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Disclaimer: Blood+ is not mine.

AN: Sorry for the late review. I haven't been home for more than an hour at a time this whole weekend. Ughh…and we had a 'family' dinner tonight, which is why I've escaped to the computer to update. Hopefully you enjoy it! Review please

Chapter Fourteen

"Watching the grey sky and acting like a good guy…the water came to realize it's dangerous size….the mountain came to recognize its deep and rocky side…"

-Feist-

I ran up the stairs in a blurry haze of tears and frustration. The scream boiling in my throat burned like fire, and I struggled to contain it. How could they do this to me? How could Kai…? How could…

Hagi had followed me up, of course, and sat near me when I threw myself onto the bed. I turned to him, not meaning to but releasing my tension on him. My words were like poison, I realized, even before they came out. But I couldn't stop them. "What must you think of me, Hagi?" I spat. "Do you think I'm a whore? This woman who'd sleep with a man who didn't even know her? I'm so disgusting…I'm such a monster…no wonder they want to lock me away, force me to sleep again."

By now the tears had overcome me, and I flinched slightly when Hagi's hand rubbed along my back. "What kind of man does that make me? Sleeping with someone I do not know? Am I really like your Hagi?" He said, but his tone was anguished, not angry or harsh.

I turned so that I was facing him, and my hand reached up to touch his cheek. "No…no…you are Hagi," I answered quietly. "You are the Hagi that is free of his extreme self restraint. But I know this is what lingered within the true Hagi. You."

The confusion of our conversation had us both holding onto each other, desperately trying to cling to this delicate moment. "I love you, Saya," Hagi said. "Memories or not."

"I love you too…" I spoke into his shoulder, a small flicker of relief in my mind. "..Hagi."

Suddenly the deep sleep didn't sound so bad. At least I could depend on having someone when I woke up, no matter how much the world might change in thirty years. Hagi would always be here…would always be mine, if nothing else. I would sleep a thousand years if it meant Kai and Julia were safe, only knowing that I had something to depend upon when I awoke. I slipped from Hagi's arms and walked towards the door. "I'm ready," I whispered.

Hagi stared at me long and hard, the pain and understanding fighting evidently in his eyes. But he knew, as I knew. It had to be done, for everyone's sake. Quietly we went back downstairs, and I realized they were still in the kitchen. I walked over to the couch where the twin was laying. She was awake now, and I sat next to her on the couch. Her eyes were gleaming with water in the dim light, and I spoke to her. "What's your name?" I asked.

"Sayuri," she replied, her voice so alike to Diva's I stifled a gasp.

"It's a beautiful name," I smiled. "And…what was your sister's name? If you don't mind…"

"Her name was Sayaka," she replied softly. "Like Saya. That's you, right? Kai picked her name."

I nodded, shock flooding me. Kai had named her after me. And then the girl died. The other me, died. My heart tightened with grief for him. This was harder than I had previously imagined. He was losing two of us at once. Would he still be alive when I woke up again? I pushed away the thought.

Taking her hand, I pulled her along with me to the kitchen. Julia looked up at me; Kai faced the table. "Saya…we're sorry but-" Julia started.

"I know," I cut in, forcing the most genuine smile I could muster. "It's okay. I understand."

Kai looked up at me now, his age evident in the expression he wore. "Are you sure?" He said. "We won't force you to. At least, I won't."

"I'm sure," I replied. "Just don't forget about me," I continued, holding back the tears. "Take good care of this girl, Sayuri. Keep an eye on Hagi…"

Now Kai was before me, hands on my shoulders pulling me into a hug. "I will," he said. "And no one will forget you, so don't forget us."

With words out of the way, and nothing left to mention, we headed for the door. Hagi walked at my side, holding my hand. Sayuri with Kai. Julia followed behind, her eyes drifting around as the sun revealed the strands of grey mixed with the blond. It occurred to me at that moment that this was the last time I would see Julia alive. When we reached the top of the steps, I hugged Julia tightly. "Thank you," I said. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye," she replied, and I knew that she understood what I actually meant.

Kai was next, then Sayuri. I would really like to get to know her next time. It'd be like having another little sister, after all. Finally it came to Hagi. I wrapped my arms around him and breathed in, hoping to wake up with the same scent filling me. I pulled away reluctantly, and he pulled my hand to his lips and brushed them along my skin. It was the last shiver to pass through me today. We needed no words of parting.

Finally I climbed into my old cocoon, and Julia approached me, a syringe in her hand. "Sleep well, Saya," she said one last time.

I drifted off to the sound of Sayuri and Kai saying goodnight, and smiled before falling completely asleep.

I had something to wake up for.

A/N: Agh….only the epilogue left….which makes me sad. I was really enjoying writing this. Review please!