Someone Different
Chapter 2
All of the Knights struggled but none of them succeeded in freeing themselves. The demon looked confused; Now what did it do? All thoughts were cut off when a grey blur carrying a shiny something flew around the larva, hacking off all possible limbs. Then the 'savior' aimed and fired at the core of the larva. The grey something flew around the larva's many eyes to keep it distracted as the shiny something broke the core. Then the grey blur flew to the highest altitude possible, seemingly to avoid being seen. The only thing the people on the ground could see was the grey. The shiny something flew back to its owner and both disappeared in a wave of color.
Most of the Knights had their mouths hanging open when they had gotten over their initial shock. Mannen said the first thing that came into his mind, "Who was that?"
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The group converged back in Himeno's room. "Could there be any chance that that was another Knight?" Himeno asked. Kei looked skeptical and said, "There might be another Knight, but I think that that chance is very small" Takako pressed on, "But only a Knight would be able to do such a thing." Kei continued to look skeptical.
"Can Knights be female?" Goh asked suddenly after a few moments. "Why do you ask that?" Sasame asked, curious. Goh shifted, looking uncomfortable, "I saw curves and a pony-tail when that person cut me free." Kei looked thoughtful, "That is a possibility but it makes the possibility of that person being a Knight even slimmer."
Shin yawned and Hajime said sleepily, "Can we finish this talk later? I'm tired." Himeno looked at her watch and jumped, saying, "Oh my, it's already 8 o'clock! Shin should be in bed." Goh caught Shin before he fell onto Himeno's bed and disappeared from Himeno's room, followed closely by Kei who had both Mannen and Hajime by the wrist. Takako and Sasame flew to their destination, wherever that might be. Hayate left after a few moments of staring, making Himeno blush.
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The next day saw Himeno practicing her martial arts in the garden. A young girl, who looked about 17, approached Himeno cautiously, wary of the flailing limbs. When Himeno finally noticed her, she slowed her movements and walked over. "Do you need any help?" Himeno asked kindly. The young female bowed and said, "My name is Katana and Mr. Kaoru asked me to find his helper Hayate to show me around. I'm supposed to help him carry things around."
The girl looked like a fight or somebody very strong. She had subtle curves and wasn't very busty. She had stormy grey eyes and thick slightly wavy hair that, in a high pony-tail, reached down to her waist. She wasn't extra-ordinarily pretty but her hair drew Himeno's stare. It was ebony black, not unusual in the city but black hair with shimmering silver-grey streaks was unusual. What was also unusual was the grey band that was holding up her bangs.
Himeno was startled out of her stare when Katana chuckled softly and shook her mane of hair. Himeno blushed and apologized quickly. She was stopped by Katana when she said, "It's alright! You father was also like that when I applied for the job. So, can you help me find Hayate?"
"Why do need to find me?" Hayate appeared from around a corner, carrying two bags of fertilizer. Katana repeated what she told Himeno and asked how she could help. "Get two more bags of this stuff," he gestured to the bags in his arms, "and meet me back here." He gave her direction and she jogged off.
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When she came back, Himeno and Hayate were arguing. About what, Katana had no idea. Their faces were flushed and their noses were a centimeter apart. Well, actually Himeno was flushed and she was standing on her toes, yelling at Hayate. The said Knight looked more annoyed that angry but was talking back all the same. They made such a comical scene that Katana hat to laugh.
At the sound Hayate and Himeno seemed to realize how close they were at that moment and quickly jumped apart. They looked at Katana, who was doubled over with laughter. The fertilizer was stacked neatly on the ground beside her. When the gales subsided, Hayate said, a bit testily, "Follow me." Himeno was blushing furiously when Katana past and the new assistant was sure that she saw a faint tinge of pink on Hayate's cheeks.
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At the storage shed, Katana decided to ask Hayate about it. "So," she began, as she efficiently stored the fertilizer into smaller containers, "Do you have feelings for Himeno?" From behind her, the sounds of movement ceased abruptly. She smiled, no, grinned widely. These people are so cute! she thought biting her lower lip to keep from laughing. It is so obvious that they love, or at least like, each other very much but they won't confess it! Kawaii! She was jerked out of her thoughts by Hayate's answer.
"No, why do you ask?" The answer was much too quick to be true. Katana had to force back the flood of laughter but couldn't manage to keep back a giggle. "Well, it was obvious that Himeno has feelings for you when I, um, intruded on you two," she managed to say between suppressed giggles. She turned and continued, "Well, I'm finished. See you in a bit." She walked away quickly but still caught the dark pink spread across Hayate's cheeks. Outside he could hear someone laughing hysterically.