Chapter 3: The Tides of Sunrise

The Chevalier, cradling his Queen bridal style in his arms, soared through the air from rooftop to rooftop. It was halfway to their destination that she realized where he was taking her.

His customary cello case was still strapped securely to a shoulder. Her long hair was tied in his signature blue ribbon – which once again reminded him of how much of a coward he was for not giving her the rose it was tied to.

Saya was greeted by the soothing breeze of the ocean, the rusty scent of salt, and the radiant face of the morning sun. Haji came to a halt at the head of the steps that led down to the empty shore. Carefully, he set down a grinning Saya on the bottom step. He himself joined her, unlatching the lock of his case and setting up his prized instrument.

Without a moment too soon, the calming sound of his cello resonated throughout Okinawa. The melody was soft, uplifting, and very much familiar to Saya. She kicked off her sandals and allowed her feet to sink into the cool sand as she took a seat beside Haji. She watched as his fingers ran feverishly down the neck of his instrument and how flawlessly his bow moved across the strings.

Enjoying the moment to the fullest, she propped her head gently against his shoulder, careful not to interrupt his playing. Though his eyes were closed only seconds ago, she felt his tender gaze upon her if not for a second, for a few minutes.

Eventually, the song ended, the last note echoing and intertwining itself with the crash of the waves. Saya lifted her head to glance up at him – but then she noticed something that she hadn't noticed earlier.

"Haji, your arm… it grew back," she acknowledged, running her fingertips down his left arm.

"It took quite a while," he responded, tightening the bandages on his right hand.

She mused aloud, "I can't imagine how difficult it was for you to escape from there."

An awkward silence followed. She assumed he didn't want to talk about it.

Saya blushed. "Um… do you want to walk on the beach with me?"

"If that is what you wish," he agreed.

She frowned. "I don't want you to do something because I want to."

"But I do, Saya."

She giggled, "Well then, just say 'yes'!"

"I apologize," he spoke in a sorry tone.

"Haji, you don't have to be sorry," she laughed and sighed. "Come on."

Saya took his human hand in hers and strolled alongside the ocean. She smiled timidly up at him and gave his hand a little encouraging squeeze. He was astonished by her actions, but decided not to make his surprise evident. Unfortunately for him, she noticed how stiff his hand had become.

"Is something wrong, Haji?" she checked. Embarrassedly, she pulled her hand away. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"No, not at all," he assured her, entwining his fingers with hers once again.

The hold was more intimate than before, both their hands, relaxed. He continued to walk, but stopped again, when he realized she remained still.

"Saya?"

"Haji… why… why do we keep acting like we don't…" she stammered perplexedly.

He inquired, "We don't what, Saya?"

"Hey Saya!" they both heard a voice shout out.

They turned to see an older Kai and two teenage girls running towards them.

"Never mind," she spoke under her breath. She ran to her adoptive brother with a cheery grin. "Kai!"

To two siblings collided in a warm, long overdue hug. Saya pulled away to inspect time's damage on him. His hair was a graying maroon, and wrinkles were creased within his face though he was still quite handsome for a forty-seven-year-old. Manifestly, he didn't let his habit of exercise go and was still fit and energetic.

"You look great!" she commented.

"You're just saying that," he countered bashfully.

She shook her head. "No, really!"

"Gee, thanks," he chortled. "These are my girls – your nieces."

The twins looked to be triplets alongside her. They were fully grown – at least for Chiropteran Queens. They could pass for the age of fifteen or sixteen, much like Saya herself.

The blue eyed one stepped forward and introduced herself, "I'm Aoi."

The red eyed one did the same and greeted, "I'm Akane."

"Blue and red. Very clever, Kai," she laughed.

"Yeah, well, I wasn't exactly creative at seventeen," he admitted, scratching the back of his head.

"Who's that?" Akane and Aoi asked curiously in unison.

Kai peered over his sister's shoulder and recognized, "That's Haji, your aunt's chevalier. And no. You can't have one."

"Come on, Dad! Please?" Aoi begged.

He gave her a firm, "No."

Saya rolled her eyes at her brother's ignorance and reminded him, "Chevaliers aren't pets, Kai."

"I know, but these two will sure as hell treat them like one," he warned her. "Now, how about some lunch?"

"Yes!" all three girls exclaimed excitedly.

--

Don't bash Kai. The interruption was innocent. Really. XD