-1

Disclaimer: Blood+ is not mine

Chapter Four

The chill night air wakened my senses completely, and I felt better after getting some blood into my system. It amazed me how large the world seemed suddenly. I felt so insignificant . Julia…Kai…I'm certain he didn't lie to hurt me. But it still doesn't make any sense as to why he did. But if Hagi is alive, I could care less about anything else. Nothing else matters. There is nothing left to this heart, this soul, but Hagi. Without him, I would crumble into bones and ash and flow away with the wind.

My feet padded softly down the street, still fast enough to escape most people's notice. Where could he be? Why hadn't I found him yet? As I ran, no certain destination, my mind traveled through all the memories where Hagi smiled at me. The last smile I had seen left me empty and hollow, but still able to smile. But what's in a smile, anyway? Like words, they are so completely deceptive.

Suddenly the bittersweet agony of Hagi's cello notes drifted down the street to me. He was close. Already the familiar feeling of relief and safety washed over me. I turned the corner up ahead and stopped, leaning against the wall and quietly watching a moment. It was Hagi. A few people had gathered around, who couldn't? And he played by the light of the fattening moon. For a single moment, his eyes flicked up and met mine. Then he resumed playing, not even a glimpse of recognition in his gaze. Was he angry with me? For what? I stepped towards the group of people and stared at him, my fists clenched at my sides in frustration. The people wandered away since Hagi had stopped playing.

"Hagi?" I said softly.

"Yes," he replied with a polite smile. "And you, miss?"

I fell to my knees. No. No. No. This couldn't be the truth. Is this why Kai lied to me? To save me from this exact moment? "My name…my name is…" I could barely form the words, choking them out with the tears. "…Saya."

"It's a beautiful name," he commented. "Why are you crying? Do you need some help?"

"I need you…" I whispered between sobs. "you, Hagi.."

"I'm sorry?" he replied, putting away his cello. "I don't understand what you mean."

I looked up at him, my eyes red from all the crying I had done for his sake. Again his grey blue eyes met mine, but he didn't look away as quickly. He bent down before me and put his bandaged hands on my shoulders. "Have we met before?" His voice low and silky as ever, it broke my heart.

I grasped the hand on my shoulder and rubbed it against my cheek. He pulled away slightly and his face contorted into pain. He gripped the side of his head and backed away from me. "What's the matter?" I asked.

"My head…it started to hurt and throb just now," he replied with a grimace. "I'm sorry, but I need to get going."

I grabbed at his shirt sleeve when he stood up, I felt so utterly pathetic. "Please…don't leave me again…"

He just stood in place and stared down at me, turning away and clutching his head. But he didn't walk away, he just wouldn't face me. Suddenly he pulled me to my feet. "I think you need to get home too, something doesn't feel right…" he said in a low voice. "Would you like me to walk you home, Miss Saya?"

"Just Saya, please," I said, wiping away my tears and slight shock. "And yes, if it's not too much trouble."

We walked along the charcoal streets in a bitter silence. It was minutes before he spoke. "I think it's strange…you seem to know me, but I have no memory of you. Still, something about you is undeniably familiar…"

I managed a small smile in response, and he returned it. Maybe he would remember, it was just going to take time. By the time we reached the old bar, Hagi was clutching his head and his breath was ragged. The headache must be getting worse. I convinced him to come inside with me, feeling awkward for having to Make him do anything at all. Julia and Kai came running down the stairs; I was glad they didn't try to coma after me earlier. "Saya?" Kai asked.

"Julia, Hagi's head is killing him, is there anything you can do?" I tried, pleading evident in my tone. "Please?"

She smiled sadly. "I can try. Come upstairs Hagi, you can lie down and I'll see what I can do."

"Are you sure?" he asked, still standing next to me by the door. "I don't have any money to pay you with."

"It's quite alright," Julia sighed. "Consider it a favor to Saya."

With a nod he walked away from me and went upstairs after Julia. Kai stood still, watching me. "I'm sorry…" he said.

I walked forward and gave him a hug. "No…"I said. "I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you. You only did it to protect me."

He sighed in relief and gave me the first genuine smile I had seen since I woke up. "Good. Hungry?" he asked.

My stomach growled in response and he started cooking something up. My eyes glanced towards the window and a tremor passed through my body. My eyes glinted over. What is it? Something…something is out there…"What do you want with the noodles Saya?" Kai asked, turning to wait for my answer. "Saya…?"

But I was already gone, running down the street to whatever presence was calling me…

AN: Tomorrow is the first Full day of school. So I might not get to update for a couple days or so. We'll see. Reviews help. Please…?