Hajime's Stand

Shin ran to the door ready to open it for Atarashi when he found that it would not budge. Water kept it shut tightly. Desperately he peered through the glass to see that Hajime was getting ready to face off against the Dark Knight. But he was by himself. What could he possibly accomplish on his own?

"So would you like to make the first move?" Mizu invited.

Hajime nodded as he launched a tower of water at his opponent. Mizu merely laughed before he dodged the vain attempt. Over and over he tried to hit the Dark Knight to no avail. Mizu seemed to know his every attack. Still he continued hoping that perhaps constant attacks would catch his opponent off guard.

Mizu on the other hand laughed as he soared through the rain. There was no way that Hajime could hit him in this weather. As long as the water poured down upon him, he was unstoppable. Water attacks would only aid him further. Eventually he paused long enough to toss an attack of his own before moving on.

The attack hit its intended target with little trouble. Hajime flew through the air before he smashed into a tree. He knew that the storm was making his opponent stronger but still he had to fulfill his oath. The Prétear was in danger and it was up to him alone to protect her.

"Why won't he let us out? I thought the Dark Knight wanted to fight us," Atarashi questioned.

Shin sighed, "He does."

"So why won't he let us out?"

"Hajime is the one who won't let us out. He's trying to protect you."

Atarashi stared at her knight in wonder. Why were they all so willing to lose their lives for her? What was it that made them wish to protect her like this?

Mizu laughed as Hajime rose to his feet, "You don't give up do? Don't you get it? I'm stronger because every attack you throw at me weakens you! I will win this fight!"

"I won't give up," Hajime whispered, "I won't let you hurt the Prétear."

"I really don't understand you knights. Why do you wish to protect her? What is it about her that makes you love her like this?"

Hajime fell to his knees again as he whispered, "The Prétear is my friend. She always has been. I would do anything to protect my friends."

"Even die?"

"Yes, I would die to protect them."

Mizu's smile vanished. Never before had he heard of someone willing to die for someone they loved. Could the boy be lying to him? No that wasn't it. Hajime was telling him the truth. Confusion tore through Mizu's mind as he tried to understand Hajime's loyalty.

"Very well then," Mizu whispered, "if you are so willing to die for your Prétear then be my guest!"

Mizu called upon all of the dark leafe within the water around him and tossed it towards the injured knight. But before it could hit the other boy a light flashed in front of him. White leafe encircled Hajime's body and every injury was healed. Mizu could only stare in wonder as Hajime's body was slowly lifted into the air.

Hajime gazed down upon his opponent before throwing pure water at him. Mizu screamed in pain as his body purified. Carefully he opened his eyes as he fell to the ground. A girl surrounded by white light held Hajime in her arms. Sympathy filled her eyes and Mizu felt warmth fill his body.

This was what it felt like to be cared about he realized. It was a feeling that he had always craved for but had never been allowed to receive. Now the Prétear was giving it to him freely. Smiling, Mizu took his final breath as he body became leafe and spread out into the water. However one small portion flew into Hajime's body.

"Atarashi! Wake up, Atarashi!"

The girl moaned slightly before opening her eyes. She was sprawled upon the ground of the school entrance with Shin and Hajime staring at her. Both had surprised looks upon their faces as they waited for her to wake up.

"What happened?"

Shin glanced at Hajime before saying, "I don't know how you did it but you made your spirit leave your body to become the White Prétear. Then you went and aided Hajime in his fight. Ashi, I think your powers are stronger then we realized."

"I don't understand."

"You were able to find a way to get past the barrier that Hajime put up and you aided him in battle."

"Plus you became the White Prétear and you purified Mizu," the water knight finished.

"Ashi we need to take you home. I think that the others need to know about this right away."

Atarashi nodded numbly. Had she really done all of that? Were Prétears capable of this? But there was one question that still bothered her most: why were her powers stronger than her mother's had been?