Millisecond Euphoria

They were walking for nearly half an hour now, passing through many twists and turns as to avoid suspicion from the servants that they were to head for the cliffs. After all, they'd both been forbidden to go to there, not since two years ago when Haji nearly fell down that cliff due to Saya's wanting to get some wild flowers that only grew best by that cliff, for Joel's birthday. Haji wasn't hurt, thankfully, but Joel thought it'd be best to have that cliff marked off boundaries as to not have any more possible accidents.

Still, every now and then, Haji would be asked by Saya to sneak off and relax by that cliff. And her, being possibly his one and only weakness, he could not utter nor show refusal.

"Hmm, say Saya. I know a better place you'll surely love more than the cliffs. Want to give it a try?" Haji asked her hesitantly. It was usually hard to convince Saya with things and decisions since by nature; she was very much stubborn and hard headed. But sometimes, if you use the right words, you can sway her mind and have her agree with you.

"And where might this place be? Surely it could not surpass the lovely scene that has always been depicted by the cliffs?" said Saya who, no matter how many lovely and grandiose scenes and places she had seen and traveled to, has always thought of the simple but beautiful scenery that they would see when they sat by the cliffs to be the best.

"It's a small, hidden sanctuary, just a small distance outside the town's borders. I'm quite positive you will like it." He replied with a little confidence hinting in his voice.

"Well, I suppose we can have it your way this time. I don't think it'd be fair to you if it was me deciding all the time." Saya gave in.

Haji did his best to hold back the ecstatic smile that was dying to come out. It was the first time in years that Saya did that for him. He held back that smile now for if she saw it, his feelings of more than sibling love might be revealed and their good relationship turned sour. Instead, he showed a playful arrogant and smug smile. "Wow! That's the first time you've done that! I didn't know dear Saya had compassions and kindness in her!" he teased.

"Hmf! I've always been kind and compassionate, I just don't show it to you often!" she harrumphed and turned her back on him, her arms crossed over her chest as she began to walk away.

"I was only joking Saya." Haji laughed as he hurriedly caught up with her.

Saya merely stuck her tongue out at him and continued to pout.

When they got back to the mansion, they had the Chef, the bald, olive-skinned large man called Lewis, to have the contents of their picnic basket to be changed for something suited for lunch and some desserts after that.

"I'll just go change into my riding outfit, meet you at the stables." Saya told him before hurrying off to her room.

Haji took a look at his clothes which consisted of his usual prim and formal attire. "I guess I better change too." He mumbled to himself and headed upstairs.

Never being one to be slow at doing things, he was done changing within two minutes. He dropped by the kitchen to get their lunch basket before leaving the mansion to go to the stables.

Haji smiled as he walked towards the horse at the last box in the stable. A beautiful sable stallion with shiny midnight black mane and the dark blood red eyes stood proudly and neighed when he saw his master coming. "How've you been Midnight?"

The proud creature neighed once again. "I'd take that as a 'yes'" Haji laughed. "So then my friend, wish me luck that my dearest won't give me troubles beyond my capacity as a mere human." He sighed before opening the locks and letting Midnight out. "You do know how much I love—."

"Love? With whom?" appearing all of a sudden, his secret was nearly heard and an indirect confession would've been made.

Oh no! Clearing his throat, "Blueberries, boy do I love 'em. Can't wait to have them later." Haji lied, faking enthusiasm, as he approached her to help her set up the saddle on her lovely white stallion, Lunaria, whose eyes were the same as Midnight's, dark and blood red in color.

She looked at him with discerning, observant eyes. "You seem rather troubled my dear Haji, talking to an animal in the middle of the day and staring off into oblivion, you must be burdened with something…can I be of help or assistance in any way?" asked Saya.

"Thank you but I'm perfectly fine mademoiselle." Haji smiled at her. Even just one kiss from your honey-sweet lips would take these burdens into oblivion!

"Well, if you say so then. But do come to me if ever you need an advice or two."

"I will, thank you, but for now, let us make haste for our destination. Time is of the essence, is it not?"

"Yes, and by golly am I raring to see what this place is for you seem so sure that it would rival well my beloved cliffs."

"You'll love it, I assure you." After helping Saya ride Lunaria, Haji rode Midnight and led the way.

After nearly half an hour of being on horseback, they've passed through the town's borders.

"How much farther do we have to ride 'til we get there? My derriere and thighs are getting sore from riding side saddle!" Saya complained. Very rarely would women ride horses during that era and Saya was one of those rare lassies, but women weren't allowed to ride as men do. Women had to ride side saddle, for modesty and manners' sake.

"Less than a quarter of an hour's worth milady, we're nearly there." Haji replied with an encouraging smile. "Just hang on a bit longer."

"The next time we're going on a trip, we're bringing the carriage and servants! I am so not side-saddling ever again!" Saya grumbled, obviously annoyed.

Finally, they arrived at the place. Lush, green grass, tall, shady trees, lovely flowers of every color and a crystal clear spring greeted their sight. "It's lovely, oh my, this couldn't be real, it just can't be real!" Saya mouthed in amazement.

"It is real." Haji chuckled, and gave Saya a pinch on the cheek, earning him a loud yelp from her. "See, what I mean?"

"Geez, you didn't have to pinch me!" Saya frowned at him as she rubbed her pinched cheek, the pain still stinging a bit.

"Anyway, shall we have lunch for now? I'm famished!" Haji said as he started to set down the soft, sky blue cotton blanket underneath a shady tree.

"We can have that for a bit later, I want to cool my feet for now." Came her reply as she sat down near the edge of the spring, amble in untying the laces of her riding boots.

Haji did not bother to argue nor complain, after all, it was much more fun to watch her wade her dainty little toes in the water and splash around. "She hasn't changed a bit." He smiled to himself, recalling their childhood years when little Saya used to love taking a dip in the lake in Joel's mansion. And as always, she would force him to join her. Tugging at his hand and pulling him into the water, not caring if he was still fully clothed.

"Hey Haji! Come here, the water's great!" Saya called out to him, she had taken off her black and white dress and was now only in her camisole and bloomers.

"I'm fine, you go enjoy yourself." He managed to reply. Haji could feel his cheeks getting all flustered, he'd seen her time and again half-naked or so when they were little but things were different now, they're all grown up. And even though Saya was still well-concealed with the garments she's wearing, traces of her womanly curves shown when she emerged from the spring, the water making her clothing cling to her skin. "No, no, I insist that you join me." She smiled mischievously, hair still wet, spraying droplets of water onto him as she knelt beside him. She started to undo his necktie, "Don't be such a spoil sport. Now take off your coat and boots or I'll throw you into the water with them still on."

"Y-yes ma'am." Haji gulped, Good Lord, if you're really up there, please, I implore you to heed my prayer and let not any more mischievous deeds come forth from Saya this day! I've been a good man as always so please don't torture me! Haji desperately prayed silently as he finished taking off his boots.

"Yay!" Saya squealed happily like a child when Haji stood up from where he sat. She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the water, nearly succeeding in doing so until she tripped on a rock.

"Saya, look out!" he shouted, grabbing her by the waist. But still they both fell, with Saya on top and their lips brushing softly against each other.

A kiss. we just..kissed? wait, WE JUST KISSED!! a milisecond but a kiss is a kiss! Haji's eyes went wide.

"I-I'm so sorry! I was so clumsy!" Saya quickly stood up, acting as if no accidental kiss had occurred, though her cheeks were slightly flushed.

"Ah, it's alright as long as you're unharmed. You are okay, right?" Haji asked, going along with her, though at the back of his mind, his inner self was screaming for joy even though it was but an accident, still it was his millisecond euphoria. And his heart, boy is it pounding and beating like crazy. Twas as if he was chase by ten angry bulls or something.

"Yep, so where were we? Oh yeah! Come on! The water's awesome!" she smiled cheerily and made a graceful dive into the water.

God, the cruelty you do to me! The worst part is that I'm her adoptive older brother and I'm sure that's my only role in her life, a brother aside from her occasional slave worker. Haji sighed sadly.

"Haji!"

"Yes, yes coming!"

Yuki's Notes:

Sorry if I took long to update, I've been busy with school and I haven't had much ideas lately but here it is now! Yay! We're on the third chapter! (smiles)

Regarding the story, in the chapter Millisecond Euphoria, nothing much was meant to happen aside from the accidental kiss that will play a big role in the story. For the better or the worse turn of their relationship, I can't tell (mischievous smile), you'll have to wait but for now, I hope you like this chapter.

Reviews give me energy so keep em coming, cheers for now!