Missing

Part II

by

Chibijem

Disclaimer: See Part I

Hagi slipped inside the abandoned farm house where he had brought Saya several days ago. He put his parcels down and went in search of her, half knowing he would find her in the exact same place she had been since she had awoken. He turned into a small bedroom on the second floor and found her sitting in front of the window, blindly staring out at the landscape. "Saya," he gently called. When he received no acknowledgement, he walked over and knelt in front of her. "I've brought food; you should eat." He softly encouraged. When Saya continued staring, he put a hand on her knee, "Please, Saya." He was somewhat relieved when she got to her feet and stood, as if waiting for him to lead the way.

He studied her as she picked at the food; his worry was growing day by day, hour by hour. Since the destruction of Red Shield's headquarters and the death of Riku, Saya had eaten little and only when he insisted. He also knew she was plagued by nightmares, he had calmed her when they came, sometimes several times a night. He wondered how long the mourning process would take her, if there was anything else he should be doing. She certainly hadn't shut down like this after the massacre during Joel's birthday over a hundred years ago. But so much had changed since then. He didn't know how much more she could take; she had lost the man she regarded as her father, by her own hand, she left behind cherished friendships, had her whole self being questioned, turning the young boy she thought of as a younger brother into a Chevalier and then losing him, not to mention the numerous attempts on not only her life but on the lives around her. Losing all of that because of Diva, because of the greed for power of Diva's Chevaliers.

He was brought out of his reminiscing by the clatter of Saya's fork hitting her plate. He made a move to go to her side, but she shook her head, rose and fled the room. Hagi looked at the uneaten food and sighed. If this kept up, he would have no choice. He would have to force her to eat or accept his blood. He'd rather not resort to it, he didn't want to add any more trauma to her already over burdened mind and body. But he also didn't want to see her wither away to nothing, both for his sake and for everyone else.

He walked to the backdoor and peered into the overgrown yard to see her slump against the large tree several yards away. The cloudy weather a perfect accompaniment to their moods. He proceeded outside when Saya laid her head on her upraised knees, her shoulders shaking. He settled next to her in silence, waiting. He hated seeing her cry and to feel her trembling next to him as she cried silently tore at his heart; he raised an arm and she fell against him, drained. They sat while the day passed around them. Hagi gracefully got to his feet when he could feel Saya shiver with the oncoming coolness of the spring night, the sun having already set. He cradled her in his arms as he entered the house, elbowing the light as he passed. He settled her in the large chair by the fireplace and lit the logs he had arranged earlier. Soon a warm glow flowed into the room. He turned from the fire and studied the still figure, her eyes focused on the flames.

After several minutes, he stood and opened his cello case. He took the chair across from Saya and waxed the bow. As he pulled it across the strings and the familiar melody filled the room, he saw her close her eyes. He played the music, hoping to comfort both Saya and himself. He thought back to the train ride in Russia when he had started to teach Riku how to play, a small smile played at his lips as he remembered the young boy struggling with the large instrument and the first attempts at drawing the bow. He had become attached to Riku in the short time he had known him. He had been touched by Saya's brother's desire to bring him into the family fold when they had returned to Okinawa to rest from the trip to Vietnam and Laos and to say a final goodbye to their father and their innocent life. He also marveled at Riku's fortitude and acceptance at being a Chevalier not to mention the bearing and maturity the young lad had displayed. He had been wise beyond his years and a master at reading people.

"Hagi?" Came the concerned whisper. "Daijobu desu ka?"

He turned his gaze, "Hai, heki." He was surprised Saya had spoken. She had said but a handful of words in the days since.

"You stopped playing."

"Gomen ne, Saya." He set the cello on it's side and gently fingered the bow. "I was remembering your brother." He heard her small gasp. "I was teaching him the cello."

Saya burrowed into the back of her chair, "He told me you were."

"He was a very apt student."

"He said you were extremely patient with him. Probably more so than I was with you." Saya told him with a sad smile, the firelight casting shadows on her face.

"Iie, I made it difficult for you. I was angry when you first began with me." He studied her, seeing her eyes pulled back into their very distant past.

"We didn't get along very well early on." She turned her eyes on him, remembering the small boy with the belligerent attitude.

Hagi's lips turned up in a small smile, "No, we did not."

"Hagi, tell me what to do." Saya voiced, almost begging.

He stared into the fire, "Mourn for now. Give yourself the time to do so. Allow yourself to do so." He went to her when she began curling in on herself. "Saya," her name a soft entreaty. "You need to mourn; you've let things go and the sadness will bury you."

"Hagi...Hagi...I..." A slender hand reached out.

"I am here for you and always will be." He clasped her hand in his human one. When Saya tumbled out of the chair, his secure, strong arms were there to catch her.

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Two mornings later, Hagi began to wonder if he had imagined that night. Saya had gone back to barely eating and nightmares still plagued her. He was truly worried, she was wasting away before his eyes. He knew the time was growing near when he would have to use force to bring her out of her downward spiral. He still hoped he wouldn't have to take a high hand with her. He peered out the window to study the source of his anxiety; she had moved her brooding outside so at least that was an improvement, however small. He picked up the tray holding a pot of tea and snacks and made his way outside.

The only acknowledgment he received from her was she moved her legs out of his way as he set the tray down near her. "Please eat something." He asked, sitting down and pouring tea. Saya made no move to either take the tea nor a snack off the tray. "You have had nothing to eat today nor yesterday." When Saya's eyes scanned his face before turning to study the landscape, Hagi reached out and grasped her chin so he could look her into her depressed eyes. "You thought I would not notice? All you do with your food is play with it, shoving it to one side or another. I know you have not eaten. Saya, please. There is no need to punish yourself." He finished tightening his grip on her now trembling chin.

"Hagi," Her harsh whisper calling out to him.

"That is what you're doing: punishing yourself. It was not your fault."

Saya tore away from her Chevalier's hand to stand before him, shaking. "It was mine. My fault, all of it!" She clenched her fists, knuckles turning white. "If I had been stronger, I could have..."

Hagi stood and took her shoulders in his strong hands. "Could have what? You were outnumbered, injured, trying to protect Kai." His voice surprisingly firm. "Riku was already gone when you reached the hold!" He threw this truth at her. His eyes softened when her heard her gasp and turn her heartrending, brown eyes on him. "There was nothing you could have done. You saved Kai and are here now." He shook her gently when she turned her head away. "You are here, with me. Let me help you, help you mourn. Whatever you need me to do, I will."

Saya's shoulders slumped in his grasp. "Why? Why do you stay with me? After everything I've done, that's happened..."

"You mean everything to me, Saya. You are my world. Without you, I would have been dead long ago." He told her, bringing her close to enfold her in his arms. "I stay because I want to. I need you as much as you need me." He said into her hair, pressing his lips there.

"Hagi...I..." The rest stuck in her throat. She could feel the dam breaking.

"Cry, Saya. Cry." Hagi voice ordered her softly. He could feel her body sag as her tears came in a flood; he drew her closer, anchoring her as the storm of her feelings buffeted her as her protective walls came crashing down.

He didn't know how much time passed , but the shadows cast by the sun, which had finally peeked out from the clouds, were casting long shadows on the high grass. "Come inside. You should rest while I prepare something to eat." He turned with her and barely caught her as her legs buckled. "Saya!" He swung her into his arms and quickly carried her into the house and to her bedroom. He lay her carefully down and went to fetch a cool cloth. He placed it on her forehead and felt the pulse in her neck; it was slow and steady. He knew time had run out as he reached for one of the daggers he carried. He pulled away the bandages concealing his Chiropteran hand and pulled the blade across it. He put his bleeding palm to his mouth, sucking his own blood. He had done this once before: the night the creature had killed the teacher and went after Saya. He cupped her chin, leaned down and covered her lips with his own, filling her mouth with his blood.

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The next morning, Hagi watched as Saya came into the kitchen. He was just finishing breakfast preparations and was setting everything on the table. Although he didn't need to eat, he thought if he ate with her, it would give her more of an appetite. She sat as he poured tea for her and seated himself across from her at the small table. "Daijobu desu ka?" He asked, filling her plate.

"Hai...Hagi?""She began hesitantly.

"Hmmm?" He met her eyes and saw the apology in their depths.

"Gomen nasai, Hagi." Her voice soft. She raised the tea cup to her mouth and studied the meal Hagi had made for her.

"I do not need your apology, Saya. I just want you to take care of yourself." He replied, sipping his own tea. "But I also know you need to take time to mourn and it should not be rushed."

"Arigato, Hagi." She then, to his satisfaction, began eating.

He observed her as she slowly ate the meal. After forcing his blood into her last night, it had taken several long minutes for Saya to regain consciousness. When she did, he felt a weight had been lifted from him. He had told her frankly that he would not let her behavior continue, she had to start eating or he would continue infusing her with his own blood, not matter the cost to himself. She had quietly agreed and had apologized to him.

He was startled when Saya reached for the tea pot and refilled his cup and her own; he looked at her plate and saw she had eaten less than half of what he had placed on it. He smiled tenderly at her, "It's alright. You have not eaten much these past several days. Your stomach will need time to adjust." He stood to clear away the dishes and gave a start when Saya wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her face into his side. He cradled her head to him, "Saya."

"Thank you...Thank you for taking care of me all these years." She turned her head up to look into his slate blue eyes. "You mean everything to me too." She told him, tears forming.

At her confession, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

It was later that afternoon, while they were sitting underneath the trees enjoying the light spring breeze that Hagi asked what she wanted to do. She sat silently and he knew she was thinking. "I do think we should be moving soon." He told her watching the birds gathering material for their nests.

"You've heard something?" Saya studied Hagi's strong profile.

"No. Just a feeling; they...someone may be looking for us." He replied, turning his eyes to her. "You are not ready to rejoin the fight. Not enough time has passed." Saya's slight smile was like beacon to him. "I have sent some queries to see how the others fared."

"When will you know?" It always amazed her the connections he seemed to have.

"Next time I go into the village."

"When you go, may I come?" Uncertainty in her voice.

"If that is your wish."

End Part II

A/N: This part is especially dedicated to my Imoto-chan. We both have been waiting for another kiss from Hagi. So the scene included in this part is for her. I hope you enjoyed it!