Okinawa 1985

The full moon rose over the ocean reflecting off the white capped waves as they crashed into the shore line. The salt moisture from the salt sea air collected upon the man that stood perfectly still for the past few hours observing the surroundings and making certain he was not seen. The sound of the ocean was calming- a timeless lullaby that kept Saya calm in his long separation from her.

Hagi was crouched above the Myagusuku family crypt. He could feel Saya's sleeping presence below him. The night concealed him, the figure clad in charcoal grey, as he jumped down to the entrance. He went inside and prepared to play for Saya. He felt the slow heartbeat of his queen as she slept. It would be at least 16 more years until she awoke. He stilled his preparations and caressed the cocoon with his chiropteran hand. "Saya, as long as you live, I will always be there," he murmured.

How many hibernations had he endured? How many more would he have to face? These were the questions that burned in his mind but he dare not bring to the surface. The pain would be too much for the man that held so many secrets behind the stone-faced façade that he wouldn't let down. He wanted to let his guard down. He wanted to tell her to live on. The pink roses would flash into his thoughts, reminding him of his feelings for the sleeping woman. It ached from being separated from her for so long and it ripped again and again for every time she reminded him of The Promise.

Passing the time for him was coming here each night and playing for the woman that he knew would go to her grave by his hand and never know of his love for her. He had played it over in his mind as his heart would shatter and another piece of his soul would die. He would lift Diva's sword, while still containing her blood and run his first and eternal love through, pull the sword back and hope that the universe held some mercy for the man that gave everything and only expected this in return- he would run himself through. He couldn't disobey her- her commands bound him in place. Whatever she demanded, hoped for, or wished for- he had to obey. He never tried even once to go against her, but he secretly wondered what would happen if he did- just once.

He played for her as he remembered the kind couple he'd come to know. He visited Paris every other year and found Marva playing her guitar at the bistro. They would "jam" together- he couldn't help but smile at the word. She still seems out of place in Paris, even though she has opted for less lively looking clothes. He couldn't really imagine her fitting in anywhere. She was like sunlight on a rainy day, refreshing and somewhat familiar. He couldn't quite figure out what she reminded him of. His life had never been an easy one, dismal at best, but when he was around the young couple in Paris, they gave him hope and a strange feeling he'd not known since the decade he lived at the Zoo in the 1870s. They accepted him, even though they didn't know all his secrets, they still welcomed him and had given him advice and a place to come to when his spirits were weighed down.

Jeff was so opposite of Marva, but they love each other. Jeff had cornered him a few years ago and forced him to tell his sad story. Hagi basically said that he was in love with the woman he was a servant to. How he was bought from his parents while he was still a boy and became a companion for Saya. She was more interested in her own agenda (he didn't want to let them know about the war with chiropterans) and really didn't have time for love. Jeff would just cup his hand on Hagi's shoulder and say, "I know you may think you'd be out of line, but you should tell her the truth."

"You know, if Marva and I were concerned about being social equals we'd have never met, much less get married," Jeff said.

"It is different, you do not understand," Hagi replied.

"Is it? Hagi, do you know Marva and I can't go anywhere without people staring and gossiping? 'What does she get out of being with him?' they ask. Her family disowned her because she chose me."

"I am sorry that she had to endure that." Hagi looked at the ground and felt a genuine sympathy for Marva. She lost everything and everyone she loved for the sake of love.

Hagi sighed, "I am not worthy of her love."

"Why don't you let Saya decide that for herself?" Jeff demanded. "She can't know about your feelings if you don't give her the chance by telling her. You don't seem to understand the power of love. It can conquer all things and tear down all walls. If you tell her that you're in love with her, it may forever change her world as well as yours."

Hagi continued to look at the ground. A tear fell from his eyes and landed on the knee of his slacks. He scowled as he could not understand why he was crying in front of the man. Hadn't he learned to control these overwhelming emotions, yet? He took a deep breath. "I cannot do that. I live to serve her. It is out of line to do what you are asking of me," he stated without looking up.

Jeff covered his face with his hands and groaned with frustration. He wondered how he was going to get through to the stoic man. After a moment, he stood and walked around Hagi's chair and looked up into the night sky. "Hagi, there is something my grandmother used to tell me when I was learning about life. 'Look at the stars. They don't discriminate. They shine down for the prince and the poor man just the same."

Hagi looked up.

"Don't you see? Her world is the same as your world. The only difference is that she doesn't see the real you because you are hiding behind that expressionless face. You have to let go of it and tell her the truth, only then will she see what she's been missing.

"Hagi, my friend," Marva added from the back porch, "You'll never rule the castle thinking like a peasant."

He finished playing and placed his hand on Saya's cocoon. He imagined a life where they could be together. "Impossible," he sighed and disappeared into the night.

Another chiropteran was on the move. They seemed to be coming out of somewhere near France at first, but now they were showing up in Okinawa and again in Vietnam. Hagi knew that the small pharmaceutical company called Cinque Fleches seemed to be in every place that the blood thirsty monsters showed up.

Marva was crying as she began to box up yet another group of items. She had to get everything out of the way to learn to deal with the new machinery Jeff would need. She had the second bedroom prepared for the new arrival, but she had to move her things to the guest bedroom to make room.

This was supposed to be a happy time.

Picking up another box and placing it against the wall, she was startled by the ever so soft knock at the door. Wondering who it could be she carefully rose to her feet and went to the window by the door, and looked through the blinds to see a tall man in dark clothing with a telltale cello case against his right shoulder.

"Hagi!" she exclaimed as she opened the door. She fell against his chest in tears.

"Marva," he said calmly as he hugged her back, "what is wrong?" He gently guided her to the sofa as he shut the door behind him. The dark haired man's steel blue gaze took in the boxes that were placed along the wall as he remembered seeing a large truck outside. Was the couple moving? If so, where was Jeff?

She cried out her tears as they sat on the sofa. She asked forgiveness for the state her house was in. She took a deep breath to regain her composure. "Jeff was in an accident. He almost didn't make it, but he pulled through." she breathed again as tears welled in her eyes. "He will never walk or talk again. He's in a vegetated state. It means I will have to do everything for him until the day he dies. The hospital is sending a caregiver to help out for the next year or so- until my baby can attend daycare."

Her hand went to her rounded belly that Hagi had intended to congratulate the couple, but now he felt remorse. How could such a happy moment be allowed to go so wrong? He had known that life had its tendencies to throw things at you, but this seemed completely unfair. Leaving an expectant mother with all these burdens to deal with on her own was inconceivable.

"I am so sorry, Marva," Hagi stated as he rubbed her shoulder. "Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"You could help me get these boxes out to the van. I'm taking them to a storage facility. Then you can help me move my things to the guest room- Jeff will need the room," she requested.

As Hagi moved the boxes he began to think about Marva situation. No one was there to really help her with the new baby or her husband and Saya was in the middle of her 30 year sleep. He could stay to help out for a while and go see Saya at night. Having something to do would distract him from the loneliness he felt while Saya sleeps.

He placed a few boxes in the truck and as he came back for the next couple of boxes he placed a sympathetic left hand on Marva's shoulder, "If you would not mind, I could stay and help out with some of the duties here while you are dealing with all this. You really should not be alone, Marva."

"Oh, Hagi," She sobbed as she threw her arms around his neck, "I really would appreciate the company and the help. Thank you so very much!" She sobbed for a few minutes before she broke the embrace and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand when she noticed Hagi holding out his handkerchief. They both laughed as she accepted it and dabbed her face. "Hagi, you are a wonderful friend to us. How does Saya not see how amazing you are?"

He broke the friendly gaze and looked at the ground in his usual melancholy way, "She says 'Thank you' to me all the time. The problem is she only sees me as an invaluable servant."

"I'm sorry I brought her up," Mavra sympathized as she lifted his chin to look into his steel- blue eyes. She gave him a serious look with her hazel eyes. "You shouldn't be alone in your situation either."

He stayed with Jeff the day Marva's mother-in-law drove her to the hospital and returned in two days with a tiny squirming baby wrapped in pink bundles. The stoic man was reluctant to hold the baby at first. Marva insisted one day that he hold the child as she got up from the couch. She was sleeping peacefully and cooing out a little baby lullaby as her breaths were steady and strong. He held the infant as if she were made of glass and would break at the slightest movement. Marva laughed heartily and advised him, "Relax, you won't hurt her. Babies are just little people that need a bit more attention."

It didn't take long for him to become accustomed to holding the child and caring for her. He mused, How strange this seems, I kill monsters with my bare hands- I am one myself! Yet, this infant trusts me- Marva trusts me with her. Why does she trust me so easily?

Hagi stayed with Marva to help out for the next few years. He helped to care for their new daughter, Claudia, and to help move Jeff when it was needed. It was sad to see Jeff in this state. He couldn't communicate or lift a finger to help himself. Hagi sometimes consoled Marva as she cried.

But at night, he always returned to Saya.

Hagi walked a three year old Claudia to the daycare down the street from the house while Marva cared for Jeff.

"C'mon, Hagi," Claudia called out as she ran ahead. She never could get to the daycare fast enough. All her friends were waiting for her. Her pretty reddish brown hair tied up into three small pony tails with green ribbons that matched her little green overalls. She was a sweet little girl- so much like her mother and looked just like her father.

Hagi thought of Jeff.

He always gave such great advice. I wish that I could follow it.

Hagi smiled as Claudia beamed at him, "We're here, Hagi! Hurry up, they're waiting for us."

They entered the daycare. The walls were painted a light blue with yellow trim and were covered in little crayon colored pictures all the children drew. There were children running and giggling as the receptionist checked off Claudia's name. "Are you going to pick her up today as well?"

"Yes, I am," Hagi replied. He heard a few muffled giggles off to the corner. He gazed from the corner of his eye to see a few teachers gossiping and giggling. He didn't understand why he seemed to command so much attention wherever he went- especially from the ladies. It seemed strange that all these women wanted from him what he wanted from Saya- the one woman he couldn't have.

He sighed as he left. He heard a woman whisper, "I'd take him any day- anywhere!" Sometimes chiropteran hearing is a curse.

As he entered the home, Marva was cleaning the kitchen. Her hair was pulled into a loose knot on the back of her head. He noticed it had a couple of silver streaks coming from the temples. She was showing new lines in the corners of her eyes and mouth from all the happy times she smiled. She was growing older- something he'd never experience. She had told everyone that Hagi was a dear friend that was helping the family out, but he'd become more like a member of the family. Marva even made him purchase a few extra clothes so that he'd have something else to wear each day.

"Hagi," she announced as she folded the laundry, "you need to wear something other than black. I know you're a tortured soul, but you don't have to always look like it!"

"Marva, my clothing is adequate for my needs."

"Nonsense!" she said as she turned him around and pushed him toward the door. "Go get something a bit more cheerful! You always look like you've just come from a funeral."

When he returned with a new black suit with a white dress shirt she just sighed and shook her head, "What am I going to do with you?"

She finally gave in to the fact that Hagi was Hagi and that was not going to change.

"Hagi, you're back. I was wondering what you'd like for lunch. By now you must be tired of getting lunch and dinner when you go out," Marva smiled.

"Please, do not concern yourself. I am not hungry," he replied as he set his cello case against the wall by the coat rack. It usually rested their everyday unless he or Marva felt like playing some music.

She gazed at him for a minute. Her eyes pierced right through him. He always felt like she was inches from knowing his secret when she looked at him like this. "Hagi, please sit," she commanded.

He took a chair across the kitchen table and sat down.

She took a deep breath before she began. "I know there's something very different about you. You carry that cello case everywhere you go, I have never seen you eat in the 14 years I've known you, I know you don't sleep, and you haven't aged a day in 14 years- you still look like you're about 20 something."

Hagi didn't reply. He knew he couldn't lie his way through this, but he couldn't share his secret either.

"It's okay if you're not ready to tell me what's going on just yet." She forced her eyes to meet his so he knew that she was sincere. "Just know that no matter what it is, we will still love you and you are still a member of this family. It may be a damaged family, but we will never ever turn our back on you."

Hagi rose quickly, keeping his stoic expression as he tried to hide the wonder at the thought of being considered a part of a family. When he was young, he was an unwanted burden; at the Zoo, he was a slave. "Excuse me, Marva," he said as he made his way to the door.

When he got past the door, he looked to make certain the streets were empty before he leapt from rooftop to rooftop. "A family?" he said out loud. "How could they ever accept me for who and what I am." He settled in on the top of a 7 story building where he pondered the situation. In a few hours he'd go pick up Claudia.

Claudia ran inside with Hagi trailing behind her. "Mommy! Mommy!" she shouted as she handed over a colorful painting that sort of resembled a cat with pink spots and a blue and red dog. "Look what I made for Daddy!"

"Oh, that's so sweet, Baby Doll," she cooed as she hugged her.

"I made one for Hagi, too," the child informed excitedly as she pointed to the doorway where the same dark figure always stood when he brought the child home.

"Oh?" Marva asked as she looked up at Hagi. "Claudia, Daddy's resting, but we'll give his to him later. Could you please go play in your room?"

"Okay!" she grinned as she skipped off to her room.

Marva waited until she heard the child's bedroom door close. "How did you get out of here so fast? I mean one second you're on the porch and the next you've vanished into thin air!" she babbled.

Hagi began to pick up the cello case when her hand grabbed his. "Wait!" she cried out. "I don't care how you did it," she reassured as she rubbed her temples. "I know I upset you earlier, Hagi. I am sorry. I don't care who or what you are. You've been a good friend to us and we don't want you to leave."

Hagi set his cello case back down where it belonged, for now.