Haji watched the ocean rippling in front of him, the moon bouncing off of the waves in an ivory glow. He felt more than heard a car pull up in the lot behind him, the driver side door opening and closing. He could feel Saya walking towards him, hear the wind whipping her clothing about her.
"Haji? What are you doing out here? I woke up and you were gone. Kai didn't know where you went, no one did. It's not like you to leave everyone in the middle of the night," Saya said, voice mesmerizing.
"I didn't mean to worry you, Saya," Haji whispered, head bowing slightly.
Saya stepped closer to him, worry creasing her brow, then she reached out and ran fingertips along his cheek. She gasped slightly when her fingers came back moist, realizing before Haji even that he was crying.
"Oh Haji! What's happened? Did someone do something to you?"
Haji touched his face carefully, feeling the tears upon his skin, and he frowned.
"No. Nothing is wrong with me. Perhaps the surf…"
Saya pressed herself against his back, hugging him tightly to her.
"Oh Haji… you scared me. When you weren't in your room… I thought you had left. I don't ever want you to leave me, I want to be with you always," Saya said softly, hugging him tighter as he leaned into her.
Tilting his head behind him, Haji smiled slightly.
"I would stay even if you did not wish it, Saya. I will always be with you."
Saya was silent, trying to understand what had made Haji weep. For he had wept, it was not the surf on his skin; he had been crying without even knowing it himself. Suddenly smiling, Saya understood.
"You're lonely, aren't you? I leave you alone all the time, at the house. But you never stay there when I'm not there. You leave to play your cello in the park, alone."
Haji remained silent, thinking of her words. Had he been weeping? He didn't think so… But he did feel lonely often; this was simply part of being for him. He didn't want to stay with Saya's family when she was not there, for they were not his family. He didn't belong with them. He belonged with Saya, and only with Saya.
"You're family, Haji. Even Kai will tell you that. We all love you, we all accept you. You are always welcome at the house, you don't have to leave because I'm not there. And if you want to go with me when I leave, all you have to do is follow me," Saya assured, pressing her face into his warm back.
The waves smoothed over the shore, soothing noises that somehow muffled the tears that once again streamed from Haji's eyes. He belonged with Saya… and her family?
Saya laughed then, releasing him. She pulled her shoes and sweater off, throwing them at Haji, and ran into the surf. Haji caught her things, watching with a growing smile as she squealed when the cold water lapped at her form. She ran back up the shore to him, laughing breathlessly and shaking with cold.
"Saya," Haji said, putting her sweater over her shoulders gently.
Saya smiled up at him, taking his bandaged hand and cupping it between her own two shaking ones.
"Come home with me, Haji?" she asked.
Haji bent over her hands, kissing them lightly. Her fingers were cold, like the ocean behind them. Heeding his unspoken consent, Saya held onto Haji's most Chiropteran feature and led him to the warmth of home.