Blooming Azalea

I don't own anything by the way, only my OCs.

Oh and by the way, I heart rain~!

Chapter 3: Memories

'Pat, pat, pat.'

Rain for Paris in December came in sessions. It created puddles of tiny mirror worlds, where the lightest touch could disrupt the image. The rain clouds blended into the starless sky and the rain on the window was illuminated in mini orbs as passing car's headlights, stoplights and other sources of light were reflected.

I placed my pale cheek on my fist, staring blankly out the glass sprinkled with drops of rain. It sure was boring waiting for morning to come.

The men had taken the last extractions of blood they needed a couple hours ago, so I was free to wander the large house and go anywhere but two places, as was told to me every day.

One. The room on the first floor, next to the washroom. It was always locked anyways, I discovered.

Two. Outside.

I wasn't particularly interested in going outside, it looked dirty and busy. Through every window, no matter if I was on the second or first floor, there were always cars speeding by and people bustling down the street looking uninteresting. It was really a downer when that was the only thing that I actually had to do.

Sure, I could explore the house.

For the hundredth time.

That day.

There was no one to talk to besides the men who took three extractions of my blood daily and fed me, and they never responded. One time I even pushed the man who was giving me dinner, trying to get him to reply to the simple 'Hello.' He flinched and dropped the platter, having it hit the floor with a 'CLANG!' The chicken bounced before slapping the cold tile. The room was silent for a few seconds, my long arm still extended.

I hadn't meant to hit him that hard.

He gave a quiet apology, even though it wasn't his fault, and swiftly cleaned up the accident and scurried out, his eyes downcast the whole time.

I stopped trying to converse with the men after that.

The over-the top garment I was requested to wear lay on the bed next to me, the ruffles and beauty that made up the dress had not caught my interest. Instead I wore a simple spaghetti strapped white gown that would brush my knees had I not been sitting down at a desk. A sigh escaped my pale lips, my vibrant green eyes following the water droplets slipping down the glass, stopping every so often before merging and continuing their journey downwards.

I could always talk to him, but whenever I attempted to have a conversation with the blonde man, he would quickly become annoying and get under my skin. Sure, he seemed plenty interesting. If you could stand the feminine looks, dramatic attitude or the way he LOVED to touch people. Personally, I couldn't.

So that option was out.

I looked down at my palm, where they had cut an incision and collected some of my blood earlier. It was smooth and colorless now, as usual. I remember once being so bored I used a pair of scissors to slice a blood extractor man. His wound hadn't closed up; it hadn't stopped bleeding like mine always did. His blood stained his pristine white lab coat, and he made a startled gasp, grimacing and gripping his cut. I had stared at his bleeding shoulder, entranced at the difference in him and me…

"Let me do it again," I whispered, holding up the pair of dripping crimson scissors, still staring at his bleeding arm.

"W-What?" He stuttered, moving back. I felt something stir in my stomach, and a voice in my head whispered harshly, "Chase!" I stepped forward, my breath shallow as my hand came down on his fleshy appendage again. His sharp screech barley registered to my ears, and I made a happy sound in the back of my throat at seeing the wound- open and ugly. Such a contrast to the quick closing cuts I received.

A hand came down on my shoulder before I could investigate further, and I almost jerked away to continue my research. His voice cooed at me smoothly, stopping me.

"What do you think you're doing? Did he anger you?" It was that pestering man…

"No. I was simply wondering why he isn't like me." I used my free hand to yank the scientist's hand away from his bloody wound, showing the blonde his cuts, questioning why they didn't heal.

"You and I are different from them; they aren't as extraordinary as us." The man dismissed the bloody assistant. After he disappeared through the door of the room, I was turned around to face the tall man who had gotten down to my eye level.

"Different?" I quizzed, the high in my voice fading slowly. There was nothing interesting in this room anymore.

He sighed tiredly and moved back a strand of inky black hair that had escaped from my bun. I almost- almost moved away from his caressing hand, resenting his touch. It was meant to be a reassuring gesture, and I simply despised it.

"You will understand when the time is right," he stood to his full height, and I felt my brow furrow in irritation.

"When will that be?" I questioned, tired of this game. A knowing smirk graced his lips, almost condescending. I ground my teeth. This man irked me to no end.

Without an answer, he pivoted and left, the door making a disappointing 'Click'.

Oh well, I would find something interesting to do. I didn't need to brood over him and try to dissect his actions, cross examine his words or anything of the sort.

...I had already done that.

Now I had a few hours before the sun rose, where I would sit and watch it rise, hoping for something new and interesting to happen in this bleak, boring world of mine.


Stunned, I simply stared at the girl in front of me. She didn't… remember? At first I had simply accepted her words of confusion, and then three words slammed into my gut, making the knot that was there tighten tenfold.

"Who… am I?" She didn't know who she was. What did that mean? As I tried to stop the sensation of a hammer being slammed against my skull, I kept quiet, a habit of mine when in a tight situation. She wouldn't have any of it though, and kept bombarding me with questions.

"Why aren't you talking? I just w-want to know what's going on… Please?" A hard determination was in her dark eyes, and I could tell she was trying her best not to cry. I had seen the same resolve from Saya too many times to count.

The sound of water repeatedly hitting the floor came to me through the whir of thoughts, and I swiftly turned to see rain invading through the open window. I approached the sill and shut the window, noting how the curtains were soaked.

The rain pelted the glass, demanding entry. I turned my head to the side, glancing at the silent girl from my peripheral vision. She was standing awkwardly, staring worriedly at the curtain, her nose scrunched up. I kept a poker face and watched her fidget.

"…What is it?" I asked cautiously, keeping my back to her. She jumped slightly, torn from her concentration.

"It's just that…. That fabric will stain if it isn't dried right now." The words tumbled out of her mouth quickly. She was worried about… the curtains staining? I made a low startled noise as she scooted past me, deftly stepping on the sill and detaching the pieces of fabric. "Right now!" She urged, sounding like a child wanting a treat. She jumped off and hurried to the bathroom connected to the bedroom and disappeared behind the door.

I stood there, only able to blink at where she previously was.

How could she possibly remember facts about cloth… but not her own name? I slid my cello case off my shoulder and placed it against the wall, analyzing the situation in my head.


Men… they were so ignorant. I searched under the sink until I found a hair dryer, old and outdated- but hey, beggars can't be choosers. Slinging the drenched curtains over the shower's curtain rod, I clicked the button eagerly. Heat blasted from the nozzle and I turned it towards the curtains, sweeping it slowly up and down. It was something that came on instinct the second I had seen the wet material. Everything else dissolved and I knew I had to save the beautiful fabric. Even though that strange man was… well strange; I would help him out.

When I turned to move the cord to my other side for the second curtain, I nearly jumped out of my skin at seeing the black clad man standing in the door frame. He was so quiet! I stood there for a second, staring at him like a deer in headlights. He stared back, although he seemed more observant rather than creepy or scary. I felt my shoulders relax a little.

"What are you doing?" He inquired stiffly after I relaxed a little. I gave an awkward smile and looked at the one dried curtain.

"Resurrecting your curtains," I really hadn't meant to make a joke, but I couldn't think of anything else to say that might lessen the tension. Instead, it only increased as the man's face stayed the same. Instead of continuing standing there like an idiot, I turned and started drying the second curtain after moving the cord. He didn't say anything, which I was thankful for.

"I'm done…" I remarked, placing the hair dryer on the sink counter. He continued to stay mute. When I unplugged the device and scooped the fabric up, he moved out of the door so I could pass. I mumbled an awkward thank you and scooted out, reattaching the curtains and stepping back to admire my work.

"…How did you know that?" I jumped; I didn't even hear him step up next to me.

"Hu?" I replied dumbly. He had taken a few steps back, probably trying to give me room. His question ran through my mind again. "Oh uh… my mother… she taught me all about that kind of stuff…" A memory of the rainy days in… somewhere… home… ran through my head suddenly. The curtains got wet once because I had forgotten to shut the window. Mother had snatched them up and dried them using the same method.

"What are you doing?" A younger version of me stood in the bathroom doorway, mother fussing over the wet fabric, complaining under her breath and using the hair dryer.

Her face… I scrunched up my nose in concentration. It was blurry and it was as if someone spilled water over a washable ink painting. The colors ran together messily, and I couldn't see or hear some parts in the memory. Like her face. It was just a blurry mess of brown, and I felt a disappointed knot in my stomach.

"These curtains will become ugly if they aren't dried immediately!" She chided lightly, her back to me. I padded closer, barefoot with a light blue blanket clutched in between my tiny fingers.

"I'm sorry mommy…" I whimpered, upset I had made the most important person in my life worry. I heard her sigh and the loud sound of the hair dryer clicked off.

"It's alright _,"

There was another hole… my name. She had said my name… I let the memory continue.

"It was just an accident," My mother continued, turning and getting on one knee to my eye level. "I'll teach you all about cloth, fabric- everything you'll need to know to grow up and be savvy about these kinds of things." She ruffled my shoulder length locks and I smiled, my tears evaporating from my lids.

"Thank you mommy!" I threw my arms around her neck, embracing her with a happy laugh.

My nose stayed scrunched up. This memory was bittersweet- it only answered some of my questions.

"The same thing happened once when I was younger, and my mother taught me what to do…" I looked up from the floor which I had been staring at in concentration. The man had not moved an inch, his face still as stony. "I-I'm sorry I don't really remember anything else…" I stuttered, intimidated by his expressionless face. He was like a human statue…

"Nothing else about yourself?" He questioned finally, his tone just as flat as his face. I shook my head, letting my eyes drift to the floor again. This was all so strange…

"Ah!" I snapped my head up, my eyes illuminating. He cocked an eyebrow curiously, seeming to tense up again. "You must know something!" One of my fingers pointed at him sharply. I would be brave and aggressive about my questions this time around, not shaky and scared! That's what I thought until I saw my hand shaking slightly, whereas I then lowered my hand to my side quickly.

"…" A pregnant silence then filled the room, and I anxiously waited for his answer, slightly afraid of what I would discover.


I calculated my answer in my head. How many questions would she ask if I told her how I found her? There really wasn't anything I could do but tell her the truth and just hope she didn't look too much into the story.

"You were walking the streets of Paris and you went down an alley way. I saw you and knew that was a bad section, so I followed you and saved you from being mugged. You collapsed from shock and hit your head… which I'm assuming is why you are now at a loss of memory. I brought you back here and patched up your wound." The information clicked in my head as it came from my lips. Her deep hazel eyes widened and her lips parted slightly.

"You saved me?" She whispered, shock at what had happened clear on her features. A flashback at how she reacted when it happened slid into my head.

"Do you need to sit down?" She shook her head, staring through me, thinking. It was quiet for a while, and I breathed evenly, content at the stillness in the air. It was just natural for me to enjoy it now after so long at experiencing it, watching Saya sleep and such.

Absentmindedly, I observed the girl in front of me. Her tawny orbs were reflecting deep thought, her slim eyebrows pulled down slightly. The edges of her plump lips were pulled down, and her body language made it evident she was troubled. Her slim gloved fingers played with her jacket, and I made note to get her some new clothes. Thankfully she hadn't noticed the blood; otherwise I fear she would really collapse.

Just as I was about to ask if she wanted to borrow something clean, she spoke, apparently unaware I was prepared to speak as well.

"Is that all you know about me?" Her hand came up and skimmed over the bandages, flinching slightly when she reached the wound. I nodded and her face fell even more. It was quiet again, and I turned to my dresser and opened the drawer. I picked out a black shirt and long black pants, turning back to her after shutting it. She was still staring into space, her lips pursed and her fingers still butterflying over the stark white wrappings.

I held out the bundle wordlessly, and she snapped out of whatever she was thinking, her digits pausing their repeating trail.

"Clothes?" She looked at the offerings I held out. She blinked and glanced down at herself, flinching at her appearance. "I look a mess…" The girl mumbled, her head coming back up. "You don't mind?" She quizzed, her chestnut eyes gazing at my face timidly. Shaking my head, the onyx haired damsel accepted the clothes and slid into the bathroom again to change.

I was so used to the silence in my apartment, my movements mute. It was nice, the quiet and solitude. This girl had tumbled in here, making the space seem alien to me now from all the new noise. Silence was my accomplice; it followed me after Vietnam. Abandoning Saya and living with myself, reflecting on the happenings that took place made me a much tamer chevalier.

I found myself gripping my twitching chiropteran hand, the strong memories physically ailing me. I couldn't stop my train of thought though, I was already too deep into it.

It made me take caution when around my queen, and anyone for that matter. It gave me a new look on life- on people. As ashamed as I am at leaving Saya, I have to, at the same time, thank her. She changed me, in more ways than one. It was a double edged sword, I became stronger but at the same time it caused me to withdraw. Giving me a new perspective, but distancing myself from my one true purpose in life.

"You've changed," Saya commented to me one day, sitting in her bed and staring out the window. I paused playing my cello, glancing up at her questionably. Her red tinted orbs were melancholy, and I could almost see the past replay in her mind like a movie.

"…" I stayed quiet, knowing what was coming.

"It's my fault though…" She whispered, her hands clutching the sheets. "I lost control in Vietnam and hurt the most precious person to me…" Her solemn eyes drifted to my bandaged hand. "I caused you to change in every way. Mentally, physically…" I stood, moving my instrument to rest against the wall. This wallowing in pity couldn't continue while I just sat by and listened, silently dying on the inside.

"Saya," I began, going down on one knee as if I was going to propose. I slid my bandaged hand over her fist, encouraging it to release the blanket fisted between her tiny fingers. "It was not your fault. I should have stopped them from awakening you too soon. Having failed my duty as a chevalier, I deserve this." I unraveled the bandages, flexing my grotesque claws slightly. Before I could continue, she argued back stubbornly.

"I caused you to change… I corrupted your very being, Haji." She brushed the pads of her fingers over my monstrous hand. "No one deserves that…"

I bent my head forward, and lightly kissed the top of her wrist. The scent of her skin briefly intoxicated me before I lifted my head up slowly, wishing I could be bold enough to kiss her angelic face. "You strengthened me, made me an even more dedicated chevalier. Nothing you have ever done to me has ever been negative." I told my queen gently, locking gazes with her. She was silent as moisture gathered in her mahogany eyes, her lips trembling slightly.

"Haji…" She uttered, raising her free hand to rid herself of the tear that slipped out of her barrier. I raised my human appendage and beat her to it, slowly swiping my thumb across her cheek.

"You will never do me wrong, Saya." I finished, trying to make her understand. She captured her bottom lip in between her teeth and held back a sob, determined to not cry. It never made me happy to see her tear up, and I wish one day she would forget the ugly past and stop blaming herself… I desire her bright smiles; her sassy and cute attitude she had back at the zoo. If she would only show me a hopeful, million watt grin, I would be the happiest I have been since the zoo.

"I don't deserve your kindness…" Her arms circled me and her head came on my shoulder, her silent tears dampening my shirt. I didn't mind though, and cautiously rested my hands on her back. She deserved so much more than I could ever give her…

"Hello?" My mind slowly transitioned back to real time, and I turned toward the voice, shortly wondering who was calling me. The girl who I rescued stood in the door frame, her face distressed. I surveyed her appearance; the shirt was too large, the long sleeves pushed up to her elbows due to them being too lengthy. The pants were rolled up as well, and her socks were the only thing covering her feet.

"I'm sorry- I didn't mean to bother you!" She apologized, bowing her head quickly, her long almost dried ebony hair curtaining her face. How long had she been trying to get my attention? "Um, I don't know your name, so forgive me for just calling you sir." She explained, her hands clasped together in shame.

"My name is Haji," I simply stated. She lifted her head up slightly, enough for her onyx hair to part and wide coffee eyes to peek at me.

"I-If you don't want to tell me your last name that's fine," She assured me, her head still lowered. She reminded me of a timid child, unsure and afraid to speak.

I didn't respond, not finding it relevant to tell her I didn't have a last name. That would only lead to uncomfortable questions she would ask, and I didn't plan on revealing much of myself to her. "We should try and see if you can remember anything about yourself." I responded, changing the subject. She lifted her head up, her eyes wide and her mouth open as if she wanted to voice something. I nodded to her, urging her to go ahead.

"I have a question," One of her now ungloved fingers pointed to the pile of discarded clothes behind her on the bathroom floor. "Why is there blood on my jacket?" Her eyes burned into mine, wide and worried. Ah, so that's why she was mousier than usual. I had skipped the detail about the dead man for her mental wellbeing- and for fewer questions- but it seemed unavoidable now.

"…He was about to kill you, so I stopped him. You fell over him when you collapsed, and the blood from your head wound got on them." I didn't expect her to take the information on the dead mugger well.

Her hands came up to her mouth and her eyes grew as wide as saucers. "Y-You murdered h-him?" She stammered. I tensed up slightly, fearing she would do something rash.

"He would have killed you if I had not reacted," I kept my voice firm with a gentle edge; trying to comfort the knowledge she just received. She stared at me, horrified. "You must understand you would be dead right now had I not stepped in." She hesitated before nodding, pulling her shaky hands away from her mouth.

"O-Okay…" She breathed deeply, closing her eyes. I studied her, narrowing my orbs slightly. She was trying to accept this information and move on, but her concise was obviously disapproving my actions.

I stayed quiet as she calmed down, opening her eyes again. They were still unnerved but her lips were in a hard line. She didn't say anything either, instead the damsel locked gazes with me. Her stare turned searching, and she glared intently in my Azul eyes, her nose scrunching up. She seemed to do that when she was concentrating… After a few seconds she let out a breath, relaxing greatly.

"You're telling the truth." She declared. I cocked an eyebrow questionably. "I thought maybe you were lying- had given me this wound and abducted me or something crazy like that." She explained, embarrassed at her thoughts. Her fingertips ghosted over the bandages again, almost unconsciously it seemed.

"Well, Haji," She stepped forward, her left hand coming up. "Thank you for rescuing me." I stared at her outstretched hand. The hand she was unknowingly requesting to shake was my chiropteran turned one, and I did not raise it for fear of more questions if she felt how unnatural it felt under the bandages. The girl tilted her head to the side, nervousness creeping back up due to my lack of response. She looked down at my hand that was hanging by my side and her eyebrows shot up.

I kept silent, but was as stiff as a board. Her eyes snapped up, embarrassment and curiosity painted across her features. Her eyes were practically question marks, trying their best not to steal another glance at my concealed hand.

"Uh…" She started. I hardened my face; trying to make it apparent I was not going to answer her questions and would rather if she didn't ask in the first place.

The soft pattering of rain filled the silence, a reminder how it was outside of the tense little apartment. I didn't let down, I continued to stare her down and keep silent, refusing to answer the silent question that was practically tangible in the space between us. She fiddled with the bottom of her shirt, one of the black sleeves unrolling and sliding down her arm past her fingers slowly.

"…We'll work to help you gain your memory back tomorrow, until then you will stay here and sleep. It is eleven o'clock at night; you need your sleep to concentrate tomorrow." I finalized, turning away from her.

"W-What about putting up 'lost' flyers?" She stepped toward me; her petite fingers rolling the long sleeve back up.

"It will be hard to determine who your guardians are if you don't know who they are. Anyone will be able to pick you up." I saw her flinch in my peripheral vision. It was true though, and I wouldn't let this girl be stolen away by a disgusting individual with ill intentions. "I'll sleep on the couch; you can rest in the bed." I told her, my voice flat. I never used the thing; the only time it had been touched was when she had been placed upon it today.

She fidgeted nervously as I approached the couch in the room connected to the drawing room. A russet colored couch was in the center, with a glass coffee table in front of it. A small TV sat on a deep chestnut colored shelf against the wall. The shelf was overflowing with my books, some stacked on top of the television.

Behind and diagonal from the sitting space was the entry to the kitchen, and next to that was a narrow hallway to the door that lead out. A crimson rug lay in the hallway, and miscellaneous pictures of Paris' more glamorous areas hung on the walls. The walls themselves were accented, three of them a light gold shade and one a dark brown that matched the couch.

I turned to see she had followed me, her bottom lip in between her teeth again. A lock of her coal shaded hair was being twirled around a digit, as if she couldn't figure out what to do with herself.

"You can sleep on the bed if you want, I don't mind." She commented meekly. I wouldn't even be sleeping; it would be ridiculous if she slept on the couch instead of the bed. Of course she didn't know this though, so I only gave her a shake of my head.

"Sleep on the bed." She stood there for a few seconds, fidgeting. She finally nodded before turning and going back towards the bedroom.

It was a twisted replay of the last awakening of Saya. It was up to me to take care of her and help restore her memory. It was almost laughable- fate really had an odd sense of humor. I shook my head and used my heightened senses to listen to her breathing and wait for the girl to fall asleep.


I curled up under the warm covers after clicking the lights off, my eyes unable to close despite the fatigue that weighed heavily on my lids. I tried to remember things repeatedly, only to come up with nothing. It was as if I was behind a frosted glass, unable to clearly see. My efforts went in vain, and I only ended up in giving myself a headache. I shut my eyes tightly, listening to the rain tap against the window.

'Ah!' My eyes snapped open, irritation clouding my thoughts as I remembered something. 'I'll have to ask Haji about that blonde man tomorrow… if I remember.' I scoffed quietly at my own lame joke, glaring at the window. So much was happening… deep in my gut, I had a bad feeling.

Something awful was coming- or was already in place.

This premonition haunted me until I finally couldn't keep my eyes open, and fell into a deep abyss of nothing.

There is so much foreshadowing in these three chapters- just an FYI.

Hey! I finally got some reviews! *Dances with joy* I know it seems like kind of a cookie cutter plot line right now, but trust me, it gets wild.

So please review- I made it long again! Well longer than the last two chapters, 5,000 words. So tell me your opinion on this story, or maybe advice or maybe you just want to write "I LOVE THIS STORY!" criticism is appreciated~

Thanks for reading and don't forget to press this button

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