Chapter 4: The Silence Is Painful

Kai was eager to fill in his adoptive sister on what she missed. He was describing his life of the past thirty years in a nutshell. Omoro was still open just as he had planned to do as a teenager. However, he was not married, for a reason he would not explain to her. Aoi and Akane were raised properly to Saya's relief and any indication of sibling rivalry or the past repeating itself was not present.

Even through all the enlightenment and such, she managed to get her hair cut the same length before the last time Kai had cut it. Her new hair length distinguished her from Akane, whose hair was a few inches below her shoulders.

Not a single word was exchanged between the Queen and her Chevalier throughout the remainder of the day. Saya would avoid any eye contact with him and was successful when keeping herself busy at all times.

Her brother was just finishing another story when he brought up her other friends.

"David, Julia, and their son, Joshua, promised to come see you sometime next week. They're on vacation with Lewis and his fiancée," Kai informed her, leading her up the stairs to her old room. "Mao and Okamura are covering a story and should be back around the same time. Joel, on the other hand, may stop by later this week."

"Oh, great! I can't wait to see everyone!" Saya commented with a smile.

"Saya!" a childish voice yelled enthusiastically.

The Queen about-faced and was tackled by an infant sized, cloaked figure with violet hair. She was nearly knocked off the stairs.

"Hey Lulu," she giggled, returning the embrace. "I haven't seen you all day. Where've you been?"

"I've been outside the entire time. I'm not used to staying inside all day and night," the remaining Schiff member admitted. "Hey… it looks like the twins are torturing Haji."

"Told ya," Kai laughed directly to Saya.

The two teenage girls were interrogating the stoic Chevalier sitting on the chair in their shared room. He seemed to be begging for help from their foster father, though he didn't actually voice his plead.

"Alright, alright, you two. Leave the poor guy alone and get to bed," Kai ordered, helping him out of the room, ushering Lulu into it, and shutting the door behind himself. "Sorry, Haji. They're just... interested with the whole concept of having Chevaliers."

"I don't mind answering their questions," he assured the middle aged man. "I should be leaving now."

Finally, Saya found the voice to speak. "Wait, Haji! Can't you stay here?"

"Saya, I don't exactly have another room for him. I have Dad's, the girls have my and Riku's old room, and you have yours," Kai explained.

"He can stay in mine," she blurted out. She blushed immediately after. "I mean, if you don't mind, Kai."

"I guess… it's okay with me," he awkwardly accepted and headed towards his room. "Good night you crazy kids."

"'Night, Kai," his sister called out after him.

Entering her old room, she shut the door behind herself and her Chevalier. Silence still dwelled in the atmosphere, regardless of them being the only two people in the room. She dressed into her nightgown right in front of him, not bothering to change in the bathroom. Nevertheless, he glanced away, being the gentlemen he was.

He broke the stillness. "Please, tell me, what were you saying before?"

Sitting on the ledge of her bed, she assured him, "Hmm? Oh, it's nothing."

"Saya, please," he begged.

As he sat at her side, he gently cupped her angelic face in between his hands. For the first time since the morning, she glimpsed back into his eyes. She couldn't help, but answer.

"We keep acting like we don't…" Her words trailed off again.

"Don't?" Haji repeated, leaning closer towards her.

"Love…" she whispered against his lips.

Her explanation was cut short by his lips moving fervently against hers. It was a kiss less innocent than their first, more intimate than their second, and certainly more passionate than their last. Tongues dancing in each other's mouths, Saya pulled him over herself, backwards onto the bed.

He murmured softly into her ear, "I love you."

She shuddered at the heat of his breath against her ear. He caught her earlobe between his teeth and gently bit it, his nose skimming her cheek. His smooth lips glided along her jaw line and met hers once again. Her cheeks scorching hot, Saya moaned into their kiss and entangled her fingers in his wavy dark locks.

The morning had arrived.

Saya was still very much asleep in Haji's arms, her forehead resting against his bare chest and his chin resting atop her head. The covers clung to their nude bodies as he held her close in a warm embrace.

"Aunt Saya!"

Her maroon eyes snapped open.

She and Haji exchanged startled expressions, clearly not intending to be caught in bed together.

"Aunt Saya! Are you awake?" a voice recognized as Aoi's yelled out.

The Queen was at a loss. If she responded "no", it was obvious she was awake. If she simply did not answer, Aoi would open her unlocked door to check. It was decided she would improvise.

"Yes Aoi, I'm just getting dressed! I'll be out in a second!" she called back, somewhat flustered. She whispered to her Chevalier, "Haji, help me."

He nodded, gathering her clothes and his own then helping her into them.

"Dressing? Isn't Haji in there?" the teen asked confusedly.

She shared a troubled look with him. "Uh… no?"

He took that as his cue to escape through the window with his clothes somehow neatly worn on his body. She kissed him goodbye and shut the window.

Her niece interrogated, "Really? Where is he then?"

"He went back to his apartment to… change his clothes?" she stammered – the to some extent truth.

"Oh, okay."

Saya nearly dropped to her knees with relief. She was afraid the questions would never stop. Hastily, she made her bed and ran the comb through her short hair. Satisfied with her cover, she opened the bedroom door

"Dad said breakfast is ready," the adolescent informed her with a sweet smile.

"Oh, thank you for telling me," Saya sighed wearily. "I think I'll take a shower first though."
"Really? Okay…" Aoi replied, stunned that her aunt would refuse food after all the stories Kai ranted about.

She left the elder queen to ardently join the rest of her family for breakfast.

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I hope this is still T XD

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