Sorry guys for this late update. I was at a church convention for a week and I didn't really have time to write this. My story is wrapping up but I still have a few chapters to go so please stay with me! And thank you to all who have reviewed! It really means the world to me. Enjoy and REVIEW!
Disclaimer: I don't have any rights to Pretear.
Chapter 9
Wind spiraled around the estate as Hayate controlled it. The wind moved and flowed at his command. He performed attacks with swift gestures that where shape like rings, tornados, and just about anything he thought was an affective attack.
Himeno tried to watch politely as Hayate demonstrated and explained how you should be one with the wind, but was having trouble giving him her full attention. Hayate had been doing this for over an hour which seemed like more.
The other knights had since gone, leaving Himeno to watch Hayate alone.
"I wish he would just show me how to do those things already. Geez, he's so uptight".
"So that could be easily used to defeat a demon larva."
Himeno blinked and stared densely at Hayate. "Huh."
Hayate clenched his teeth as his fists began to shake. "Don't you get it! This is not a game! We're not here to play around Himeno!"
Himeno gave a short laugh as she lifted her sore butt of the ground. She dusted herself off.
"Sorry about that Hayate. It's just kinda hard to pay attention to you when you're talking for over an hour."
She laughed as Hayate blew out frustrated breath. "We're not going against just demon larva. We're going against The Princess of Disaster. If you mess up just even once I can assure you that you won't last with her."
He shook his head. "Let's just take a break."
Himeno followed him over to a near bench and sat down next to him.
Hayate's head leaned back as he stared up the beautiful blue sky. Himeno placed her hands in her lap as she secretly stole glances at him. Her heat began to flutter.
"Why do I feel this way every time I'm around him?"
The events of last night started to play in her head. Everything had occurred so fast, but when Hayate held her everything slowed down. Just thinking of that night made her heart do flip flops.
Himeno wrapped her arms around her waist as she started to blush.
"Are you scared?"
Himeno gasped as she quickly let go of her waist. She stared up at Hayate who was still staring up at the sky.
"Huh," Himeno said as she tried to regain her posture. "What did you say?"
"Are you afraid to fight The Princess of Disaster?"
Himeno stiffened up as she thought about that.
"I wonder why he's asking me this. Does he care?"
"I never really thought about it I guess. I faced her before when she attack me and Shin."
Hayate winced slightly at this.
"But I was so worried about Shin that being scared was just forgotten I guess. I just wanted to save him."
Hayate looked down at her but said nothing.
"Why do you call her The Princess of Disaster? At school she-."
"Was an imposter," Hayate said nasty. "She has always been an imposter, a trader, and she causes nothing but chaos."
"Yeah but," Himeno started. "She couldn't have always been like this. Even though at school Mawatta seemed a little strange I got this vibe from her that there is so much more about her."
"What was she liked living here? Maybe something influenced her to do these evil things."
Hayate frowned. "Nothing influenced her. She's evil to the core. She destroyed the kingdom of Leafenia and our rulers. We have to destroy her before she try's to do something else."
Suddenly glass shattered to the ground. Himeno turned around to find Takako standing over the shattered glass that once contained lemonade.
Takako looked stunned and hurt. She was looking at Hayate who didn't bother to turn around.
"Takako" Himeno muttered as she began to get up, but Takako was turning around heading back to the house.
"I wonder what's wrong with her," Himeno whispered as she watched Takako run off.
Sasame closed a door behind him and smiled down at Himeno.
"So your sure she'll be alright," Himeno asked looking passed him. "She seemed upset about something."
Sasame nodded. "Positive. She just needs to rest."
"Oh."
Sasame placed his hand on her shoulder. "Thank you for checking on her. It means a lot to the both of us."
Himeno grinned.
"I think we should be going. Hayate is most likely waiting for you."
Himeno's face dropped. She sighed heavily as her shoulders dropped.
"You don't seem thrilled" Sasame teased as he led her down the hallway.
Himeno snorted. "Well I'm trying to be but he's so…."
"Uptight."
Himeno nodded. "I don't get him. Sometimes he can be…nice and a little caring, then at other times he can be so direct and mean."
"He hasn't always been like this," Sasame said as they descended some stairs. "Hayate is lost right now, but I believe he can find himself if he just listened to his heart."
Himeno gazed up at Sasame and smiled. "You're so easy to talk to Sasame. It's like you know all of use without being by our sides every minute."
Sasame smiled whole heartedly. The two walked outside where the other Leafe Knights were waiting.
Himeno gulped as she spotted Hayate glaring at her.
"He just needs to listen to his heart, like Sasame said, but he could at least smile, geeze."
"Hey Himeno," Go called, waving his hands in the air. "You gotta prêt with me!"
"Pret?"
"No she's gonna prêt with me" Hajime said as he ran over to Himeno. "I'm the Knight of water so you can use water attacks with me."
Go looked annoyed as he watched Hajime. "I think Himeno needs to master fire attacks before water, little one."
Hajime stuck his tongue out at Go.
"She's not preting with any one," Hayate said walking over to Himeno. "We need to finish our lesion from this morning."
Go narrowed his eyes as anger boiled within him.
"You know I'm getting tired of this little act of yours Hayate. Who the heck died and made you in charge!"
Hayate narrowed his eyes to meet Go, challenging him. Himeno could feel the tension in the air, she needed to act fast.
She stepped between the two.
"Its ok, please don't fight. We can finish our lesion from this morning Hayate, honestly."
She smiled frantically at them but neither would walk away.
"Why don't I take over for awhile," Sasame spoke up. "I could explain the attacks while Himeno is doing them."
Hayate said nothing as he walked over to a boulder and took a seat.
"Thanks Sasame." Himeno said out of relief.
"Of course. Now preting Himeno, is how you become a pretear. It's how a Leafe Knight and a Pretear becomes one."
"Becomes one," Himeno thought as her body started to warm up. "That's sounds so wrong."
"When we prêt are bodies will be one as we merge together into a combination of…."
Himeno's face was red like a tomato as she waited for what she hope he wasn't going to say.
"Leafe."
Himeno fell over with relief.
"Now, place your hand in mines."
Sasame reached his out to Himeno. She looked at his hand then at Sasame.
"It's ok, trust me."
"Ok."
Himeno slowly place her hand in his hand. She felt herself lifted in the air and then surrounded by purple light.
Sasame stood in front of her glowing. He leaned in and was absorbed in Himeno's body.
The purple light disappeared. Himeno landed on the ground with her eyes closed. Everyone gasped as they stared at her. Hayate even found it hard to keep his eyes off of her.
She was dressed in a short purple gown with puffy sleeves.
Himeno's eyes fluttered open as a wave of new energy filled her.
"Wow," she exclaimed checking her outfit out. "This is so cool! Hey, where's Sasame?"
"I'm inside you Himeno."
Himeno looked sick as she turned bright red and wrapped her arms around her body.
"What! What do you mean Sasame! Get out!"
Everyone started to laugh while Himeno freaked out.
"Relax Himeno. Close your eyes."
Himeno took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"Perk up your ears and try to focus on something you hear. Like that tree that's blowing in the wind."
Himeno did just that. "Hey! I can see it!"
"No you're just hearing it. My powers of sound are so strong they project sight, but actually you're just hearing."
"Now place two fingers in front of your mouth. Open them and blow between them but-."
Himeno quickly blew between them but she blew too hard. She knocked over the tree, sending it tumbling to the ground.
"I think that was a little too much Himeno, but still good job. You're a natural."
Himeno scratched her head as she smiled full of embarrassment.
The rest of the day went by with Himeno preting with everyone and fighting Kei and Sasame.
It was almost dinner time and Hayate wanted to continue.
"I'm tired," whined Mannen. "And I'm hungry."
"And you're not done. Besides, Himeno did poorly out there. We need to go over her mistakes."
Kei rolled his eyes as he nudge Himeno. "You better get used to this. He's gonna be like this even on the battle field."
Himeno's eyes saddened. "The battle with Mawatta." Then a thought hit her.
"Oh wow!"
"Wow what," Kei asked.
"I can't believe I never thought of this! Guys I have an idea."
The knights gathered around Himeno as she smiled brightly.
"What is it Himeno," Go asked politely.
"Well when I fought Mawatta back at school I used some type of energy. I don't even know how I used it, but can't I use that to-."
"NO!" yelled Go, Kei, Sasame and Hayate.
Himeno looked confused as she stared at them.
"Huh?"
"You're not going to use that power," Hayate decleared. "Why did you bring that up? Are you have dreams again?"
"No, but I thought you said those dreams were tricks played by Ma-wa-tta."
Himeno's face scrunched up as realization hit her.
"You lied," Himeno accused slowly staring at Hayate in disbelief. "Those dreams are real, aren't they?"
Hayate looked startled as he tried to look away and regain his self.
Himeno then turned to the older knights as frustrated tears began to flow down.
"What's going on? Why are you guys hiding things from me?"
"Enough!" Hayate shouted still not looking at Himeno.
"Like I said before, you're the pretear, nothing more, and quite frankly Himeno, you not doing a great job at it."
Himeno's lip began to quiver as her eyes grew with hurt. "I know that, but I'm trying."
Hayate snorted as he faced her.
"You're not fit to be the pretear."
"Hayate" Sasame warned but Hayate kept on.
"I knew from the start you couldn't do it. If I had my choice you would never have been chosen."
He bit his lip as he spat those words.
"Hey what's your problem Hayate!" Mannen said as he leaped for Hayate but was stopped by Sasame.
Himeno's body was shaking. Hayate turned around and shook his head in disbelief of what he had just done.
"Sorry," Himeno said smiling as tears ran down her face like water. "Sorry for being chosen!"
She then turned around and ran towards the house.
Kei snickered. "Somehow I told you so just doesn't quite say it." He then turned on his heels and left.
"That was cruel Hayate," Sasame said letting go of Mannen. "She didn't deserve that."
The rest of the knights left, leaving Hayate alone.
Hayate felt their presence leave. His shoulders dropped and he placed a hand over his face.
"What have I done?"
Himeno sat on her balcony with her knees closed to her chest. Her tears were long dried up, but her feelings remained moist and hurt.
"I must have been crazy," she thought as she laughed bitterly. "Hayate never had feelings for me. No matter what I do, no matter how much I try, he'll never like me. It's hopeless.
She buried her head in her knees.
"You're hurting me," cried Shin as he, Mannen and Hajime appeared by some bushes. "Stop pulling me."
Himeno lifted her head. She peered over the balcony and spotted the boys.
"Shhhhh! be quiet Shin!" Hajime commanded placing a hand over his mouth.
"Come on guys. Let's go before those jerks figure out that we've left" Mannen said.
The boys then jump into the bushes and disappeared.
"I wonder where they're going."
Shin's lip started to quiver as he stepped on some branches and tripped. He was a little dirty and a very scared.
"Mannen I'm scared. Maybe we should go back."
Mannen rolled his eyes.
"Do you even know where you're going?" Hajime asked clearly annoyed too.
Mannen stopped and faced his brothers.
"Would you guys stop acting like kids. Geeze, the castle is over there. We just need to walk a little and then we'll be there. Besides, weren't you guys the ones who wanted to show the older knights that we don't need them and we can take care of ourselves."
"No, that was you!" Hajime yelled.
Mannen rolled his eyes. Suddenly his eyes perked up as he heard someone coming.
"Hey who's there!"
"Demon larva" Shin muttered.
Himeno appeared from behind some trees with a planted smile on her face.
"Himeno!" Shin ran over to her and embraced her around her legs.
"Himeno, what are you doing here?"
Himeno raised an eyebrow as she stared at Mannen.
"I think the question is where are you guys heading?"
Mannen crossed his arms.
"Listen guys I just can't stay at the house any longer, so I'm coming with you."
Mannen shrugged. "Ok then but you can't say anything. The others told us not to take you to the castle."
Himeno blinked. "What castle?"
Mannen gulped as he quickly looked at his brothers who were acting strange too.
"What castle? You guys are hiding something."
Himeno placed her hands on her hips as she started to walk back and forth muttering things of unbelief out loud.
"I knew it. I knew you guys were hiding something. I just had to go and pretend that everything was ok when it wasn't. Hayate probably even knows who my parents are."
Hajime kicked dirt. "They always keep things from us. They wouldn't even tell us about the castle."
"Yeah," said Shin. "We're not supposed to go to it."
Mannen pounded his fists. "Well I'm sick of it! Those jerks think they can boss us around and not tell us anything but they're wrong! We're going to take Himeno to that castle, and then we're going to go inside it and explore it!"
"Yeah" cheered Hajime and Shin. "Let's explore it!"
Himeno smiled with pride but then her smile dropped as a wave of uncertainty hit her.
"Maybe we shouldn't go!"
The boys started to walk in the direction of the castle. Mannen noticed Himeno wasn't following him so he turned around.
"Himeno, what are you doing."
She bit her lip. "Why should I be so concerned? They lied to me, and Hayate hates me. There's nothing back there for me. I have to find out who I am some way or another."
"Don't tell me you change your mind Himeno."
Himeno quickly shook her head and ran over to Mannen. "Nope. We're going to that castle."
Himeno followed Mannen and the younger boys but her mind would not.
"I wonder why they don't want me there."
"Ouch," Himeno shirked as a throne cut her thigh, ripping her skirt. "Are we almost there? This forest is killing me."
"Where almost there Himeno," Hajime said. "Right Mannen?"
"Actually we're here."
They walked out of the forest and were met by rays of sunlight that exposed the castle.
Himeno gasped as she stopped short. The castle lay before her in ruins, but yet it was still beautiful, and not everything lay in ruins. Some walls still stood. Himeno had spotted two wings of the castle.
The castle was once big and beautiful. Anyone looking at it knew this. It was a beautiful color of tan. There was also the color of black. The castle had crumble in flames.
"Wow," she muttered. "This is the castle."
Suddenly voices started to sound in Himeno's head. They were jammed together as though they were talking at a party. Blurring images of some sort of masquerade started to play in her head too.
It was too much. Himeno placed her hands on her head and closed her eyes.
"Ugh! What is this? Why now?"
"Himeno!"
Himeno open her eyes and found the boys running towards the castle.
Shin was waving towards her. "Himeno are you ok?"
Himeno smiled as she shook her self and ran over to Shin. "Yeah I'm ok. I'm just bugging out."
Shin grabbed her hand as they ran over to a panting Mannen and Hajime.
"I beat you" Hajime said taking breathes after each word.
"Whatever" Mannen said.
"Hey guys, what happen to this castle" Himeno asked gazing up at the still intact gold double doors that led into the castle.
Hajime shrugged. "Who cares? Let's go exploring!" Mannen and Hajime burst into the doors and started to run again.
"They're so mean," Shin said as he started to cry. "They always leave me."
Himeno patted his head. "Don't cry Shin. You can stay with me."
Shin wiped his eyes and smiled up at Himeno.
Grabbing his hand, Himeno stepped in.
Ok, there you go. Next chapter a lot of things are going to be explained so don't miss it. I hope you guys enjoyed this but if you didn't, let me know. REVIEW PLEASE!
Till next chapter,
God Bless!
Oreo-Girl
