Finally I actually update. I don't know what's wrong with me. I always have a writer's block but I do have an excuse. I've been very stressful with drama, my grades are starting to hate me, and my family isn't doing so well. Plus, I had Prom so yeah. But writing stories for you guys make me feel better and I hope you guys are still with me. Again, I'm sorry for the long post and I hope you enjoy this! =]

Warning: Boy x Boy Love, Language, fluffiness!

Disclaimer: I do not own Blood Plus. I wish I did, but I do not.

Summary: Haji was the dark warrior that protected Saya. However, the dark flame that engulfs Kai and Haji shows their new-found love to new heights. Their love is tested through many trials. Solomon has returned and Diva is getting more and more deadly with every step the Red Shield take. As a brother, Kai must help Saya find and defeat Diva once and for all while Haji protects the two most important people in his life. With new found enemies, surprising secrets and Chiropterans around every corner; can Haji and Kai's love prevail? Or will Diva finally find the ultimate weapon to break them and win the war?

Dark Flame

Thoughts

Chapter 8:

Haji P.O.V.

"Haji."

"Yes Kai?"

"I'm scared."

It has been two days since our battle with Diva. Everything seemed to happen so fast, so real that I wondered if we were all in a dream. Red Shield has been trying to figure out another way to stop Diva for years now and we were so close. However, how are we to be successful when there is so much blood on our hands? Innocent blood?

Kai has even been more depressed. I feared this would happen, but I never told Kai or Saya that. I mean, how can you recover when someone who was protecting you all alone, was dead? Aaron died to protect Kai, not because of Solomon's wishes but because he wanted to himself.

"We are all scared, Kai. I do not blame you for having such feelings."

"Its all my fault. I shouldn't have gone to that event downtown with Riku. If I hadn't went, Solomon would never had kidnapped me, you wouldn't have to risk everything for me, and Aaron-" Kai cut himself short, his eyes closed tightly at the painful memory of the boy's death that Diva put upon him.

We lay in bed under the covers, both of us shirtless, cuddling and holding each other close. Right now it was around 6 in the morning, but neither of us cared. No, we didn't make love or anything like that.

All we did was hold each other and whisper loving words. What mattered was that we cared for one another and kept our promises.

"Kai, what happened to Aaron was not of your doing. He knew what situation he would be in; he knew he would face Diva. If Aaron didn't care about you, he would have let Diva kill you and ran off."

"But he didn't." Kai sat up on one elbow, looking down at me with dark brown eyes and a frown that seemed to sneak itself.

"Even when Solomon did all that stuff to me, Aaron still cared about me. He was a Chevalier, Haji. He was just like you and he cared for Solomon and I. I just don't know why it has to end up this way. Why is everyone that wants to protect me, seem to disappear from my life?" Kai spoke in a soft whisper as he looked down at the bed instead of my gaze.

Gently I sat up straight, letting the blanket pool over my waist before tilting Kai's head towards me and leaned in to kiss him softly. Nothing intense or passionate, but a sweet, caring kiss to show him how much I cared about him. As I pulled away, we stared into each other's eyes, as if seeking answers.

Unfortunately, I didn't have a true answer to Kai's question.

I pulled Kai close to me as we laid back down, his head rested on my chest and my arm around his fragile frame protectively.

"I don't know why Kai. However, you can change the future so no one else you love will be hurt. You know that I will also, help you. Not as a lover, but as your friend and companion." I said, while stroking Kai's red hair, the soft spikes tickling under my fingertips as I tried to sooth my lover.

"I know you will, Haji. However, I'm finally starting to know how Saya feels about the situation. Being trapped in the middle and trying to fight for the ones who love without shedding blood." He replied, tracing circles on my stomach, his slender tan fingers made my skin shiver secretly.

"You are a part of Red Shield. You devoted yourself to them in order to protect Saya and Riku. I will not say that you're lucky to not be in Saya's shoes, but I won't say that you're not in danger either."

"Ever since our father died, I just wanted to brave for everyone. I mean, yeah I was able to wield a gun and get education, but…is this worth it? Being in a place where you're starting to lose yourself?" Kai moved closer to me, inhaling my scent before moving to lie completely on top of me; face buried in my neck.

Before I could answer, a soft knock was on the door, making the both of us still for the moment.

"Um…Haji, it's Riku."

Riku's voice made Kai spring up from the bed and look at the door. However, I placed a hand on his shoulder, a sign of comfort before getting out of the bed with only black boxers on. I reached for the door and opened it to see Riku in blue PJ pants and long sleeve shirt. He noticed I was half naked and blushed lightly, looking at the ground.

"Is there something you need Riku?" I asked him with my usual emotionless face, not caring what he saw or didn't see, but I sensed Kai shift from my bed.

"Um…I wanted to speak to my brother " Riku replied, glancing up at me while rubbing his arm nervously. "If that's okay with you, I didn't mean to interrupt anything." He said quickly afterwards but I only nodded and moved my body so Kai and Riku could see each other.

Kai pulled on his white t-shirt, boxers still in place before jumping out of bed and walked over to Riku before hugging him tightly. Riku was surprised at the brotherly gesture, but slowly hugged back before Kai pulled away just slightly and smiled at his younger brother.

"Of course you can talk to me Riku, I'm your bro, and I have to look after you." Kai assured with his smirk, while pulling Riku close and started walking down the hallway for privacy.

Just as the brothers disappeared though, Kai looked over at me and sent me a loving smile; telling me that he loved me and that he would return. Once they were out of vision, I stepped back into the room and closed the door behind me.

There was a balcony to our room, and the morning seemed to be so peaceful. So, I put on some slacks and a black t-shirt before grabbing my cello and sitting on the chair on the balcony.

Positioning my cello and my stick, I thought back on Kai. Before all this happened, I remember Kai ask me something about death. It wasn't the most pleasant thing to hear, but it was something that I accepted. Not just as a lover, but a friend and comrade.

"Haji…"

"Yes?"

"When I die, do you think you can play a song for me at my funeral?"

"Kai…You shouldn't be thinking about death. Especially now-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But I just had to ask. Would you play me, one last song for me? Just from you to me and me alone?"

"Yes Kai. I will."

"Thank you…Haji. But hey, at least you will have time to practice."

"That's not funny Kai."

"Come on Haji. You know I love you."

"I know."

I smiled calmly at the memory; the small, yet heart bearing promise I once again made for Kai. I always hoped-no prayed- that maybe Kai and I would die together. We would die side-by-side, hands together, as our souls started to die off. I guess you could say it sounded like Romeo and Juliet, but it is so much different. Instead of a dagger, there were Chiropterans.

Then again, you had the fact that me and Kai did make love, but we had known each other for a very long time and not just meeting each other one starry night. There were so many contrasts between my love for Kai and the love story of Romeo and Juliet, but I won't press the matter.

I studied my cello for a moment, and I started to imagine something instead of death…

Life.

In my daydream, Kai and me got married. No danger, no Chiropterans, and no Diva. It was just the two of us, under the valley of sakura trees; the beautiful smile Kai was giving me.

While I thought of this, I didn't know that my eyes were closed shut, and that I started to play my cello. A soft, yet beautiful song started to play as my daydream started to play for itself. The dream seemed too real, so passionate that I was lost in my own world.

However, I did not know that Saya had entered my room and was now listening to the song I started playing right now. I was so engulfed, that I honestly didn't care if someone heard me or not. I made a decision.

This song, that I'm playing, will not be played of death, but of a new beginning.

XXXXX

Saya P.O.V.

"When did this happen?"

"We are not sure. While we were browsing the area, we saw him brutally beaten on the sidewalk near the park. If we hadn't found he, he would've been dead by now."

David nodded at the information given to us by some of the members of Red Shield. I looked through the through the huge glass wall to see Solomon lying in the bed. Half his upper body was bandaged around the forearms, hands and biceps. A nasty cut on his bottom lip, his right eye was black and his forehead was wrapped in a neat white bandage. Right now, he was obviously unconscious, his chest moving up and down slowly by his breathing.

Solomon, what happened to you?

"I have a feeling that this may be Diva's doing." I came out of my thoughts and looked over at David, who looked through the wall to observe Solomon with me.

I didn't say anything but I knew that it must be true. "But why would Diva want to hurt Solomon?"

"For betraying her of course? I mean, he did it just so he could fight along side you."

"He gave that up a long time ago. I don't think he even loves me anymore. Just what is it?" I said more to myself then to David, but he listened respectfully as he tucked his hands in his suit pants pockets.

"When he wakes up, we will get some answers. Hopefully, he won't be able to use much of his Chevalier powers when he realizes where he is." David spoke softly before looking over at me, as I stared at Solomon's sleeping form.

Turning to face David, I looked down at my feet, before looking the blond in the eye. "If it's anyone he should see, it should be me. If he sees you, he will do what you said."

"Unless we involve Kai-"

"No!" I answered quickly, making David look upon me with surprise at my sudden oppose to bringing my brother in the situation.

I blushed in embarrassment as I shamefully looked away. "Its just, Kai has been through much with Solomon and I don't think he should face him at the moment." I explained to David, who nodded in understanding.

"Your right. For now, we will deal with Solomon. We won't mention to Kai about Solomon being here. Thankfully this part of the building is off limits and we have the authority to enter." He replied until a cell phone went off, David quickly digging inside his suit jacket to get the device out and placed it by his ear.

"David speaking." He answered as there was a string a silence and he looked up at me before walking off to a more private area.

As I watched David talk on his phone, I glanced over into the room and looked at Solomon once more before turning to leave.

Once I went up the stairs, I looked around to make sure no one saw me before I advanced towards the lobby where Riku and Kai sat a small table playing some cards. Riku seemed focused before placing a card down, hoping that his choice was the right one until Kai placed his own card down and smirked.

"Sorry Riku, but your just not there yet."

"I'll get you next time bro, just you wait!" Riku said with such determination that Kai couldn't help but smile at him and ruffle his hair across the table.

Clearing my throat, both brothers turned to look at me as Riku beamed and smiled at me.

"Saya! I almost beat Kai in the card game, but he always wins for some reason. You should play him!"

I giggled at Riku's discovery of playing cards as I seated myself at the table. "As much as I would love to, I'm not in the mood for it today. Maybe tomorrow okay?"

"Ok!" Riku said before looking at the clock, a panicked look on his face.

"Shoot! I forgot to help Ms. Julia! I better hurry!" Riku announced before getting out of his seat and ran off in the direction of Ms. Julia's lab.

Kai and I chuckled at our little brothers actions before we both went silent at the table. Awkward it was, but at the same time, we both had something to say. Before Kai could even utter a word, I spoke.

"I'm sorry Kai." I said softly, not breaking the gaze we held as Kai listened carefully.

His arms crossed and chair leaned back, he said nothing, which meant that I could continue talking.

"I know that I said that I accepted you and Haji's relationship with open arms and I did, I truly did! However, somehow along the way, I started to feel jealous of you. I wanted Haji to love me that way he loved you. I wanted him to hold me and tell me everything would be all right. He gave you everything a girl could ever want. His heart, body and mind." I started off, taking a pause and making sure Kai was still listening to me and from his look I knew he was.

I looked down at the table as I continued. "What happened back on the island, it shouldn't have happened. I seduced Haji in order to get attention, and for that I almost got you and Haji killed. If I weren't such a bitch, maybe things would turn out different. You wouldn't have to suffer under Solomon's hand." Tears started to slowly fall from my eyes as I looked up at my red-haired brother, who stared at me with shock and guilt.

"I'm so sorry Kai…I just wanted to be loved. I don't want to ruin such a beautiful bond you and Haji share, I just don't want you two to forget me! I don't want to be alone! You, Haji, Riku and David are the only people I have left!" I spoke louder, not caring who heard or saw as long as Kai could hear my words, my confession.

Suddenly, I felt a chair being moved and warm arms wrapped around me from behind. I looked over my shoulder to see Kai's head on my shoulder, holding me close to him in a brotherly way.

"We will never forget you Saya. You're part of the family, and if something were to happen to you, I don't think I could bare it." Kai's words were calm and truthful as I tried to wipe the tears from my eyes but more came.

"I'm sorry for making you bear such pain. If someone should ask for forgiveness, it should have been me. I should have told you from the beginning about my love for Haji, but I was frightened that you would hate me and for that push me aside and look at me with disgust. I was afraid you wouldn't look at me as a brother anymore, but a monster." Kai's words trailed off slightly, almost ashamed.

Eyes widened, I stood up from my seat and wrapped my arms around Kai's neck tightly.

"Kai, I would never, ever call you a monster! You are my brother and you will forever be my brother no matter what." I hugged him tightly before pulling away to look Kai in the eye, smiling in comfort at him while wiping the tears from my eyes at last.

"I love you from the bottom of my heart as does Haji and no matter what happens, I will always be there for you." I assured Kai, who smiled back before wiping his eyes a little.

"I know Saya. I know you'd be there for me. I would definitely do the same for you. Besides, someone's got to watch your back when you're fighting right?" Kai teases me with that same old grin of his and I couldn't help but laugh and punch his arm playfully.

"So let's put everything in the past okay?" I asked my brother, who smiled with determination and nodded boldly as we shook hands.

"Okay." Kai replied before pulling me into a bone-crushing hug and I could only laugh and hugged him back, thankful that the weight was off our shoulders at long last.

XXXX

Taya P.O.V.

"You let him escape?"

"We are truly sorry, Diva. Honestly, we had no intention on letting him get away, but he was too fast for us. I mean he is a Chevalier." Gabby informed Diva; all of us were outside of Diva's hideout; the sun was beaming brightly upon us.

I sat on one of the white tables that were outside while Gabby and Diva discussed about Haji's sudden appearance a few weeks back. I do know that Gabby helped Haji go back home, but I knew that Gabby was lying to her. She didn't want me to get hurt, but doesn't she know that I don't want her to get hurt either?

After listening to my sister's explanation, Diva turned around to look at me with a bunch tremmed blue roses in her arms. As she approached me, Gabby watched this silently until Diva stood directly in front me. I was frightened, yes, but that didn't mean she would kill me.

"What do you have to say about this? You are the one who saved my dear sister's Chevalier. Plus, you could've just let Haji die in that abandon site but instead your rescued him. So tell me Taya." Diva tells me, her blue eyes almost peering into my soul, as I looked right back at her.

"Did you save Haji just to protect yourself from me, or because you're starting to realize how dangerous I truly am?"

"Diva, Taya doesn't know why he did it! You know how little ones are-"

"Oh but he is not little. Taya is a man just like every other male we know." Diva replies, cutting my sister off before tilting my chin up with her index and thumb.

Damn! I was certain that she would brush off the matter!

"Neither. I did it, because Haji was the one that saved me. He would die for my sake and I didn't want to bare the burden. Even if he was an enemy." I said to Diva with no hesitation, but I didn't dare meet her intense gaze.

Gabby stared at me in shock, her mouth slightly ajar while Diva just looked at me with a fixed look on her face. Suddenly, Diva smiled widely, releasing my chin before giggling.

"How very cute! I am glad that someone is brave enough to speak his or her minds without fearing death! One day, I shall reward you when all of this is over." Diva tells me before patting my head gently; I had the sudden urge to move my head away but I didn't dare do so.

I glanced up at Gabby to see her finally calm down, her mouth closed with a slight frown at this. After that, Diva turned around to look at my sister and glared.

"You should learn from your brother. If you did, you wouldn't be so foul and frightened of me." She told Gabby darkly before skipping off towards the flower bushed and started picking out more flowers.

All Gabby did was stand there, watching Diva pick the flowers. I saw her hands curl into fists before she turned to walk back inside. When I reached out to stop her, Gabby only sent me a cold glare before finally walking inside.

My heart saddened for my sister. She had to bear the pain that I didn't have. If only I had the curse, then maybe things would be different. Maybe, we wouldn't be fighting alongside Diva, but maybe Haji and his 'lover' Kai. I felt a tinge of jealously towards the redhead that Haji spoke so much about, but I dismissed it from my mind.

Besides, there are more important things to deal with than that. Immediately, I looked over at our boss, Diva: the queen of the Chiropterans.

XXXXX

Haji P.O.V.

While Kai was out with Saya, I decided to find out more about Diva and the mysterious boy name Taya, who I had fought back at Solomon's mansion hideout. It was being investigated, but once it's cleaned out, Red Shield will move in to expand their research.

David and I were walking downstairs into the pharmacy where Julia was checking on someone, who was lying in bed. I became curious as to who was in the hospital bed but before I went to look, David stopped in front of me and faced me with a serious look.

"Please do not tell Kai about this. If he knows whose down here." David tells me while glancing over towards the glass room.

"I understand. You don't want Kai more worried than he already is. I too don't want him stressed." I stated, telling David that I understood his meaning.

After that, David finally led me into the room as I followed behind and we stood at the foot of the bed. My eyes widened to see that Solomon, of all people, was in the bed wrapped up and unconscious. I frowned deeply at this.

I can't believe that Solomon: the one who betrayed Diva for Saya and is now fallen for Kai, is in a hospital bed because of Diva.

"When Julia checked his injuries, she noticed that the cuts were not from a Chiropteran or Diva herself. It looked like it was from a magical force of some kind that generates through the body and tortures the victim. Plus, there was some deep slice cuts on his side that seemed to be from a sword." David filled me in on the information given to him but when he mentioned that the mysterious attacker wielded a sword, I immediately thought about Taya.

"Taya." I said the name out loud, making David turn his head to look at me in question.

"Taya?" The blond repeated with question as I nodded in reply.

"Remember when I told you about the abandoned site on the island me and Saya were?" I asked David, who nodded. "Apparently, there was a boy name Taya who possessed a sword of great power just like Saya's. He was the reason why I disappeared for so long."

"Was he also in Solomon's mansion when you and Kai were attacked by Diva?" David then asked with a sudden realization, as if he put the pieces together.

"Yes. He has a sister as well. They both serve under Diva, but it's more of a forced alliance." I explain to my companion, who nods in understanding before looking at Solomon's sleeping body.

"Sounds to me like we have more enemies than we expected. Diva seems to be creating allies every day. However, that only shows that she is also becoming weaker." David says softly, looking at the heart meter.

Suddenly, David's cell phone vibrates as he takes it out and opens it. He looked like he was reading a message before closing it shut and placed it back in his pocket.

"A message from Julia. She wants me to look at something. Don't be in here to long." David advises me and I only nod.

"All right." I answer before David nods back and gracefully leaves Solomon and me

Quietly, I walk to the side of the bed that laid my rival and enemy as I pulled up a chair beside him. There were so many things I wanted to do when I finally saw Solomon. After all the things he put Kai through, I wanted to strangle him, kill him, make him drown, etc. The more I thought about them, the more I feared that Kai would fear me. Watching Solomon so weak and vulnerable made me wonder if that's how I would feel if I were in his shoes.

Kai would probably be crying if I were in Solomon's place.

"I know your there, Haji. No need to make your invisible."

Calmly, I looked upon Solomon's face to see his eyes open, staring at me. I only looked back at him for a second before looking at the wall. Solomon smirked at this before struggling to sit up from his bed. When he hissed in pain, I had this urge to help him but I remained in my chair. He managed to somehow sit up and lean against the wall while glancing at me.

"So, are you going to punch me? Yell at me for kidnapping Kai?" Solomon asked me with a playful smirk on his face; a cut on his bottom lip.

"I didn't mean to leave him there. I was just going to be out for a little bit but I seemed to encounter some people who decided that they had enough of me. Gave me a pretty good beating too." Solomon added as he examined himself, chuckling as he did so before looking over at me.

"Kai doesn't know you're here-"

"Is he all right? Please tell me he's well and out of harms way!" Solomon quickly asked his blue eyes filled with concern for my lover as I stared at him with shock.

"Yes, he's fine. I managed to stop Diva before she could do anything else to him." I replied with a fixed gaze while Solomon sighed with extreme relief until he stiffened again and looked up at me once more.

"I assume Aaron's dead, isn't he?" Solomon pointed out softly and I nodded with slight uncertainty.

"How did you know?"

"His aura has disappeared. The scent he once lingered has vanished." He tells me before he looks down at his lap, securing the blanket on him.

After that, we both sat in silence for a moment, as if we were trying to recoil ourselves from the many events that occurred. I glanced up at Solomon for a second before speaking up.

"If you honestly think, that I would change my feelings for Kai, just because you shot him, you must be foolish Solomon." I told him coldly, noticing him stiffen at the sudden memory.

"I don't know why I did that. Maybe it's simply because I didn't want to lose against you. I wanted Kai for my own and you were in the way. I was tired of how Kai always mentions how you were going to save him. That he only belonged to you and no one else. When he said those words, I just snapped." Solomon replies while looking at the foot of his bed instead of meeting my gaze.

Then, Solomon finally looks over at me with a serious gaze. "There is one thing we both agree on though." He adds with some enthusiasm and I only looked at him.

"We both want to protect Kai. Protect him from everyone and everything; including Diva. I would gladly die in order to keep Kai safe. And I don't care if you two are together. If Kai doesn't want me in his life, then so be it."

"I was once like you." I say softly, gaining Solomon's attention. " I remember when Kai use to date this girl back at his hometown. They would always chat and go places together whenever they had the chance. I wanted him to be mine the very moment I met him. As hard as it was, I only waited until the day Kai realized how deeply in love I was for him." I paused for a minute.

"I have been patient for a year and everything I ever wanted vanished from within my grasps."

Solomon's words almost made me wince with guilt in my chest. His blond bands hovered over his eyes slightly as he bowed his head.

"Yes, I did fall for Saya. I betrayed Diva in order to protect her but then I realized that I didn't need a reason to leave. My decisions were not mine to choose and I become angry by the people controlling me. That's when Kai started to be the subject of my dreams, the main source of my thoughts. I envied you because you could show Kai how much you loved him. Instead I had to force Kai into my home, make him listen, shoot him-"

"Enough Solomon!" I said loudly so Solomon would stop his ranting.

Before any words could be spoken, someone entered the room. We turned our heads to see David walk back inside; his eyes automatically rested on Solomon as he walked closer towards us. I stood up from my seat as David stood beside me.

"Do you want me to leave?" I asked David, who only looked up at me with a fixed gaze.

"If you want to, you may. I can handle this on my own." David replied smoothly as I nodded and started heading towards the door.

"Haji."

I paused in front of the doorway but I didn't turn to look at Solomon. I could feel his intense gaze on my back as I stood where I was.

"If Kai gets hurt because of you, I will kill myself understand?" Solomon warned me coldly, and I sensed the deadly glare he was sending me even if I didn't turn to look.

I only nodded my head before walking out of the room, closing the door behind me so David and Solomon could talk privately.

Solomon…you are right. Both of us want Diva gone and we also want to protect the one we love. If Kai were to get hurt because of me, I wouldn't let you kill me…I'd kill myself.

TBC

I really hoped everyone liked the chapter so far! Please review and tell me what you think! I love hearing from you all and it makes me very happy! Until next time! =]

-YaoiPrincess16