She was sitting in the shadow of a tree, eyes closed, listening to the melody she had not heard in so many years. Summer was just about to begin and many people were taking a stroll around town enjoying the sunny weather. Their excitement and energy cheered her, though she could not help but feel tired.

Of all places she had visited during her long life, she had been drawn to Okinawa lately. Even though the town had completely changed since the days at Omoro and she could hardly recognise anything, this was still where she felt most at home. The music stopped and the crowed of listeners dissolved. She came to her feet, stroked a strand of hair out of her face, rearranged her cotton scarf, took a deep breath and headed towards the musician.

Even though he had already noticed her, he finished packing his instrument before he turned his head and gave her full attention.

"Hello", she said gazing into the familiar face that yet belonged to a stranger. Haji greeted her with a bow of his head and answered: "Saya, it's been a while."

She nodded. "I happened to walk by and heard you play", she continued, "So I thought I should say hello."

He gave her a hint of a smile. Both of them knew very well that their encounter was no coincidence.

"How are you?" he asked.

"Fine", she answered perhaps not totally honest, "and you?"

"Fine."

"So…what are you up to? I wanted to take a look around town…maybe you'd like to come?"

He nodded and lifted his cello case onto his back, signalizing, that he was ready.

Their conversation was no more than the small talk between strangers, since all those years – those centuries that had passed – could not be summed up in a few sentences anyway. And yet with time passing by the unfamiliarity faded away.

Saya enjoyed talking to someone who knew Okinawa the way she remembered it. While they moved around town they shared memories about the places they recognized: they passed the spots where Saya's school and the hospital had once been. At some point they ended up at the crypt where she had spent quite a few of her hibernations. It was the only thing that had not changed at all.

Saya left some flowers that she had picked on the way for George, Riku and Kai.

"I will never forget them", she murmured as a tear ran down her cheek.

"Neither will I", Haji agreed. How could he? After all it was Kai to whom he owed all those happy years after the war.

She turned towards the ocean where the sun began to set. Once again she noticed how beautiful the view from up here was.

"If ever I need to find a last resting place", she whispered, "this wouldn't be such bad a choice."

Ever – Haji shuddered to her words. He was tired too. After so many years on earth there was nothing left to do and the thought of eternity was frightening.

"We should leave", Saya said, after watching the sunset a little longer, "it will be dark soon." Haji nodded though to him the time of day did not matter. In fact he preferred the tranquillity of the night. But Saya would surely be exhausted after the long walk and would need to rest.

By the time they had reached Saya's apartment night had fallen and it had begun to rain.

"Do you have somewhere to stay in Okinawa?" she asked on her doorsteps.

"What would I need a place to stay for? I'm used to traveling and stay up all night anyway."

"Well you surely don't want to stay out in the rain. You will be soaking wet."

"It's just water. I don't mind."

"If you want, you can come in until the weather gets better", Saya suggested. Haji agreed mostly because he was curious about how Saya was living. She went ahead up the stairs to the second floor when she was overcome by a sudden dizziness. She felt her legs tremble, lost balance and could barely support herself at the handrail. "Saya!" Haji, who was right behind her, reached out for her, ready to catch her. His voice had the same tone she had known so well: the mixture of concern and affection. "Are you all right?" he asked."I am tired, that's all. I guess I will go to hibernation soon." "I'm sorry, I didn't realize. I hope that walk was not too exhausting. You can get some sleep in a minute."She shook her head. After seeing him for the first time in so many years it did not feel right to just turn away and go to bed."Please don't feel obliged to stay awake because of me", he said but Saya headed onwards not paying attention anymore. She was glad to be home.