Thanks for taking the time to read my first public Pretear related fanfic. This fanfiction is dedicated to Himeno and Hayate. It has been a few years since the battle with the Princess of Disaster. Things haven't changed much; the Knights still stick close to their Pretear, and she close to them. Himeno and Hayate have both admired, no, fallen in love with eachother, but neither has ever truly acted upon those emotions. Strong feelings bottled up for years can't be healthy for anyone. What happens when dreams and racy encounters cause tensions to rise? Read on!

Kissed by the Wind Chapter 1

Vivid Dreams and Realities

A cool breeze kissed her bare shoulders and back, causing a slight shiver from the girl as her evening gown shifted in response. It was a gown made for her, with tiny fluffy short sleeves that hugged her forearms, top secured about her neck, leaving her back bare to the elements. A sweet, yet masculine fragrance enveloped her senses as she pressed herself into his warm and gentle embrace. His attire was soft, silky and inviting, but beneath she could feel how toned his athletic build really was. His pony-tail had fallen over his shoulder as he leaned into the embrace, his long hair lightly tickling her cheek. He felt his hand caress her lower back lovingly, and she enjoyed that feeling. She sighed contently, knowing that she never really felt she was in danger with any of the Knights... however, with him it was different. It was only with him that she she felt truly safe and secure. She was truly happy when he was near. Was this love?

"Tyipi.. tyipi..."

Tap.. tap... tap..

The chirping of the small bird-like creature invaded her early morning dream, and reluctantly she stirred from her slumber. She nuzzled her pillow lovingly, wishing she could settle back into that vivid, sweet vision.

"Tyipi! Tyipi! Tyipi! Tyipi! " The creature chirped more urgently, fluttering around the window excitedly at her slightest of movements.

Himeno felt like some kind of princess.. She lived in what still felt like a palace to her, with servants waiting to fulfill her every request, and Tyipi even had become a very good friend, and her personal alarm. Like clockwork, the bird would arrive at her window at 7am to let her know the sun had risen and it was time to get up.

Rolling from beneath her comforter, her feet landed on plush carpet, and ignoring her house slippers, she strolled over to the glass doors of her balcony, throwing them open to allow the bird admittance. Tyipi seemed particularly excited this morning, and Himeno giggled in response, "Silly Tyipi.."

She could hear birds chirping outside, and in the distance, she could make out the voices of the younger Knights somewhere in the courtyard. She yawned deeply, rubbing her eyes to remove the nightly gift from the sand man.

"Geeze.. they sure are out early.." She mumbled, glancing over at her clock, and gasping in surprise...

It was 11:30 am, nearly noon! She had promised she'd accompany the boys to the 12:30 showing of Incredible Monk. She had less than an hour to get ready and get to the theater with her friends! Panicked, there wasn't time to close the glass doors and curtains, nor notice the Knight sitting upon her balcony railing, next to her favorite plant out on the balcony. Her regarded her curiously, silently. Unaware of her visitor, Himeno knew there was only time to shed what little clothing she had on and flee into her private bathroom for a very quick shower.

Himeno had just turned 18, and had long since retired her tulip-print jammies for a more mature lovely white nighty with pale rose coloured lace trim, somewhat by Mayune's suggestion. As the article of clothing hit the floor, she felt a cool breeze kiss her bare skin, reminiscent of her late morning dream, and immediately bringing to memory the details of that vision. She tensed as her skin flushed, and she nervously glanced out at the empty balcony. She modestly pulled her bathroom door closed behind her with a sigh of relief that she probably hadn't been seen.

[Later that day..]

"That was great!" Squealed Hajime as he bounced happily out of the theater.

"It was a girly movie! Completely silly! They're robots, but where's the action? There should always be action when there's robots." Mannen huffed. "It wasn't that great.."

"Aww! I liked it, didn't you like it, Himeno?" Shin tugged at Himeno's blouse before grasping her left hand within his own and smiling brightly up at her.

Himeno couldn't help but giggle. Three years had passed since she first met the Leafe Knights, and they never seemed to change. They were all so honest and genuine as when she first met them. She never really had to worry with them. Shin and Hajime were so adorable, and Mannen was always slightly rebellious, but harmless. She loved them as though they were her own little brothers.

"I think it was a lovely movie. It was a movie for everyone.. not just boys or girls." She grinned over at Mannen, who huffed again.

Himeno's free hand dipped into the side pocket of her purse, fishing out her cellphone and turning it on. She examined a few incoming text messages, distracted from the conversation for a moment.

Hey Himeno. I just got this month's Girl Go Romance Love Pop 68th Edition in the mail today! Guess what! Avery and Riko are going to fire up a steamy something in the next Forever Hearts and Diamonds book! I can't wait to read it! So super excited! Call me later! -Yayoi

Call when the movie lets out. Let's meet up for burgers at Marco's. -Kei

When Himeno looked up from her phone, she noticed that Hajime and Mannen had run ahead of herself and Shin, who quietly held her hand and strolled along at her chosen pace without complaint.

"Hey guys! Mannen! Hajime! Wait up! We should go to Marco's for lunch!" She called after.

It was a very dark place. Very dark, damp, cold. This was the edge of life. A place where he couldn't even see the light. He knew this place.. he had been here before. He was exhausted. Then slender arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him downward into her embrace. He was weakened, but he felt his very presence added to her strength. "Hayate.." Her hushed whisper, her warm breath upon his ear... "Don't you know..?" Her small frame pressed against him, he was enveloped in light, warmth. He felt his eyes drifting shut, as he felt safe, secure. He felt truly happy, and only she could make it so. He could remain here forever... was this love?

SLAM!

The dream shattered instantly as Hayate jolted upright in alarm at the sudden crash of a book upon the desk, right next to where his head rested a moment before. "What the hell?" He yelped and slid out of the desk chair to stumble across the office. Regaining his balance, he held a hand over his heart and gawked over at Kei, who leaned against his desk looking rather unamused.

"Kindly refrain from drooling all over my desk, would you? Honestly. I leave for five minutes and you make a bedroom of my office. Don't you ever sleep at night?" Kei furrowed his brow.

"I haven't been sleeping well lately... but thanks for scaring me half to death. That was totally necessary." Hayate gritted his teeth, turning to glare out the window.

"Why haven't you been sleeping well? Are you sick?" Kei had this way of seeming barely interested in anything Hayate had to say, which made Hayate wonder why he even asked at all.

"I have no idea. Insomnia, I suppose." Hayate lied. He'd been having such vivid dreams about Himeno. It was driving him bonkers. If the thinking of Himeno hadn't kept him awake, dreaming of her didn't help him sleep any better. More and more often he'd wake up and swear he could still practically smell her perfume or feel her skin upon his fingertips from his dreams. Then he would wander around hoping to exaust himself into a deep sleep. He often ended up on Himeno's balcony, where he just.. sat. It was a habit born of wanting to protect her when there were dangers, like the Princess of Disaster. But now he found himself there simply because he wanted to be near Himeno. Sometimes he'd nap lightly.

He'd actually been avoiding Himeno since these dreams had started a month before. And that little scene this morning likely wouldn't help him, either... the image of that insignificant little nighty sliding off of her and her bare back retreating was more than enough to knock him from his morning perch. He'd blushed muchly throughout the day over that memory.

Kei regarded Hayate in silent suspicion before he suddenly perked up when his pants began to jingle, and tugging his cellphone from his pocket, he grinned, "Kei, here."

"Oh hey! We just got out of the movie! It was great! I got your message... We're already heading towards Marco's. How soon can you be there?" Himeno practically sang into the phone.

"We can be there within 10 minutes if we leave now. I have Hayate with me now. Goh is working a double, so we probably won't be able to see him today." Kei responded, organizing some paperwork on his desk, making everything look just perfect. Hayate glanced over his own shoulder back at Kei, curious at the conversation.

"Oh.. Hayate is with you, then? Good.. good." Himeno laughed almost nervously, blushing. She still wasn't sure he hadn't seen her this morning. Additionally, the dreams she'd been having lately had gotten more and more... risque. "Poor Goh." She sympathised with the hard working Knight to distract herself from her own thoughts.

"See you there in a few."

"Okay. See ya!"

Kei lowered his cellphone with a grin. Finally, someone social to interact with, someone easy to talk to and entertaining. He loved getting everyone together with Himeno around.

Hayate cleared his throat, "We can be where in 10 minutes... who was that?"

Kei smirked, "Himeno. Who else? She has the others with her. We're meeting up for lunch at Marco's. Aren't you hungry for a burger?" Kei slung his messenger back over his shoulder smoothly and started for the door. "Come on if you're coming. I have to lock this office behind me." He shook his keyring at the Knight of Wind.