Do You Love Me? By: Guardian Leen Written: 12/31/02 Disclaimer: I don't own Pretear, but Hayate is MINE! XP No...Not really. But he is SO cool! XD

Feedback would make we write much, much faster! ^_^

Note: This chapter kinda sucks I guess Let me know what you all think! This is the 2nd to last chapter. I tried to make it as dramatic as I could, I certainly hope it turned out well ^.^ Personally, I think it's so heartbreaking, thus the title of the chapter ;_;

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Do You Love Me? - Chapter 15 - Heartbreak

A cloudy day arises in Awayuki city, followed by a rainy sunset...

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The bright ruby eyes of Himeno Awayuki open to the start of a late day, "Urg...What time is it?" Glancing at her watch slightly, she sighs, "Almost noon..." Rising, the young woman brings a hand up to wipe her eyes, feeling the dry tears from last night's encounter, "Hayate..." She picks up her bag, reaching for a comb to brush her thin hair, "I think I'll...Go for a walk..." Himeno pushes some loose strands of hair out of her face, 'Despite Takako's protests...I need some fresh air...'

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Skipping along a wooded road filled with flowers, animals, trees and streams, the "tulip-headed" girl holds a small item, known as a kendama, playing with it while immersed deep in thought, 'The park...My family owns so much property, I don't even think anyone will find me..." Himeno slows down slightly, walking more quietly, "Why...Why did I go through so much trouble for him...? put everything on the line, with help from everyone I hold dear. Is it worth it...? If...If he cares for me as he claims he does...Why didn't he tell me in the first place? Was he too shy...Or embarrassed? It all came to this..." She stops at a small bench, laying the kendama down in her lap and placing her hands atop it, "This plan...This plan I conjured up for his confession. Why do I feel...As if it were all for naught?" Closing her eyes, a flourish of images appeared within her mind. Those of Hayate. Countless times of sacrifice, protection, and comfort, "Yet why...?" she whispered softly

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Without realizing it, the young Himeno drifted off, "Eh...I seem to be doing this a lot lately..." Bringing herself up, she takes the kendama, putting it into her pocket, pacing towards no exact destination, "Dammit!" she finally exclaimed, punching forcefully, a nearby tree, "Why are my thoughts filled only of him! Can't I just forget about him? I don't understand why I'm always...Erg..." Leanding back against the wood, she kit her head repeatedly on it, "Damn! Damn! Damn!" Sliding her back down the bark, she felt tears falling from her delicate face, "The heart it such a fickle thing." Suddenly, she noticed drops of water appearing from the sky, the cloudy sunset dulled. Standing up, she wound her arms around her, "It's times like this I wish I knew the day's forecast!" She ran, knowing not of the direction of the church. The cold, wet drizzle soaked her clothes and body, chilling her to the bone, "I can't stand it...I just can't..." her eyes glazed, overflowing with grief, sweat and rain beading down her forehead, "I feel like I'm going crazy...If something doesn't happen soon, I'll...!" Himeno gazed up slightly, revealingthe church in front of her path, "Convinient..." the girl thought wearily. She reached the door. Placing a frail hand on it, she whispered, "The questions I ask will probably never be answered. And Hayate...Does not love me. End of story. Somehow I'll find a way to clear this all up..." Opening the door, she walked in.

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As Himeno passed through the walkway, she heard a small rustle. She looked up. Standing before her was a tall, dark, man; his back towards her, seeming to be praying, 'Is that...' He turn around swiftly, 'Hayate!?' His eyes were fixed on her wide, "H-Himeno!?" Being unable to move, the flustered woman was frozen to the spot with shock, 'Oh my god...This is the end...!'

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ So what do you think, ya'll? ^^ Heartbreaking enough for ye? XP I think that was a pretty sufficient cliffhanger! Anyway, next time, in the last and final chapter of Do You Love Me?: The confrontation of Himeno and Hayate! Hayate realizes Himeno is alive, but.How will he react? And will he finally admit his feelings for her, and vice versa with Himeno? Tune in soon for the next chapter! XD