Three years after Diva's death and the chiropteran fallout. Saya and Haji are living together. Things are getting a little tense between them.

Saya POV

"Saya, get up! You're going to be late!"

I could hardly hear his voice but even in my unconsciousness, I knew Haji's voice anywhere. I opened my eyes with some struggle but stared at my ceiling while my eyes adjusted to the small slivers of light coming through my blinds. I stretched and sat up, sitting up directly in a stream of light and recoiling away with a soft gasp. I uncovered my face and saw the bold red digital numbers of my clock, buzzing silently in my face. I hissed a string of curse words as I lunged out of the bed; my legs were tangled in the sheets and left me falling to my face out of the bed.

Restraining myself from ripping the thin fabric around my legs, I untangled myself and leaped up to my closet. Despite throwing tons of clothes from my way, I decided on a pair of dark blue pants, a white button up that was partially see through so I pulled on a white tank top to put on underneath and some white socks. I grabbed my brush from the end table beside my bed and raked through my hair, wincing when I pulled several strands from my head.

When I finally made my way downstairs, I saw Haji holding my book bag in his right hand and I was almost struck silent by his appearance. Even though he was wearing a casual black short sleeved shirt, loose black pants and new black and white sneakers; his black hair which was pulled back into a ponytail at the nap of his neck that always caught my attention. After some years, for some reason, Haji's eyes had turned from a deep brown to a gorgeous jade green and have had me captivated for some time now.

Haji smiled up at me with a slightly crooked smile and I shook off the dissolute feeling that had come over me and glared back at him. I pushed my feet in my all black Vans and still continued to rake through my hair.

With a quick movement, Haji stood in front of me and had stroked my head with his left hand. "Your hair is getting longer again. Would you like to have it cut this afternoon?" he asked softly, in that permanent politeness of his. He was twirling a thick portion of my freshly combed hair between his fingers but stared at me with a small smile on his lips.

His lips; they were also mine. A slight shiver came over me and I felt the warming memory of his lips against mine the last time we had fought against the Chiropterans. Just knowing that he stood inches away from me, towering over me and touching me drove me insane. But he refuses to touch me like that again.

It was almost like I was pulled back into those days when the skies were red and the ground was covered in crimson fluids. The image was too real, it felt too real and I feel to my knees, holding my shoulders and recoiling from the fires around me. The buildings surrounding the ruined and empty streets only creaked and threatened to tumble over me. That's when I heard it: the deep echoing howling of a chiropteran.

"…Saya!" I returned to the house and Haji was holding me, gripping my shoulders and shook me with such force to break me from my hallucination. His brow was furrowed and lines creased his forehead; his eyes stared worriedly at me.

I pulled myself from his grasp and pushed past him, still stunned from my memories sudden resurfacing. Was the medication failing once again? I rubbed my head and grabbed my keys, heading out the door too engrossed in my thoughts to compute the worried cries from Haji. I was too shaken by this sudden thought to even look at him. What if I hurt him again? What if it isn't just going to be his hand but something more vital, more important?

I spent hours trying to get hold of David or Ms. Julia but neither of them were answering their cell phones and Luis wasn't either. I had managed to get hold of Kai but he was busy with Diva's kids to even be able to listen to me. By the time I was able to get out what I needed to say, the line had disconnected and I was greeted by the single-toned buzz.

I let out an aggravated sigh and continued to the library's staff section where tons of books were carelessly stacked in a cart. It took me about an hour to sort then but by the time I had been ready to take them to the shelves in the actual library, my boss told me to go home. I guess I had been so involved with my thoughts; the very memory of my past had made me pale. With a relieved sigh, I strode to my car, trying David and Ms. Julia again but once again: no answer.

When I got home, Haji's car was gone and only made me feel that much more alone. I trudged into the house with the heaviest of feelings in my chest as I changed into some comfortable clothes. I saw Haji's car pull into the driveway from my bedroom window and I ran down to meet him. I swung open the door with a hug smile on my face but then it faded when I remembered what happened earlier. He looked up at me with a grin.

"You're home early." He simple said, standing before me with several bags in hand and he finally noticed that I was clearly unhappy. Somehow, he managed to wrap his arm around my waist and pull me inside, closing the door with his foot. He set down the bags near the door and I glanced at them, wondering what exactly was in them.

Haji pulled me into a tight hug, leaving me stunned.

His last promise to me was to never show his feelings for me because they got in the way of him being able to concentrate on missions he was given. But now…now he broke the restraint after three years of refusing to touch me in such a comforting manner. He was clutching at my waist, not able to pull my body close enough now and still I knew what he felt now. It was the warmest feeling in my chest, my heart was beating fast and the comforting feeling of his strong arms embracing me once again practically made me melt against him. Suddenly, his lips pressed against my neck.

I let out a soft gasp and my eyes fluttered closed, letting the tingling sensation wash over me. I found myself clutching at his shoulder-blades as he continued to inhale my scent and pull me closer to him. The feeling of his hand pulling my waist against his and his hot breath hitting my neck just drove me up the wall. Just as I thought that, he wrapped his hands around my thighs, lifting me up and held me with one arm under my butt and the other, stroking my thigh slowly and softly.

"Saya…" he whispered. Another soft gasp slipped from my lips and Haji let out a deep groan against my neck, sending provocative chills up and down my nerves. Everything was forgotten at this point. He carried me upstairs, pecking my neck to my cheek to the corner of my lips but never touched them. His room was darker than mine. His blinds were closed slightly but let enough light through to give it a certain mood. He set me in the bed before leaving me to change into something more comfortable –a pair of thin pajama pants and an undershirt that complemented his sculpted build. He threw the covers back and made me get under them.

"It's going to be cold tonight." He explained with a soft smirk before climbing under the sheets with me.

I started to turned towards him but he wrapped his arm around my stomach, holding me against him and I yelped softly, feeling something prod against the back of my thighs. I turned to look at him.

"Did I do that?" I suddenly realized what it was and I felt my cheeks get hot. Haji just chuckled softly.

"Three years. It has been three years since I've touched you like that. What would you expect to happen, Saya?" he grinned but I saw a hint of pink in his cheeks.

I had the sudden urge to straddle him and tease his member just to hear him moan but decided against it and pretend like I was tired, although, moments after pretending to be asleep I actually fell asleep in his arms. I can't believe how fast this day went by.