Hagi was amazed, nervous, and excited as he walked next to Claudia around the set on the beach. Models were being ushered on and off the beach wrapped in large towels. A small man, shorter than Claudia, was shouting directions as he'd snap photo after photo in continuous succession. He turned to them and gave a joyous expression as he greeted, "Oh, Claudia, so happy you are finally here!" He kissed each of her cheeks and then turned to Hagi. "And who is tall, dark, and handsome?"

"This is my brother, Hagi," she smiled as she extended her hand toward her tall brother. She then added, "Hagi, this is Roberto," she added with a dramatic flair, "the famous photographer."

"Oh, stop," Roberto teased flamboyantly as he extended his right hand to Hagi.

"Glad to meet you," Hagi greeted as he shook his hand.

She turned to Hagi and informed, "I really need to get to work here. Do you think you could head back to the hotel and unpack for us? I'll meet you for lunch at 12, right? You're okay on your own?"

Hagi smiled and responded, "I will be fine, Claudia. I will see you at 12."

She smiled and gave him a hug and ran off to begin work. Hagi set off in the direction of the hotel, but decided to check out Saya's old school. He walked calmly until the crowd thinned out and then began to speed through the streets, leaving only a blue trail in his wake. He could strongly sense Saya's presence at the school, but they were in the classroom at this time of day. He ran his bandaged hand along the gate as he continued his tour of the past.

He stopped by Omoro and saw Kai feeding one of Saya's nieces while Lulu played with the other one. She was relaying the story of how she had watched Saya and Hagi communicating to each other. Kai seemed relieved at the news. Hagi heard him saying he was glad that her moping was finally over. Lulu smiled as she said that Saya told him twice, that she loved him.

He was smiling as he remembered that he thought he had heard that. He was crouched in the window at the end of the hall, so he wouldn't be so easily noticed. Lulu then perked up, again, asking Kai if he had called Joel about the party at the end of the week. Saya was hoping everyone was going to be there. Hagi decided to check Saya's room at that moment. He moved quickly and silently to the other side of the building, knowing exactly which window was hers.

In a heartbeat, he was standing in her room. She had the same posters and pictures adorning the walls. He noticed his jacket folded neatly at the end of the bed. He placed a bandaged hand on it, sensing how she had clung to it during her grief over losing him. His heart ached knowing the sorrow he had caused her, so he would leave the jacket with her. The gleam of sunlight hitting metal caught his attention, he walked over to his cello case wondering if she had tried to play it in his absence.

Suddenly, a sound in the hallway caught his attention. "I'm sure I feel his presence, Kai," he heard Lulu say. He pulled a note from his cargo shorts and placed it under her pillow and quickly departed out the window.

A moment later, Kai and Lulu came through the door, both noted nothing was disturbed and went to check the other rooms.

Hagi went into the living room window and quickly checked in on Saya's nieces. One pair of blue eyes and one pair brown looked up at him and both babies gave a wide grin as he promised, "I will be checking on you more often when I am completely recovered." He heard the pair coming back into the long hallway. The twins were giggling as he leapt from the window.

Even though he wasn't at full strength yet, he was still agile as a cat and could easily slip past mortals, but Lulu was more of a challenge. He heard her call him saying, "I know you were here, Hagi. You better be here when Saya goes to sleep."

Hagi headed back to the hotel. He walked into the door and sat on the bed. He relaxed a bit, remembering her smell. Her presence was so near, but he couldn't get near her, yet.

He fell back into the bed, so glad that he was here. She was nearby and he could have one last moment before she slept, but things would be getting complicated. Soon Joel, David, Mao, Okamura, and Lewis would be here in Okinawa and this would make it more difficult to get to her, but at least he had given her the note. He began unpacking and waited for 12.

That afternoon, Saya came home from school and raced up stairs to relax before she took her turn with the twins. She opened the door to her room and looked around. Everything was the same as this morning when she left, but something had changed, she felt it. She ran her hand over the folded jacket and took a deep breath. The air had changed, there was a charge of excitement and a strong scent of roses… and… him.

Lulu came in and began to talk, "Saya, have you noticed anything? I know I sensed him earlier, but I never saw him and…"

Saya laid down on the bed, breathing deeply and smiling as her head found the pillow and her hands snaked underneath it. She was surprised as her right hand found a neatly folded piece of paper. Her brows furrowed with confusion as she sat upright with it in her hand. As she unfolded it, she immediately recognized the neat ornate handwriting, but this time, in Japanese.

Saya,

I am alive and I will see you soon, please do not be sad. I am still weak and can only see you for a short time. I just need to see you one last time before you sleep for thirty years. I love you.

Hagi

Lulu gasped as Saya sat, dumbfounded, both with the same thought, he was here.

The next three days were rather rainy. Marva called often to check on them. Hagi remembered that he wasn't sure Claudia's plan would work, Marva was being very cautious with him, but Claudia told her mother something that tipped the scales back in their favor. She said, "Momma, he's a chiropteran, not an old man, if we don't let him get back to acting like himself, he might lose his mind." It sounded funny, but Hagi felt it to be true, in a way. He needed to get out of being behind closed doors, it made him feel much better to be sneaking around and lurking in windowsills. It may seem creepy, but it was a part of who he was.

Claudia warned Hagi not to go out in the rain, but he was feeling his strength coming back to him. He still was not at full strength, but he was much faster than when he first arrived.

This evening, Claudia had decided to go sightseeing. Hagi showed her different popular stores, and places, avoiding Omoro, hoping that he would avoid running into anyone from Saya's family. He knew that he looked like a completely different person now, but he wasn't sure if they really could be fooled by a short hair cut and a wardrobe change.

He inwardly cringed as he caught his own reflection in a storefront window. Black wavy hair cropped at the jaw line, black long-sleeved t-shirt sporting a silver image of some strange rock band he vaguely recognized, the previously mentioned shirt tucked into those dreaded camouflage cargo shorts, and brown sandles. He looked so unlike himself.

Claudia chuckled as she noticed his glance at his reflection. She grabbed his arm and spoke quietly in his ear, "You look so much better than you think."

He suddenly froze, which made Claudia follow his gaze to a young, red haired man. "Just relax," she advised.

Kai had run out of some supplies at the Omoro and, thankfully, Lewis took over cooking for him while he ran to the store with a list in hand. He was mumbling under his breath about some problem when he ran into a familiar face. He stared in disbelief at the man in front of him and the dark haired, blue-eyed man stared back.

This can't be him, Kai thought. Look at him- short hair, American t-shirt, those shorts, and what is up with those shoes? Who is that with him? I know her! She's that new designer Mao's been going crazy about- what's her name- Trudeaux?

He walked up to them and to Hagi's surprise he began to speak to Claudia, "Excuse me, Miss Trudeaux, right?"

"Yes, that's me," Claudia smiled, knowing where this was going.

"I thought so. My friend Mao is a really huge fan of yours, I was wondering if you could give me an autograph- for her I mean?" he managed to get out.

She smiled as he handed her the other side of his grocery list and the pen in his hand. She asked, "M-A-O, right?" She now understood Hagi's reaction earlier and knew exactly who this was. She signed Claudia Trudeaux.

Kai turned his attention to the tall man once again, "You really look like someone I know. Do I know you?"

Hagi simply answered, "I don't think so."

Claudia quickly informed, "This is my brother."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Kai stammered and stuck out his hand, "Kai Myagusku."

Hagi shook his hand and just said, "Trudeaux."

Kai shook Claudia's hand, thanked her, and they parted ways.

His hand was bandaged, Kai thought, just like… Nah, it couldn't be him. He wouldn't have a sister… a last name? What did he say his first name was? Kai shook his head. It wouldn't be him. I know him. He wouldn't be caught dead or alive looking like that.

"I can't believe he didn't recognize me," Hagi commented quietly as they walked back toward the hotel.

"Of course not, I told you before, you don't look like a mortician anymore."

He laughed as he pushed her playfully and she pushed back. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Kai watching them He commented, "I never did look like a mortician."

"Oh, right. Everyone walks around in long black suit jackets with long tails, black slacks and oxfords, carrying a black cello case that looks like some sort of coffin." Claudia teased.

Kai had turned to watch them as they left. He couldn't hear the conversation, but he saw the man push the designer playfully and laugh. Now I know that isn't him. Hagi could barely form a smile, his face would probably break if he laughed like that, but it's weird how he sounds like him and everything.

The sun was barely peeking up from the horizon when Hagi quietly climbed in through Saya's window. He didn't have much time, Lulu was feeding the blue-eyed twin they had named Habiki. He just wanted to see Saya one last time. The party was tonight and he sensed she had been fighting back her hibernation for a while. He looked at her sleeping peacefully in her bed with his note clutched in her hand. How he longed to just stand by the window and keep watch over her every night as he had done for the past 2 years.

She stirred slightly and he leaned over her, smoothing her long bangs out of her face and behind her ear. She smiled in her sleep and spoke, "Hagi."

He whispered to her, "I am here Saya, and I always will be. Her left hand reached up and captured his hand. She sleepily opened her eyes and stretched without releasing his bandaged hand, bringing it far above her head, forcing him to stretch out next to her on the bed. She placed her right hand on the back of his head, pressing his mouth to hers in a passionate kiss. He moved both his arms around her and pressed her closer to himself. When they finally breathed again, he softly purred, "I have missed you."

Her eyes stayed closed as she smiled and embraced him. She pressed her face into his shoulder as she breathed in the familiar smell of him. Her mind drifted back to the Met and the balcony falling over him and a crystallized Amshel. She sobbed into his button down dress shirt as her hold around him tightened, "Please, don't leave me, again. I never thought I'd see you again, and I couldn't cope."

He stroked her hair and whispered in her ear, "I must go back for a time, to regain my strength. I will tell you of everything I do while you are sleeping, when you wake up next time." He leaned toward her, to kiss her cheek, but she caught his mouth with her own again. She moaned as she pulled him in even tighter as she opened her mouth and rubbed her tongue across his bottom lip. He opened his mouth and began to explore her mouth with his tongue.

She moved her mouth down his jaw line and to his neck, licking the pulse point and causing shivers to rock through his body. She was pleased at his excited reaction and teasingly licked, again as she unbuttoned the top two buttons and open the shirt. She then bit into his neck as he stifled a moan of pleasure. She took strong pulls of his blood while her hand explored the back of his neck and head. After a moment, she pulled away, licking the wound and watching it quickly seal up. She wiped her mouth with her fore arm and sat up next to him. She giggled, "What did you do to your hair?"

He sat up next to her, putting a bandaged hand on her inner thigh, he answered quietly, "The story of what has happened to me is too long to tell right now. I will tell you when you awaken again."

"I don't like it like this," she commented as she tangled her hand into the back of his head. "I want you to grow it back, again."

He was lost in her eyes that were a deep burgundy color at the moment. He felt his mouth being drawn to hers as he answered, "If that is what you wish."

He tasted his blood in their kiss as she pulled him to her so very tightly, as if by doing so, she could keep them together forever. He let her lead the kiss, as he let her lead in every other area, but he could feel the time passing all around them. Kai would soon be up and Lulu would sense that he was here, either one may interrupt them any time now. Their eyes were closed as she pulled him to lay down next to her in the bed. She placed small kisses against his mouth and pleaded, "Please, just a bit longer?"

He loved her aggressiveness in this fully awakened state. She was so shy before, but probably still was, after all, he had just woke her from a dream and in her bedroom. He looked into her eyes and just couldn't pull away from her. If only they had the power to stop time. He pressed his forehead to hers and sadly stated, "I wish I could." He kissed her forehead and was gone with a light gust of wind. He had left her breathless and unsure of whether she had been dreaming or awake, but she could taste his blood in her mouth. She noticed the space that had occupied his cello case was now empty.

He arrived back at the hotel room to Claudia getting up. She noticed him licking his lips and setting the cello case against the wall and knew where he had come from. She smirked as she observed, "You two got pretty hot and heavy, huh?" She tossed him a jar of lip balm from her carry-on bag.

He smoothed some over his lips, tossed it back to her, and mumbled that he needed to take a shower and headed to the restroom.

She raised her eyebrows and added, "Oh, a cold shower? Maybe I should have made you take some protection. Never knew you to be so forward, Big Brother."

He closed the door and began to run the shower. He was indeed surprised at how quickly the events between he and Saya had progressed in the early morning. He would have to remember not to go so far with the kissing next time.

After he was showered and dressed in khaki cargo shorts and a navy shirt, he came back in the bedroom, stretching himself across the twin bed where he rested on occasion. He didn't need sleep anymore as his body had almost completely recovered, but he was dreading the next 30 years without those eyes… those lips… that voice… that kiss.

Claudia had taken over the bathroom. Hagi could hear her singing some pop song, off-key and chuckled. He noted the bottles of soaps, creams and various products scattered on the vanity- all hers. Then, he noticed the pink suitcases and garment bags on her side of the room. His side had a grey suitcase, matching garment bag, and the black cello case with silver metallic filigree. How different we are, he mused. I am used to fighting and being on the move, packing only the necessities. Now I feel like a tourist. He was happy, though. No more fighting, Saya would wake to a life of peace at long last!

He let his eyelids shut as he imagined what he was going to do when he got back to Texas. Will he travel? Will he learn something new? Who will he meet? How much time will he spend in Okinawa with Saya and the twins? The possibilities stretched out before him like the various freeways that tangled themselves in the heart of New York City. He knew he wanted to see Houston, he had heard it was like New York, but there was more land and the roads were different. There were rodeos, and jazz clubs, and even the space program did tours of their facility. It was amazing what mankind had accomplished in the past 100 years.

Claudia came out of the bathroom in a purple robe with a towel wrapped around her head. She saw Hagi stretched out over the bed, hands interlaced behind his head, staring at the ceiling. She smirked, "I hope you're not thinking of her. You'll end up taking another cold shower."

"How do you know that I needed a cold shower, Claudia."

"The way you were walking when you came in made it very obvious," she laughed. Then she waved, "I know, I know, I've been around ranch hands too long."

He only stared at the ceiling. He was not about to get into it with Claudia about his love life. It was bad enough when she teased him about being by Saya's side without being with her, as she had put it.

"You're ignoring me, Big Brother," she observed, shaking a finger at him. "What are you hiding?"

"I'm not ignoring you, Claudia," he answered honestly. "I was just thinking about what my future will be like. I never dared to think past the fighting, but now I am. I'm thinking about living."

Claudia surprised him with a hug as he felt joyful tears against his neck. She wiped her eyes and said, "I was so worried that I'd never see you again, Big Brother. I'm so glad you convinced her to live."

"As am I," he responded as he hugged her back.