His pale body was heaving as he lay on his back on the cold stone floor. Hagi had been bested within those flashing moments. His soft eyes were gazing up at the nude figure sitting on his abdominal area. She hadn't killed him, nor had she run off.

Saya licked the corner of her mouth. A thick red liquid was seeping out of her mouth. It wasn't her own though. This had been what left the Chevalier immobile and trembling on his back.

"Oh you didn't like that did you? But it tasted so good..." Saya chimed sheepishly.

Finally he wedged an arm up to force himself upright. It had been so long since he had felt this exhaustion, this need. Hagi held a clothed hand to his mending flesh before refocusing his eyes on hers. They were still glowing brilliantly but something about her still made Hagi fearful.

"I am here to serve you as always...Saya." He managed to utter out.

"As always?" The girl raised a hand to his cheek and tilted her head, "Then why do I not remember you?"

Kai had gone out on his motorcycle. The clouds had finally given way and droplets of water had come heavily. He wasn't as ignorant as he used to be and knew for certain Hagi was more eager than usual about these visits. It was already after dinner and still no word from him. He'd teach this selfish Chevalier a lesson whether he could feel the pain or not.

You son of a bitch. What are you up to now?

The question had left Hagi dumbfounded. His relaxed expression had stiffened and he seemed colder than before. Again? No, he didn't want to go through this. She only remembered through combat the previous go around and there weren't anymore enemies for her to have at.

"Saya..."

Saya only drew his face closer to her own before inhaling his scent once more. So familiar but still not a clue as to why.

"Oh, please-that sound. Play it in front of me will you?" She begged, her warm breath blowing over his forehead.

Hagi bowed his head obediently but shimmied out of his coat first. He wrapped it around her carefully before rising to retrieve his instrument. He was convinced she wouldn't leave as long as there was nothing else to distract her.

Gently he strummed the bow across the strings of the cello. The low hum began and the childish expression had dulled down into a lovely daze. She was enchanted by this instrument and appeared to speak more to it than to its player.

Soon droplets of water splashed on her sharp nose making her sneeze. The bow faltered and the music stopped. Hagi had glanced up and then at her. She would get a cold this early in her awakening. Hastily he packed away the cello and offered a hand down to his beloved Saya.

Withut warning she asked in a weeping voice, "You're not going to put me back in there are you?"

Hagi bawled a fist as he contemplated on what to do. That was his intention but her innocent mind had lured his neutral thoughts on this into pity and shame. How could he do this to her? After all, she had behaved after being fed. What harm could she do to Kanade or Hibiki if they found out? If she found out?

Decided, he reopened his hand, uncurling his hidden claws and wrapped around her frail wrist, "Never."

Kai was coming up around a corner when the music he had been trailing came to an abrupt stop. Had the rain scared him away? He'd have to double check. After all of these years he wouldn't just abandon Hagi on a hunch. Hagi did all he could for Kai and the girls so it was best to make sure he was safe.

As he reached the beach he had started scanning the perimeter to see if the Chevalier was in sight. So far nothing. Kai sped further along the road to see if he was at the peek where he played every evening. If he wasn't there he'd call it quits and scram home before it got too hard to see.

The waves were crashing viciously and the sand had hardened into thick brown splotches across the beach. Hagi was not there and there were no tracks to follow.

You damn Chavelier. I ought to buy you a cellphone to you don't piss me off with your vanishing acts. It's too bad he isn't at all obliged to eat anything. I'd give him a laxative for tomo-

His scheming was interrupted by the sudden bang of the motor.

"Shit! I knew it was too early to get this junk back on the road! And I just fixed her too..." Kai wasn't at all pleased. Walking with a motorcycle from here...an hour tops, he hoped.

So he started walking in his damp clothing clutching at the steer of the bike bitterly. He wouldn't have enough energy to be crabby at both the bike and Hagi. He'd probably just go to bed. Little did he know, Hagi was counting on it.