Chapter 5: Time Is Eternal
Quickly, Saya receded into her room and flung open her window, poking her head out to search for her recently abandoned Chevalier.
"Haji? Where'd you go?" she sighed to herself.
She left her post at the window to take her shower and prepare herself for the day ahead. When she returned, wrapped in a towel to conceal her body below the collarbone, she rummaged through her empty drawers, looking for clothes. A gust of wind slightly tousled her hair and she soon found herself locked in someone's embrace.
Haji pressed his lips against hers, certainly not pleased with the morning interruption. Amused, Saya smiled into the kiss, more than happy to make up for his loss. Tightly, she held the towel together, hoping the open door would shut if she focused on it hard enough.
"Aunt Saya?" This voice was recognized as Akane's, echoing down the hall.
Haji heard a low growl escape her lips, and backed away a step. The somewhat short red eyed twin was soon at the doorway.
"Akane, it's not what it looks like!" Saya blurted out.
Perplexedly, she grumbled, "Uh… what?"
The elder Queen frantically scanned the room to notice Haji's absence. Her face heated up, yet she managed to relax.
"Er… never mind. Do you know where my clothes are?" she asked.
Akane nodded, kneeling down beside the bed and pulling out boxes from underneath. Saya thanked her and sealed her bedroom door shut, her aggravation, settling, fully aware that her niece's disruption was innocent.
Her loyal Chevalier returned to her side, grimacing ever so slightly. She exchanged an apologetic glance with him and dressed.
"I can't stand the lack of privacy," she muttered. "I didn't even spend the whole day with you yesterday. Only for an hour or so."
"Saya, I'm sure your nieces are merely attempting to become closer," he ensured in his velvety voice, resting a consoling hand on her shoulder.
"I know that… but I just want to be alone with you. Is that too much to ask?" she complained.
He reminded her, "We have an eternity."
"I know that too," she sighed.
Haji sighed as well, struggling to make her the least bit happy.
"Perhaps, you would like to move in with me?" he suggested.
Saya's maroon eyes lit up. The idea seemed to thrill her. A grin stretched across her pink budded lips and he couldn't help, but smile back. He took that as her agreeing to the idea.
Her stomach growled.
Stifling a chuckle, he walked with her to the stairs and disappeared, only to reappear minutes later at Omoro's entrance with a fresh set of clothes on his body.
"Morning Haji," Kai greeted, flipping a pancake in a skillet over a sizzling grill.
He greeted the middle aged man back and took a seat next to Saya on a stool, resting a hand on her thigh. The twins were already out and about enjoying the summer while it lasted.
Saya set her fork down and contemplated for a moment in silence. Her adoptive brother faced his stove still, backside to her.
"Uh… Kai?" she began hesitantly.
"Yup? What's up?" he responded, flipping the pancake once again.
She stammered, "I was thinking and… maybe it would be better if… I moved into Haji's apartment?"
Kai turned to her, seeing a nervous smile on her lips. He completed the 360 degree turn and was back at his stove again, shrugging.
"It's not a big deal. If you want to, you can," he agreed.
Saya checked, "Are you sure you don't mind?"
"Hey little sis, I can understand if you want to be alone with Haji. As I was saying, no big deal. Just be sure to visit, 'kay?"
"Deal." She beamed at him and then Haji.
"Now," he spoke in his husky voice. "Do you two mind helping a poor old guy open up this place?"
"Sure thing," his sister agreed, sliding off the stool.
She and Haji were quick to take down the chairs and tuck them under their respective tables. They set the condiments on top of each and readied pots and pans for Kai to use for the morning rush. The final adjustment was the flipping of the sign from closed to open. Saya gave her brother the thumbs up and sprinted out of Omoro with her Chevalier being hauled behind her.
"Lova ya!" she sang out just before the door closed.
The whole day, the Queen paraded around town with her Chevalier, himself gaining flirtatious to suggestive glances from other women and herself, whistles and cheering from boys. However, they paid no heed to the others surrounding them and focused on living a normal life. The biggest part of her mini trip was to get a better idea of how much Okinawa had changed.
Nightfall eventually cloaked the warming daylight with darkness and coolness. Saya wanted to make this night "special" as she had phrased it earlier for Haji, though she did not explain why or how. He had no choice but to agree with whatever she was planning.
She led him on foot towards the shore. A blanket was draped over her shoulder, heavy for this time of year, but the night was indeed cold.
The moon stunned them both with its admirable appearance. The pair stood still for a minute to gaze at its beauty, unaware of how it just seemed to paralyze them. How it seemed to keep the rhythm of the waves, calm, at peace.
Saya broke free of the crescent shape's trance and found Haji had too long before her. She continued to skip down the steps and across the cool sand, pulling him behind her.
His slate eyes examined the blanket and the tide, flickering back and forth. Now, he understood what she was doing. She lay down in the sand and he sat beside her figure, tucking the blanket around her.
"Won't you lie with me, Haji?" she asked with a somewhat pouted bottom lip.
"If you want," he softly spoke.
Her lip uncurled and she pulled the cover over him, knowing well he didn't really need it. Saya nuzzled against his chest, seeking warmth from her devoted Chevalier as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Are you cold?" he whispered into her hair.
She mumbled into his chest, "A little bit."
Haji held her closer, leaving no space to breathe between one another. Her body stopped shivering, her legs coiling up, grazing the soft sand.
"I love you…" she spoke in a gentle tone, her breathing evening out into a serene pattern.
He murmured tenderly, "I love you too."
They lay there for the night, their only audience, the breathtaking moon.
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A/N: Sorry I haven't updated for a while. I was more focused on finishing my story rather than fanfictions.