Hello readers! I am still working on Consequences and have chapter 5 nearly done, but I've gotten big time into this show, Blood+ and wanted to try my hand at a story for it. This story is mostly Haji centric, so all you Haji fans, I hope you like it!

"Blah" - Talking

'Blah' - Thinking

Disclaimer: As per usual, I do not own Blood+ or it's characters, just my own plot and Oc.

A cool breeze whips dark strands of hair against a pale face; sad, deep blue eyes are pain filled as he watches his queen lean into the blond man holding her tenderly. His fists clench tightly, trembling slightly as a hand gently caresses her cheek, and the blond nuzzles against her neck. He had just found his queen after she had been kidnapped by Solomon, one of her sister Diva's chevaliers. He had trailed them to this city, following them as close as he could, his mind only on the safety of his queen.

"N-no… this can't... be happening…" he murmurs quietly, unable to tear his eyes away as the queen he pledged his entire life to, had devoted his whole heart to, has just said yes to another. Haji clenches his hands tightly, the claws of his right hand drawing blood from his palm, and his body trembles slightly. He finally drops his gaze from the pair, looking down at his now bleeding hand and sighing. He has always offered Saya his love; his loyalty, everything, and he had thought she returned his feelings. Trying to ignore the stinging in his eyes as he glances back at them, Haji moves slowly across the gravel roof, bending down to pick up his black and silver cello case and slowly swinging it back over his shoulder. The black and silver coffin style case comes to rest on his back as he begins to walk. He reaches the farther edge of the roof, and with one last glance at the pair, he vaults off the ledge and vanishes. He finds himself wandering down the unfamiliar streets, images of what had just happened playing across his mind.

'I don't understand…' he sighs again, just thinking about it breaks his heart further. Echoes of voices in his head sadden him even more, Solomon offering Saya his love and also her dreams, and her leaning into him with a hint of a smile, nodding and leaning in closer, and then his arms are encircling her as he gently kisses her temple. Each is a knife to the heart, the pain only intensifying. Haji starts to run, wanting nothing more than a release from the heartbreak, his cello case lightly bumps his back as he runs but he barely notices, he scarcely notices where he's going, only wanting to get away. So intent on running, Haji doesn't notice his hair has come loose from its tie, or that he has started using his chiropteran speed as he moves through the streets, blurred images passing his peripheral vision. He finally stops on a hill toward the edge of the city, sinking to the ground on his knees, the cello case thumping softly to the grass at his side as he lowers his head, the breeze tossing at his bangs, throwing them over his eyes. He wraps his arms around himself, shivering slightly in the wind as tears slowly begin to trail down his cheeks, his body trembling slightly. Haji tries to stop them, but finds he can't get them to stop running down his cheeks. Normally cold and indifferent, the dark haired chevalier finds himself a victim to silent tears and heart wrenching sobs, unable to gain control of them.

"I can't just abandon him." Saya says as she and Solomon travel through the park on the other side of it. She wants to find Haji and make sure he's okay with her choice, she will always care about him, but she has never felt the same about him as he does about her, he's a dear friend to her, and she had become worried, as she had seen him take off from the rooftop without looking at her. Solomon wraps his arm around her as they walk, nodding and rubbing her side reassuringly as they continue looking for her missing chevalier. Shivering in the wind, Haji lifts his head, it's gotten much colder, and thick, grey clouds have moved in, covering the sky in a fluffy, grey blanket. Haji shivers again, a large raindrop landing on his forehead, making him sigh sadly. With a groan he pushes himself to his feet, retrieving his cello case and starting to walk. By the time he reaches dense trees by the park's edge, it has started to pour. Due to the trees all Saya and Solomon catch of him is his back as he retreats into the trees.

"I hope he's okay." She says softly, the sound and smell of the rain drowning out that of Haji's tears; a breeze blows it away from them as well, making it unnoticeable to her.

"We're getting soaked, let's look more tomorrow." Solomon says, and Saya nods, leaning into him, their arms around each other as they use chiropteran speed to run back to Solomon's place out of the rain. Back at the apartment the Red Shield is using, Kai looks over at the sound of the door, relaxing when he sees that it's only Haji. He watches the dark haired man make his way to the room he had shared with Saya and shutting the door without saying a word.

'That's odd.' Kai frowns, 'Saya should have been with him.' Kai sits back, deciding to ask Haji about it later on when he comes back out. In the room, Haji sets his cello case down in the corner and looks around at the empty space. It feels so much emptier without her there. He sighs and grabs a towel, heading into the side bathroom off their room to take a shower and warm up a bit. Kai soon gets up again, putting a kettle onto the stove to make some tea, knowing Haji and Saya sometimes have some after getting back from a hunt. When he hears the shower running he figures Haji will come out for the tea shortly, and settles back on the couch, and watching Lulu flick through TV channels.

Haji leans his head back as the hot water beats against his skin, one hand braced on the wall, as with a frown he then looks down, gazing at his clawed hand, flexing it a little. He drops his arm, the water pressing his hair against his face, and mingling with the tears that are once again falling.

'How… I gave every thing to her...over 100 years of love and devotion to her… and, what do I get for it? Only rejection.' He sighs again, soon slumping down so he's sitting in the bottom of the tub, his head resting on his knees, one arm around them, and his clawed hand resting at his side limply as his shoulders tremble with soft sobs, again unable to control them as he isn't used to feeling such strong emotions other than his love for Saya that he's held for so long.

"What do I do now? I've got nothing…" he whispers to himself, barely noticing the water is cooling his skin as it gets colder, until finally he shuts it off and pulls himself to his feet, wrapping a towel around his slim frame and wandering back to the bedroom, drying off and pulling on a pair of loose black pants, and a whitish cream colored shirt out of the small dresser, and then dropping into the chair, tucking his long legs under him. He reaches over and grabs a blanket, pulling it around himself as he curls up in the chair, laying his head down on his knees again, pulling the blanket tightly around himself. He curls up in the chair in a ball, pulling the wool blanket tighter around himself, closing his blue eyes as they sting yet again, and he sighs. He ends up drifting in to a troubled sleep, only to see images from his past with Saya, the times they spent together, just being there for each other, being the other's strength and support through so many years.

"Kai, it's whistling!" Lulu says, knocking on the bathroom door where the redhead had gone.

"Be right out." He says, and she nods, returning to the couch and finding another TV show to watch, curling up. Kai finishes and comes out of the bathroom, moving the kettle off of the stove and pouring water in the pot so the tea leaves can steep. He sets out mugs for himself and Haji, and also for David and Lewis as well, who should be back soon. He also uses a bit of the water to make a hot chocolate for Lulu, carrying the hot mug over and giving it to her, telling her to be careful with it. She nods, sniffing it a bit and setting it onto a coaster on the table to let it cool some. When the tea is ready, he makes up the mugs, and takes Haji's to the door on a tray, setting it on the little table beside it and knocking on the door a couple times to let him know it's there.

Haji opens his eyes at the sound, looking over at the door, but doesn't move. Tea doesn't appeal right now to him. He then looks over at his cello case, and gets up, retrieving it and then returning to his chair, and pulling the blanket back around himself. He opens the case, lightly running his hand along the smooth wood, as he removes it from the case, the polish he so carefully applied gleaming in the light. He sits up, his blanket still around his shoulders as he stands the cello, resting it against him and picking up the bow, beginning to play, as he rests back in the chair, slowly losing himself in the music.

Kai looks over at the door when he hears the music start, but then he frowns, the song is so sad and mournful, nothing at all like the songs Haji normally plays. When David and Lewis arrive with Julia, they frown too, sitting at the table to drink their tea.

"Is Haji alright?" David asks, and Kai says,

"No idea, he came home without Saya and went straight to their room and shut himself in, he hasn't come out yet, even for his tea. The music just started a few minutes ago." David frowns,

"Saya's not here?" and Kai shakes his head, looking back down at his mug. They talk for a bit, and Kai is soon elected, much to his chagrin, to talk to Haji and find out what's going on. Kai sighs, finishing his mug in a last gulp and getting up, rinsing it in the sink, and then heading to the closed bedroom door. He takes a deep breath, and then knocks on the door. Haji looks over, but he doesn't stop playing, his hair still in his face, and his eyes. Kai cracks open the door, asking,

"Haji? Where's Saya gone? Is something wrong?" Haji looks over, and Kai's eyes widen as he sees a lone tear trail down the chevalier's cheek.

"Gone." Haji says simply, continuing to play, even though his hands tremble slightly. Kai frowns,

"Haji, what's going on? Where is Saya and why are you so upset?" The redhead comes into the room a few steps, eyes still on the dark haired man, who has now lowered the cello's bow. Haji turns to look at Kai, he sets down the bow, sighing, and Kai gasps at the torment in the man's deep blue eyes.

"She has gone, gone with that man." Haji says, looking back down at the cello. Kai chews his lip, and a frown comes over his lips.

"You mean Solomon?" he asks, frowning again at the way Haji tenses at the name. Kai sighs, nodding a bit and heading from the room, closing the door behind him. He picks up the tray with Haji's now cold tea, his mind turning over what Haji had told him as he takes it to the kitchen, dumping it and rinsing the mug. David's eyes narrow a bit as Kai comes back, and he says,

"Anything?" and Kai nods, saying softly,

"She chose Solomon, and Haji's devastated." David, Lewis and Julia all gasp, shocked. David frowns a bit, and goes to get up, obviously wanting to get more information out of Haji, but Kai says,

"Leave him be David, he's been hurt enough." And David sighs, but nods, sitting back down. Haji lets a slight smile grace his lips as he hears Kai defend him, but then it drops again, and he soon resumes playing his song on the cello, letting his pain flow into the music.

Over the next several days, Haji almost never leaves the room, spending his time by himself, playing on his cello, or just curled up in the chair. David managed to contact Saya, and even though she'd chosen to take Solomon she is still willing to fight Diva. After some more talking to Kai, Haji has also agreed to continue with helping them as well, though, he will only now listen to Kai, refusing to talk to or listen to any other member of the Red Shield. Currently, Kai is reading a book, settled in the chair in Haji's room while the chevalier sleeps in the bed; Kai has taken to keeping a bit of an eye on his friend, worried about him. He knows Haji is not taking the loss of Saya well at all, and Kai can understand why. He knows Haji has been at her side for over a century of loyal service, always being there for her, serving her, loving her, and to have it all suddenly torn from him so painfully, he doesn't know how to cope. Kai has seen him crying once since the day he came back, and he made sure no one else came near Haji, letting him have his space and privacy, and standing up for him whenever they want to try and force information from him, hence the reason Haji now only talks to and listens to Kai, not all the others. Haji stirs, and Kai looks over, frowning, the chevalier is dreaming again, likely more memories of his past with Saya, which would explain his pained expression.

"This must be so hard for you Haji, to keep fighting for us and knowing she isn't." He whispers, sadly, sighing some and stretching. Haji groans a bit in his sleep and turns onto his back, quieting some. Kai watches him, his eyes are sad and worried, and then he soon goes back to his book, he figures being in here he can stop anyone who tries to come in and bother Haji. He also has the door cracked open, and he can hear them out in the kitchen talking about Diva's pregnancy and how to proceed, now that David is strong enough to continue fighting again, having recovered from his gunshot wound. Kai gets up a bit later, heading from the room, being careful to shut the door quietly, heading into the kitchen, when suddenly Lulu catches him around the legs.

"Karman's missing!" she says, begging him to help her find him. Kai frowns and nods.

"Alright, just let me change quickly." Lulu nods, watching him head back the way he came. Kai peeks into Haji's room, noticing the chevalier is now awake and sitting against the headboard, knees drawn up to his chest, and his chin resting on them, dark hair framing his face.

"Hey Haji, would you… like to help me find Karman?" Haji is silent a moment, and then nods, pulling a shirt on as he moves to the edge of the bed. Kai nods and changes in his own room, and he meets Haji over by the door. Haji nods, his cello case over his shoulder, and they head out. Lulu waits at the apartment for them, hoping they find her friend. Upon arriving at the park, Kai says,

"Haji, you take the west side, I'll take the east." Haji nods, and the two split up, taking off to look for Karman. Kai watches Haji go a moment, and then starts looking himself, hoping their friend is okay. Haji moves through the park, eyes and senses alert for the missing Schiff. He adjusts his cello case, traveling near some of the forest's edge as he searches, and then he suddenly freezes. Standing not fifteen feet away is Saya.

"Haji…" she says softly, making her chevalier tense, the knuckles of his hand clutching at the leather strap of his cello case turning white. Saya chews her lip, saying softly,

"I'm sorry Haji, please, will you forgive me?" Haji looks away, hair falling into his eyes.

"Don't." he says, his voice quiet, but laced with pain. Saya frowns, knowing she's hurt him badly, their friendship might even be over, but she will not deny her heart any longer. She watches Haji a moment more, an uneasy but resigned frown coming to her lips as she watches Haji back away, and then turn and take off. With a sigh, she continues on as well, she needs to meet back up with Solomon; they're searching for Karman too, in response to Lulu coming and asking them as well.

After searching all day, Kai finally heads back to the apartment, figuring Haji will likely head back to there as well. Kai sighs, he's worried about Haji, and he's also worried about Karman too, especially since they haven't found him yet. Upon arriving back at the apartment, Kai frowns when he hears yelling. He frowns and goes inside, his eyes widening when he sees David holding a despondent Haji against the wall, yelling at him and demanding to know where Saya is. Kai notices that every time he says her name, Haji visibly flinches; his pained blue eyes turn to Kai, who becomes angry.

"That's enough, David!" He snaps and marches over, grabbing the blond and pulling him off of Haji as well. Haji glances at Kai, and then disappears into his room, shutting the door with a snap. Kai sighs as David's angry footsteps head back into the kitchen, and he goes to Haji's door, knocking a couple times.

"It's me, Haji." He says softly, and he hears a quiet

"Come in." Kai nods and pushes open the door a bit, giving Haji a sympathetic look.

"You okay?" he asks, worry in his eyes. Haji is curled up on the chair, knees drawn up to his chest, his arms around them, the blanket pulled tightly around him as he leans into the back of the chair. Kai's eyes grow wide at the sight; it still shocks him to see the strong chevalier so lost and vulnerable. Kai frowns, going over a bit to the chair, laying a hand on the taller man's trembling shoulder.

"I'll look out for you, alright? They won't bug you any more." Haji nods, saying quietly.

"Thank you." Kai nods, giving his shoulder a friendly squeeze, and then heading from the room, after telling him to call him if he needs anything. Haji watches him go; rubbing a hand over his stinging eyes, and lets a sigh escape his lips, leaning over to grab his cello case, tugging it over. Kai then goes to the kitchen to make himself something to eat, and he glares at David when he sees him.

"You need to leave that man alone. He's already going through too much, stop making it worse," Kai's eyes are angry, and David sighs, nodding a bit. Kai then adds as he puts the kettle on,

"Just be glad he's still willing to help you as it is." David sighs again, putting his head in his hands. He knows the teen is right, despite his want to find Saya. Julia puts her hand on his, giving it a squeeze to try and help him calm down, she too has seen how desolate the raven haired chevalier has become, and it's concerning to her, she's worried that not only might their battle with Diva be in danger, but that Haji might end up doing something drastic in his pain. She knows that he is not used to feeling intense emotions like this. As they move toward the table and sit around it, she notices Kai settles himself in the spot where he can see Haji's bedroom door, and she realizes he's looking out for the dark haired man, that he's sitting there so he can keep everyone from bothering Haji, and she finds herself agreeing with him. Haji needs time to himself.

The next morning, they're getting ready to continue searching for Karman. Kai moves to go and grab his jacket, and finds Moses standing in the doorway, hood drawn over his face.

"Moses, are you looking for Karman too?" Kai asks, watching the hooded figure curiously. Lulu peeks around Kai's legs, asking Moses the same, when suddenly the quiet Schiff lunges at Kai, his scythe drawn back to strike. Suddenly Haji is there, using his cello case as a shield to defend his friend. Kai relaxes slightly, and in that instant Moses lunges again, knocking Haji backward, which in turn sends Kai out the window. Using some of his chiropteran speed, Haji rushes outside, catching the redhead before he hits the ground and sets him on his feet. Saya appears then too, her sword drawn as she looks at them. Haji tenses immediately, which Kai sees right away, and he frowns some.

"Run to the light!" Lewis yells at Kai, who nods and starts running, though regretting that it's leaving Haji alone with Saya. Moses chases Kai, and when he reaches the sunlight, he takes a different way, making an abrupt turn down another alley, keeping his senses trained on the redhead. Haji looks away from Saya when he notices her looking at him, his hands clenching into fists, and David calls from the balcony,

"I need you both to follow Kai, make sure he isn't hurt!" Saya nods, and she says quietly,

"Haji, are you coming? Kai needs us." Haji remains silent, but picks up his cello case again, following a bit behind her as they begin to run after the two. Saya sighs as they run, she cal feel how angry and hurt Haji's feeling, and it bothers her, knowing that she's caused it. He'd always been nothing but loyal to her, and she let him get hurt for it. He loves her so much, but she just didn't feel quite the same, even so she didn't want him hurt, but now it's too late, and he won't even look at her. She sighs, focusing on Kai and Moses as they run to the park, well in that general direction. She and Haji split up a bit, searching different ways, and as they make their ways off, Saya notices how tense Haji is and frowns, hoping he can focus on helping Kai. Haji stops at an old oak tree, leaning against the trunk a moment and trying to compose himself. He's seen Saya twice now that the decision was made, and both times he's barely held himself together. He sets his cello case down onto the grass, leaning his head back against the tree and closing his eyes, trying to draw in steadying breaths. Sinking a bit against the trunk until he's sitting on the grass, Haji puts his head in his hands, desperately trying to regain control of himself and his wild emotions.

Across the park, a dark haired girl looks up from the pad on her lap, seeing the figure sitting against the tree with his head in his hands and she frowns, wondering what could have caused him such agony. With a frown, she flips to a new page, suddenly overcome with a new urge to draw, and she touches her pencil to the page, starting to sketch the man sitting against the tree. She chews her bottom lip as she draws, her jade eyes moving from the paper to him every so often, after a few minutes he lifts his head, looking up at the sky, when she notices his expression, and she's shocked at how sad and lost he looks. When she realizes he's left fifteen minutes later, she checks her drawing, noting she has all the outlining done, so she begins to work on adding in the heavier lines and shading, and finally adding color as well. She sits back when she finishes, gazing down, an intrigued and thoughtful frown on her face as she studies the drawing. The man is quite handsome, wavy dark hair to his shoulders that frames a pale, chisled face, and deep blue eyes, she had seen a glimpse of them as he had looked around. She stays there a bit more, and then packs her bag and heads off, not seeing the redhead on a bench not far away, suddenly get attacked by a scythe wielding man.

"Moses!" Kai says, frowning as he jumps backward. He soon fires two shots, knocking off the person's hood and exposing him to the sunlight. Moses cries out, immediately hunkering down and trying to cover up as fast as he can, his arms over his head, when suddenly Kai kneels beside him, placing his jacket over Moses, and leading him into the trees. Saya and Haji are nearby, having caught up to them, and Moses soon pulls away, his eyes determined but tired. He goes to fire a red, barbed spike from his hand, but suddenly another person has jumped in front of Kai, taking the spike instead. Kai's eyes widen, and he, Saya and Haji watch as Karman talks to Moses, bringing him back to his senses and calming down, and the two of them soon leave, asking Kai to get their weapons back to Lulu. They watch the two Schiff leave, and soon Saya heads off as well. Kai comes and puts a hand on Haji's arm, worried about him.

"Let's head back, I can tell you need to be alone." Haji nods, turning and following Kai quietly as they head back to the apartment. As they walk, Kai glances back at the quiet chevalier off and on, Haji's still there behind him, but his eyes remain on the ground and his shoulders are hunched, nothing like the once proud and regal man Kai is used to seeing. When they get to the apartment, Kai actually has to grab Haji's arm so that he doesn't keep walking right by. Haji startles slightly, but doesn't pull away, silently letting Kai lead him inside and to his bedroom, where he nods a little and disappears inside. Kai chews his lip, bringing Lulu to the front room where he's set Moses and Karman's weapons on a table, and she begins to cry. Saya is there too, having wanted to talk to David, and she frowns too at the crying girl.

"I'm going to make sure no one ever has to cry like this again." Kai says softly as he wraps a gentle arm around Lulu's shoulders, and Saya nods a bit too. Kai glances at her, and then back down at Lulu, and he goes over to the couch with Lulu, sitting down with her and letting her curl up beside him as he tries to calm her.

"Kai, where's Haji?" Saya asks softly, and he looks over at her.

"Resting, please leave him be." She sighs, but nods, returning to the kitchen for some tea, and then as the other Red Shield members come in, everyone settles in the living room to talk about the final plan for Diva at her show in a few days. Everyone but Haji, who remains in his room and Kai makes sure no one bothers him in there. They continue discussing the plan of taking out the satellites that will be broadcasting Diva live over the world. Some of them will be inside, and others outside. Kai agrees to relay the information to Haji later on so that he can still rest. Kai leans back into the couch, Lulu now sleeping beside him as he listens to what he's going to be doing on the show night, where he'll be and who he'll be with.

That night after everyone has either left or gone to bed, Kai makes a cup of tea, and heads down to Haji's room, knocking on the door, telling Haji it's him.

"It's open." Haji's soft, deep voice calls, and Kai pushes open the door, finding Haji again curled up in the chair, the blanket around him as he gazes out the window.

"I brought you some tea." Haji looks over, brushing some hair out of his eyes and nodding. Kai moves closer and hands him the mug, and Haji thanks him quietly, taking it and sipping it. Kai sits down, telling him of the plans that were made, and the part David has asked he do in it. Haji nods as he listens.

"Alright, I will be there." He says, and Kai nods, putting a hand on Haji's shoulder, and then heading from the room. Haji continues sipping his tea as he watches the sky, the blanket still wrapped around him, and his knees drawn up to his chest again. He sighs, still thinking about how he'd had to go with Saya, and how it'd just made him hurt all over again.

'How can I keep the promise to Saya, when now I can't even face her without practically falling apart at the seams?' he sighs, gazing down into his mug and swirling the tea a bit, barely feeling the tear as it makes a trail down his cheek. He soon sets down the mug and pulls his blanket tighter, sighing sadly as he looks back at the sky. He soon pulls over his cello case, carefully taking out the instrument and standing it against him, while pulling out the bow as well, and starts to play softly.

Over the next several days, Haji doesn't come out of his room at all, and the only one he allows inside is Kai. Kai brings him tea sometimes, or just comes in to talk with him a bit and see how he's doing. He can see the pain in Haji's eyes every time he looks at him, seeing just how heartbroken the quiet chevalier really is, and it really worries him. Lulu is still staying there as well; Kai has taken her under his wing and is looking after her as well. Kai and the rest of Shield are currently finalizing last minute plans; David is talking to Joel about how they're all getting there and getting set up. Kai has just finished cleaning his dad's gun, and slips it into the old holster he now wears at his side. He reaches up, fingering the pendant he wears around his neck; the red gem is a crystal from his brother Riku's body.

"Watch over us, little brother." He finds himself whispering, getting up as everyone grabs jackets and things, getting ready to go. Kai heads down the hall and knocks on the closed door.

"Haji, it's time to head out." He calls. The door opens, revealing the raven haired chevalier, cello case over his shoulder, ready to go. Haji nods at Kai, following the redhead outside. Kai notices that not only does Haji stay close to him; he also keeps his head down, refusing to look at or talk to anyone else there. David goes around making sure everyone is ready, and they head to the opera house. David and Julia watch from above as Haji follows Kai into the opera house, and Julia says,

"It's almost as if… Haji has started serving Kai instead of Saya." And David nods as he watches both of them head inside to their designated spots. Kai sees Saya as well, but Haji avoids her eyes, stepping around to Kai's other side, his hair falling into his eyes again. They go to their seats, and wait for the signal that Diva's arrived at the building. Kai and Saya talk some, while Haji remains in the shadows, keeping to himself and then walking off a bit, still keeping silent.

"I'm not mad at you Saya, I'm just worried about Haji, and he's really hurting." Kai says to his sister, in response to her asking if he was mad at her. She nods, relaxing just a little, but refrains from looking over into the shadows where Haji is. The first performers come onstage soon after, so everyone settles back to watch the show, still waiting for the signal, which comes near the end. Kai and Haji head to their positions while she gets up and heads down another hallway to confront her sister, Diva. Soon Diva makes her entrance despite their efforts to stop her and she begins to sing. Before long screams and roars are filling the opera house as people change into chiropterans all over the place. Saya has begun fighting Amshel, who was posing as Diva, and he'd distracted her from her real target. Haji soon joins the fight, and Saya nods, running off to confront Diva, as Haji fights Amshel, using his cello case as a shield. Inside Kai and Lewis are holding their own against some of the chiropterans, when Diva finishes singing, to find Saya standing onstage with her sword, glaring at her. Saya charges her, sword drawn, and they begin to fight. Kai soon heads off to check on the other Shield members in the opera house, concerned the most about Haji. He ends up detoured by chiropterans and runs into David nearby, and they all end up making their way back to the stage area, where Saya and Diva are battling together on the stage. Suddenly Haji drops down from the ceiling, and goes to draw and throw a dagger toward Diva on the stage, but her chevalier, Nathan, sitting in a front seat with a basket beside him containing her babies, his arms crossed as he watches, stops Haji, telling him to look and watch. Haji pauses, turning to look at the two sisters battling, his heart clenching when he sees Saya. Both girls are cut and bleeding in places, but neither of the girls is willing to back down.

"Why… is it only me?" Diva stammers as she begins to crystallize not long after, she and Saya had both stabbed each other with blood coated swords, but only Diva's body has begun crystallizing. She reaches out to her babies as Nathan sets the cocoons beside her, touching one of them before she fades. Saya then moves to stand over them, readying her sword over one baby's forehead, as they had just hatched. Kai calls out to her to stop, to live and not die, and Haji tenses, looking away, unable to face Saya. Solomon then arrives, and with a desperate plea he convinces Saya to live. Nathan then approaches, asking Saya to kill him, as with Diva dead he has nothing left, and she obliges. Suddenly Amshel crashes through the roof, and attempts to attack; Haji intercepts it, which results in his left arm being torn off, which both Saya and Kai cry out at. He looks at Saya just once, his eyes sad and lost.

"I've always loved you." He says quietly, and the section of roof above collapses in on top of him, and Amshel. David gets the rest moving, Kai and Saya each carrying a baby as they run from the opera house's now crumbling structure. Solomon runs with them, knowing Saya needs him right now as well as her family and her friends. None of them knowing if the raven haired chevalier is alive or not.

Outside the opera house a few hours later, the dark haired girl from the park, Krystina, arrives to an awful sight. The opera house is in ruins, and the smell of blood and death is everywhere. As she looks around, her foot bumps something, and when she looks down, her eyes widen at the sight of a black and silver case for a cello, styled as a coffin. She gasps, recognizing it as the one the guy at the park had several days ago. There's a crack in the side of it, but overall it's still in good shape, and she starts looking around more too, wondering if he might be here as well. She picks up the heavy case, putting it over her shoulder, deciding to bring it while she looks around the ruins. She's about to give up, when she spots some stones moving, and a hand coming out and pushing them away. She runs over, starting to pull them off, revealing the head and shoulders of the man she'd seen at the park.

"Oh god, are you okay?" she asks worriedly, seeing how badly hurt he is. Haji only moans a bit, his mind foggy with pain and dizziness. She helps move the rocks, and he shakily stands up, only to collapse. She gasps a bit and darts forward, catching him, though her touch saves him from hitting the ground, he also hisses too a bit, obviously in immense pain. She puts his arm around her shoulders, and slips hers around his waist to steady him as she leads him out of the ruins, the cello case still on her back. Slowly, she leads him to her loft, guiding him into the elevator and hitting the button for her floor. Once there she leads him inside, and she places the cello in her room as she does. She then guides him to the bathroom and sits him down, running to grab towels and cloths and an old bathrobe an ex boyfriend had left there and returning to the bathroom. She notices his left arm is in bad shape, as it looks like it had nearly been severed, unaware that it had and had been retrieved and placed back by Haji before he had collapsed, unconscious in the rubble. She gently peels off his bloodied and ruined clothes, helping him sit in the bathtub. He leans back into the wall, in so much pain its like nothing is registering, like he's in a daze. She cleans him up as well as she can, washing his hair as well, and then she has him get out of the tub with her help and she helps him into a pair of clean under shorts and the robe, leading him to her room, laying him in the bed. She bandages his wounds, and then pulls up the blanket as he drifts off again, so that it rests just about his mid chest. She chews her lip.

"What happened to you..?" she says softly, gently brushing his hair out of his eyes. She makes herself a bed on the floor so she can stay nearby to keep an eye on him during the night, and soon settles down, pulling out her pad and pencils, and starting to draw him as he sleeps, unable to sleep herself.

Back at the apartment, Kai sips a cup of tea while watching Saya and the babies sleeping in her room, a bit of a frown on his lips. Solomon lies beside her, his arm around her, sleeping as well. Kai can see that she's happy with the blond, and he doesn't want her to be unhappy, he just wishes that it hadn't meant the breaking of Haji's heart in the process. Kai looks out at the window, gazing at the stars, and he says quietly,

"Haji, where ever you are, I hope you are okay and that perhaps you've even found peace." Saya stirs in her sleep as if she heard his whisper, but then she settles back down, snuggling into Solomon. Kai heads out of the room, heading to bed himself.

'See you someday, Haji.' He thinks as he drifts off to sleep himself.

Well there it is, I hope it was enjoyable. :) Please review and let me know, all feedback is welcome encouragement!

Sani.