Thank you to all the reviewers. I know its been an insanely long time since I've done anything with this story, but hopefully it won't be that long the next time. This is an attempt to break through the massive writer's block I've had on this, so I would ask for forgiveness for the roughness of it. Thank you again for your wonderful words. :) Not so much Hayate/Sasame in this chapter, there will be in the next.


There was no beginning, they had merely always been. It was impossible to imagine them apart. It was supposed that the relationship had carried from life to life, every time they had been reborn, it had been the same. Though, it had been sometime since they had been reborn, nearly a hundred years. Go had been the only one, merely because he had chosen to age with the last Pretear, to keep her company for the rest of her days, and had stayed to her death.

That was when the new Princess of Disaster had arisen, like always. The Darkness always returned after a Pretear's death, it was an unavoidable cycle. That was why they existed to begin with.

Of course, they had started seeking out the new Pretear quickly, Hayate leading the way, though Sasame had found her.

Avalon had been strong, though terribly young at thirteen. It wasn't the first time, they just strove to protect her a bit more, guarding her as they sought out the Princess and her minions.

The fights had been brutal, but not the worse. Hayate had of course driven them into the ground a few times with their training, but for the most part, things were peaceful. None of them had any idea that the Princess had just been saving her energy for that final attack...


The sunlight had been warm, as he laid there, trailing his fingers through his lover's hair, enjoying the silk that glided through his touch, the same color as the Light he himself guarded.

Shin sleepily moved beside him, curling closer, head tucked against his abdomen, basking in the warmth, while his hand held fast to Kei's free one.

It was so rare that they had days off, between the fighting, and more often the training afflicted upon them. But what time they had, they spent together, enjoying each other's company, keeping their relationship strong.

"I think Sasame has finally gotten Hayate to relax," Shin commented softly, breath tickling his slightly exposed skin, where his shirt had ridden up.

Kei laughed, from more then just that sensation, "More likely Hayate just randomly decided it. Sasame likes being abused, I think."

Half heartedly swatting at his arm where it was buried into his hair, a slight twitch came to Shin's lips, "You know that's not true, Kei."

"Is it not? He's the only one that never complains," Kei offered, "And he reaps the most benefit from it."

A bright flush touched Shin's fair cheeks, "I would think you were rewarded too."

Noting the blush, Kei tugged his lover up to kiss him briefly, "I am, considering I get to relax with you and your wonderful healing hands."

That red tint grew brighter, if that was possible, "Kei..."

There was a sound of running feet then, before Go was next to them, out of breath, foretelling he had run the entire way from home, which was a good hour's walk away, since they had decided to go to their 'private spot' to enjoy the day.

Shin sat up, allowing Kei to do the same. The Knight of Light frowned, taking in the frazzled look of the youngest of them, "What is it, Go?"

"An attack. Avalon sensed it, the others have already gone, I was sent to get you," that brought them to their feet in an instant.

"We better get going. Can you lead us to where they are?" Kei asked Shin, who could feel the earth, and would be able to pinpoint where the life was draining away. He himself was blind to it, Light didn't reach everywhere, and the Darkness was hard to spot at times.

A silent nod, and Shin focused for a moment, eyes going vacant as his element swirled about him, invisible to all but their trained senses. He then looked to Kei, agony written faintly across his face for the loss of Life, and reached to take his lover's hand, as well as Go's, to lead them there.

When they arrived, the battle was already ongoing, the Sound Pretear battling hard against the newest monster, while the other Knights swarmed around her, keeping themselves close enough to defend if necessary, while also aiding in the attack. Hayate's winds cut into it, Mannen's ice slowed it, Hajime's water aided the ice, while sound arrows rained down upon the roaring beast.

Shin swiftly erected the barrier, to prevent further damage, while Kei drove in with Go, fire and light combining into a shattering attack against the demonic's shield. There was a howl of pain from the beast, before it swept out a limb lightening fast.

Avalon had been setting up her final arrow, having seen the monster's weak spot, when it had happened. She didn't have the time to get out of the way, but even then, Sasame was there to protect her,

Hayate put himself between them, the creature's barbed appendage digging into him as it smashed him into the Pretear, sending them both flying, nearly landing on top of each other.

Kei was sure he had heard Sasame crying out for Hayate, but didn't have time to focus, moving to defend the down fighters, light lancing out to cut through the limb that had been swinging down for another attack.

Shin was already hurrying to them, ready to heal as he could, while keeping control of the barrier. Hayate waved him off, standing, blood staining his clothes a bit as he did. The Pretear stood after him, looking a little bruised, but unharmed.

Wide blue eyes looked fearfully at him, while gentle fingers tried to reach to him, only for the Knight of Wind to avoid it, "Avalon, you must take care of it. Sasame, help her finish it. Worry about me later."

"But, Hayate..." the Pretear paused, listening within to the Knight she was pretting with. Those blue eyes darkened, in understanding, though it was grudging, "Let Shin help at least."

"After the battle," the Knight brushed off, swiftly rising into the air, wind strikes coming from him once more.

He's so stubborn, was the quiet sigh from within, echoing through the sounds in the air, before the Pretear followed, once more finding the spot, and aiming to finish things quickly.


"What was that about?" there were few times when Sasame raised his voice, very few, and this was one of those.

Quietly, Kei reflected on how it was always Hayate that managed to get such a rise from the normally calm, and gentle knight, while he sipped at the warm herb tea Shin had mixed for all of them.

There was the sharp sound of boots being slipped off behind the bedroom door, hitting the floor with mild thuds, "What was what?"

Avalon had healed the damage after battle, as she always did, pretting with Shin to fix things. Hayate had a new scar to add to the many of hundreds he had gained in their long lives. And despite acting dense, Kei knew well that Hayate knew what Sasame was upset about.

"You know what. I could have protected her, you should have stayed focused on the battle." Sasame rebuffed, tone lowering only a little.

"I was focused. I merely decided to make sure she was safe," was the return, starting to harden.

Shin grimaced a little beside him, leaning close so their shoulders touched, while Mannen glanced to the door, "Sounds like it's going to be a fight."

"You shouldn't sound so eager," Hajime commented, glancing to his lover briefly, before sipping at his own warm drink.

"I'm not," the Knight of Ice defended, "I am merely pointing it out."

"He's right," Kei said casually, as if uninterested, "Hayate only begins to sound like that with Sasame when they're about to fight. Might I suggest that we consider asking our lovely Pretear for a chance to spend the night in her room?"

Because during the very rare times when Hayate and Sasame fought, their fights were usually loud, and the make up after was often louder.

"You doubt I can protect her?" Sasame's voice thundered through.

Shin stood quietly, "Perhaps I should..." He had always been a peace maker, only second to Sasame, with his gentle, loving ways. He didn't have the Knight of Sound's empathy, but his sensitivity to emotions helped.

Kei grasped his arm lightly, guiding him back down, "Leave them be, they'll work it out."

Shin looked a bit uneasy, and winced as they all heard something crash in the bedroom beyond, as well as Hayate muttering something unable to be heard.

"Really," Kei shifted his grip to his hand, holding tight, "They always do. I know it doesn't seem like it, but logically, they can't separate for long."

As if to prove his point, there was a sudden silence from the bedroom, as seemingly Hayate's mutterings had meant something to Sasame, even if they hadn't to the others.

"You should know better, I would have been fine," they almost didn't catch that, though the tenderness in Sasame's voice was unmistakable.

Silence fell again, as the other Knights looked at each other, "That was short," Mannen commented, only for Hajime to shake his head at him.

"I suggest we take our leave then," finishing the last of his tea, Kei stood, "Should give them some privacy."

A snort for Mannen, "Send Go to Avalon's, Hajime and I will find our own place."

A glance to Shin, and Kei had to agree, that would be a nice prospect, and the night was warm outside... Their place was sheltered.

Seeing the approval, the Knight of Ice smirked, "Meet back here in the morning before Hayate realizes?"

"You mean before he starts yelling about where his troops are," Hajime put in, just a hint of wickedness sparking in his eyes.

Mannen chuckled, kissing his lover's cheek, "Exactly."