CHAPTER 3: Politics!
"KEI!"
Kei winced and sucked in a hissing breath. His shoulder was exploding in pain, blood soaking down his shirt, dripping onto his hands. It hurt...it hurt really bad!
"Kei? Hey, mate, s'not fair to the rest of us if you play the hero all the time," Blaise joked. Kei knew him well enough that he could tell something was really wrong.
"S-So? How...bad?" He asked, glancing up at the Knight of Flowers.
Feryn, Hayate and Mannen had Himeno surrounded, keeping a sharp eye out for other attacks. Hajime and Shin had gone ahead for a medic. Blaise grimaced and said, "The wound itself isn't too bad. But, it was poisoned."
"WHAT?"
"Hey, don't shoot the messenger!" He realized what he'd just said and shook his head. "Sorry, mate, no pun intended! I'd say it was bloody poisoned, though, just cuz it's got the oozy yellow crap comin' from it...unless you're just full of that shit!"
Kei ground his teeth. "Now really isn't the time to be joking around, Blaise! I'm dying over here and all you can think about is a career in stand-up comedy!"
"He's DYING? LEMME THROUGH!" Himeno tried to break through her guard and come to Kei's side. A touching thought, really, but not very wise seeing as this was a blatant assassination attempt.
Well, a good thing about the poison was that his entire arm was numb now. The downside to this was that it also couldn't hold his weight up, so he ended up collapsing forward from his hands and knees position.
"Not even four seconds in Leafenia, and already starting trouble," a familiar voice said. It was a truly beautiful voice, very low for a woman's and with a pitch to it that spoke of years of musical training.
Kei looked up and right at green fingernails tapping on black leather pants. "Hello, Sete," he said.
Sete, the only female knight known to have been born, smiled more broadly. "Hey to you, too, Kei. Let's see what you've done to yourself now." Sete's leafe was a healing one. She could heal anything from plants to people and back again, so long as it wasn't life-threatening. And she'd earned her place at the court because of that and her odd birth. No one could figure out how she was born a knight and not a Pretear.
Her fingers were very gentle in exploring the wound. Kei held still as she examined it, muttering little comments under her breath. She drew back, a sad frown creasing her lips. Tossing back her long brown hair, she said, "Kei, I have horrible news for you."
Oh, God...
"Oh, NO! He can't...," Himeno turned into Hayate's shoulder, tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, but you're going to live. And be stuck with Hayate for a long time."
Kei's good hand balled into an angry fist. That...that...WOMAN! "You are such a heinous bitch, Sete! Just wait until I get fixed-,"
"-Oh, so you're going in for surgery, too, are you? Such a shame, really."
Blaise was howling with laughter, slapping his thigh and pointing from one to the other. "Got you right good, she did!"
"Hahaha, funny," Kei snarled. "You almost DID kill me! From a damn heart attack!"
Sete shrugged, still smiling. "Sometimes you need a good scare to prove you're alive. Come on, let's get you in and get that taken care of."
Kei stood, looping his good arm over her shoulders. She was surprisingly strong for someone built as thin as she was. Not that she was disgustingly thin, but it was a lot of long, lean muscle. She trained with the rest of the knights, even though she was never going to pret. For some reason, a quirk like the one that made her, also kept her from preting. It was a very sore spot with her, and one you didn't press unless you were suicidal. She winked them over to the palace entrance and helped him walk inside, ignoring the startled gasps and whispered comments. "Your rooms are on the ground floor," she explained, scowling at someone who gagged at the sight of blood.
The ground floor, a major compliment. Why would the Topaz Prince, who saw Hayate as a potential rival (even though Hayate had no interest in the position), give them a place of honor at the court? Something nagged at the back of his mind, something he had heard or read a long time ago...but the pain reinserted itself and he winced, leaning heavily on Sete.
It felt like forever before they finally got to the wing they would be staying in. Blaise was quick to open the door for them and offer assistance.
"Actually, that would be great. Kei's a big baby, you see-," Sete began.
"The hell I am!" Kei interupted.
"-And will scream like a girl when we push that arrow through. I'll need you to protect me from getting hit."
Blaise grinned a nodded. "That's me job, to protect beautiful ladies. Sorry, Hayate, not that I'm checkin' out your she-demon!"
"Why you- ACK!" Hayate caught said she-demon before she could punch Blaise in the face.
"Your Pretear's room is two down on the left. Oh, and Hayate, Erelah got here not long ago, too. There's going to be a meeting with all the captains and Pretears before the Presentation Ball. Just watch it, okay? He's pissed off with Alaya right now, judging from the screaming I was hearing before Shin and Hajime came and got me."
Hayate nodded, jaw set tightly. "Thank you, Sete. We owe you."
Sete rolled her eyes and flicked a wrist to shoo them away. "I'll talk to you later. Now, I have to go inflict more pain on Kei!"
Kei scowled at her and would have made a sharp comment of Blaise hadn't picked that moment to touch the arrow stuck in his shoulder. "YEOW! IT'S SORE, YOU IDIOT!"
Sete came over to him with a grin befitting the Cheshire cat on her face. "Time to operate!"
Oh, shit!
Himeno looked up at the ceiling of her room. And up and up. Whoa...and she thought the mansion was ridiculously huge! Hayate dropping her bags by the door echoed in the wide, barely furnished room. There was a huge empty space at one end with circles drawn on it, in various sizes and interlacing. "Why is it so empty in here?" she asked softly, keeping her voice down.
Hayate followed her gaze. "Thos are training circles. The better you get, the bigger the circle you train in," he explained.
"I never used those!"
"I don't like using them because they restrict your movement and train you to fight in a circle only. You're much more use if you have free range."
Oh. That made sense. The bed was the biggest one she had ever seen. It could easily accomodate all her knights with room to spare. Other than that, a long narrow table with chairs and a fire place that took up half a wall, it was empty. "So, this is supposed to be a training room, too?" She went over to the balcony and opened up the doors, letting in the fresh summer breeze. "It's so pretty out!"
Hayate followed her out, but stayed near the door, leaning against it with his arms crossed over his chest. "We're going to be summoned for a meeting soon. You might want to change, seeing as this is an unofficial introduction to the court."
Himeno nodded. She had a really nice ivory suit she could wear. Mawata had suggested she bring it just in case. She was glad she'd listened.
"Himeno, there's one other thing." The way he said it made her turn to look at him.
Hayate wouldn't look her in the eye. In fact, he looked almost upset. "When we enter that meeting, it's as a captain and Pretear, not as boyfriend and girlfriend. I just want that clear."
She went over to him and gave him an awkward hug. It wasn't hugging him itself that was awkward, it was the fact that his arms were still crossed over his chest and he didn't relax as he normally did. Drawing back and frowning, she said, "Hey, what's wrong? It's not that big a deal!"
"We need to be careful here, that's all," he said. His arms unfolded at least, one of them circling her waist. He looked so...tired. Like he hadn't slept in a couple days.
"Why, what's the problem?"
He hesitated before answering. "Pretears and their knights...aren't supposed to have relationships. It's supposed to be business only. And there are some here, Erelah for example, who are very strict about that."
Oh. Himeno stepped back, a little hurt and confused now. She wasn't supposed to have feelings for him? What about the others? She cared for all of them, even Feryn. He'd proven himself loyal and willing to help, even if he was annoying as all hell. Was she supposed to just treat them like they were expendable? She shook her head. "I can't do that! I can't pretend I don't care about you guys. That's just so...cold!"
"Himeno-,"
"No, I'm sorry, Hayate, but I can't go along with that. You're asking me to treat you guys like batteries or something!"
Hayate sighed and touched her cheek, thumb brushing over her skin lightly. "I didn't actually think you would. And it's fine. But it's going to make things a little more difficult around here."
"How? Why do they care?"
"The Topaz Prince could say we're endangering our team and reassign me to another team."
That made her look up, lips parting in surprise. "He can do that?"
"He could if he felt it was in our team's best interest."
The thought of him being sent away brought tears to her eyes. Blinking angrily, she stepped in and hugged him again. This time, he hugged her back, kissing the top of her head gently. "Don't worry, Tulip-head, I'm not going to leave without a fight."
"I don't understand! Why is it bad that I care about you, all of you? I don't see how that can possibly be bad to want everyone safe and happy!"
He rubbed her back soothingly. "It's not. I'm sorry I mentioned it. It's probably your biggest strength, the fact that you DO care. You'll learn soon enough that it's a very rare thing in a Pretear."
Himeno couldn't believe what he was telling her. A Pretear wasn't supposed to care about the knights defending her? She thought of Shin, Hajime and Mannen and what it would be like to use them as a tool to do her job...and it made her sick. Leafenia was very quickly losing it's shiny coat of varnish.
Hayate turned her face up and brushed his lips across hers. "Just forget I said anything," he said against her mouth, his lips tickling as he spoke.
There was a knock on the door. They quickly broke apart, Hayate resuming his position against the doorframe with his arms over his chest.
"Come in," Himeno called.
Feryn and Blaise entered. "We've gotten our summons, cap'n," Blaise said with a mock salute to Hayate.
Hayate sighed and nodded, pushing away from the door. "Let's get this over with. If at all possible, let's try and sit near Ravijot and Pasha."
"An excellent idea," Feryn said. "I could hear Erelah's course tongue from my room."
"Was that the wanker?" Blaise questioned. "Never actually met him, though."
"He is...strict," Feryn answered. It was clear he was being polite.
Blaise didn't comment back, but took a position just behind Hayate and Himeno. Feryn followed suit automatically. It was kind of unnerving the way they were all acting. "Hayate?" she asked softly when she noticed another team coming around a curve ahead of them. The Pretear was very pretty with long blonde hair pulled back in a tightly braided pony tail and she quite literally stalked down the hall like she owned it. She had four knights with her, the one walking in front with short spiky black hair and pale silvery-blue eyes. He gave them a long look, as if measuring them up before turning away arrogantly.
"Otoshi and Tasia, the American team," Hayate said softly. "Tasia thinks she's the top Pretear and Otoshi fuels that."
"Plus, she fights dirty," Blaise added. Not too quietly, either.
The girl ahead of them whipped around, ponytail lashing out and catching one of her knights in the eye. The knight yelped but she ignored him, storming over to them. "Got a problem, pal?" she snarled.
Blaise jumped behind Feryn a little, eyes threatening to fall from his head. "JAYSUS CHRIST!"
Tasia snapped her fingers and immediately a knight was there. Not Otoshi, though. He was busy staring at Himeno. She hugged herself and looked away. That was just creepy. "How 'bout we settle this now, pretty boy? You gonna talk smack, I'll smack yo' ass down!"
"Tasia!" Otoshi's barked order was enough to reel the girl back in, blue eyes still snapping angrily.
Once they were gone, Hayate turned on Blaise, jaw clenched tightly. "We don't need you running your mouth, Blaise! Keep the comments to yourself or you can answer the next challenge without Himeno's help!"
Blaise swallowed heavily and nodded, now more afraid of Hayate than of Tasia. "Right-o, sir. Sorry."
Hayate turned back around and Himeno walked next to him down the hall. "Is that normal for her?" she asked softly.
"Yes. Tasia and Otoshi spend more time bickering about who's really in charge than anything productive. It's one of the reasons the American team has been asking for back up so much lately."
Himeno fidgeted with her t-shirt and jeans, wishing she'd had more time to put that suit on. Another team joined them in the hall, the captain smiling when he saw Hayate. His eyes were a very pale green, like cat eyes, and his hair was short, dark and curly. "Hayate," he said in way of greeting.
"Ravijot," Hayate said back.
The Pretear next to Ravijot leaned forward, large brown eyes shining and waved. Himeno smiled and waved back. FINALLY someone nice! "You're Pasha, aren't you?" she asked, remembering Hayate seemed to like this team.
"Yes, but I cannot remember your name," she said cheerfully.
"It's Himeno."
"Wonderful! I am very happy to meet you, Himeno! If it is at all possible, maybe we can sit together at the meeting?"
"I think that was the plan all along, Pasha," Ravijot said kindly. It was obvious he didn't think Pasha was the smartest person in the group.
Pasha blushed and looked away.
"That's a great idea, Pasha! Thanks," Himeno said quickly.
The girl looked up and smiled thankfully.
"Here we are," Ravijot said, pushing open the heavy double doors to make way for their group.
Himeno looked around a room bigger than her bedroom and crowded with people. She saw Tasia and Otoshi glare at them before going back to their silent scowling. She saw a knight with long auburn hair hanging down his back shaking his finger angrily at a girl with chin length brown hair who was crying. "Who is that?" she whispered.
"Erelah," Hayate whispered back. His eyes were snapping furiously and his hands were in tight fists. He definately didn't like that guy!
The doors at the other end of the room opened and a figure came sweeping in, a long white cape billowing behind like a cloud lined in gold. Himeno squinted to make sure...the person WAS wearing a mask! A white mask with intriquate gold swirls. "Is that the..."
"The Topaz Prince, yes."
Himeno let out a shaky breath. Okay...this was a little different than she'd imagined. "Why the mask?"
"He was scarred across one cheek during a battle fought in the Mountains of Shadow," Feryn whispered. "Since it marred his appearance so, he hid his entire face."
"So, he's a bit full of himself?"
Feryn covered his eyes and rattled off something in French. All she caught from it was something about patience and strength.
The Topaz Prince stood beside a large carved throne/chair thing and waited for everyone to quiet down. Caias stood behind him on his right and another knight to his left. The other knight...something very familiar about him...Himeno's attention was snapped back from trying to figure it out by the Topaz Prince's muffled voice.
"Take your seats so we may start this meeting and end it as quickly as possible."
Hayate held a chair out for Himeno before sitting down himself. Ravijot and another captain were the only other two to do that. Erelah practically slammed Alaya down into her chair. Only Himeno seemed to notice her wince before she schooled her face into an empty mask. This was DEFINATELY not at all what she thought other teams would be like! Feryn and Blaise stood behind them at perfect attention. Very much unlike them outside of Leafenia where Blaise's favorite salut required only one finger waved around generally at anyone looking and Feryn spent a good amount of time ignoring Hayate's orders.
"You all know I am not one to mince words," the Prince said. When he turned their way she caught a flash of amber eyes through the holes in the mask. "So, I will be brief. The Queen of Nightmares is gathering forces again. We will be going to war to stop this threat once and for all."
There were a few hushed whispers. Pasha and Alaya looked scared, while Tasia looked almost ecstatic at the idea of war. Big surprise there!
"They have given us sufficient cause, si?" a captain at the far end asked. His nearly black eyes were an amazing contrast against the pale, pale blonde hair pulling free from his ponytail.
"What more cause do you need than her gathering forces?" the Topaz Prince asked coldly.
"Of course, Prince, I was not questioning you!"
Himeno bit her lower lip and nudged Hayate. He glanced at her, raising a brow. "Am I allowed to speak?" she whispered.
He sighed, covering his eyes. "I can't exactly stop you here, now can I?" he muttered. His method of shutting her up involved a lot of lips and a bit of tongue. She smiled and blushed, looking over her shoulder when Feryn muttered something.
Himeno hesitated before raising her hand like she was at school.
The Topaz Prince glanced at her then leaned back a little when Caias whispered something. "Pretear Himeno, you have something to add?"
"Yeah, actually, I was wondering if you could tell me why we're declaring war on the Queen of Nightmares," she asked, her cheeks burning as all the eyes in the room turned on her. Hayate managed to stay sitting very still, but it was obvious he wasn't happy.
"Because she is the Queen of Nightmares, dummy," Tasia snarled.
"Um, thanks for clarifying her name one more time, and if you call me dumb again, I'll yank your braid off and beat you with it for a change," Himeno answered, glaring at the girl. The knight who'd caught the braid in the eye quickly turned his laugh into a cough. So not EVERYONE there was a jerk!
Tasia was about to stand up when Otoshi's hand clamped down on her shoulder, fingers digging in hard.
Himeno looked back to the Prince for an answer.
"Are you saying my word is not sufficient enough?"
Hayate's hand found hers under the table, squeezing it as a warning to watch herself. Himeno shrugged and said, "Well, I just don't like fighting if I don't know what I'm fighting for. And since I don't know the Queen of Nightmares, I really don't think I should be fighting her."
The entire room pretty much gasped. Feryn's muttered, "Mon Dieu," was almost lost in the sound.
"SILENCE!" Caias' voice boomed through the room, echoing back again and again.
Once everyone was quiet, the Topaz Prince said, "I respect your tenacity, Pretear Himeno, but need I remind you that your job is not to question why. It is to do and, if necessary, die."
Himeno's stomach wretched at those cold words. Hayate was desperately trying to make eye contact with her to keep her from speaking her kind. Not this time! "Forgive me, Prince, but that's stupid!"
The entire room went dead still and silent. Hayate covered his eyes with one hand, cheeks flaming red.
"Excuse me?" the Topaz Prince's voice had gone, if possible, more frigid.
"That's just dumb, asking me and my knights to risk our lives for some war without giving us a reason! I'm not gonna do it, and if you don't like it, that's too bad. Sorry, but no thanks! And what's the big idea saying MY job is to not question orders and risk dying for them? Every book I've ever read, it's been the ruler who sacrifices for the people. Or are you the exception to that stereotype?"
"Hayate?"
Hayate lowered his hand. She could almost hear him gulp. "Yes, Prince?"
"You have had your Pretear for a year and a half, and you have not trained her to do as she is told?" This was said with a great deal of contempt.
"Sir, I-,"
"Hey, stop talking about me like I'm a puppy you're trying to house break! I'm right here and I can answer for myself. Hayate's trained me to use the leafe. He's done his job as far as I'm concerned, and done a good job of it, too! My personality is my own, and none of you here can break me and make me into what you want me to be, okay?"
Alaya was staring at her with something close to awe. Blaise chuckled softly and nudged her in the back to let her know he was proud of her.
The mask made it impossible for her to read what the Topaz Prince was thinking. "Then what do you suggest we do, Pretear Himeno?" he asked. People stirred, a couple talking in hushed whispers with each other.
"Well, have you tried TALKING it out first? I mean, it makes sense to try and solve things by talking before picking a fight. Maybe she's not trying to start a war. Maybe people just want to have her rule them. You never know until you ask."
"C'est tres retarde!" someone shouted angrily. Erelah was glaring at her with barely hidden contempt. "To listen to this silly girl as if her opinion matters at all! It is an insult that I wll NOT stand for! If Hayate cannot keep her in her place, then perhaps another captain should step in! I do not mind the task myself, if you wish. There is nothing worse than an arrogant Pretear!"
"Don't even THINK about threatening Himeno," Hayate shouted back, coming out of his chair angrily.
"Easy, now," Blaise cut in, trying to get Hayate to sit down.
Erelah looked him up and down like he was a bug to be squished. "Perhaps it is you have feelings for her that you cannot keep her in line." He laughed bitterly. "Another Pretear whose heart you can break! You have learned nothing from the past, Hayate, and are the more foolish for it!"
"At least Himeno isn't afraid! Maybe that's why Alaya can't pret very long with you! It's not because she's incompetant, it's because she's afraid of you!" Blaise was trying desperately to get him to sit down.
Erelah snarled, slamming his palm onto the table. "Alaya is useless because she does not listen! You know nothing of our situation, Hayate! If you had to deal with her stupidity-,"
Himeno was watching Alaya the whole time. It was like a dark shadow was creeping over her, darker and darker. She knew what that was; Alaya was dangerously close to becoming a Princess. There was something almost wild in her wide dark eyes, like if someone were to touch her at this moment, she would snap. And this argument wasn't helping it at all. "Hayate, it's okay," she said, touching his arm to get his attention.
"No, it's not! He has no right telling me how my team should run and how my Pretear should act," he said angrily.
"Yeah, but it doesn't bother me. Let him say what he wants, he's only making himself look like the asshole here. It's not good for OTHERS to be hearing this." She stressed the word and tried to get him to look over at Alaya.
Hayate caught her meaning, glancing up quickly, eyes narrowed. He could see it now, she knew the minute his hands unclenched and he sat down. And it upset him, too.
Once the heavy silence resumed, the guard to the Prince's left shifted and spoke. His voice was very soft and soothing, eyes a brilliant green shade, pale silvery hair just long enough to pull back. "Pretear Himeno does have a point, Prince. We haven't tried a diplomatic approach yet. If it fails, then there is no question about this war being valid."
Himeno stared at the knight, shocked someone else was agreeing with her. He caught her eye and smiled a little, offering a faint wink.
"I agree with Jikan's advise," Ravijot said.
"And I," the captain who had spoken first said.
Slowly, the others, all except for Otoshi and Erelah agreed.
The Topaz Prince was silent as they finished. Then, spreading his fingers out on the table, he said, "Then so be it. Jikan, as you seem to find such merit in Pretear Himeno's advise, I ask you to be my ambassador to the Queen of Nightmares. And I now call this meeting to an end. Try to calm down before the ball. At this stage in the game, we cannot afford to lose anymore knights." He stood and left, cloak following him as well as his two bodyguards.
Hayate stood up, offering Himeno a hand. He was still very clearly shaken by what had just happened.
Ravijot leaned over and clapped a hand to his shoulder. "Ignore him. Everyone knows he's dragging his team down."
Himeno watched as Erelah grabbed Alaya roughly by her arm and jerked her out of the room. As he passed, he slammed his shoulder purposely into Himeno, knocking her backward into her chair. His elbow caught her eye hard and sharp, causing her to yelp and cover her eye.
"Hayate, NO!" Both Blaise and Ravijot were holding him back now.
"HE DID THAT ON PURPOSE!"
"Prove it," Ravijot said, pushing Hayate back against a chair. "If you challenge him for this, he will say it was an accident and you will be forced to step down! THINK before you act, Hayate! Do you really want your team to possibly be lead by him? Do you want Himeno subjected to that?"
Hayate was very slowly calming down. He wasn't breathing as hard, but the tightness to his jaw and the snapping in his eyes wasn't gone yet.
Feryn tipped Himeno's head back, studying her eye. He made a tsking sound, shaking his head. "You will have a, how do you say, shimmer?"
"Shiner," Himeno corrected. Just great! A ball tonight and she was gonna have a black eye! If it was the last thing she did, she was gonna knock that jerk out!
"Look, maybe we should all just go back to our rooms for a bit and cool off," Blaise said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Pasha came to Himeno's side, wide eyed, and took her hand. "That was very brave of you to say that to the Prince. I would never dare!"
"He's just a guy with a fancy name. It's not that big a deal," Himeno said.
"To you, no, but for me...When I was first presented to him, I almost fell over in fear!"
Himeno blinked (or tried to anyway) and looked at the girl. "You've been to the court before?"
"Oh, yes, when Ravijot first found me. All Pretears are brought before the Prince...only, you were not, were you?"
No, she wasn't. And right now, she was very happy Hayate hadn't done that. "Oh, well, I'm here now, aren't I?" she said cheerfully.
Pasha smiled and nodded. "Yes, and I am happy you are! The other Pretears...they do not like me very much."
"Well, that's just silly! I think you're very nice. Say, wanna get ready tonight in my room? It'll give us a chance to talk without all these boys around!"
"Boy? I'm a bloody grown-ass man, love," Blaise interupted.
Himeno rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean!"
"If you didn't have a man, I'd prove to ya I've got what's necessary!"
"EW! PERVERT!" He had to duck quickly to avoid the punch coming his way.
Blaise was laughing at her, waving airly over his shoulder. "I'm going to go check on our little Kei! When I left him, he really WAS squealin' like a baby girl."
Ravijot took Pasha's arm and steered her out of the room. "We must get some training in before the ball," he explained.
"I will see you later, Himeno," Pasha called, waving as she left.
Hayate, Himeno and Feryn waited a little bit in the room, none of them making a move to leave. After a bit, Feryn broke the silence. "He intends to fight you, Hayate. And he wants you to call a challenge. Do not give in."
"I know. Thanks for the warning, Feryn."
Feryn sighed, looking at Himeno's eye again. "Perhaps Mannen can freeze it a little before the ball so it will not be so swollen. We cannot have our Pretear looking less than her best, non?"
Scowling, Himeno brought her fist back threateningly. "Keep it up, Feryn, and we're gonna match!"
Feryn laughed and swept out of the room, golden waves bouncing with each step.
Hayate sighed, hand on her back. "Come on, let's go. You should probably take a nap before tonight. After that little scene, there's no way we can leave early or be late."
"Hayate, why didn't you bring me here when you first found me?" she asked as they walked down the hall.
He was silent for so long she thought he wasn't going to answer. Then, he said, "Because there wasn't time to and because there was the chance they wouldn't let us keep you. We couldn't allow that to happen, not when we needed a Pretear so badly. So, I bent a few rules"
Himeno nodded and hugged his arm. "I'm glad you did." The rest of the walk was in total silence.
When they got to her room, they both hesitated outside the door. Himeno stared at her shoes, hands clasped in front of her. "Hey, do you...wanna come in...for a bit? You know, before the feast and all that when we can't...?"
"Yes," he said. Simple as that.
Smiling and blushing, Himeno opened the door and they went in, Hayate shutting the door after them. No sooner was it shut than he was hugging her, being careful of her sore eye. "I'm sorry, I am so sorry! I should have known he was going to do something like that."
Himeno smiled against his chest. It never ceased to amaze her that barely even a year ago they couldn't stand each other. And now he was apologizing for not being a mind reader! She borrowed a page from his book and shut him up by kissing him, arms around his waist.
It took him a second to respond, but he did, hands cupping her face gently. She pulled him over to the bed, still kissing, and they lay down, him on top. There were no distractions now...maybe...no, she was being stupid! They had both agreed on that issue. But still...
Hayate moved back a bit when she pushed on his chest, breathing hard. His eyes went wide when she tugged at his uniform jacket, trying to get it off. "Himeno..."
"Yes?" she asked.
"We shouldn't...I mean, this isn't..." He couldn't finish his sentence. His jacket found it's way onto the floor and then he was kissing her again, fingers trailing across her stomach just under her shirt.
Himeno pulled the clip from his hair, running her fingers through it to spread it out. She loved his hair. And the way his eyes got all dark blue when he looked at her. And how his hands were gentle on her stomach. Hell, she just loved him! She pulled his shirt up, touching his waist lightly, felt him tense a little before relaxing. She couldn't keep from smiling against his mouth.
"You need to tell me when," he muttered, kissing her neck.
"Okay." But as she said it, she began to wonder when she would, how far this was going to go. She already knew he was the one for her. So what was holding her back? His hand was just under her ribs now, moving around to her back. He was being very, very careful right now. Her hand covered his on her thigh. It wasn't that she didn't trust him not to do anything. It was more she didn't trust herself to say no to him. And that wouldn't be good. They weren't ready. Well, emotionally anyway. But she loved him...wouldn't it be okay if...
"HIMMEEEENNNNOOOOO!"
They broke apart quickly when the door opened, Hayate quickly getting his jacket off the floor, the blush well down his neck. Himeno straightened her t-shirt as Mannen, Hajime and Shin came running in, all looking worried. God, talk about good timing! She was angry at herself for being so weak around Hayate, and she could tell from the set of his shoulders he wasn't too happy either.
"WOW! Blaise said you got hit, but I didn't believe him," Hajime exclaimed, jumping onto the bed and sticking his face right in her eye.
"Yeah, it was just an accident," she said, her face on fire.
"Are you alright, Himeno?" Shin asked softly, holding her hand.
"I'm fine, thanks, Shin."
"Hey, Hayate, how come you- Hayate?" Mannen scowled as began to walk away.
"I'm going for a walk. Make sure you're all ready tonight," he called over her shoulder.
Himeno watched him leave, a little disappointed that he'd left. She couldn't blame him, though. It hadn't been fair to either of them.
"What's his problem?" Mannen asked grumpily, climbing up onto the bed.
Himeno shrugged and forced a smile. "Oh, nothing. Just politics, that's all."