Disclaimer: I own nothing in Pretear. It solely belongs to Kaori Naruse and Junichi Satou. copyright2001.

Sound of My Heart

I can hear it. It's beating with such longing. I can't sleep.

Sasame lay quietly in his bed in the middle of the night. The strong sound coming from within his chest kept his ears wide-awake. The sound started resonating his leafe earlier on in the day, when he watched his princess leave the school grounds. Sasame remembered each and every time he escorted her back home or to Leafeania from school. He enjoyed walking by her side and smile back at her smile of life. Since the defeat of the former Saihi, Sasame continued escorting Himeno back from school. It had become a habit. He broke his habit ever since the day by the fountain. He knew that Hayate had taken over his duty and Sasame couldn't find the courage and reason to offer to carry her books and accompany her back home. Hayate now had the privilege of doing so.

It's the same as before. It just wants her.

Sasame sighed and got out of bed, careful to not awaken Hayate who was sleeping on the top bunk bed. Sasame silently dressed himself, walked out of the room and headed to the other side of Leafeania, to her world.

I just want to make it stop.

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Sasame watched from afar. Hayate stood by the main gate with his bike and waited for Himeno to come out and when she saw him, the smile on her face grew. She obviously liked the surprise. After all, Sasame didn't show up for a week and the knight she wanted was there. Hayate took her books into his delivery basket and told her to hold on tight because he was going to ride like the wind. Himeno squealed with joy and bear hugged him from behind. Sasame heard the happiness in both of their hearts as they left the schoolyard.

It felt like he had given up something precious. Sasame gave up his escort duty or rather handed it to someone who loves her, Himeno. He admitted that the two of them were a perfect match. They seemed to compliment and complete each other in every way, whether they intended to or not. Sasame found the perfect word to describe them--destiny. Sasame felt sad when he watched her leave, holding onto Hayate the way she did. He heard both of their leafe beat in sync.

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Himeno, these feelings won't go away. I'm sorry, Takako. I loved you, but now I love Himeno. I know I said that I would never find another, but I have.

Sasame found himself on Himeno's balcony. It was a warm spring night and the glass door was opened. He heard her softly snoring underneath the tiny ruffling of her bed sheets. He was content with standing outside and listening to her sleep. Everything sounded peaceful except for it.

It won't slow down at all. And most of all, it hurts. My heart is aching to feel yours.

Sasame felt dizzy and confused, like he was in the state of auto-intoxication from using his powers too much. His temples throbbed in pain and his body shivered. His lungs felt like collapsing and he wanted to scream. It was if he was dying from within.

Himeno...

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Himeno heard a sound she never heard before from a voice she knew all too well.

Why is Sasame crying? Why is he saying sorry?

It was dark all around her. Her eyes saw nothing, but her ears led her to the source of sadness. Himeno ran aimlessly in the dark, desperate to find her friend.

Where are you, Sasame?

The sound all around her seemed to echo endlessly in her ears.

Sasame is...suffering.

Soon, her ears couldn't find the Sasame because all the sounds became too confusing to decipher. Himeno felt as if she was trapped in a barrier of noises that was meant to stop her from reaching his cries.

"...help me...it won't stop hurting..."

"Sasame!" Himeno screamed out, trying to destroy all the noise. "Sasame!"

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Sasame looked palely at the moon in the night sky. Despite the number of stars in the sky, the moon looked lonely.

Yeah, it's just like me. There are so many things that surround it, but everything around it is so far away. Nothing is near me at all. I'm by myself.

Sasame leaned his back against a large window panel. He had unknowingly fallen to his knees and his whole being was in terrible condition. Sasame knew what it was--sick in love. He sighed and smiled at the moon.

I really am a fool, aren't I? The Sound Knight is a fool in love. There is no second chance for me. Himeno, I'm sorry.

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Sasame...

Himeno woke up from the dream. It was a nightmare. She dreamt that the Sound Knight was crying. The gentle and sweet knight was crying and Himeno couldn't do anything to help him. She felt guilty for not being able to find him in the dark. Her room was still in shades of blue and black from the moonlight. She noticed an odd shadow casting outside on the balcony. None of her flowers would make something like that. Himeno slowly got off her bed and headed for the balcony.

"Sasame!" Himeno found the Sound Knight's body lying on the balcony.

Sasame had fallen down from his previous sitting position. It was more comforting to be lying down. He had fallen asleep to the sound of his beating heart when he heard his name. His eyes opened and he found himself staring into Himeno's teary eyes.

Why is she crying?...

Himeno didn't know what else to do except cradle Sasame's head in her arms, with his body leaning on hers. She thought Sasame had died until he opened his eyes. She kept crying out his name, not knowing why.

Maybe I could die like this, with her holding me like this. I wouldn't have any regrets. But I'm a Leafe Knight and I have to protect life. I can't abandon my duty. I can't die.

He smiled at Himeno, whose eyes were full of worry.

"I love you, Himeno. I'm sorry."

Somehow I always knew that. For some reason, I just did. Himeno cradled his head a bit closer to her chest. Somehow I always knew...

"I just wanted to tell you that, Himeno. I'm sorry." Sasame closed his eyes and listened to her heart. "I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. Somehow I always knew that Sasame loved me, but I never said anything about it. I knew all along, but was too afraid to ask. I knew all along and I still fell in love with Hayate. I'm the one who should be sorry!" Himeno ran her fingers gently through his hair. "I'm sorry, Sasame. I'm so sorry."

That was the sound of your heart breaking because of me. You were trying to tell me that your heart was hurting, that it was in pain. You were suffering because of me. Sasame...I'm so sorry.

"Don't be." Sasame hummed a little song for her. "As long as you're happy with Hayate, I'll be fine. I just need some time to get over it, that's all."

"There's no way I can be happy if I know you're sad. I can't just sacrifice your feelings for the sake of my own. I can't do that!"

You idiot. I wouldn't be the Pretear that I am if I did that.

"I can't, Sasame."

"But you're in love with Hayate and I shouldn't even be here. I'm such a fool in love. Can you forgive me for confessing?"

Himeno nodded. "Of course. It's you, Sasame. I love Hayate very much. Hayate loves me...and you too, Sasame."

Sasame released himself from Himeno's hold and stood up. The night air was getting cold.

"Get back inside before you catch a cold and make Hayate worry."

Himeno grabbed his hand. "Come in with me. We can talk some more."

Sasame followed her in and Himeno crawled back into bed. Himeno motioned him to take a seat on her bed and he did as asked.

"If Hayate breaks your heart, will you come to me afterwards?" Sasame asked.

Himeno looked surprised. The thought of Hayate breaking her heart never even dawned upon her. As the situation stood, it was more probable that she was going to break his heart.

"Hayate won't..." Himeno replied. "There's no way Hayate will break my heart."

"Yeah, I know..." Sasame ran his fingers through her hair. "Himeno..." he breathed out.

Himeno felt her heart accelerate from the sound of her name being whispered out so lovingly. Sasame heard it and leaned in towards her, making it progressively louder. The sound of their hearts beating was like a love song. Sasame's face came closer to hers. He wanted to hear the sound of their hearts in a kiss. He parted his lips and gazed at Himeno's small mouth. He heard her heart freeze for a single moment.

"No, I can't. I promised Hayate that he'd get my first kiss when he was ready." Himeno said with her eyes pinched shut. "I can't kiss you, Sasame. I'm sorry." Himeno wanted to cry.

Sasame patted her head. "I should be sorry for forcing it."

She loves you so much, Hayate. You better not mess up kissing her.

I'm so sorry. I like you a lot Sasame, but Hayate is the one I love. He's the one I want to be with.

"It's not that there's anything wrong with you, Sasame. You're just not Hayate," Himeno said when Sasame got off the bed. "You'll find someone else, Sasame. I know you will."

Sasame silently walked over to the balcony door, almost leaving the room.

"And if Hayate breaks my heart, I'll come to you if you're willing to still love me then." Himeno spoke from her heart. "I will come to you, Sasame."

Sasame turned to smile at her before he left.

Thank you, Himeno. Everything will be fine now. I will be fine now that it has stopped.

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Hayate looked in front of the mirror. Everything looked perfect. It was about time that he let Himeno fulfill her promise before it was too late. It was hard to gather up his courage. Confessing his feelings damn near killed him and to kiss her was something totally different. He was scared indeed, but love was suppose to conquer all fears. Hayate checked himself again before asking for the Sound Knight's opinion.

"You look fine, Hayate. Don't you remember what Himeno said when she first met you? How you were so cocky because of your good looks?" Sasame commented. "Geez, you are so hopeless when it comes to girls. And now you love her, Hayate."

Hayate blushed. "Don't say that word so casually in front of me!" He felt the heat rise in his cheeks. "It's...NOTHING like that! It's ... it's..."

"Love?" Sasame smiled. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me...along with everybody else."

Hayate's face deepened another shade of red. "I love Himeno. I didn't know how it came to be, but it did and I'm happy." He looked at his batch of red roses on the table. "I'm so happy I found her," Hayate said with a smile on his face. "Himeno."

Sasame listened to Hayate's heart. It played a melody of love all on its own. There was simply no comparison between their hearts. Hayate's was louder and stronger than his ever will beat for Himeno. Sasame smiled secretly and sadly.

"Remember to say the magic words before doing anything, Hayate," Sasame reminded the Wind Knight before he exited the house.

"I will. And thanks for your help, Sasame," Hayate replied before flying off.

Sasame checked his watch. It would be another hour before his radio show recording started. Anything I can do to help another, I will...

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Himeno waited by the fountain. Hayate better not be late. It's rude to keep a girl waiting. I wonder what he needed to see me for. Must be important if he took the day off for it.

Himeno gazed up into the deep blue sky. Hayate. She felt her heart skip a beat at the thought of him coming for her. The Wind Knight, Hayate, was the only one in her heart. She saw Hayate running towards her with a bouquet of roses in one hand. Some of the petals fell off, but it didn't matter--Hayate came.

"Hayate! I'm over here!" Himeno shouted and waved. Even in the distance, she knew he was smiling at her.

Hayate gave her the roses and Himeno laid them by the fountain edge before jumping into her knight's arms.

"What are the roses for, Hayate?" Himeno asked innocently, fully knowing the answer in his eyes.

"Who knows, maybe I'm trying to persuade you to keep your promise." Hayate innocently looked away from his princess who had her arms around his neck. "Something like setting up the mood." He looked back and leaned in a bit closer, the sound of his heart played a loving melody.

Himeno gazed into his smile. Hayate's smile was hypnotic because it was honest in feeling happy. Few had a smile like his.

"What promise?" Himeno heard the sweet sound of two hearts longing for each other. "You mean you're ready for..."

"Kiss." Hayate said blatantly, blushing his cheeks out. He looked nervous and prepared at the same time. He carried the both of them to sit down by the wind chimes.

"Um, how are we going to do this?" Himeno wasn't sure if she had to make the first move only to have him panic out at the last second. "Should I--"

"I love you." Hayate said the magic words and kissed her. He had rehearsed the whole thing in his head about a million times and he never imagined it being so perfect. Hayate's mind went blank and he let his feelings control his mouth.

Himeno returned his feelings. The only sound in the world at that moment was love.

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Author's Note: Didn't understand a single thing and still liked it? Good enough for me. I got the inspiration/idea from the anime, 'Saishuu Heiki Kanojo or SaiKano or She, the Ultimate Weapon'. Lovers' hearts beating was called a Love Song (Story is tragic romance). I decided to see if the idea would work for Sasame, him being the Sound Knight and all.