolen from the diary of Hitomi?"

Last Person On Earth was my try at a high school story "How can I keep the important events in modern society."

This story came from the fact I'm planning to make a Escaflowne Cosplay. I'm getting too old to play teenagers and always wanted to do something from Escaflowne "What if Van's mom was alive?"

Disclaimer; I still don't own Escaflowne

Lost and Found

Chapter 1 -Chance Meeting

Hitomi

A little over two years has passed since I left Gaia and Van to return to the life of a 'Normal' School girl. There isn't a day that I don't regret leaving him but what would have happened if I had stayed? Would we have dated, gotten married, and started producing heirs at 15. We both grew up so quickly during the war. We had to… to survive, and we needed each other so much those days.

Not that marrying Van would have been a bad thing but he needed to focus on his country and people. While I needed to finish school and tie up loose ends with my family and friends back home. I still love him in ways that I am still learning even with the distance.

My girlish crushes and childish fantasies are nothing but small memories that his presence over shadows. Van was stubborn in all the ways I needed. His quick thinking in danger saved me many times and he was sometimes too quick with reckless action. Van's smile though rare warmed me thoroughly and his kindness always reassured me through all the dangers. I still blush like a school girl thinking of my angel with or without his shirt.

I can tell Yukari has been chatting at me for some time. I feel guilty not paying attention to her sometimes but it normally is a story about her great boyfriend Amano, or about how Hot Van must have been for all my daydreaming.

A few more months and school will be finished and I can feel right about leaving my family for the life I put on hold. Not that a high school diploma will make me ready to rule a rebuilding country, but we all have to strive for something these days.

"Hitomi!" Yukari waves a hand in front of my face despite how often that actually works for her. "We are going to miss our stop."

"Alright keep your panties on." I sigh thinking about a Pink haired cat girl I hope she never meets. They will either kill each other or just me. Standing I stretch my tense back and pull down on the short pleated skirt that always rides up on the bus. Hefting my bag higher on my stiff shoulder I follow Yukari's bobbing red hair down the aisle and off the bus.

"Do you want to grab some food before heading home? I think you still owe me a slice of cheesecake of two."

"Two! Keep that up and you'll have to be rolled off the bus soon." I quipped digging at her ego the way only best friends can.

"Well! When I get to too fat for the bus you'll end up riding all the way out to the country every day." She bounced ahead of me heading in the direction of the a sweetshop and bakery.

Following my sugar addicted friend through the crowded street I bumped into a lady carrying groceries. I felt horrible as the bag in her hands crashed onto the pavement scattering the contents.

"I am so sorry." I apologized kneeling down to help her retrieve the bruised produce.

"No worries. I can manage." The woman spoke shortly in a low melodious accented voice.

Pausing while handing her an orange I studied her openly. She was maybe forty at most with the sort of beautiful ageless face that held a timeless quality. Her hair was extremely long; a dark forest green almost black. Her hand that took the orange from me was slim, pale, and graceful. She gave me a small tight lipped smile. As distracted by her hair or hands I was my eyes widened as they locked with hers. They were large mahogany veiled behind straight cut bangs that almost hid small pink birthmarks or tattoos directly above each eyebrow.

"Do I know you?" I asked knowing there was no trace of recognition in her familiar eyes.

Standing up the woman shook her head "No. I'm sorry we have never met."

"I'm sorry for my friend she daydreams a lot." Yukari piped up pulling me to my feet. Turning to me she asked "Who did you think she looked like?"

Knowing how unlikely my theory was I still watched her turn elegantly. She looked like she should be wearing a gown not stacks and a knit sweater. Letting Yukari drag me towards the bakery I shook my head. "I know it was crazy but she looks just like Van's mother Varie Fanel."

"I thought he was on orphan?" My friend mused confused.

"His mother was never found they had to assume she was dead." Thinking about that sad chapter of his life I frowned. A slim but strong hand gripped my arm pausing me.

"How do you know Van Salazar De Fanel?" The woman from before demanded; her eyes fierce as she searched my face for answers.

I knew then that I was right and had to tell her the truth. "We met 2 years ago I saved him from a dragon and ended up on Gaia together."

"He's still alive." She sighed "I had a dream around that time… it felt so real."

"During the war you came to me in a vision… you are Varie Fanel after all you yelled at me back then. You told me my anxieties were bringing negative realities" I put my hand over hers still gripping my arm like a life line.

"Can we go inside to continue this reunion? People are staring." Yukari brought us back to the present.

"You don't mind having tea together for a bit I have so much to tell you?" I asked Varie searching her eyes so like Van's.

"Tea would be nice. After all there is so much I'd like to hear from a friend of my son."

Opening the door for our little group Yukari also had to open her big mouth. "Oh she is more then friends with your son. Soul mate is more like it." The red head gabbed.

My cheeks felt like they were on fire. As I passed Yukari I gave her a sharp elbow in the stomach. With my chin up and my cheeks still burning I led Varie to a corner table with Yukari rubbing her stomach and trailing behind. I can feel Varie's eyes measuring me from the tips of my pulled back shoulder length hair to the soles of my scuffed school shoes. Getting to the table first I pulled out a chair for Varie.

"Brownnoser." Yukari mumbled taking her seat.

Before I could explain anything the waitress came over to take our orders. Once she left Varie turned her sharp mahogany gaze on me. "Tell me about Van. How you met? How he is doing now? Do you know what happened to my elder son?" She placed her slender hands on the table.

"It's a very long story and not all of it happy." I sighed "To make it simple I will tell you now I have the ability to see visions and it lead me to meeting Van and saving him. Together we found many enemies and narrowly escaped horrible fates. We became friends and companions…" I tried not to blush as her gaze bore into mine. I could tell she was hungry for more details "Folken was alive after all he was working for the enemy, but I am sorry he died trying to stop the Emperor of Zibach. We buried him next to the shrine after the war was ended. Van and Folken were at least able to make peace in the end." Yukari leaned forward she always tried to get more details of my time on Gaia.

"Thank you…" Varie said looking down at her hands. I had to tell her something good she deserved that much.

"Van is a good king. Like they rest of you Fanels he proved how hard he was to kill during the war. He is a good man, strong and compassionate even after all he has been through. " I smiled thinking of him even after two years away.

"You must love him very much." Varie smile at me "I had the same look when I talked about his Father Goau."

Our drinks and pastries had arrived to distract us from where this emotional conversation was heading. I took a bite of my strawberry shortcake and set my fork back down. "I don't mean to be too forward but can I ask you how long you have been here on earth…. And how you got here in the first place?"

She sent down her tea with a small clink "After my oldest son never returned from his trial I went after him into the forests." She paused looking away her eyes seeing only sad memories. "I never found him… but I found where he fell. There was blood everywhere… no one could survive loosing that much blood. After my husband's death I couldn't face the loss of Folken as well." Tears welled into her eyes

I placed my hand over hers on the table. "I understand. You wished to be away from the pain and you were transported here. I've tried to runaway from the pain myself... facing it made me so much stronger."

"Thank you Hitomi." She place her other hand over mine in a warm grasp. "I have tried many times to return home but I have been here for 7 years without any hope."

"Seven years?" Yukari spoke up eating the last of her cheesecake "I thought Van was five when she disappeared."

"Well I've told you how time moves differently on Gaia. I was only gone weeks to you but there it was months. The closest I can figure is two days on Gaia equal one day here. It doesn't sound like much but seven years to Varie is more like fourteen years to Van."

"Does that mean he is older then you now?" Yukari asked with a smirk.

"Yes… Van and I both met when we were fifteen but in the two years I've been back home I've turned seventeen and he has had his nineteenth birthday."

"You never told me this before!" Yukari grinned "You were always into older men."

Blushing again I turned to yell at my friend but caught Varie laughing behind her hand. "I'm sorry but your friend reminds me of little Merle."

"She's not so little anymore. Merle should be the same age I am now, and before you ask she is the same a ever."

Varie nodded wiping tears from her eyes either from sorrow or happiness it is hard to tell. "Its good to know that some things never change. I'd like more then anything to see them one more time." She sighed

I stared down at my empty cup and came to a decision then. Somehow Yukari knew when I did, and she put money down on the table.

"Today is my treat since I'll never see you again." She gave me a sad smile "You've decided to go back early and take her with you."

"Yes I have. If I can transport us both why should I wait?" I looked at my best friend for maybe the last time. "I'm sorry Yukari that we can't graduate together."

She put her hand on my shoulder as she stood up. "Just take care of yourself okay Hitomi. Promise me that at least."

"I promise." I smiled up at her "You take care of yourself too Yukari." With that my friend turned leaving me with tears gathering in her eyes.

"Are you sure about this?" Varie asked me her gaze trying to read me.

"Yes, I'm sure its time to go home. If you want to pack I can be ready to leave tonight. We can meet at the shrine by my school after sunset. I'm sure Van will be happy to see us both." I smiled to reassure her.

"If you are certain." She paused "I'll owe you a debt of gratitude if you help me in this." She hugged me suddenly in a strong but warm grip.

"You don't owe me anything lets just get back to Van." I hugged her back even though we were in public and people were beginning to stare. "I should go get my things together. I will see you in a few hours won't I?"

"Nothing could keep me away. Thank you Hitomi." With that we parted going to our separate houses to pack and put our things into order. Its odd to think how a chance meeting on the street can change so much. Its true that I always planned to return to Gaia and Van when I was older and ready to say goodbye to my family and friends forever. I never thought I'd be able to reunite him with his missing mother. If I can do something like this for Van and Varie why wait...

Upon arriving home I headed straight to my room to pack. They may want me to wear clothes from Fanelia especially if I'm to be with its King but I'm taking as many changes of underwear and running clothes as I have. Knowing that I would leave someday I had started to buy these types of clothes and put them away still in the packaging. Next were my cards, Van's feather, and a photo album of my family. Some things are irreplaceable and I never want to lose those memories. As I zipped up my bag Mother opened the door with a frown.

"Leaving so soon Hitomi?" She asked

"Yes, I'm sorry Mom but I need to go tonight." Hefting the stuffed bag onto my shoulder I searched for the right words to make this okay.

"I knew this day would come since you returned to us. You had changed after Gaia and we never really got our Hitomi back." She shrugged lines creasing her brow. When had my mother begun to look so old? Is that my fault?

"Look Mom-" I started but she interrupted me mid-sentence.

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing Hitomi, but you left a child and came back so much more. If leaving to live with the people there on Gaia will make you happy; I won't stop you."

"Thank you." I breathed with relief "I promise to take care of myself if you promise not to worry too much." I tried to strike a reasonable bargain.

She smiled looking younger "It's a deal. I'll tell your father and brother to make things simpler, but you have to take this with you." My mother held out a black shoulder bag with a large First Aid kit and a Fire extinguisher inside. "I know its heavy but you aren't the only one stocking up for your trip." She added

I ran up to hug her in a way I haven't since I was a small child. "Thank you Mom… I'll miss you." I began to choke up knowing this woman who gave me life and believed in me when no one else did would never see me again.

She patted my head with her free hand… which must have been hard since I've grown taller then her in the years I've been back. "Now go before you make me cry." She said pushing the heavy bag into my arms.

Sliding the new bag onto my free arm I took off down the stairs not looking back. I know I'm doing the right thing, but leaving my family would be the hardest thing I would have to do. Maybe I took so long in preparing to leave because I wasn't ready to let them go yet.

Regardless of my reasons before I had a new purpose now. Watching the sunset over the horizon I knew Van's Mom would be waiting for me with as much hope as I carried in my heart.

Running up the many stairs to the shrine I was happy for the years I've ran almost everyday. Though I was always more of a sprinter I built my endurance for distance running as well. For that I was always thankful during my time on Gaia all the times running saved Van or myself. Reaching the top I felt my heart pounding in that exhilarating way it does every time I win a race.

Varie stood with her back towards me. The moon light bathed her in an unearthly glow as she gazed beyond the moon into the starry sky just beyond.

"Are you ready to go home?" I asked walking up to her. She turned her features alight.

"I've never been so ready for anything in my life." She smiled radiantly. How could people see her unearthly beauty and think she was one of us? She looked so young and vibrant even with the time difference she is younger now then she would be if she had stayed on Gaia.

"Can I ask how old you are?" I blurted out without thinking.

"My… well we kept track of date and age differently but 40 I believe is my correct age." The light left her eyes as she spoke. "Missing for seven years or fourteen being 40 or being 47 that won't change the fact I wasn't there when Van needed me."

"That won't matter to Van he will just be happy you're back." I tried to reassure her.

"Lets hope you are right Hitomi but my Van has always had trouble forgiving the people who hurt him."

"Its not that you left him by choice." I reasoned

"Didn't I?" She asked tone serious "Going after Folken like I did was akin to turning my back on the five year old son who had just lost his whole family."

"Van will understand. I'm sure he will." I was beginning to doubt along with her. Who leaves a small child alone like that? "I my not have always done the right thing but as long as they are done for the right reasons who can blame you?"

"I believe you are right in that and one day I hope my son can forgive me. Even if I have to atone for my sins for the rest of my life; being with him will be worth everything I have."

"Lets worry about that all as it happens I think its time to get home don't you?" I shook my head trying to clear the sadness and doubt. Wishes and happy hopes are what I need to get us safely back to Gaia.

"Yes, I believe you are right again Hitomi. I'm glad Van has you." She picked a single piece of luggage off the ground.

Shifting both my bags to my left shoulder I held them tight as I reached out with my free hand for her small warm hand. Grasping it firmly I closed my eyes concentrating on my greatest wish. Getting us both safely to Fanelia and Van was the only thing that mattered at this moment. I could feel it... the building of great power rushing towards us. Opening my eyes I could see the blinding crackle of blue white light surging towards the two of us. As it hit like a shockwave; pieces of that power broke off like lightning and slammed into Varie standing at my side.

My feet lifted off the ground in time with her screams. Though the electricity didn't travel though our linked hands I could feel her grasp spasm through the pain. Her wide eyes and open mouth made her appear ghostly and filled me with terror. "Varie!" I screamed using both my hand to hold onto her's. There was no way I was letting us be separated as we lifted off into the sky.

The last thing I knew before the blackness swallowed me was of holding onto Van's mother with all my strength as she screamed her pain into the night.

To Be Continued…

Well what did you all think? I know many people myself included ignore the time changes that make it so Hitomi was only gone weeks on earth but had been months on Gaia. (Also if Atlantis was destroyed on earth during the as Greek mythology states… Gaia would only be 2000years old. To have the civilizations and cultures it does... double that would make more since.) Though If you calculate the time it should be more like a 3xs difference then a 2xs. The math for double time on Gaia was easier for me to manage and held with the time line I was going with.

I also normally like Van and Hitomi remaining the same age but if time moves differently shouldn't they have aged more on Gaia then Earth. This means Van has been waiting 4 years for Hitomi to return. How will things be with her return? What has changed in four years.?

I normaly try to use 3rd person perspective so there isn't any partial feelings but I like having a 1st person switching perspective in this story. You can get more of the emotional changes and internal conflict but you can only have that for one person at a time. Next chapter will be in Van's perspective.

I know I should post another chapter on my other story Last Person On Earth but I only received one review for chapter 8 and writers block on that one lead to the creation of this story.

I promise to try to keep up with both stories so the next chapter of the other story should be posted before the 2nd chapter of this one but not by much since ch2 of this one is already mapped out.

Please review… it gives me ideas and drives me to work harder. Each chapter is hours of my life devoted to nothing else.

Thank you

~Banryuu