It’s time to be
It’s time to see
Start living
Living just for today
-- Living Just For Today, Earthbound
Mannen watched the girl curiously, confident that he wouldn’t be seen up in the tree. She looked like Himeno, she acted like Himeno, but hadn’t Himeno said she didn’t have any family other than the weird people she lived with?
The strange redhead suddenly looked up at him, smiling warmly. “I don’t suppose you could tell me where Himeno is?” she asked.
“Why should I?” Mannen replied testily, trying to cover his surprise at being discovered.
“Because I came all the way from Tokyo to see her, and no one else seems to know where she’s gone off to. You, on the other hand, look like you know a great deal about what goes on around here.”
And that bit of honest praise was all it took to make Mannen her suddenly very willing guide. He jumped down from his perch and regarded the girl thoughtfully.
“You’re shorter than her, but you have the same weird hair. Are you related?”
The girl laughed. “I’m Hikaru, her cousin. I should have guessed she’d be taller by now; I’ve always been the shortest in my class.”
Mannen nodded, satisfied with the explanation. “This way,” he said as he started down the path toward the clearing they had dubbed the training grounds.
“What’s your name? Are you a friend of Himeno’s?” Hikaru asked as she fell into step beside him.
“I’m Mannen.” He looked up at her suspiciously. “Why wouldn’t I be? You think I’m too young to be friends with her?”
Hikaru blinked. “I haven’t spoken to her in years; how could I possibly know who her friends are? For all I know, you could be her brother, or the brother of her boyfriend, or –“
“Hayate’s not my brother, no matter how much he tries to boss me around.”
This time, the girl stopped and stared. “She has a boyfriend?!” A huge smile spread across her face. “This is going to be so much fun! Hurry up, Mannen!”
Their training finished, Himeno and three of the elder Knights lay nearly dozing in the clearing. Himeno had her head pillowed in Hayate’s lap, a soft smile on her lips as he stroked her hair. Goh and Kei appeared to be watching clouds. Sasame and Takako hadn’t joined them today, and the youngest Knights had run off somewhere. It felt surprisingly peaceful.
Until a female voice broke the silence.
“Himeno!”
All four jerked out of their thoughts, jumping to their feet. Watching a short woman run across the clearing, nearly tackling Himeno to the ground with the force of the impact as she hugged her. Looking up at the younger girl, she smiled sunnily.
“Mannen told me you were taller than me, but goodness, I didn’t think you’d be that tall!” she exclaimed. “Why can’t anyone be shorter than me?”
“Hi-Hikaru?” Himeno stammered. “What are you doing here?”
“I felt guilty for not coming to see you sooner, and I decided that if I waited around for the ‘right time’ to visit, I could end up dead and buried without seeing you again.” The wide smile dimmed. “I couldn’t let that happen. I don’t want any more regrets.”
Himeno returned the hug, clinging fiercely. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve missed talking to you.”
She let go, and the cousins took a moment to really look at each other. Like Hikaru had already said, she was now the shorter of the two. Himeno noted that she had filled out a bit over the years; still short and slim, Hikaru had gained curves that Himeno still waited for. Her hair – a bit redder than Himeno’s – was as long as ever, but it was gathered in a high ponytail instead of its customary braid. And then there were the…
“Leather pants? You’re wearing leather pants!”
Hikaru grinned, and twirled. “They drive my boys crazy, I’ll have you know.”
“Your… boys?” This was her tomboy cousin who didn’t even think about boys that way? When did that happen?
While Himeno was still reeling from that bit of information, Hikaru turned on the slightly frowning man standing so obviously close to them.
“You must be Hayate,” she said, shaking his hand enthusiastically. “Mannen told me all about you and my cousin, and it’s so sweet I’m nearly jealous.” She giggled at his stunned expression. “You’re so much like my Lantis! I hope Uncle Kaoru’s welcomed you into the family?”
“I… Yes.” Hayate found himself completely off balance. There had been a tingle of something when he touched her hand. Not like when he touched Himeno, or Takako before that, but some kind of power. It didn’t feel evil, though… Maybe it came from her kinship with Himeno?
“Good! It would be so like him not to notice Himeno had a boyfriend; he didn’t even mention it when I called to say I was coming.” She rolled her eyes. “I love him, but he would misplace his own head if it wasn’t attached to him.”
Hayate nodded uncertainly. Although it was probably true, it didn’t seem like the kind of thing one should talk about.
“And who are these two?” Hikaru smiled at the remaining knights. “They can’t all be your boyfriends, can they?”
Hayate stiffened, unsure if he should glare at Hikaru or his friends. Or possibly Himeno, who turned red as a beet and choked on her laughter. Mannen sat down hard, clutching his stomach as he howled with laughter. Goh barely managed to restrain a similar reaction, but Kei stepped forward, offering his hand.
“I’m Kei, a friend of both Hayate and Himeno.”
Hikaru shook his hand. “I’m Hikaru, Himeno’s cousin. Sorry about pulling you into it, but the brooding types are just so much fun to rattle.” Her grin was pure mischief. “Especially when I’m not the one expected to cheer him up again!”
“You have a lot of experience with that type, then? I’m Goh, by the way,” the brunette added, shaking her hand.
“Pleased to meet you! And yes, I’ve been with Lantis for over three years now, and it takes work to keep him from thinking too hard about stuff.”
“Is he not treating you right?” Himeno felt a surge of protectiveness, quickly dissipated by Hikaru’s laughter.
“Back when I couldn’t bring myself to say anything, Eagle was always ready to drag him out of his brooding. Unlike me, he’s never been shy of speaking his mind, and he’ll never hesitate to help a friend. Between the two of us, Lantis doesn’t have much time to brood anymore.” She winked at Himeno. “Just remember to keep him on his toes, and he won’t forget to show you he loves you.”
“I’ll... I’ll keep that in mind.” Himeno couldn’t help but ask, “How did you ever decide on a brooding boyfriend? It’s just… so unlike you.”
Hikaru shrugged. “I admired him at first, and then, when I got to know him better, it turned into something else. He’s softer than he cares to let others know, and I’m honored that he trusts me with that part of him.” She smiled, not with mirth but pure contentment. “I couldn’t be happier.”
“You never wish he’d be more easygoing or adventurous?” Kei asked, feeling that Hayate would benefit from hearing the answer.
She tilted her head to the side slightly as she considered the question. “Perhaps it would be pleasant for a time, but he wouldn’t be Lantis if he didn’t brood, and I love him for being Lantis.” She grinned suddenly. “Well, that and his cute butt.”
“Hikaru!” Himeno blushed.
The older redhead just blinked innocently. “What? Are you that prude, cousin dearest?”
Laughing, she sprinted back towards the mansion. With a cry of mock rage, Himeno gave chase, leaving four rather bewildered Knights to stare after them.
“Did anyone else think that girl was strange?” Goh asked.
"I like her," Mannen said, crossing his arms and glaring, as if daring the others to disagree.
“There was something… Some kind of power when I touched her hand,” Hayate said reluctantly.
The other three nodded.
“It might be her relation to Himeno,” Kei unknowingly echoed Hayate’s earlier conclusion, “but we should keep an eye on her just in case.”
“I wouldn’t mind that at all,” Goh said, grinning.
Hayate glared at him. “Do not antagonize the woman. She said she is attached.”
“Spoilsport.”