3

Himeno awoke early one morning to the sound of Mayune's distant laughter outside. It had been a while since she had heard her laugh with such glee. "Oh no," she thought to herself, "I guess it can't be helped, Mayune did restrain herself for quite a while. I wonder what she's planning this time." Ironically, it made Himeno happy; she took the launch of another one Mayune's patented "Himeno Traps" as a sign that things were back to normal. She let out a yawn and stretched. She lazily got out of bed and padded over to the window, slipping on her favorite yellow slippers as she went. She opened the window and let in the cool morning air. She loved the feel of the air in the morning, dewy, fresh, and filled with anticipation of the coming day. She took a deep breath, "I swear I left this open last night," she thought to herself. A smile flickered across her face as she glanced at the arm chair tucked neatly back in its place, "Hayate, must have closed it on his way out, he's still so paranoid." She didn't mind though, not in the least, as a matter of fact, this made her very happy. To be protected by him was something she would never take for granted. She knew he loved her, even if he hadn't said so directly. She trusted that he would in time and for now was content with simply being in his company. She walked back over to her bed to pick up the covers she had kicked on the floor. As she passed her bedside table she noticed something that hadn't been there before. "A note?" She picked it up and opened it. It was written on paper that seemed handmade; it was thicker, more textured, and not quite as white as normal paper. It was slightly crumpled, as though it had been in someone's pocket for a while. Written with a resolute hand, the inky black strokes were bold and deliberate:

Himeno,

Meet me in the garden by the wind chime tonight at 8:00. There is something I'd like to show you.

Yours,

Hayate

PS

We may be gone for a few days, please make arrangements with your family.

Himeno's heart skipped a beat and her face flushed, "What in the world?" She pocketed the note and walked dazedly down to breakfast, all thoughts of making her bed gone. She was halfway down the stairs when she heard her name. "Himeno?" Mawata giggled behind her. "Oh, good morning Mawata!" Himeno exclaimed, startled. Mawata smiled, "Himeno are you awake yet? You're still in your pajamas!" "Ah, sorry! I forgot to change!" she replied scratching her head. "See you at breakfast!" Mawata chuckled. Himeno smiled to herself, remembering a time that Mawata never smiled, let alone laugh, and returned to her room.

A while later Himeno came down for breakfast, fully dressed and determinately more composed. She was dressed in a pale pink and yellow plaid skirt, a lacey white tank top, and matching cardigan, one of her favorite outfits. She found it easier to pull out such tried and trusted ensembles when she was distracted, and today was definitely one of those days. "What is it he wants to show me?" she asked her self as she grasped the letter in her pocket; her heart beat just a little faster.

"Good morning!" Himeno greeted her family. "Ah, Himeno! Good morning!" her father replied. "Awake now?" Mawata teased. "Yeah, I think so, where are Mother and Mayune?" Himeno eyed her chair cautiously, wiggling it and testing the firmness of the seat before she sat down. "Natsue had to leave early for a meeting and Mayune has eaten already." Kaoru informed her. Himeno, deep in thought, started her breakfast: eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast - more eggs, more bacon, more toast - a little more bacon. "Himeno?" Kaoru and Mawata had abandoned their conversation and were both looking at her with concern. "Himeno, is everything alright, you haven't said a word all morning?" her father inquired. "Oh! Yes, sorry, I guess I was hungrier than I thought! I was so focused on eating that I didn't hear much of your conversation!" This seemed to satisfy them as they knew how much Himeno loved to eat. "Whew!" she said to herself. The truth was, she had been contemplating just how she was going to explain to her family that she needed to leave for a few days. With her parents being almost as protective as Hayate these days, she knew they were unlikely to let her leave based on a vague explanation like, "Hayate wants to show me something." She blushed, not only was it vague, it was embarrassing! She didn't want her family to know any more than they needed. Much the same as they didn't need to know that Hayate spent every night in her room, even if he was only sitting in a chair by her bed. "Some things are best kept private," Himeno assured herself. "Now how am I going to work this out?" she pondered. Suddenly, it came to her, "Yayoi!" Himeno exclaimed. "What?" her father and Mawata replied in unison. "Nothing!" Himeno quickly responded. "I just remembered that I promised to meet Yayoi this morning, see you later!" With that, she dashed out the door.

Himeno was so determined to find Yayoi that she had forgotten all about the foreboding laugh that had awakened her that morning. She wasn't at all paying attention as she rushed through the courtyard towards the main gate. If she had been a little more aware, Himeno might have noticed the glint of the ultra-high tension almost-invisible Awayuki brand fishing line pulled taught across her path, just about shin height. Just as she approached the line she heard a snicker, "Mayune!" she yelped. It was too late; Himeno tripped, went flying through the air, and found herself drenched sitting in one of the garden's many fountains. "Ahhh, ha ha ha ha! Himeno you're just as clumsy as ever! Someone has to keep you on your toes around here and who better than me! Ahhh ha ha ha, it's been too long!" Mayune laughed as she headed up the driveway towards the mansion." Steam emanating from her head Himeno shook, "Mayune!!!"

"Himeno?" a soothing songlike voice spoke directly in her right ear. She leapt several feet in the air in surprise. "Sasame!" The knight of sound had appeared right beside her and startled her as he so often did. "Are you alright? It's a bit early for a swim" he joked. Himeno laughed weakly and accepted his hand as he helped her out of the water. "You're soaked Himeno!" He took off his jacket and put it around her shoulders. "Let's get you back inside" he said as he swept her off her feet and took off into the air. "It's ok, I'm fine Sasame." Himeno blushed, Sasame always had that effect on her, she couldn't help it. Sasame was just Sasame, utterly charming, but despite that she had always thought only of one man. "If you go out like that you'll catch cold," Sasame replied. "…and Hayate would kill me for letting you," he said with a warm smile. "Thanks Sasame, I owe you one," she said as he touched down on her balcony. "What are you doing here anyway?" she enquired. "I have a meeting with Natsue today and I'm a little early." Himeno gave him a puzzled look. "She wants me to do a voice over for a commercial about one of her new fragrances," Sasame explained. "Oh, that's great Sasame! You'll be perfect!" Himeno said excitedly. "Thanks," he smiled. "Well, I'll leave you to change, bye Himeno," he winked and was off in a flash of light. "Bye Sasame, thanks again," she said, knowing that he would hear her despite the fact he was already gone. "Oh his jacket," she said to herself just now realizing she was still wearing it. "I'll have to give it to him later." She draped it across her desk chair and went to change.

I heart Sasame! Even though this is a Hayate & Himeno fic I had to give him a part! He's just so Sasame! Takako you lucky girl, you!

Sasame: You flatter me!

Miyabi-san: (blushes furiously) Oh, it's nothing! (laughs nervously)

Sasame: Well thank you.

Miyabi-san: No problem! (still blushing)

Hayate: Can we get on with this?

Himeno: (smacks Hayate) Hayate! It takes time to write, Miyabi-san is tryng her best to tell our story!

Sasame: That's right Hayate… Miyabi-san take as much time as you need we're all behind you!

Miyabi-san: (yes, still blushing and also smiling knowing Hayate only wants to get to his big scene with Himeno) Thanks everyone, I'll keep doing my best! I'm sorry for the lack of updates, I'll try to be more frequent! On with chapter 4! (type type type)