CHAPTER 7: S.O.S!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, first and foremost: I'M SORRY I HAD TO KILL GOH! I'M SO SORRY! Blame the muse in charge of writing (his name is Bob, just so you can direct your vengence at him and not the other three muses.), it was HIS idea, not mine! I love Goh as much as the next person! Also, for those who think I've made Kei a bit of a tool, in this chapter you get to see his nice side...a bit.

Second, thank you whoever for pointing out the mispelling of Mannen's name. It's been corrected as of this point on, but I really don't feel like going back through ALL the other chapters...laziness, you know. I was wondering why his name looked so odd...

Okay, finally, there are only about three, maybe four, more chapters left of this story. DON'T CRY! Please, don't cry! I'm very happy everyone has read this...I really wasn't expecting quite this immediate a reaction, so thank you very much for all the reviews and advice and...and...well, whatever else! On a happy note, Bob decided to be even more wicked and has planted the seed of a sequel to this story in my noggin. So...keep an eye out when this story is done. So far, from what I've plotted out in my head, it's pretty good.

The smoke was still curling in the air, and it wreaked. It smelled like...

It smelled like cooked bacon. Himeno gagged and coughed, Hayate's hand resting on her back in case she needed help.

"You don't have to-,"

"I want to," she answered, forcing herself to stand firm and look around the charred remains of the room. No sign of Goh. She kind of expected that. When a knight lost all his leafe, he faded. Goh had used it all to melt the ice, and the ice melting in turn put the fire out. Which reminded her...

She looked over at the bed, the only thing not burnt beyond recognition. Mannen was either asleep or passed out, completely unmoving but looking totally unharmed.

Kei went over and felt for a pulse, shoulders slumping in relief. "He's alive, just worn out. That was more leafe than I've ever seen him pull in action. I'm surprised he didn't fade." He picked the sleeping boy up, laying his head on his shoulder. Kei's eyes were still haunted by witnessing Goh's death.

"There's nothing here," Himeno murmured, rubbing her arms. It was suddenly so cold, even though the steam was still rising from the ashes. She looked over at the wall that still stood, the wallpaper melted and peeling on it. It was the wall Goh had been pinned to. She went over to it, Hayate behind her, giving her room to look. Nothing, not one sign Goh had even existed. The tears began to roll down her cheeks again, silently.

"Himeno..."

Himeno crouched down, hand touching the wall. Not even a blood stain. It wasn't fair! It just wasn't fair!

Hayate's hand on her shoulder brought her back. He was trying, he really was, but she could see the pain gnawing at him in his eyes. She knew he was wishing it was him that was there, not Goh. The knights were his responsibility, and he had failed them. She'd felt that much when they had preted before he kept her from feeling anything further. She took his hand and squeezed it, forcing a little smile through the tears. "I"m okay. Are YOU?"

He gave her a faint smile but she could see the tears threatening to fall. "Let's get you home now. It's been a...come on."

Himeno stood and followed him out of the room, Kei and Mannen right behind her.

"Maybe we should get a sedative ready, for when he wakes up," Kei suggested, heading down the hall to Shin's room. Himeno winced when she heard the high pitched wails from the two younger ones.

"Yeah, not a bad idea," Hayate muttered before guiding Himeno out into the yard. She held his wrist tight as he took off, flying under cover of the night sky.

It wasn't long before they were outside her house (mansion, she corrected herself). They stood outside the door, Himeno still wearing his coat and hugging herself. Hayate stood in front of her, hands in his pockets and looking uncertain. "Himeno, if you need to...to talk...," he tried, not able to finish.

She nodded, sniffled and gave him a watery smile. "I know. And you, too. Is there any...what if I became-,"

He shook his head. "It worked with Sasame because his body wasn't completely destroyed. Goh's...not even the White Pretear could reverse that. And we don't even know if you can repeat it again."

Himeno nodded and sniffled again. "I understand. Thanks."

"For what?"

She shrugged. "For everything. Oh, your coat-,"

"Just hold onto it for now. I can stop by tomorrow. If you want," he added quickly.

Himeno nodded. "Yeah, that would be nice. I get done with school at three."

"Okay." He still hesitated, not looking at her. And then...

And then he was suddenly holding her, hugging so nicely that she couldn't help but hug him back, grabbing handfuls of his shirt and pulling him closer. It was comforting and it made her cry again, burying her face in his chest. Why did everyone dear to her have to die?

It felt like he held her forever. It wasn't, but it was a nice thought. Just holding her forever, taking the pain away. It wasn't real, though. Himeno pulled away first, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Um, goodnight," she said, opening the front door. She slipped in and shut it quietly, heading for the stairs. Only one servant saw her, and he quickly bowed and left her alone. It was better that way.

Sasame pushed back a dark strand of Takako's hair, smiling even through his grief. Goh...the little ones had finally cried themselves to sleep, Mannen having been drugged into it. He had woken up and, when he was told what had happened, he went hysterical, beating his fists into the walls so hard that they bled. Kei had forced him to drink a simple sleeping potion of sorts. He and Takako had remained with the other two while Kei went to seal the room off completely. No one would ever go in there again. Takako had fallen asleep, Shin clinging to her chest and Hajime to her back. And even though his entire chest throbbed with the agony of losing a friend, he still thought she was more beautiful than ever. It was right, her with children. Maybe there might be a chance for them...

No. Tonight had proven that. He was only waiting for Hayate to come back before discussing it with them. He waited still, sitting in the chair by the bed, eyes raw from all the tears.

The front door shutting woke him and he jumped, ready to attack. Voices...Hayate was back. Sasame stood up and left the room quietly, shutting the door behind him. They were in the kitchen, and he could smell the coffee from here.

"So, she's alright then?" Kei asked, taking a seat at the table with a cup of coffee. Hayate was with him, drinking the now room temperature wine.

"As fine as can be expected," Hayate answered, his voice thick with mourning.

Both looked up as Sasame joined them after pulling another wine glass down and pouring some for himself. Yes, tonight was definately a night for drinking. "You were right," he admitted slowly, his heart screaming at him to shut up. "I'll admit it now. Without the evil to soak up the extra leafe, we're making too much. And it's killing us-,"

"Sasame," Hayate said, trying to console him.

Sasame shook his head. "No, Hayate, let me finish. I will agree to this plan. I will follow it through to the end. But in return, I want one request granted. When this is done, and Takako is once again the Princess of Disaster, trapped in the Tree of Fenril, I want to be allowed to end my life. I won't be able to live with the knowledge that I...that I ruined the one I love. That's all I ask."

"Sasame, I'm not going to agree to that request," Hayate answered.

He smiled sadly. "I don't believe I gave you much choice, Hayate. Those are my terms. I can't live without her and after this...she would never take me back if she were freed again. Death is my only option."

Hayate and Kei exchanged looks. Kei sighed and said hoarsely, "So we will mourn another knight's passing. If this is what you want, Sasame-,"

"It's the only choice."

"-Then so be it. Goh's sacrifice bought us some more time, so long as the others don't use their powers. But, we're still down a knight."

After a heavy silence, Hayate sighed. "I'll go. I'll go and recruit another knight from someone else's team. An outsider might be less succeptable to the leafe surges than us. If something should happen to us..." He didn't finish the sentence.

Kei nodded. "Then we're agreed. Sasame will handle Takako. And you will find a new knight. And I will stay here and try to hold things together. When will you go, Hayate?"

"Tomorrow. We need to find someone quickly."

"I have one final question before we let it stand as finalized," Sasame asked. He had to know...He knew the answer, he was sure he did, but he still had to hear them say it. "Are you going to tell Himeno?"

Both knights looked at each other and the answer was very clear in their guilty expressions. She was not going to find out about this. He thought as much.

Sasame stood up, finished his wine and placed the glass in the sink. "I'm tired." He left them in the kitchen as quietly as he had entered.

"He left?" Himeno asked, staring at Kei in disbelief.

Kei blinked in surprise at her tone and nodded. "Left this morning on an errand. Don't worry, Himeno, he'll be back this evening most likely. Are you...how are you doing?"

Himeno stared at the cement step, wringing her hands. Hayate wasn't there? But...but he'd said he'd be there after school. Where had he gone? She asked Kei that very question.

"I'm not entirely sure, but Hayate WILL be back soon, I promise. He...he went to get a new knight."

"A new- oh, right, I guess we can't really be down a person, can we?" So soon, though! Goh...

Kei laid a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "Don't worry, Himeno. Everything's okay."

"Yeah, okay. Bye, Kei." She turned around and left, watching her feet move one in front of the other.

She reached the gate to her house and pushed it open, letting it swing a little. A new knight? It was like everyone was already over Goh's death and replacing him. She just wanted to cry and talk and be held...

Hayate. She wanted him there with her. The Knight of Wind always made her feel so safe and cared for. Loved, her subconscious supplied. Yeah, right. MAYBE liked a whole lot, but not loved! Himeno sighed and went over to the little pond in the yard, sitting down by the giant wind chimes and staring at her reflection.

"I used to do that, too. When my dad died," Mawata's voice said softly.

Himeno looked up when her stepsister sat down on the bench next to her, turquois eyes sad and peaceful at the same time.

"I used to stare at myself and wonder why him and not me," she continued in her soft voice. "How does God select who lives and who dies?"

"And?"

Mawate smiled a little and shrugged. "And...nothing. It's not like a reflection can answer back, you know. It just shows you who you are."

Who you are...Himeno stared back at her reflection. Who am I? She thought, biting her lower lip. She stared at her own eyes, her face, her hair. Hey, she really DID look like a tulip! The thought made her smile. That was more like her. She may be sad and grieving, but there was still work to do, people to protect. She couldn't just give up and sink into despair. Goh wouldn't have let her. He wouldn't want her to give up over him.

"Mawata?"

"Hm?" she asked, glancing up.

"Thanks. That really helped."

"Oh, no problem."

Hayate gritted his teeth and stayed on one knee. It was customary when entering another area of Leafenia that you show respect to another team of Leafe Knights.

Erelah was glaring at him, he could feel the burning eyes on his neck. "So," the Frenchman drawled in a thick accent. "One of your knights has died, oui? And you come asking MY help?"

"Yes," he answered tightly. Erelah was not exactly the most friendly of Leafe Knights, but the French Team was over crowded with knights and this was the only place he could go. The evil they were fighting wasn't winning, he thought bitterly.

"I fail to see how this is a concern of mine."

"You have too many knights, Erelah. Too much leafe being made. I'm short a knight. It's to your best interest."

Erelah pretended to think about it. "Mmm...non. Bon jour, Hayate!" He began to walk away.

Hayate closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "My Pretear is capable of becoming the White Pretear." This wasn't information he wanted to let slip, but he needed a knight!

Erelah stopped and turned around. "Pardon moi?"

"Himeno can become the White Pretear." He didn't need to tell him it was without the aid of the knights.

"You are sure of this? You have seen it?"

"I was there when she did it."

"And I am sure you were there to awaken her again, non?" Erelah laughed wickedly.

Hayate glanced up at the other knight. Erelah's reddish brown hair fell down to his waist in a loose wave and his equally reddish brown eyes were snapping with amusement. He hated the Knight of Mimicry. "Well?"

Erelah sighed and waved his hand dismissively. "I will send someone to you. Now, go! I have had enough of you for one day. Even if you bring gossip that is tres bon!"

Hayate stood and disappeared, flashing back over to the safe house. He didn't trust Erelah, not as far as he could throw him. But if he sent a knight...he could stand a little sarcasm if it meant his team was at full strength again.

Kei was in the kitchen, getting coffee before sitting down to type away on his lap top. He had decided to work from home so that he could be near the little ones. "So?" he asked, scowling at something on the screen.

"Erelah's sending someone over," Hayate answered heavily. He was tired...so tired. He hadn't slept at all the night before and was starting to feel it badly.

"Did he say who?"

"Knowing Erelah, it's going to be the most annoying person he can find."

Kei made a sound close to a snort, but not quite. "That would be something he would do. Oh, Himeno stopped by today. Did you have plans with her? She seemed very surprised you weren't here."

Himeno! He'd forgotten he'd said he was going to stop by and visit her. Hayate left the house again, Kei looking up in surprise. He quickly flew over to her house, landing in one of the gardens so he could walk up to the front door. How could he have forgotten something like this?

Hayate knocked on the door and a maid answered, giving him a pleasant, blank smile. "Is Himeno in?"

"Miss Himeno? Yes, please wait inside the foyier."

Hayate stepped inside and waited patiently for the maid to get Himeno.

Thundering footsteps running down the stairs was all the notice he had before BAM! He was thrown to the ground after being puched. "Why do you keep doing that?" he demanded angrily. Did she HAVE to do that every damn time...

Himeno stood over him, fists on her hips and scowling. "You could have told me you were gonna get another knight, you know! It's very rude to say you'll be somewhere and then not be there!"

"I didn't know-,"

"And what's the big idea picking a new knight without me, huh? Don't I have a say in this? I DO have to pret with him, for God's sake!"

"Would you just be quiet long enough for me to explain?" he snapped, getting to his feet.

Himeno backed off enough for him to stand up and feel his jaw. One of these days, she was going to break it! After he made a big deal over making sure it wasn't broken (and he was a little smug when she looked guilty for it), he said, "I didn't think you'd want to go along. Goh...he was a good friend to you." He didn't tell her traditionally, the Pretear had very little say over such matters.

Himeno's eyes dropped down and her shoulders relaxed a bit. "He was. Which is why it would have been nice to pick who we got. You did pick someone, right?"

"Uh, not exactly..."

The evil glare came to her eyes again. "What do you mean, not exactly? You either did or you didn't."

"We have a knight..."

"So you did."

"I don't know who though."

"Oh. Why not?"

He sighed and took a step back. She had that look that said she was going to hit him at any moment. "I went to another team and basically had to beg for help. Erelah, their leader, said he would send someone. If I fought the issue over who, we wouldn't have gotten his help."

Himeno let out a breath and nodded once. "I see. So, there are other teams?"

"Yes."

She didn't say anything else about that. "When will I meet him?"

"Sometime soon. Erelah is going to send him over."

Himeno nodded again and went for the door.

Hayate grabbed her hand, stopping her. "Where are you going?"

"To the safe house, of course! I wanna meet this guy."

"It's late-,"

"Excuse me, could you tell my mom and dad that I'm going over to a friend's house?" Himeno asked the maid sweetly.

The maid bowed and said, "Of course, miss."

Then, turning back to Hayate, she gave him a big smile and said, "There, all better! Well, let's go!"

Hayate quickly followed her out the door, confused by her cheerful mood. He would have thought she'd still be crying. But then again, she was stronger than he had given her credit for in the past. A LOT stronger. Once out of sight from the house, he took her hand and flew them back to the safe house.

The lights inside were dark, the porch light the only one showing them where the step was by the door. Just as she was about to go in, Hayate stopped her, turning her around to look at him. "Himeno, are you sure you're alright?" he asked. It surprised him how very concerned he was for her.

Himeno smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, I'll be fine. I have to be, don't I?"

It hurt him when she said that. He wished she didn't have to be. He wished none of this was happening, that they could just...just...He wasn't sure what exactly, but he didn't want to be constantly worried about her, unsure of what would happen if the leafe turned on him. Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms, hugging her close. Yes, this was what he needed, to feel safe and comforted and...loved? He didn't know for sure she did, but he was beginning to finally understand that what he felt for her was just that. An overwhelming love that made him strong and weak at the same time.

"So, this is the Pretear Erelah has told me so much about?" a heavily accented French voice called.

Hayate couldn't keep the irritation from his voice as he put a name to that cloying accent. "Feryn."

The Knight of Storms laughed pleasantly, his voice playing in the air like poisoned candy. "Oui. And how are you doing, Hayate? Stirring the heart of another Pretear I see."

Himeno turned slowly to look at him. Uh-oh. Hayate tried to grab her and pull her back, but he missed. She went right up to the French knight and punched him to the ground. Brilliant!