See! I told you I'd update in a hurry! Okay, here is the next chapter. Hope you like it, and please review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pretear.

A few days later, training was once again underway. Alara had Preted with Kei this time. They had been training for hours now, and everyone was getting tired. At last, Hayate touched down next to the large chimes. He barely ducked as a stray lightning shot from Alara was shot his way. "Hey!" "Oops...sorry Hayate!" Alara called sheepishly. She touched down as well, the golden wings of the Light Pretear uniform fluttering down softly behind her. Mannen, Hajime and Shin followed suit.

Hayate straightened. "I think you singed me." he grumbled. Alara frowned. "Oh, stop. You're such a baby." Mannen choked, and in her head, Alara heard Kei laugh. She and the Knight UnPreted, and Alara wobbled a bit before regaining her balance. Preting was no problem; UnPreting was still taking some getting used to. Alara looked up and shaded her eyes from the setting sun. "The others should be getting home soon."

Sasame was at the radio station, and Goh was at the resturant. Hayate had taken a break a few hours ago from keeping up the garden to help them train. This was a promise to Himeno, if Mannen was to be believed. Hayate scoffed at the rumor, but the Knights and Alara noticed he paid special attention to the tulips. Alara thought he just needed to tell Himeno how he felt. She smiled a little at the irony. Here she was mentally scolding Hayate for something she couldn't do herself. She chuckled distractedly. Hajime peered up at her. "What's so funny?" Alara shook her head. "Just thinking."

Alara ruffled Shin's hair gently, and turned to where Kei and Hayate were talking. "I'm heading back up to the house." she called. Kei waved and Hayate nodded to show they heard her. Alara could tell he was still a little miffed from the near attack. She grinned devilishly. She caught Mannen's sleeve, and pulled the boy close. Whispering something into his ear, the other boys saw his grin become as evil as hers. Before they could ask, Mannen was gone like a shot, and Alara whispered to them, too. In a few moments, he came back-with his hands behind his back.

Shin, off in the bushes, began fussing on cue. Hajime pulled Kei's hand, and led him to the youngest Knight. Kei knelt to Shin's eye level. "What's w-" "YEAAH! Mannen, you rat!" came an angry yell. The three ushed to the scene to see Alara rolling on the ground with laughter, Mannen running for his life, and a completely soaked Hayate looking intent on murder. Kei instantly put two and two together, and covered his mouth with his hand so as to hide his smile. He knew perfectly well that for once the Ice Knight was not responsible for this joke.

Hayate obviously caught on as well when he saw Alara, and he took a threatening step he way. "Eep!" She yelped, and stood warily. He took another step. "Mannen, help!" she cried, her voice carrying laughter. In a second, Hayate had been doused again. H once again took off after Mannen, and Alara took the oppurtunity to escape, waving thanks to the Knight of Ice.

Once in her room, still laughing, Alara shook her hair out of its high ponytail and walked into the bathroom. As she turned on the taps in the shower, steam roiled up and fogged the mirror. She got into the shower, and took a bit of extra time under the warm spray, just enjoying the sensation and thinking.

At last, she turned off the water and wrapped a towel around herself, securing the end inside the towel to leave her hands free. She stepped over to the mirror and begun to brushe the knots out of her hair. As she struggled with a particularly violent one, a shadow caught her eye in the clouded glass. She whirled around, but saw no one; only thethroom door. Uneasy, she turned back to the mirror and wiped it free of steam, searching theamber eys of her own reflection.

When her hair was detangled and free of knots, she placed her hairbrush once more on the counter top. Turning, she went back into her room, shivvering in the cool air against the warmth of the bathroom. Walking over to her dresser, she pushed through her drawers until she found her pajamas. After dressing in the black cotton pants and black tank, she opened the doors to her balcony.

Twilight had fallen, and the stars had revealed themselves, twinkling like diamonds in the dark sky. Alara leaned over her balcony and smiled as the yells of Hayate,Mannen, rifted up to her. The Wind Knight was tiring, but Mannen was still as fresh as ever with the energy of youth. She blew a puff of air upward to remove a lock of hair from her eye. Those three never ran out of energy. As for her...

"Man, I'm tired." she murmured. She straightened, and went back inside. The door closed on its own behind her. With a flick of her hand, she moved the chair away from the desk next to the wall. Sitting in it, she reached for her journal, and comprehension slowly dawned on her as she realized what she'd done. "Oh, no..." she murmurred. "Whenever I use my powers, he can track me. But...that will lead him-"

"Hello, Alara."

Alara froze. her heart pounded against her throat in a wild frenzy. Her amber eyes were wide and trembling. She slowly turned in her chair. "Damias..."

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Dun dun dunnn! Uh oh...this should be interesting...Stay tuned! Oh, and review please!