That night, Himeno sighed happily as she curled up beneath her silky sheets. What a day it had been and she was ready for a good night's sleep. Almost as soon as her head had touched the pillow, she was out like a light.
Her dreams were, shall we say, different that night. They were cold, dark, just like when she had the dream Takako had sent her and Hayate had been there to comfort him, even if he had wound up on the floor moments later for 'sneaking into her room'.
An empty void of black surrounded her. No light, no emotion reached her. It was like she was in a dead world, completely cut off to all that was familiar and important to her.
"Hayate?" She called out. Her own echo answered her. "Sasame? Shin, Go, Mannen?" She tried again. Once more, there was no answer. She began to walk forward, not knowing where she was going, but also not knowing what she was walking away from. "Kei, Hajime! Kao!" She called, her hands cupped around her mouth to strengthen her voice. Silence. She stopped, hugging her arms to her. Tears began to gather in her eyes, but she brushed them away furiously and tucked a piece of pink hair behind her ear.
She wanted out of here. Where was the light? Where was the warmth? Where was the love? She didn't belong here. She wanted to be with her friends and family.
"Friends?" A woman's voice taunted. "What friends? They're only with you because you're the Pretear. They only protect you because you're the Pretear. Once this new evil has been destroyed, they'll leave you. Just like they all left me."
"That's not true!" Himeno argued, calling up into the inky shadows that seemed to swallow her up. "They're my friends and I care for them! I love them! They're my family!"
The same voice laughed, as if amused by the angered tears that fell from her face. "Family? They don't care about you. They left you alone remember? All too busy to care for you. What about the pain you felt when you feared that you might have become the Princess of Disaster? Where were they then?" Himeno shook her head, hiding her face in her hands.
"No, no. They care for me! Hayate came for me! I'm not alone in this world!" She sobbed.
"Hayate may have come, but why would he? He doesn't love you. He insults you, called you weak when you first agreed to become the Pretear. He only came for you because he needed you to help defeat Takako. And where were the others? Too busy with their jobs to comfort you in your time of need."
Himeno collapsed to her knees, hugging her arms close, her head bowed in shame. Tears fell freely from her eyes now. "It's not true, it's not true." She chanted to herself over and over again.
"What do you mean not true Tulip Head?" Himeno looked up and met the cold stare of Hayate. "It's all true. The only reason we keep you around is because you are the Pretear. Without you, this world would be destroyed."
Himeno shook her head again. "No, no, no. This isn't right. This isn't real. It's NOT TRUE!" She shouted. She pushed herself up onto her feet and ran away, only to be surrounded by the Leafe Knights seconds later.
"What's the matter Himeno? Have we hurt your feelings?" Go taunted, smirking at her. She changed direction and they let her pass, calling out to her how worthless she was and how they couldn't care what happened to her now. She tripped on a none-existing branch and fell to the ground, crying.
"What's wrong Himeno?" She looked up and found Kao looking down at her, concerned. She shook her head, pulling away and huddling into herself. "Are you okay?" Kao asked, reaching for her. She pulled away, flinching at his touch. "You can tell me Himeno. I promise I won't hurt you. Now tell me, what's wrong?"
Himeno raised her head from her knees. "They don't care about me anymore. I'm all alone!" She wailed, looking up at him with a hurt expression in her eyes. Kao's face softened dramatically.
"You're not alone. I'm here with you, and I'll never leave you." He murmured, and he pulled her into an embrace. She buried her head into his shoulder and wept.
"He's right you know. You're not alone. At least, you won't be anymore." Himeno raised her head and met the gaze of Ireika.
"Ireika!" She called. "What, do you want?"
Ireika walked forward and rested a hand on Himeno's shoulder. "The same thing you do. To be loved and respected."
"But I am loved, I am!" Himeno shouted back.
"Really?" Ireika turned her head the other way and an orb of light was planted in the darkness. From that orb, a vision appeared inside and Himeno looked deep into it. She gasped at what she saw. The Leafe Knights were abandoning her, just like they had done to Ireika all those years ago. They were returning to Leafenia, saying that they couldn't stand to be there anymore. To be with her anymore. They left Himeno standing there, alone, betrayed, and heartbroken.
"No!" Himeno screamed. "Why am I all alone?" She dove deeper into Kao's chest and he held her tight, soothing her by rubbing her back.
"But you're not alone. You have us." Ireika whispered. And with that, she faded into the darkness. "You will always have us."
"She's right you know." Kao murmured into her ear. "You will always have us."
Himeno shot out of bed, covers flying everywhere. She squinted against the sunlight pouring into her room from the balcony window and spilling all over her bed. She wiped her forehead with her sleeve and climbed out of bed. She walked drowsily to her closet and pulled out her usual weekend outfit. Blue short skirt, red thigh-highs, yellow chinese styled shirt with short sleeves over tight blue long sleeves; the same color as her skirt.
"What was that all about?" She asked herself as she tugged off her pajama's and pulled on the clothes she picked out. "It seemed so real." She shook her head furiously. "It's not real, it's just a dream!" She announced firmly, and with that thought in mind, she marched out of her room and down to breakfast.
The only people there were her sisters, her father, her mother, and Kao. She sat down in her usual place, looking around confused. "Where are the others?"
Kao answered her. "They said they had some important business to attend to today. They won't be around for awhile." Himeno nodded in understanding and dug into her breakfast.
When breakfast was done, her sisters excused themselves. Himeno didn't pay any attention to why they were leaving so soon. She had her unusual dream on her mind.
"Hey Himeno," Kao called, approaching her. "You wanna go do something?" She looked at him before smiling happily and agreeing, her dream momentarily forgotten.
"Sure. What do you want to do?"
Kao shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Dunno, wander around town, talk. You know, regular Sunday morning stuff."
"Sounds good to me!" Himeno said. "Mother, Dad, I'll see you later okay?"
Natsue nodded. "You be careful Himeno, and make sure you're back by dinner!"
"Alright!" Himeno called, as she and Kao jogged out of the mansion. In the garden, they ran into Hayate who at the moment, was carrying a large bag of potting soil over his shoulder.
"Hayate! Do you want to do something with us?" Himeno called. Hayate stopped.
"I'd love to." He said, glaring at Kao who returned the glare with just as much force. "But I'm a bit busy right now. Maybe later?"
Himeno's face fell slightly. "Okay. See you around Hayate." She walked Hayate walk away, feeling a little downcast.
Too busy to be around you. A voice breathed in her ear. What disturbed her most was it sounded like Hayate's voice, but he was no where close and no one was right beside her like the voice anticipated. He'd rather be gardening then spending his day with you. He thinks weeds are more fun and likable. Right now he's thinking he should return to Leafenia to be away from you.
Himeno shook her head to clear it. She was reminded of the dream and actually began to believe it. "They only stay around here because I'm the Pretear. They couldn't care less about what happens to me." She whispered.
"I'm sorry Himeno. Did you say something?" Kao asked. Himeno shook her head.
"Nope, not a thing. We should get going." She gave him a smile and ran off. Kao smirked.
"Good job Haraku" He muttered and followed Himeno out of the mansion boundries.
Just when they were about to leave the Awayuki grounds, they ran into Shin, Hajime, and Mannen.
"Hey guys!" Himeno waved. "You busy? Kao and I are about to head out. Wanna come?"
They all cast her regretful glances. "We're sorry Himeno. We promised Mawata we'd play with her today. She said she was going to show us how to do some more origami." Mannen apologized. "Maybe another time?"
Himeno's mood fell even more, but she put on the best smile she could anyways. "Sure, have fun you guys!" They thanked her and ran off, laughing.
They'd rather play with your sister than you. They think she's more important because they can actually learn something from her. All you are is the Pretear to them.
Himeno shivered. It was just her imagination. It wasn't true. None of it was. They were all just a bit busy today. They're not busy, they just don't like you. They never did.
"Come on Kao, I think I'm in the mood for ice cream. We can visit Go there too." Kao nodded and smirked when her back was turned to her. This was too easy. Pathetic measly words like that were getting to her. A few more of his Knights impersonating the Leafe Knights and Himeno would turn to the Dark side. He followed, happy that we wouldn't have to play the good guy much longer.
Himeno chose a brightly lit table to sit at outside. She smiled happily as the sunlight kissed her cheeks. Maybe ice cream would cheer her up.
"Hey Himeno, Kao, what brings you two here?" Go asked as he came up. Himeno smiled happily.
"Ice cream of course. What else?" Go laughed.
"Oh, my bad, so what do you want?" Himeno was about to order when Go interrupted her. "Hold that thought, I've got customers over there." He pointed. "If I don't see what they want, I could get a complaint and get fired." Himeno nodded as he dashed away.
Complete strangers mean more to him. His job means more to him. He interrupted you right when you were about to say something to him. He's only nice to you because you are the Pretear.
Himeno covered her ears, trying to block out the voice.
"You okay Himeno?" Kao asked, leaning forward.
Himeno looked at him and shook her head. "I don't feel like ice cream anymore. Come on, let's go." She practically ran away from the restaurant, but forced herself to walk.
"What about Go? Aren't you going to tell him?" Kao asked.
"He won't notice. He's to busy with other customers. People he doesn't even know." She snapped. Kao's eyes widened. It was weird seeing her like this. So not, happy-go-lucky as she usually was. He liked it.
They wandered around town for awhile, stopping to get something to snack on around lunch time. They passed Sasame's radio station and Himeno considered going in.
Why would you want to risk more pain? He's probably just say he was too busy to do anything with you. Too busy solving the problems of people he doesn't even know rather than hang out with you. Face it, the Knights only pay attention to you because you're the Pretear. The only company you have is yourself, Kao, Ireika and the Disaster Knights. They are the only ones you can fully trust.
"They are the only ones I can trust." Himeno repeated. Kao looked at her. Finally, the doubt had gotten to her.
"You're right Himeno." Kao went on. "Ever since you met them, they've caused you pain in some way. Let us get rid of it for you." Seven knights appeared around her at that moment. They looked eerily similar to the Leafe Knights, but they were completely different at the same time.
"Let us comfort you Himeno." One of them said. "Let go of them and join us. We won't hurt or ever betray you. You don't deserve that."
"I don't deserve that." Himeno mimicked. Her eyes narrowed. "I don't deserve that anymore!"
Kao held out a hand to her. "Come with us and you'll never be alone again." Without hesitation, she took his offered hand and with that, they all vanished in a burst of multicolored light.
They appeared in front of the palace Kao had shown her the other day. But this time, Himeno felt comforted in its dark presence. She felt safe, and lovingly cold and empty. She liked it here. No pain, no suffering, and no betrayal.
"Take her to my mother." Kao commanded. "I've got plans right now. Someone has to tell the Leafe Knights Himeno has gone missing." He smirked and the others bowed. Kao rolled his eyes. "Would you knock it off?"
"Why? It's too much fun." Miraku jested. Kao growled at him, but said nothing more as he teleported in a flash of black light.
He appeared right where they had left. Glancing around to make sure no one was there, he began to run back to the Awayuki mansion. Luckily, he knew Sasame had gone home by now, as had everyone else. It took him mere minutes to reach his destination and he burst through the doors. Everyone sat at the table waiting for dinner to begin and when he dashed into the room out of breath, they all gave him crazy looks.
He leaned over, hands braced on his knees, breathing hard. "Himeno...gone...taken...by... seven...Disaster...Knights." He panted. Everyone froze, staring at him with wide eyes before they all started yelling at once.
"What do you mean GONE?" Hayate roared.
"At what place was she taken?" Sasame asked.
"How are you okay?" Go demanded.
"We have to find her!" Mannen cried.
"Himeno's gone?" Shin muttered, starting to cry.
"Why are we still standing around here for?" Hajime called out.
"Why didn't you protect her?" Hayate shouted again, yanked Kao's collar and pulling him real close. Kao shoved him away.
"I did you idiot. But there were seven against one girl and one knight. Not very good odds, and before you ask, we were separated before we could prèt. Now are you going to sit there and plot your revenge against me, or are we going to go out there and find her?" Kao growled, straightening his clothes.
Sasame was the first to snap out of his trance and he transformed. "Let's go." They all nodded and transformed as well.
"Hey! What about us?" Mawata called, stepping forward. Kao winced for some reason. He didn't want her getting hurt.
"You guys stay here in case Himeno can get away and comes back home. We'll go look for her." Kao answered. Mawata nodded.
"Okay, but be careful will you?" She asked him. He smiled slightly.
"I will." She gave him a doubtful look. "I will, I promise."
"Kao, let's go!" Kei called impatiently.
"Alright already!" He called back, running to him. And in the blink of an eye, they were all gone.
Back at the palace, the Disaster Knights had delivered Himeno to Ireika, a.k.a. Galaxia. The Queen guided her to a chair and there, showed the pink haired girl a vision. Galaxia smiled evilly. "Look Himeno. They're coming after you, now that they have no Pretear, they can't win. What are we going to do about them?"
Himeno's eyes were cold, empty. They held no emotion. She smiled emotionlessly. "We're going to kill them." She muttered.
-Dark Knight, False Light-
One word, cheezy. This chapter was way weird, but hey, it was needed. I'm just glad I got it out before next year. Hopefully I'm out of writer's block now, but I'm not going to jinx it. Oh by the way, your reviews inspire me, so keep on sending them! Thanks to al l my reviewers and readers who don't or can't review. One last thing, I think I only have about five chapters left before the story ends, so hopefully, I'll be able to get them out and put all of my attention on my other fanfictions. See you next chapter!