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Disclaimer: Blood+ ist meine nicht.

Chapter Ten

I was awakened at dawn by the feel of Hagi's weight shifting the mattress. Sleepily, I peaked open an eye to see him walking over to the window and staring out with a sigh; one hand reaching up and clenching the side of his head. I noticed that his hand was also shaking. Quietly, I rose from the bed and padded over to him. Wrapping my arms around his torso, I asked into his back. "Are you okay?"

But of course, I knew it was a stupid question. Of course he wasn't. "It's just my head again," he grumbled. "I remembered something."

"Really?"

"I think so, unless it was just a dream. I remember being a lot younger, you were at least a foot above me. And you were teaching me how to play the cello…" his voice trailed off as he replayed the memory in his mind.

"That happened," I said with a smile.

He said nothing, leaving the room in silence until the sun completely rose. We could smell Kai's cooking in the kitchen below, and we went downstairs before he even needed to call us. Surprisingly, he didn't looked shocked to see Hagi entering the kitchen with me. I wonder…what did he think…? I sat down at the table, a blush across my face. Now was not the time to be thinking about…..that. Hagi merely stood against the wall, staring around the room but always coming back to me when he thought I didn't notice. It must be strange for him not understanding why he does not hunger nor sleep. Finishing our breakfast, we all tried to play out the day 'normally' until Julia showed up.

Kai still hadn't spoken to me though. But he had more then enough reasons to be angry with me. Or maybe he was disappointed? I pushed the thoughts away before they got too distracting. The twins…I wonder…were they even still alive? I had to hope. But if they were, what were they going through? Somehow I doubted they were getting respectful treatment. They were probably being treated like objects. Tasty candy for the scientists that kidnapped them. I shook my head as if that would clear it out, but no such luck. I hadn't even noticed Hagi come to stand next to me. I looked up at him and he rose an eyebrow in curiosity, but didn't say a word. Words meant less and less here, these days. Actions meant more, and lasted.

The door creaked open in the front room and Julia came into the kitchen, a bustling pile of papers and folders in her arms. Her face was tired and worn, as if she hadn't slept. I couldn't help but notice the way her shoulders seemed to sag and how dark it was beneath her eyes. How old was she again? I frowned at my own depressing thoughts. "Well, this is everything," she said, her voice slicing through the silence like a knife. "There is nothing else. His computer files are locked."

"Thank you," I smiled meekly. "I really appreciate you helping me."

She surprised me with a small smile of her own. "It's like old times, eh?"

I nodded and began glancing through the papers as Kai sat down. "It would seem…they aren't a major company. In fact, they have only been running for about 33 years. Seems you caught their attention Saya, and they'd like to study you. That's why they kidnapped the twins. But it's not enough. Diva's children are not you. They are merely bait to get you."

"I see," I said calmly, trying not to gulp. "And what about the creatures?"

"Well, they are created in a very similar manner as the chiropteran, which is why they are still destroyed by your blood. But since this is just a bunch of rogue scientists sticking their noses in the wrong place, their creatures are less advanced. They weren't human, ever. And so they are more feral, which could prove even more dangerous."

We all sat quietly in thought. "So were are they?" I asked finally.

Julia smiled bitterly. "That I do not know. But I do know they'll come to us."

Now I did gulp. The only way to get them to show was if I became bait. "So are you saying I should just stroll around in the dark until one of the creatures decides to attack?"

Julia nodded, her smirk gone. "Alright. I'll go by myself, and Hagi will follow but stay hidden until I'm attacked. You and Kai follow even farther behind, I don't want you getting hurt."

Kai couldn't keep quiet any longer. "Trail far behind? Do you want to get hurt? We can help you Saya!" he shouted, a fist slamming on the table. "I can help you, damnit…"

"I know," I said, struggling to keep my voice from cracking. "I know you can Kai…but…someone will have to take care of the twins when I'm asleep, right?"

He turned his head away in defeat. He knew the truth of my words, as I did. Besides, I would heal. He wouldn't. Especially not fast enough in an older body. Before it could overwhelm me, I pushed away the sudden rising thought of Riku. And my father. Kai would not die like them. He would Not. I wouldn't allow it. And I'd just have to hope Hagi's instincts kicked in when it was time. If not…well…"I'm ready," I said, staring out at the dimming sky through the door.

Julia and Kai watched as I turned and swiftly walked out the door, not daring to turn around and see the expression on their faces. Julia was loading two guns for them when I was completely out the door, and Hagi followed after. Before I could tell him to hide, he was out of sight, probably following me from the rooftops.

I took a deep breath and began sprinting down the charcoal streets.

This was it.

A/N: Review please…

oh, and don't worry, it's suppsoed to say Hagi 'dreamed'