Hello! Well, I decided to put this chapter up now, and hope to get good reviews, even on such a short chapter. I am sorry that it's so short, but I really can't do anything else with it. Or is it that I like to prolong the suspense? Or is it writer's block? Aw, who cares? Just read, enjoy, and PLEASE REVIEW!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pretear.

Alara opened her eyes slowly, savoring the closeness and warmth of the man beside her. She lifted her head slightly, her amber eyes coming to rest on Sasame's sleeping face. Her lips curled up in a smile. As she watched him sleep for a moment, a slight breeze ruffled their hair, and a lock of Sasame's hair blew across his face. Alara shifted and reached up, her fingers brushing his cheek before moving the strand of white silk from his eyes. The eyes that were open, and watching her. Alara froze, as if caught doing something that she shouldn't be, but Sasame smiled at her. She felt her insides melt, but didn't show it as she sat up fully.

"How long have we been here?" she asked. Sasame shrugged. Alara gasped. "Oh, man! I forgot about training! Hayate is so going to kill us!" She would have jumped up, but Sasame put a restraining hand on her arm. "Don't worry. If I know Hayate, Mannen, Hajime, and Shin have kept him well occupied." She smiled. "You know, it's really no wonder you're a radio host. You do have a way with words."

She blushed, then looked down at his hand on her arm. Her blush intensified as she realized for the first time she'd fallen asleep on his chest. "I-umm…I'm sorry if I…caused you to have to stay here. I-I-umm…" Sasame knew what she meant. "It's alright." He stood, and held out a hand, which she grasped, and he pulled her to stand.

On the way back to the portal to the Awayuki Mansion, Alara slowed and stared into a copse of trees. "Alara?" Sasame asked. He followed her eyes, and knew what she was sensing. Without a word, they walked that way. They came upon a black, gnarled tree, a large hole in the center. "Is that…" Alara asked. Sasame nodded. "Yes. That was where Takako, or Fenril, the Princess of Disaster, was imprisoned over seventeen years ago." Old memories clouded his silver-amethyst eyes. "But Himeno saved her. And…" Alara took a breath, "You loved her." He inhaled sharply, and looked at her in surprise. He was shocked to see the emptiness in her eyes. He chose his reply carefully. "Yes."

Alara stared at the tree, then lifted amber eyes to meet his with a sad little laugh. "It's alright. You died for her. You gave your Knighthood, your very life for her. Love like that is all-powerful. You should not hide it." Sasame stared into her eyes that were struggling to hide their pain in sorrow and shock. "How did you know that?" he asked.

Alara turned back to the tree. She didn't answer, but instead asked, "What happened, Knight of Sound? Where is she?" Sasame couldn't bear her pain, almost tangible, no matter how she tried to hide it. "We don't know. She just disappeared one day, almost three months ago." Alara looked at him again, but noted that he was watching her in worry and sadness instead of remembering Takako. She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come here. It brings back past times." With that, she turned away. He watched after her for a moment. "Why does that upset you so?" he asked quietly.

He followed her and gently grabbed one of her hands. She stilled. Sasame turned her to face him. She averted her eyes. He tilted her chin and captured her eyes with his own. "Why?" She didn't answer; she couldn't. Their eyes remained connected, and like a magnetic pull, their faces drew towards each other. At the last second, just before their lips touched, Alara turned away, hating herself for craving the feel of his lips against her own. "You loved her." She said softly, then turned and ran through the forests of Leafenia, leaving Sasame standing there alone, his eyes etched with sadness. The sky above him clouded and the wind blew coldly. Thunder boomed in the stillness. "I used to." He whispered.

Well, there you go. Please don't hate me; I know they were close. But Alara has her reasons… See you next time!