They ventured down to the lake together, with Tarja and Momiji hand in hand. Momiji was back to singing his little song now that he was rested, and even Hatori felt like humming along. Naturally, he refrained from doing so.
The day was bright and warm, with only a cool breeze to ruffle their hair now and then. Tarja spread their blanket down on the sandy beach a few yards from the water and gracefully sat down on it. Momiji ran to the waters edge and stuck his toe in.
"It's cold!" he called back gleefully. Tarja smirked and dared him to wade out deeper. "Only if you join me!" His dare could not be resisted either.
She ran to meet him, leaving Hatori to guard the blanket. He sat himself down on it and kept an eye on the two playing before his eyes. He wished he could join them, cast his stoic persona aside just for once, but something held him back.
I want to protect her, his subconscious whispered. He lay back and stared up at the blue sky. How many times had he picnicked with Kana and they'd lain together under the cloudless sky?
But this felt different. Colder somehow.
"Hey, Hatori?" He opened his eyes to see Tarja grinning mischievously down at him. He began to sit up, but suddenly he was drenched with cool water, a sheepish looking Tarja holding a dripping bucket over his head.
She pointed back at Momiji. "He made me." A lame excuse, but to him, she was the cutest thing, standing there all apologetic. He laughed. For the first time in years, he laughed.
"So then, Shigure," the voice snarled. "Where is he?"
The dog shrugged. "He wasn't feeling well, so I sent him up to the summer home to recuperate. I told him I could look after you while he was gone."
Akito turned around and faced the man before him. "That was foolish. What if I got ill?"
Shigure faked an apologetic smile. "I guess I'd have to take care of you."
Akito sauntered menacingly up to Shigure. He sat down in the dog's lap and wrapped his arms around him. Whispering evilly, he said, "I guess you'd have to take me up there to see him."
Momiji had taken to the art of building sand castles, while Tarja and Hatori enjoyed the comfort of the blanket.
They both lay in blissful silence, not needing to speak for the moment. The wolf dreamed of a day when she would be free, and Hatori dreamed of a day when he would be free to love. Dreams they both feared would never come true.
"Blue suits you," he said quietly, but there was no way she couldn't have heard him.
"Thank you," she replied, equally as soft. "You always look good. Even when you're depressed."
He chuckled. "I can't imagine anyone being attractive when they're sullen, but thank you anyway."
"Sorry about dumping water on you earlier, but you looked like you needed to be woken up," she admitted.
"It's fine," he said. "I didn't mind too much."
Momiji finished his castle just in time for a wave to wash it away and both watched in wry amusement as the boy pouted. In a mere moment, he was at it again, building another one.
"He's inspiring in a way," Tarja mumbled. "Never seems to give up. If only I had such enthusiasm for life."
"Likewise," Hatori agreed. He pulled himself up to sitting and looked down at her. "Do you get tired of living for so long?"
"Yeah," she sighed, staring straight up at the sky. "It gets boring…and lonely." He nodded, before dropping his head down onto her shoulder.
"I don't know what I'm doing," he breathed against her skin. "You should probably stop me."
"Hey!" The youth's voice brought them out of their little spell and they looked over at the boy waving his arms frantically. "There's a boat over there." He laughed joyously and waved at the occupants of the speedboat whizzing past.
Tarja grinned and let out a mental sigh of relief. That had been close.
The night was warm and Tarja sat on the veranda, as if waiting for someone or something to pop out of the woods. Hatori watched her from inside the house, while the rabbit played some made up game with puppets.
A howl sounded off in the distance and Tarja leapt up. Before she could take off, Hatori had encircled her waist and held her back.
"What are you doing?" she yelled. "They are calling for me. I have to go."
"You'll die," he warned. "You're not strong enough to fight them yet." She sagged against him.
"I have to protect…" she trailed off.
"No," he whispered. "I'll protect you this time."