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Run
Like the season changing wind
Faster than an arrow's breath
Swifter than a falling star
Feel the earth beneath your feet
And fly

______Hitomi concentrated heavily on the goal set before her. A hundred meters in 12 seconds flat. She inhaled deeply before she heard the defeaning crack of the gun and she felt herself take off.

______Faster and faster...

______She almost felt as if she were flying off the ground. It was a good day for her. She had just passed midterms, her trigonometery teacher said she was doing quite well and even her track coach said she had a big chance at the nationals a few weeks from now. Everything seemed to be looking up.

______Whoosh.

______She heard the coaches whistle and she slowed her pace down, alread a few meters past the finish line. Taking a deep breath she turned her head towards the coach who was slowly walking towards her. " How did I do? Did I make it?"

______The coach shook his head. " I'm sorry, Hitomi...."

______Hitomi's shoulders drooped and she looked down sadly. "...but you only got up to 11. 5 seconds!" Hitomi looked at her coach with excitement. " Really?! I beat my previous record?!!" The coach laughed and nodded. " You beat everyone's record as far as I'm concerned! You're a real asset to the team Hitomi. I'm so proud of you!" Hitomi grinned and turned to the bleachers where Yukari and her new friend Rin were watching her anxiously. She flashed them a thumbs up sign and they both waved back, relieved. They both knew how much running meant to her.

______The coach frowned. " But this doesn't mean we're going to be taking it easy on you, Hitomi. The Nationals are up in a few weeks and I want to make sure you're duly prepared for it. No slacking off, you hear?" Hitomi nodded seriously, intent on training hard till the upcoming meet. The coach relaxed his tone a bit. " Yeah, I know you won't," he said, affectionately ruffling her hair.

______She waved a goodbye to him and ran off to meet her two friends. Yukari clapped her on the back. "Well, well, I take it we got up to 12 seconds off the record, huh?" Hitomi feigned a sigh and shook her head, copying her coach's actions a few minutes ago. " Sorry to disappoint you, Yukari....but I only got to run the hundred meters in 11. 5 seconds...."

______Yukari squeeled and gave her best friend a hug. Rin meanwhile slapped Hitomi a high five. "Congratulations, Hitomi! You did it again! Now I'm sure no one's going to be able to beat you at nationals! You're unstoppable! " Rin said, throwing an arm around Hitomi's shoulder. Hitomi grinned.

______" Well, I wouldn't really put it that way. I've got tough competition from Osaka High," she said then swatted him, " And look who's talking 'Mister All-State Swordfighting Champion!' I'm still impressed with the way you beat 17 of the state’s best fighters---"

______" Yeah and without even batting an eyelash," Yukari cut in, laughing. Rin bowed. " Ladies, ladies, I know you're impressed by my charm, wit and gorgeous looks but you don't have to mention it! You can just sit down an kiss my feet instead!"

______Yukari pushed him away and wrinkled her nose. " Give me a break! I'd rather kiss a horse's foot! At least it wouldn't smell as bad as yours!" Hitomi burst out laughing as Rin proceeded to stick out his tongue. Yukari didn't notice him though as a figure waved at her up ahead.

______" Yukari!"

______" Amano! What are you doing here?"

______Amano jogged up to the threesome and put his arm around Yukari. " My classes ended early. I thought I could walk you home." He looked at Hitomi and Rin. " If you guys won't mind of course..." Hitomi shook her head and Rin shrugged. Yukari said a small goodbye to her friends and they both took off ahead. Hitomi sighed as she watched the happy couple. She could've been doing the exact same thing with Van if only she didn't have to leave and he didn't have to stay. If only...

______Rin gave her a squeeze on the shoulder. " Don't worry, you'll find your man yet. I'm sure he's somewhere, out there, waiting for you too." Hitomi smiled. If only he knew.

______" Well, what about you, Rin? Have you found the woman of your dreams yet?" Rin shrugged. "I haven't really been looking so I guess you can say 'no.' I'll meet her when 'I meet her'. I don't really want to rush into things."

______Hitomi gazed at her friend for a long time. He reminded her so much of Van, only he was blonde and Van had dark hair. But the way he carried himself and the skill with which he handled the sword was so similar to Van's that it hurt Hitomi often just to look at him. Memories of Gaea just seemed to come floating back to her when she was with Rin. So vivid... even after those two years had passed.

______They reached her house and Hitomi ran up the steps, pausing to wave back at her friend before going inside. For some reason, she couldn't help looking out the window at her friend's retreating figure, her eyes seeing not a blue jacket on him but a familiar red shirt. A sigh escaped her lips and after a moment she finally pulled herself away from the window to help her mother set the table.

______After dinner she sat by the window, finishing off her homework when she looked up to see a full moon filling up the night sky. She remembered the time when she first saw the moon and the earth together and her very first experiences in Gaea. She stared at the sky wistfully and, as if on whim, she opened her drawer to reveal a neatly kept stack of cards. Biting her lip, she considered closing the drawer again but the urge to just relive some bit of the past gnawed at her and she found herself picking up the tarot deck and flipping down a certain spread. She decided to try the " Three Worlds Spread"; just enough to see what the future would hold.

______" Hmmm...the three of fishes, a pretty good sign," she murmered to herself as she lowered the rest of the cards. Most of them came out pretty good but as she reached the last few cards, she felt a certain bit of uneasiness wash over her and she felt her hands grow cold. The spread talked about a disruption in present affairs, the appearance of evil, bad luck, and the card of deception appeared in the middle of the spread. Hitomi's hands shook as she placed the last card down but before she could review the connections of each card once more a strong gust of wind blew through her window, scattering her cards on the ground. There was one card left on the table though, but it was flipped on the opposite side. Taking a deep breath, she turned it over slowly. Her eyes widened as she realized what it was.

______ " The card of the Burning Tower, " she whispered in disbelief.