CHAPTER 8: It's Like House Breaking A Puppy

"Himeno!"

Himeno glared at the knight sprawled on the ground. Who cares if he was almost as gorgeous as Hayate, he had no right saying stuff like that!

Feryn sat up slowly, fingering his jaw. His dark blonde hair no longer fell in gentle waves around his face and shoulders and there was something bordering on utter shock in his blue-grey eyes. "She hit me," he exclaimed.

"Yeah, and I'll do it again if you say something so mean," she spat back. "You know nothing about anything going on here, so don't act like such a jerk and I won't treat you like one, okay?"

Feryn looked passed her to Hayate. "She is more Amazon than Pretear, Hayate. Have you not trained her?"

This time Hayate managed to catch her before she could pummel him down. "Lemme go! There's no way I'm gonna pret with this asshole!"

"Calm down, Himeno," Hayate said, trying to pin her arms down without hurting her. Her elbow caught him in the chest and he let out a small grunt of pain.

She stopped struggling when she realized she'd hurt him. She didn't want to do that, just teach this guy a lesson. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she said, "Sorry."

Feryn stood up, dusting his long grey coat off and giving her a most unfriendly look. "Mon Dieu, such a temper! Alaya is not nearly so viscious."

"Alaya also can't become the White Pretear," Hayate replied. Was it just her or did he sound a bit defensive of her? The thought he was trying to stick up for her made Himeno smile. And really not like this Feryn even more.

The French knight's eyes widened a touch and all of a sudden his entire attitude changed. "She can become the White Pretear? Erelah failed to mention that to me. He simply said she had a certain je ne sais quoi that I would find...appealing."

Ew! He was checking her out! His eyes looked her up and down with new interest. Made her wanna vomit!

"It's late, Feryn. We have an extra room for you," Hayate said. She could tell he was getting angry from the slight tightening of his fingers on her shoulders. "Tomorrow morning you can look for a job and-,"

"Job? As in, work?"

"Yes. That's how we do things here."

Feryn gave him a smile that said you-poor-simple-creatures and replied, "Erelah did not require us to work. Non, I do not think I will get a job."

"Then you might as well go back and tell Erelah that you're unacceptable. The older knights have jobs. That's how we remain self-sufficient out here. We don't need the High Court to fund us."

High Court? So, Leafenia really WAS it's own little place, with a High Court and everything! Himeno made a mental note to ask Hayate about it later. That is, IF she didn't maime this smarmy bastard first!

The thought of returning in disgrace seemed to quell him. "Very well, Hayate, I play by your rules. But only for now. Expect a challenge when I am aquainted with this place...and the Pretear. You do remember how the duels work, do you not?"

There was a stillness about Hayate that told her Feryn had hit a very sore nerve. One that was still aching. She REALLY hated him now!

"Lemme make one thing very clear, Fairy-," Himeno said.

"It is Feryn," the Knight corrected icily.

"Whatever. The only better aquainting we'll be getting is if I have to pret with you, and that's only gonna happen if I absolutely have no other choice!"

Feryn blinked and stared at her. "You are strange, Pretear. But, I see no reason why I cannot pursue you in earnest."

"WHAT!" both Himeno and Hayate shouted.

He gave them a very, VERY dirty smile. "Yes, I like a female with...passione de le couer. I have every intention of wooing you."

"Wooing me? What the hell are you talking about!"

"I wonder, will you kiss me first or shall I make the first move? I can only hope you will be as forceful in-,"

The door opened and Kei leaned against the door frame, saving them from whatever he was going to say. His robe was loose around him and he looked very cross. "I thought I heard something annoying. Hello, Feryn."

"Kei," Feryn said, his voice now carrying as much loathing as was possible.

"So, should I show him to the guest room, Hayate? Or to the curb?" Kei was practically glaring daggers at the Knight of Storms.

"The guest room. We're done here," Hayate answered simply.

Feryn edged by them to the door. He paused when he could look Himeno in the eye and he smiled again, eyes dropping lower. "This shall be a very interesting competition, ma cherie. May the best knight win. And the French are known for being the better lovers, so..." He laughed and walked passed Kei.

Kei stared after him for a second and shook his head. "He failed to mention they're also the most annoying. Well, I better go make sure he doesn't pick the wrong room to sleep in. Are you staying over, too, Himeno?"

Himeno grabbed Hayate's wrist, looking at his watch. "Whoa, it's already one in the morning? I've gotta get to school by seven!"

"I can take you. It's on my way to work," Kei offered.

"Well...If that creep's staying in the guest room, where will I sleep?"

"The couch pulls out into a bed," Hayate offered.

Himeno thought about it. She really didn't want to go back home. Her room wasn't as comfortable as being here. But still, that Feryn guy was here...yet another pervert in the house! On the other hand...Hayate was here and wouldn't let that happen. And maybe they could FINALLY talk a bit..."Okay, sure. Thanks, Kei."

She followed them inside, gritting her teeth at someone muttering in French in the hallway. Something about darkness only being good with less attractive people.

A half an hour later and Kei had finally managed to drag Feryn to his room, after many, many, MANY implied comments about the French and their love to Himeno, at which Hayate was visibly getting more and more irritated. After the Knight of Storms was in bed, Kei went back to his own room and Hayate went to get some extra pillows and a warmer blanket in case she got cold.

He pulled the bed out for her and she helped make it up. Once it was done, Himeno went and got changed in the bathroom. She'd heard Takako's annoyed snarls and grumbles from the living room when Hayate had woken her up. Takako really hated being woken up. When she came back out, Hayate was still hovering in the living room, hands in his pockets and looking very uncertain.

Himeno smiled and got into bed. She remained sitting, fidgeting with the blankets.

"Do you...do you need anything...at all?" Hayate asked softly, turning off the standing lamp.

She pushed the extra blanket off. Whew, hot in here! "Um...can I have the tv remote? I kinda like having it on while I sleep."

"Oh, sure. Here you go." He got her the remote and she turned the tv on, leaving it low enough not to bother Kei (who was a very light sleeper) but just enough to hear it. After a second, she bit her lower lip and glanced up at him. He looked away quickly.

"Well, I'll just be-,"

"Hey, wanna watch-,"

They both stopped and blushed again. Himeno scooted over and Hayate took the spot next to her. They watched tv for a bit, neither one moving and both feeling a little awkward. This was so stupid! They'd already been on a date. Why couldn't they just be comfortable?

Himeno was beginning to think maybe this had been a dumb idea when his arm dropped around her shoulder. The minute he did that, she felt herself relax a bit, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Hey, Hayate?" she asked softly, snuggling in a little closer.

"Hm?"

"Thanks for sticking up for me."

Did he actually laugh a little? She thought she'd felt it with her cheek resting against his chest. He laid his cheek on top of her head. "What is this we're watching? And why is that guy wearing such a big cowboy hat?"

She scowled but answered him anyway. "It's Sealab, if you must know! Why, don't like it? You don't have to sit here and watch it if you don't want to!"

He didn't leave, but he didn't answer her, either. Himeno's eyes began to drift close around the middle. She was so tired. And it felt so nice with him holding her like this. This was why she'd wanted him here.

When Kei stumbled out of his room in the morning and to the kitchen for some coffee, he found them both asleep on the couch, curled up together. Hmph, at least SOMEONE got a good night's sleep in this house! He sighed and bent over Hayate, shaking him awake.

"Huh...what?" he mumbled.

"You should get back to your own room before she wakes up and freaks out," Kei suggested.

Hayate blinked sleepily and looked around. His eyes went wide when he saw Himeno asleep next to him, and then he turned a really magnificent shade of red. "What, how did I...Oh, right. Sealab. Um, thanks, Kei." He got up and left quickly.

Kei shook his head and went back to the kitchen. "Damned idiots," he muttered.

"A gouche! A gouche! Mon Dieu, can you not understand me?" Feryn hissed in pain as a bolt of solid air whacked right into them and he threw a shield up.

Himeno landed on the ground, dropping to her hands and knees when she couldn't stand. She had been practicing with Hayate and Feryn since she got out of school. Which was almost four hours ago! And it was four hours of French being screamed in her head, having to dive into the ground to avoid being blasted and then trying to learn how to control these new powers. Breaking in a new knight was like house breaking a new puppy; all mess and headache!

"You do not understand anything at all! How it is you are the Pretear is simply beyond words for me," Feryn railed in her head.

"Shut up," she shouted at him.

"You cannot even maintain a mental dialog! I doubt very much you became the White Pretear at all."

"Himeno?" Hayate asked, kneeling down next to her.

"Get out of me, NOW!" Himeno forced him to unpret with her, gasping at the sudden shock of everything not being seen through lightening flashes.

Feryn lay on his back, breathing hard and gaping at her. "You...forced me to unpret?"

"Hell, yeah! You're very annoying and very rude! I don't speak French, stupid! If I did, I'd know which direction you're telling me to go in!" She winced when Hayate's fingers brushed over her bruised calf.

"Sorry," he muttered.

"But...it is unheard of for a Pretear to force a knight out. C'est impossible," Feryn stammered.

Himeno pinned him with a glare, wiping the moisture from her lip. Oh, wait, that was blood. That had been from the bastard trying to take over her body and move her himself, right into a nasty wind lash! "I'm not like other Pretears! And if you can't deal with that, then leave! Because I don't wanna work with someone who isn't gonna help me!"

Feryn didn't respond to this. He stood up and stalked off, flying away when he was far enough from them.

"Hold still, damn it," Hayate said when she shrugged his hands away.

"And what they hell was your problem, throwing that stuff at me?" she yelled, pushing him back further and getting to her feet, wincing when her ankle twisted a little. Idiots! She wasn't any good if the practice sessions killed her!

"Why are you yelling at me? You're the one who told me to throw everything I had at you! And besides, if my leafe turns on you, it's going to be a lot worse than that little display," he shouted back.

The thought of his leafe being turned made her heart stop for a few seconds. Hayate...no, she couldn't afford to be weak now! Not when it meant his life! Sighing, she looked at her shoes. "Yeah, you're right. Sorry."

"Huh?" He sounded ready to die from shock.

"I said sorry! Jeez, why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

"It's not the apology. You just admitted I was right and you were wrong."

Himeno looked at him from under her lashes, fists clenched and ready to beat him up until...until she saw the little smile and the slight brightening to his eyes. He was teasing her again. Giggling, she shoved him playfully and said, "You're such a jerk, Hayate!"

As he was helping her into the house, he said, "One more time, just for the records."

"Argh! Get away from me, you arrogant jerk!"

Sasame sat in the chair at the bridal store, trying to look interested in the dresses Takako was trying on. It's not that he wasn't, under normal circumstances he would have been thrilled but...He couldn't do this! Why did he say he could do this? Such a stupid thing to say, to promise...

Takako came out of the fitting room, smiling brightly. She twirled in front of him, the dress fanning out around her. "So, what do you think of this one?"

Words couldn't describe how incredible she looked. Sasame couldn't make his voice work. This was the one. This was the dress he wanted her to wear. It was perfect on her, made her look like Cinderella at the ball. If only that were true. "It's...this is the one, Takako. You look..." he forced a smile and shrugged, hoping she understood him.

She did, laughing and coming over to kiss him quickly. As always with her kiss, it was like a bolt of lightnening had just struck him. When she drew back, she traced a finger down his cheek lightly, the look in her eyes something he'd usually see in the bedroom. "Are you sure you want a small wedding?"

"Yes. This is our day and I want it to remain that way." And I don't want the others to see what I'm going to do.

"But, I think Himeno at least-,"

"What if something happens and she has to pret?"

Takako nodded and let out a little breath. "Okay, lover, you win. So, this one?"

"Without a doubt," he murmured, waiting until she was in the fitting room with the seamstress before covering his eyes with one hand and letting the tears fall slowly. He had no choice. It was unfair of them to ask, but murder if he refused. And he couldn't be happy with her if the deaths of everyone were on his conscience. Goh had paid the price and bought them a little more time. He couldn't bear to watch the little ones suffer for his selfishness.

By the time Takako was dressed in her normal clothes again, the smiling mask was back on his face and they left with the perfect
wedding dress.

"Damn it, Mannen, I'm TRYING to work," Kei snapped. Some smart ass had switched his coffee for decaf. And the last person to go shopping was Takako...It would be just like her to to that to him. Another paper airplane hit him in the head. Snickers came from the other side of the counter. "I swear to God, you three, if you don't stop it you'll be doing dishes for the next three months!"

"Yeah, and you're gonna make us?" Hajime taunted.

Kei wheeled around in his chair. This was why he hated to be the one watching the little ones. He didn't like kids as it was, but when they were annoying and bored he hated them with a burning passion. "Don't push that button, Hajime. Go find something else to do!" He turned back to his laptop, scowling at a bit of code. If he moved that there and...

Another airplane. "DAMN IT ALL!" The three of them ran screaming into the backyard as he jumped to his feet, tipping the chair over.

"Run away! Run faster! CRAP, HE'S GONNA CATCH US! HIIIIIMMMMMEEEEEENNNNNNOOOOOOO!" Hajime shouted. Himeno, Hayate and Feryn were in the backyard doing more training. Kei thought she needed a break. Four days of almost nonstop preting was beginning to show on her. She looked completely wiped and often fell asleep on the couch. They would wake her up when it was time to go home and one of them always walked with her. Since it was a Friday, she was probably spending the night so she could practice longer. Well, let the little brats bother them for a change!

"HELP! HIMENO, HAYATE! KEI'S GONNA KILL US!"

Kei sped up, chasing them further into the training zone. He skidded to a halt when Mannen turned with a fierce glare and laid a hand to the ground. "Mannen, NO!"

The ice shot toward him in a streak along the grass, making it a slick path for him to fall on. And Kei did fall, on purpose when that ice sheet decided to take a twist and build upward into a sharp spike lunging for his chest. "Goddamn it! Mannen, you CANNOT use your leafe!"

It was too late, though, the ice was already out of control. Kei let out a particularly nasty curse and rolled out of the way of the stabbing spears plunging for him.

Mannen was still standing perfectly still, watching in horror as his precious ice tried to kill Kei.

"MANNEN!" Kei looked up in time to see Himeno bowl the younger knight over and out of the way from an ice spear.

"Don't worry, Mannen, I'll help you," Hajime declared. There was a huge gust of wind that knocked Hajime right off his feet.

"Don't use your leafe," Hayate ordered, flying up into the air and out of the way of another ice bolt.

"Kei, see if you can melt some of this," Himeno shouted. The air around her began to rumble a bit and then exploded into a burst of thunder with lightening lacing through it to break apart a pillar of ice.

Kei stayed where he was. He was...shit, he was scared! What if it was his turn next? What if his leafe turned on him if he used it?

"KEI!"

He glanced up at where Hayate hovered above him and shook his head.

Hayate glared at him. "I can't force you, Kei, but what good are you if you won't help?"

"What?" Himeno shouted, dodging ice darts and letting off another peal of lightening as she slammed shoulder first into the ground.

Hayate called up enough solid air to smash three more spears. "He isn't going to be fighting."

"Kei, we can't do this without you," Himeno shouted to him. "Please, we need the Knight of Light!"

Kei took a deep breath and let it out. He had to do this. For Himeno and for himself, he had to do this. His was the only other power besides Goh's that could work against Mannen's at all effectively. He called up his leafe and began to channel it into shape when he felt it happen. It was like snapping a rubber band against someone's neck, the sudden shock of it pulling tight and then releasing itself painfully. The leafe inside him just exploded everywhere in a blinding flash. All he could hear were screams and shouts and...wait, no the screaming was him because he couldn't see. He couldn't see anything but that brilliance in his eyes, stunning him. And as he fell and it finally went dark, he heard Himeno screaming his name and then...nothing.