A/N Whew! This one's LOOOONG! To all my loyal readers out there- You guys are awesome! I love all the PMs I'm getting and the awesome reviews as well. Thank you to BettyeK for all the fun I have reading the reviews you send out, and zealith- I know you're still reading this and I am working toward one of those scenes for you (for right now I'm letting Hagi take his time). I have put song lyrics in again and as you all should know by now, I don't own them. They are from the song "Yours to Hold" by Skillet
Special shout out to TykkiMikk- this was your idea so please enjoy the store scene!
Saya read through the letter again. He was right- it offered no real answers, only some fairytale that sounded remarkably like the one the twins dramatized. What did catch her interest was that it was written by a queen like herself. Hagi had explained what he knew of the situation and how he had met Queen Aksaya's chevalier, who called himself the First Knight. She sighed as she placed the letter on the bed and thought, I guess our best option is to find Nathan Mahler and find out all we can. She grabbed her robe and headed for the shower.
The weather had been mild for the time of year. Saya walked outside after breakfast wearing a grey t-shirt with a large hot pink heart on the front and a pair of jeans she had purchased. It was more comfortable wearing jeans at the ranch. Climbing into the Jeep and riding behind Hagi on Fury were troublesome when wearing a skirt.
It wasn't difficult to find him. She just followed the sound of the music that seemed to follow him wherever he went. Today the music was coming from the barn. The music was not from his person, but the cello as it sang out beautifully under his careful and skilled hands. She leaned against the doorway and listened to him playing a song she did not recognize. His eyes were shut as his hands moved along the neck and guided the bow. She remembered all the times she watched him during the war, his expression was the same now as it was then. He was letting himself get lost in the music and pouring all his emotions into the song.
His eyes opened and met hers as he greeted, "Good morning, Saya." Continuing to play, his eyes slid closed again and a small smile turned the corners of his mouth. He could feel her standing next to him now as he had ended the song and began to play the one she'd taught him. His hands moved flawlessly, coaxing the familiar song from the belly of the beautiful old cello. When he was playing, the world around him melted away and he could forget everything.
Saya smiled and waited for him to finish. She wanted to ask him to take her to the local store to pick up a few things she needed. She noticed the red mug sitting at his feet and smiled to herself wondering if it had gotten cold while sitting there. The last note vibrated through the barn as her eyes met his and she informed, "I read the letter again." He looked at her and waited. She finished with a deep breath and her head down, "I can't understand why she chose to tell us about this legend rather than inform us about who they are and what they want." Hagi opened his mouth to speak, but she interrupted, "I know they told you by sending Nathan and then the First Knight, but I still don't understand why she wrote about- that."
It was the same thing that bothered Hagi. Of all the things that she could have said, why this? It must be very important to them. He knew that they did not mind if he and Saya married, at least that's what they said. What was strange was how they seemed to hold so fast to the idea of fortune telling chiropteran queens that made up a story about a queen being held prisoner and a black knight coming to her rescue. When he was young, he saw how some of the women from the caravan made money by "telling fortunes", but he knew it was a way to separate a fool from his or her money.
Saya broke him from his thoughts as she stated, "I suppose we'll have to talk to Nathan, once the holidays are over. Thanksgiving was next week. Saya had explained it to Kai over the phone after Marva had explained it to her.
Kai laughed, "Now that's the perfect kind of holiday for you! A holiday that celebrates stuffing your face!"
She shook off the mean spirited comment and asked, "Hagi, could you take me to the store? I have to get some stuff."
"Out of bubble bath again?" he asked as she tried to hide the color that went to her cheeks. He gave a small chuckle as he put the cello back in its case.
She noticed the compartment where her sword rested and wondered if she could talk him into practicing with her like they did during the war. She wasn't certain about that letter or the intentions of those that were watching them. Hagi had informed her that he could sense them while he perfected the new skill he'd taught himself. Saya was still trying to get the hang of concentrating on being one with the world around her.
They walked through the small general store that seemed to buzz with excited whispers every time Hagi came into it. At first Saya wondered about the gossip, but it was when she overheard the whispers of two women nearing 30 years of age that she understood- they were whispering about "the smoking hot Trudeaux boy". Saya could feel their eyes following him and her with curiosity. A smug smile came to her lips as she grabbed Hagi's hand. She placed items in the basket as a gawking group of girls rounded the corner. Saya made certain they saw as she rose onto her toes and kissed him right on the lips, bringing a blush to his face.
Her sudden kiss was unexpected. He whispered, "Saya, I really do not think that was appropriate." Her sudden action had caused his mind to focus on her and the whispers and glares coming from all the local cowgirls.
"Hagi," she whispered, "I just wanted to kiss you." Her voice was sweet and innocent, but there was a fire in her eyes Hagi had never seen before.
His gaze followed hers and he noticed the girls that tried to turn the corner to stay out of sight. He looked back at Saya, trying to conceal his disbelief. Is what I am seeing jealousy? "Saya," he whispered as he kissed her hand and finished, "you are the only woman I have ever loved. There is no reason to be jealous."
Now color came to her cheeks. He had guessed what she was feeling. Why would she think even one of them could turn his head? She then realized what she had just been bold enough to do- and in front of other people. Her face flushed as she looked down and had to wonder at herself, how on earth could she allow this silly emotion to make he do such a bold thing? She didn't notice she had stopped moving.
"Saya, what is it?" Hagi asked as he stood next to the red faced girl.
She shook it off and responded, "Nothing." Grabbing another item off the shelf, she followed him to the front of the store where she overheard a collective gasp come from two of the cashiers. They were whispering about the apparent age difference and one of them commented that she always wondered why he never called her. Saya grabbed his arm and led him to the only stand in the store with a male cashier, hoping to keep her newly found emotional issue in check. She pulled out the credit card that Joel VI had given her. He explained that it was purchased with the inheritance money that her guardian, Joel I, had left her. After the items were bagged the cashier commented, "I know those girls have been chasing after you a long time," he smiled at Hagi before he continued, "but I'm glad to see you've found someone. Maybe now all the gossip will stop."
Hagi held his same expression, but Saya could tell by the subtle changes in his eyes that he was trying to keep from blushing. She couldn't help but laugh at the situation and thanked him shyly as she grabbed Hagi's arm and headed for the door.
The afternoon found Saya working in the kitchen with Marva as Hagi, Angie and her friends set up in the barn. Marva explained that they started playing together a year before he left to wake her in Okinawa. The group had been covering for a few bands and even played a few shows in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. One of the band members was working on trying to get a gig in Austin. "They're hoping to talk Hagi into coming too."
Saya looked at the silver haired woman and asked, "When would they be going?"
"Oh, I'm certain it won't be until April. They don't want to take him away from you right now," Marva informed.
Saya smiled shyly and responded, "I don't mind if he has to go somewhere, I know he'll come back."
Marva smiled and commented, "Of course he will, but I think you're forgetting about how much you two would miss each other." Her hazel eyes caught Saya's flushed reaction as she gave a small laugh.
"Maybe I would miss him a little," Saya admitted with a sneaky smile.
Marva's eyes sparkled as an idea popped into her head, "Saya, they're about to finish setting up. I'm gonna make some snacks for them. Why don't you help me bring them in, maybe listen to them play for a while?"
Saya smiled as she nodded in agreement.
The band was playing through a rock song as Hagi waited for them to play something he'd be more accustomed to when Saya, Marva, and Claudia came in carrying trays of sandwiches, chips with dip, brownies, pecan and pumpkin pies, and Claudia wheeled in a cooler of sodas and bottled water. They figured the hired hands may come by for a snack as well. Marva announced, "We thought you guys might be hungry after working so hard setting up."
They spoke their gratitude over each other as they scrambled to the table. Angie smiled as she grabbed a sandwich, "Ms. Trudeaux, I really appreciate all the hospitality you've shown us over the years. You let us use your barn and then you feed us, too!"
Marva laughed as she noticed Saya bring a can of soda to Hagi who refused to try any. She motioned to him and stated, "I really appreciate you and your band, you've helped bring out his creative side. I tried for years and years and all I got was technical, calculated music." She and Angie laughed at his reaction when Saya finally got him to take a sip of the carbonated drink. Marva added, "He doesn't seem to care for anything with a lot of sugar."
"Except that jelly you make, Mom," Claudia commented as she came up to them. She smiled as she watched Saya apologizing for the soda and her brother's responding look. "It doesn't matter what she does to him, he still looks at her like a little lost puppy."
"He's in love with her," Angie observed.
One of the band members added, "Yeah, he sure has been whipped."
Angie responded with a glare and a fake kick to the seat of his pants which he laughed off. "Hey," she scolded, "you shouldn't pick on him just 'cause you're jealous."
Claudia and Marva laughed and then Claudia added, "You know, most of the town is going to be so upset when they see those two together? All those girls practically fainted when Hagi came walking up anywhere in town."
"They went into town this morning," Marva informed and then added, "I wonder how it went."
They had their fill and began to play a few sets. Saya sat with Marva and Claudia near the folding table with the remaining snacks. Once in a while a hired hand would pop in and grab a snack.
"Hey, Hagi," Angie asked, "would you like to do a run through 'Yours to Hold'?"
They had played through it many times before Saya had awakened, but this would be the first time she'd hear it. He nodded as he looked down at the cello, disguising the bit of nervousness he felt, knowing that the song he had poured his heart into was about to be revealed to Saya. His steel blue eyes moved to where she was sitting as Claudia leaned over and whispered something to her.
The first chords were played by guitar as the first verse came- his cue was in the second verse. He closed his eyes and listened to the song that had come from his very heart and soul. He spoke the words softly as they were sung.
"He wrote this song for you," Claudia whispered to Saya. Saya nodded in return. She heard the words as her chevalier closed his eyes and began to sing along quietly. She knew every line, every word by heart. She began to mouth the words as well as a tear left her eye. Her eyes closed as the refrain came and she continued on with the song.
Marva was shocked that she saw Saya, eyes closed and a glittery tear drying on her cheek as her lips followed along with every word. She nudged Claudia and they both shared a surprised response. How did she know the song?
The second verse came and Hagi began to play the beautiful somber notes along with the singer and continued to quietly sing along. The temptation to open his eyes to see her response was overwhelming. His eyes opened, just a crack, to see her swaying. He barely could see, but he thought he could see her speaking. His eyes opened fully to see her eyes were closed and a complete surprise, she knew the words! She followed along to the refrain and Hagi tried to figure out how this was possible. He didn't dare miss a note- the song had brought his queen under some kind of musical spell and he wasn't about to break it.
I'm stretching but you're just out of reach. (You should know)
I'm ready when you're ready for me
And I'm waiting for the right time, for the day I catch your eye.
To let you know that I'm yours to hold.
He became spellbound as soon as her burgundy orbs opened and they caught each others gaze. The music came to a crescendo as the last refrain began. She continued to mouth the words, but Hagi was completely speechless. How did she even know the words? He never told her.
Every single day
I find it hard to say
I could be yours alone (Yours alone)
You will see someday, that all along the way
I was yours to hold
I'm stretching but you're just out of reach
I'm ready when you're ready for me
He finished the last note as she came to him and asked, "Could I talk to you a minute?"
He nodded as he placed the cello against the chair and followed her outside the barn. Marva and Claudia smiled at each other knowingly as the band wondered what just happened. Angie asked, "What's going on?"
Claudia responded in a hushed tone, "I think he's gonna finally do it! He's gonna ask her."
Angie got excited as she giggled and the men in the band remained clueless. She turned and rolled her eyes as she translated in for them, "He's going to ask her to marry him."
Outside the barn he still remained speechless. She looked at the ground and commented, "When I thought you had died, Kai and Lulu insisted that I keep on hoping you would return. I was so sad. I never told you how I felt. I was still shocked when Joel informed me that you were purchased to…" she trailed off as she thought how horrible it sounded. "I don't want you to think that I am out of your reach, Hagi." She looked at her feet, uncertain what she should say. Her thoughts were blurred as they stacked on top of each other- so many things to say.
He knew she could hear his heart pounding in his chest as he asked her, "How did you know the words to the song?"
"When we came back to Okinawa, I was having a hard time adjusting to being without you. I decided to play the cello, hoping that it would ease my pain, but when I put the cello away, I found a folded paper. Kai read it to me until the day I went into my long sleep- I didn't remember until we got to Houston, but I memorized it," she explained as her eyes stayed on her tan boots.
He listened to her explanation and remembered that he had the original draft that night he finished the letter to Marva. He intended to dispose of it, but was worried she may find it, so he hid it in the cello case to throw out later, but that tiny detail had slipped his mind. He didn't notice that she had stopped speaking and was looking into his face, trying to catch his eyes with hers.
"Hagi," she spoke, drawing his attention to her, "I'm sorry that I put you through all this. I want to make it up to you."
He responded, "There is no need to…"
"There is," she insisted as she touched his cheek. "I have let you carry this burden around for so long and never even noticed you- it's what you said in the song you wrote." She felt him press a kiss into the palm of her hand as he placed his hand over hers.
"This is enough for me, Saya," he whispered.
She held him close and insisted, "No, you deserve so much more. I love you and I want to give you so much. I want to spend all of eternity with you."
The ring! It was still in the cello case in the barn. He held his even expression as inside he was scolding himself for not thinking ahead. He gave her a small smile and responded, "As do I, Saya."
They kissed as she wondered why he didn't ask her at that moment. Her hand caressed the back of his neck, feeling the soft locks of ebony hair brushing over the back of her hand. Was this truly all he wanted from her?
She headed back to the house with the empty trays in silence. Claudia asked her what had happened and clearly became concerned when she asked Hagi how everything went outside and he just turned to put his cello away. He would have at least smiled to her or said something like, "Everything is fine, Claudia." She shared her concern with her mom and they decided that Claudia would talk to Saya and Marva would talk to Hagi as they washed the dishes and put them away so Anna would have a clean kitchen ready to prepare dinner.
Marva waited on the porch for Hagi to come up the steps. He had on his black suit, looking much like the man she met in Paris nearly 45 years ago. He carried the cello case with his hand holding the strap and his hair was pulled back again. "It's like looking into the past," she muttered. He raised an eyebrow and she waved off the comment. She motioned for him to join her. He placed the cello case against the porch railing as he sat on the step next to Marva. She nudged him and asked, "Why so glum? Did Saya say something to you?"
"She said she wanted to spend eternity with me," he responded while he looked at his hands.
She furrowed her brows and asked, "Is that such a bad thing? If you're in love with her, it's what you should want."
He turned his gaze to the horizon and responded, "It is."
"So?" she asked. "What happened?"
"I am…" he trailed off as his gaze moved to his hands again. His eyebrows furrowed as he tried to figure out exactly what the problem was.
"Oh, come on, don't tell me you're nervous," she gave a small laugh. His blue eyes turned to meet hers and she could see the problem. "You really are nervous. She practically asked you herself and you still think she's going to tell you no."
"I did not have the ring with me. I wanted to ask her, but I…" he trailed off again.
She nodded and then suggested, "Take her out for a romantic evening. At the end of the night, pull out the ring and propose."
"The moment has to be right," he responded.
"Hagi," Marva scolded, "life has very few perfect moments, but you take what you can get and work with it." She caught his gaze and added, "This is your moment- make it your moment, son."
He smiled his gratitude to her and responded, "You amaze me with all your wisdom, Mom." He kissed her forehead and rose to go inside. He had a date to plan.
"I do what I can," she whispered as a joyful smile played on her lips.
Claudia knocked on the door to Saya's room that was really her brother's room. She heard Saya groan a, "Come in, Claudia." She furrowed her brows as she came in and found Saya with her face buried in a pillow.
"How did you know it was me?" Claudia asked.
Saya turned her head and responded, "The way you knock. It's soft, but sharp. Hagi is always quiet, you can barely hear it, and Marva's is commanding."
"I'm glad you know us all so well," Claudia grinned. She then asked, "What happened back there? I thought you and Hagi were gonna disappear and go celebrate on your own."
She groaned and turned her face back into the pillow.
Claudia sat next to Saya and placed a hand on her shoulder. "That bad, huh?"
Saya thought, Here she is, the one person other than me that really knows him. She rose up and came to sit next to Claudia. She breathed and quickly spouted out, "I told him I wanted to spend eternity with him and he just responded 'As do I' and kissed me. But he didn't ask me to marry him." She sighed as she looked out of the corner of her eye to see that Claudia understood.
Claudia gave a confused look and responded, "He told me he-" she cut off her own thought as she remembered he'd left the cello case in the barn as they went outside. The ring was in the cello case. Ooohh, so that's what happened. Claudia smiled and responded, "Saya, I wouldn't be too worried if I were you. He's just having an off day."
Saya's brows furrowed, she had never known her chevalier to have an off day. He was always elegant, graceful, and in control of himself. Thinking of him having an off day seemed rather strange. She left that alone as another thought was pressing on her even more. "Claudia," she began shyly, "How do I know that Hagi wants to- go any further… you know… than where- Oh, God." Her hands covered her flushed cheeks and she groaned with embarrassment.
Claudia laughed out as she covered her mouth. She breathed and regained her composure before she responded, "Yes he thinks of you that way!"
"How do you know?" she asked.
Claudia gave her a look and responded, "Are you serious? You have a brother, I'm sure you've caught him before."
Saya didn't even want to think of that. Claudia had misunderstood. Hagi's right, she really does have her mind in the gutter. "I meant marriage," the red faced Saya corrected.
Now Claudia turned red as she burst into laughter and apologized profusely, "I really botched that one, didn't I?" She laughed out and soon Saya joined in her laughter at the embarrassing misunderstanding. Claudia finally could breathe again and she elaborated, "I thought the way you were fumbling with words that… you meant…"
Saya denied adamantly, "No, no." Then curiosity got to her, "Well, maybe- you caught him… doing- that?"
"Not exactly, I just knew he was having," she coughed before finishing, "issues."
Saya turned beet red as she thought of- or rather tried not to think of what Claudia saw.
Claudia smiled as she tried to reassure Saya, "It was a look he had in his eyes. I'll let you know the next time I see it."