Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Blood+ Characters.

Hopes

Hagi

"So, Hagi, you said that you haven't slept or eaten since you were human?" Julia asked, rummaging through her bag to take out a small flashlight.

I nodded. "That's correct."

She pressed the button and flashed it in my eyes. "Try not to blink please." She went from my right eye to me left and pursued her lips. "Well everything seems normal." She pulled away and turned the little light off. "Your eyes aren't swollen or anything. And they don't see, to be any less sensitive to light than normal. So I can't figure it out."

I rubbed my eyes to get rid of the remaining flare. "I'm not quite sure either. I've never slept unless it was from being knocked unconscious or neglect to drink any blood." I rubbed my stomach. "And I haven't eaten once since I was turned into a chevalier."

Saya suggested that we call Julia and see if she can figure out why I could all of a sudden sleep and eat food. She's done almost a full examination on me but could find nothing out of place. My heart still didn't beat. My chiropteran hand was still frozen in shape. Nothing has changed.

She took out a notebook and took some notes. "Has anything else strange happened since this morning, Hagi?"

I couldn't help but smile. "Well I have been a lot happier." I mused. "But we all know why that is. That's all I can think of."

She tapped her chin. "Have you done anything unusual since this morning?"

I stiffened and fiddled with my collar. Suddenly feeling that it was too tight. Why do I feel so enclosed all of a sudden?

She raised a brow. "Hagi?" She pressed. "What happened?"

I sighed in defeat. I looked back up at her to see that she was waiting patiently, notebook still in her hand. "The one thing that happened that was out of the ordinary was that…" I looked down at my hands. "Saya and I made love."

She said nothing. Not for long while. I dared to peek up at her.

She was looking thoughtfully at me with a small smile on her face. "I am very happy to hear that, Hagi?"

I blinked in confusion. "What?"

She put away her notebook. "Saya was crushed when she believed that you were dead. You can imagine why." She stroked her large stomach. "She was somewhat happy. But we could all see passed her mask. That grief in her eyes never disappeared."

I clenched my fists. "I wanted to get to her as soon as possible. But it took me a while to regain my strength."

Julia blinked. "How did you get out anyway, Hagi?"

I popped my knuckles before answering. "The rubble that fell on top of me was some sort of protection I guess. I was under there for about a week before I could even move. I don't even remember how I managed to dig myself out. But after I was out, I stayed hidden in local forests. Feeding on the animals there before I managed to get back to my usual self."

"How did you get back to Japan?" She asked. "It's not exactly around the corner from New York."

"Joel found me." I said. "He was dealing with some public issues to keep the bombing of the Met having nothing to do with chiropteran activity. When he managed to pull away, he managed to see me in the distance. I startled him a bit, but then he brought me back. But as soon as I came back, Saya was already sleeping. I told Joel not to tell anyone of my return. To keep it a secret until she would awaken. But then Kai caught me leaving Saya another rose. You know what happened then."

Her smiled widened. "Yes, I do." She chuckled. "Kai was so ecstatic when he first found out. He called David and I on a rampage saying that you were alive. He called everyone in a serge of happiness. Mao had to tie him up and gag him in order stop him from going nuts."

I smiled. "That sounds like Kai."

She nodded. "Well I guess maybe the fact that you and Saya mated could have something to do with it."

I tilted my head to the side. "You think so?"

She nodded. "I do." She frowned again. "But there is some bad news."

I froze. "What bad news?"

She took my hand. "I'm afraid, that since your Saya's blood chevalier, you won't be able to have children with her." She squeezed it. "The only reason Diva was able to conceive was because it wasn't her chevalier that she mated with. I'm sorry Hagi."

I lowered my eyed again. "I had a dream once. About a year before the war happened and I was still human. That Saya and I would marry, and we would have many children together at the Zoo. But then…everything changed."

"Tell me." She said.

I still remember that dream to this day. I held onto it for decades, hoping that it would one day come true.

"Hagi?" Saya asked as we were walking in one of the many gardens of the zoo.

I turned to her. "Yes?"

She looked down at her hands. "What would you want to do in a few years?"

I blinked. "What do you mean?"

She shrugged. "I want to travel the world with you and my sword. What do you want to do?"

I thought for a moment before answering. "I'm not sure, Saya. I haven't really thought about it." That was not true. I knew what I wanted. I just can't tell her what it was. At least not yet.

She puffed her cheeks. "How could you not know what you want?"

I shrugged. "I have everything that I could ever ask for." Liar. "Nothing could make me happier." Damned liar!

She huffed. "Good grief, Hagi."

"It can't be helped, Saya." I laughed. "That's just how I am."

She lowered her head in defeat. "Oh alright, you win."

I smiled and took her hand. "Come on, Saya. It's almost dark. And I know you and I can both live without another scolding from Joel."

She blushed. "Good point. Okay, let's go. I'm tired anyway." A gleam appeared in her eyes and she smiled at me. "Catch me if you can!" She took her hand out of mine and ran back towards the manor.

I gawked after her. "Saya!"

She laughed. "Hurry up, Hagi!"

I sighed before quickly running after her. Where does she get all of that energy?

We finally made it back to the manor before Joel would notice us. I took Saya to her room first before retiring to mine. I changed into my sleep attire before finally lying down onto my bed. Letting the world of dreams take me wherever it may.

I was standing peacefully in a clearing fill with beautiful flowers all around. The strong wind blowing all around me. It was so peaceful.

"Papa!" A small voice shouted. I turned around to see a small girl come running after me.

I smiled. "Narissa," I murmured, opening my arms. "Come here, my daughter." She jumped into my embrace and wrapped her arms around me neck. "And what have you been up to now, my little one?"

She giggled and pointed to the manor, "Samuel, Lisa, and Cecelia are trying to catch me but I won't let them."

I laughed and started walking us to the rest of our family. "So you refuse to be caught do you?"

She nodded proudly. "Yep!"

"Well you made one mistake, Narissa." A woman called out to us. I looked over to see that it was my lovely wife, cradling our newborn son who had just spoken and was approaching us. "You may have escaped your siblings. But you walked right into a trap."

Narissa gasped and tried to free herself from my grip. "Oh no!"

I laughed. "Oh yes! Time for the tickle monster to attack!" I put her to the ground and grabbed her sides in a tickle fest. "I have you now!"

Narissa squirmed and giggled under my fingers as I had at her. "Papa, no!" She kept laughing. "Please stop!" More snickering. "I can't breath!"

"Okay now, dear, I think she's had her fill of the tickle monster." My wife said. "Go inside now. It's time for supper."

"Yay!" They all said as Narissa freed herself from me and ran with the others.

"It seems you had fun." My wife remarked.

I smiled up at her and got to my feet. "I did indeed, Saya." I pulled her and our newborn son in my arms. "Is he asleep?" I asked looking at him.

She nodded and fixed his blanket. "I just fed him. So it's time for his nap."

I nodded. "I see." I looked up to hear the children laughing with the staff. "I guess we better get in there before they destroy the kitchen."

She laughed. "I think you're right."

I frowned and the memory of my dream. Oh how things have changed since then.

Julia was smiling sympathetically at me. "That is a beautiful dream, Hagi."

I nodded once. "Thank you, Julia."

She stroked her stomach once again. "It breaks my heart you know." She said. "That you won't be able to have children with her."

I waved my hand. "I have Saya." I said. "That is more than I can ever ask for. And I plan to adore her every day, for the eternity we will be able to share together from now on." I reached into my pocket. I pulled out a small shiny object. "I want to make her my wife."

Julia gasped and jumped up from her seat. Running to me to get a better look at the ring I held. "Hagi, it's beautiful! Where did you get it?"

I smiled down at the ring in my hand. "I got it while we were still staying at the Zoo when I was still human. The sardonyx felt as if it would fit her perfectly. I was hoping to propose to her after Joel's birthday, but then things became complicated. I kept it with me all these years, hoping that someday I could finally used it." It was gold band where instead of a diamond in the center, it was a sardonyx. "I want to propose to her today." I looked up at her in worry. "But should I wait?"

She laughed. "Do whatever you think is right, Hagi."

"What did David do when he proposed to you?" I asked.

She shook her head. "No cheating."

"But I−"

"Nope."

I sighed. "Alright. Well, thank you for your time."

She smiled and picked up her bag. Not a problem, Hagi." She shook my hand. "If you ever need anything else, don't hesitate to call. Alright?"

I nodded. "Yes. Thank you." I followed her out and escorted her to the front door. After she left, Saya came in to the room.

"What did she say?" She asked.

I shrugged. "My new cravings might have enough to do with what we did last night. But that's all I we can think of." I took her hand. "Otherwise I'm fine."

She let out a breath of relief. "Thank goodness." She said. "I was really worried."

I squeezed her hand. "No need to worry, Saya." I became serious. "But there is something else I need to do."

She became wary. "What?"

Slowly, I got down on one knee in front of her. Never letting go of her hand, I reached into my pocket to pull out the ring. "Saya Otonashi," She gasped, "I have had this ring in my possession for almost two centuries. Waiting to finally be able to use it for its main purpose. I have loved you from the moment I met you. All these years of us being together, whether it be during war or peace, my time with you is all I've wanted. And I ask you now what I wanted to ask you all those years ago. Will you marry me?"

She sobbed once, bringing her hand up to wipe away the tears. Did I ask her too soon? "Yes." She murmured.

I looked up at her. "What?"

She smiled through her tears. "Yes, Hagi, I will marry you."

I couldn't help it. A wide smile spread across my lips as I looked into her eyes. With precaution, I placed the ring on her finger, where it will stay. Now and forever. "Thank you, Saya." I pressed my lips to the ring. "I promise to be the best husband that you deserve."

"And I promise be the best wife that you deserve." She replied.

I stood back up on both feet, and took her into my arms. "I love you, Saya."

She nuzzled her nose into my chest. "I love you too−"

"Got it!" Mao shouted from across the room.

Saya and I both looked up and gaped. There stood Mao with a camera in her hand, and Kai grinning there like a fool. "Bout time, Hagi." He said. "I thought I was gonna have to put a chip in you and use a remote to get you to propose to her."

Saya groaned and hid her face in my chest. "You guys too a picture?" She asked.

Mao nodded. "Yep! Silencer button too. They don't just have them for guns."

I sighed. "Well this day just got even more interesting."

Saya huffed. "You could say that again."