I'm back after my vacation with no internet! For those of you following this story, thank you! I've enjoyed all of your comments so far and with your continued support, have been inspired to continue this and brainstorm other pretear fanfic ideas as well! Enjoy!
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In a burst of bright light, Hayate felt the sensation of his leafe spirit melding into one with the pretear's. As his spirit fused with hers, he could feel her confusion, sorrow—and so hidden he almost missed it—her anger. He felt an ache in her chest as he felt her anger; it was a fragment of the furious rage Himeno had embodied whenever she had fought using her powers as pretear. The familiarity was both painful and comforting.
"Himeno," Hayate thought aloud, almost on reflex.
"What?" the girl asked in response, surprised to find his voice coming from within her.
Hayate remained silent. He saw through her eyes the sudden fear that crossed the faces of the mob that was approaching them. And he didn't blame them. The pretear, who by legend was supposed to be the savior of this world, had caused its downfall. Her return was anything but a good omen. As the mob rushed forward, brandishing crude weapons made from broken steel supports, trashcan lids and fallen debris, Hayate felt tears well up in her eyes once more.
"Stupid! Don't just stand there!" he cried, snapping her into attention. As if on reflex, she began to release Leafe from her core. As the bubbles of light spread, it restored to its original unbroken form whatever it touched—buildings, streets, clothing and even people—at least their external appearance. The mob watched her in awe as Hayate felt fear explode in his chest. He wasn't going to let the same thing happen again. Wouldn't this girl learn that the same strategy wouldn't work twice?
"Stop," he commanded, separating from her. He caught her falling form in his arms, and held her unconscious form gently. The mob had dissipated and now the only thing surrounding the group were the beautiful, yet delicate orbs of Leafe the pretear had released.
"This confirms that she is Himeno," Mawata said, breaking the silence.
"This confirms that the girl is the pretear, yes, but nothing more," Sasame said softly.
"I don't want to hear anything from you," Mawata snapped. Her expression softened when she felt Hajime's hand in her own.
"I hope she's Himeno nee-chan, too, Mawata nee-chan," he said. Smiling so briefly that even Hajime almost missed it, Mawata ruffled Hajime's hair.
"We should get going in case another wave of the mob comes," Kei remarked, after the sounds of breaking glass in the distance broke the calm.
They continued onwards, without further incident, careful to keep away from any sounds of rioting. Go walked by Mawata and placed his hand lightly on her shoulder before continuing on without a backward's glance. She appreciated the gesture, but still felt unable to relax, especially with Sasame in the vicinity. She was beginning to regret coming along, but at the same time, she was not going to abandon the only family member she had left.
They arrived at what used to be a hotel on the other edge of the city. Being a small group, they could not afford to live close to the center of the city, where they would have been guaranteed safety and food; they could not compete against the larger gangs to live on their territory, nor would they ever be allowed to join another gang…
"We're here," Kei announced, gesturing to the others to follow him into the hotel. Once a five star hotel for the rich, owned by the Awayuki conglomerate, it was now a dilapidated, decaying building. Hajime shuddered as a rat scuttled by, tightening his grip on Mawata's hand.
"The top floors are supposedly cleaner," Kei said. They entered into the emergency stairwell, and laboriously began to climb towards the top. Hayate began to groan as his arms sagged from the girl's weight.
"Go on ahead. I'll meet you there," he wheezed. Mawata shot him a warning look, and continued on with the others.
Alone, Hayate placed the girl down lightly and ran his hand gently through her hair. He had had so many things left to tell her, to ask her—to share with her. He sighed, bringing his head to rest on hers.
"I always thought you would be the death of me, not the other way around," he murmured. The girl shifted in her sleep, as if in response to his murmuring. Hayate snapped his head up and turned to face her. She was still sleeping, her soft breathing causing her slight frame to rise and fall in even intervals. She looked like a breathing doll—so fragile she would break at any moment…
"Time to wake up, tulip head. I'm not carrying you up," he muttered, and kissed her lightly on the lips. Her eyes shot open before Hayate completely pulled away, and a flush spread across her cheeks.
"Sorry," Hayate said, quickly turning so his back was facing her, "It's the only way to wake you up."
The girl nodded, and placed her hand into Hayate's, unaware of the bright red that had spread across his cheeks. They continued in silence for some time. A few floors later, they were suddenly by a pair of individuals with a matching set of weapons—huge scythes of black steel. Hayate stepped in front of the girl defensively, holding out his gun.
"The pretear and her knight, I presume," the female remarked. Hayate only narrowed his eyes in reply.
"Do not fear us. Your friends have already joined us. We have been expecting you," the male said calmly.
"I don't trust someone who doesn't even introduce themselves," Hayate hissed, tense as ever.
"Where are our manners," the female remarked," We are Yin and Yang, guardians from Leafenia."
Hayate's eyes widened in shock.
"Le-fee-nee-a," the girl said slowly, emotions flitting through her eyes.
"Yes. And we are here to assist our princess," the male continued, bowing to the girl.
The girl nodded and said simply to the confused-looking Hayate, "The physical manifestation of the balance of good and evil."
"Do you know them?" he asked, not lowering his gun.
"They are you; they are me. They are everyone," she answered cryptically and walked past Hayate.
"Oi!" he called out. She turned to him with an expression he could not read.
"Take us with you," she declared to the two. They nodded and opened the door—leading them into a portal to another realm…