Disclaimer: I don't own Pretear.
Alara looked at Hayate's hand, then into his eyes and smiled, then placed her hand in his. Their hands began to glow, then their bodies did as well. Hayate's body became a glowing blue sphere, which slowly sank into Alara's body. A flash of blue light, then Alara reappeared as the Wind Pretear. She pulled a gleaming blue sword out of thin air-the Wind Sword. She twirled it skillfully, thrusting it at an imaginary foe. She made it disappear, then landed gracefully on her feet. She unpreted from Hayate, and Himeno ran forward and took Alara's hands in her own. "That was wonderful! I knew you were the Pretear, I knew it!" They all turned to look at Hayate. He gazed at Alara for a moment, then sighed. "You'll do." he said.
Mannen, Hajime, and Shin cheered and ran forward, gathering around Alara. "Pret with me, next!" "No way, it's my turn!" "Me, Me!" Alara laughed and bent down to their eye level. "We'll see." she said. She stood back up and turned to Himeno, who had come forward again. "Alara, I have to go back to the college, but the Knights will train you." Goh stepped forward and placed a hand on Alara's shoulder. "Don't worry, Himeno. We' ll take good care of her." "You'd better." Himeno laughed, then her face dimmed. "Oh, no! Alara, I'm sorry. I was so excited about finding the Pretear that I wasn't thinking. I dragged you off without letting you say goodbye to anyone or anything. You don't have anywhere to go!" Alara quickly consoled her friend. "Don't worry. There was nothing back there for me. This is what I've always dreamed of doing. And I'll find somewhere to stay. Please, it's alright."
Sasame suprised them by speaking up. "She could stay in Leafenia. Remember, there was that house we built there when Himeno ran away." Mannen agreed. "Yeah! You can stay in Leafenia with us!" Kei began thinking out loud. "That might work, but then we'd have no one here to watch out for any more Demon Larvae or anything." Mannen's face fell. "Oh, yeah..." Himeno thought a minute. "You know, I'm sure some rooms in the old mansion are good. The Tree of Fenril destroyed most of the house, but people stay away so you'd have plenty of room to train, too. And Mom, Dad, Mwatta, and Mayune have long since moved, so they won't be there. In fact, I'm sure you could all find a room somewhere that hasn't been touched, so you'll all be comfortable." Sasame smiled. "That's a wonderful idea, Himeno." Goh grinned, "So what are we waiting for? C'mon!"
Hajime, Shin, and Mannen ran after him, and Kei slowly followed. Sasame hugged Himeno goodbye, then followed as well. Hayate drew Himeno into his arms, then released her slowly. "Goodbye, Hayate, Alara." said Himeno, obviously trying to hold back tears. Alara let her own tears fall as she grabbed her friend in a tight embrace, which was returned just as fiercely. Himeno stepped back first. "You are a true Pretear, Alara. Never forget that." Alara nodded, her eyes now dry, but her throat still tight. Turning, Himeno walked away, leaving Hayate and Alara alone. "C'mon." he said, turning and rising into the air. "Hey!" Alara looked up at him from the ground. "Not all of us can fly, you know." she said, a teasing sparkle in her eyes. Hayate gave the smallest of smiles, and flew down. Grabbing her hand, he once more rose into the air. He heard her gasp, and thinking she was afraid, looked down to absolve her fears. He found that she was smiling, obviously enjoying the sensation of flight.Unconsiously, his hand tightened on hers just a little bit, and she returned the gesture.
In the distance, a pair of cold, malicious eyes watched. "So, the Leafe Knights have found a new Pretear." hissed an evil voice. " I shall make use of her inexperience..."