Hello again ^_^

As promised… sooner than the last one anyway… XP a little bit sooner.... ^^'

The title is Hitomi Takahashi's Yoru no Melody… It can be translated 'The Night's Melody' or 'The Melody of the Night'. Reguardless, it's one of my favorites…

Kimi ni Kaeru:

As the snow accumulates, so do these pent-up feelings When will they unravel, positively shining?

Chapter 4: Yoru no Melody

There is a gaping hole in my heart,

That has not yet been filled.

If the hole is filled, a melody flows

Can you hear the melody of the night.

"I really am sorry to hear about you sister, though."

"Hai. It was very sad." Saya agreed with Kaori.

Biting a straw between her white teeth Kaori added, "Especially right after you just found her. And to think… she had just had two little babies. It's so awful they will never get to meet their mother. But it's good you will be there for them! And you've finally gotten all of that legal stuff taken care of, settling your sisters affairs, so now you can stay here in Okinawa."

"Hai." Saya mumbled. Kaori, as well as the rest of her friends in Okinawa, were under the impression that Saya had been traveling in Europe and the U.S., settling the affairs of her late sister, Diva. Kaori was still excited that, during Saya's absence 3 years ago, the amnesiatic girl had recovered nearly all of her memory and had been questioning her about various things about her past.

Where she was really from? What had her parents been like? Saya had a time explaining that one. What her childhood had been like?

And then Kaori touched the subject that Saya whished she wouldn't bring up. Hagi.

"So…? What happened to that good-looking guy from the beach that night?"

Saya felt as if a crack opened in her heart. Hagi… Everyone had tried to keep from mentioned him if they could, they could all see how his absence was affecting her and didn't wish to cause her more pain. Saya herself hadn't thought of his lack of presence since Kaori had arrived, not until the girl had brought the subject up. And now all of Saya's earlier fears and thoughts came flooding back.

Why wasn't he hear yet? Does he want to come back? Is he angry with her? Had she hurt him?

Does he not feel the same for me anymore? Does he not love me? Her eyes with tears at the thought.

"Saya? Daijoubu desu ka?" Kaori's worried voice startled her.

"Oh! Hai. Daijoubu." Saya wiped her eyes.

"Did something happen with the two of you?" She paused for a moment. "That way he looked at you that night… I thought for sure you two were a couple… Or at least that he was in love with you or something. I would have thought he would be with you now… he followed you around like he was ready to jump in front of a bullet for you."

Saya laughed at the joke, but cringed inwardly at how true the statement was. "The night my sister died… he… we got separated… and I thought he died too. But my… friend… recently informed me that he is alive… I haven't seen him since that night."

"Hai. Kai told me he brought Riku-kun back a few months ago and then he left to find you."

Saya tried to keep the surprise out of her features. So the others were telling everyone Riku had been off somewhere with Hagi? She would have to ask Kai what other stories they had been telling people… so she didn't get confused and say the wrong things.

"So when will he be back? I can tell you miss him." Saya forgot how observant Kaori was. "Were you two together back before you got amnesia?"

Saya shook her head sadly. "Iie. We were not a couple… but we were very close, best friends. We grew up together."

The bubbly brunette fell back in her chair. "Ah! Childhood friendship evolved into more! Talk about meant to be!"

Saya felt her face heating up.

"It's so romantic!" Kaori gushed. "So have you told him you love him yet?"

With a blush Saya whined. "Kaori!"

"Na-ni? You remember back when you all first returned to Okinawa and I thought the twins where yours? I assumed he was the father! Isn't that funny?"

"Iie!" Saya covered her face.

"Gomen!" Kaori laughed. "But it is the truth."

Saya sighed. It really was true, everyone had asked the same thing, 'so is the long-haired guy the father?'. Feeling a sadness creeping up on her, and desperate to change the subject from her relationship with her missing Chevalier, she decided to turn the subject of the conversation back at Kaori. "So… have you met any nice boys up there in Osaka? I am sure you are quite popular with the guys."

Saya had learned that Kaori had been in the Kansai region in Osaka attending college and nursing school. She was very happy for her friend.

Even with her dark skin, Saya could see Kaori blush. "I might have met someone…" She hedged.

"You want to tell me about him?" Saya smirked.

Kaori began to speak but she was interrupted.

"There you are, Neechan! Oh, Kaori-kun! Kon'nichi wa!" Riku laughed as he came up to the two females. Hibiki was with him, holding his hand.

"Ohayou, Riku-kun!" Kaori giggled.

"Riku?"

"Lulu was wondering if the two of you were going to come join us at the music shop. We are about to head back to the mall. She still thinks you need more clothes." He rolled his chocolate eyes.

Saya stood with a laugh. "Alright. Kaori, come on!"

They met Lulu and Kanade on the other side of the street and the group set out for the shopping district. As they were approaching the store Lulu demanded they go to, Saya lagged behind slightly, pulling purple haired girl with her. She whispered in her ear. "You knew Kaori was going to be here, didn't you?"

Lulu gave a guilty smile.

"You set it up." Saya looked at her, amused for a moment, then smiled. "Arigatou, Lulu."

"Are you two coming or not?" Riku called back to them from his position by the door.

"Hurry Obasan!" The twins chimed.

Saya and Lulu ran to join them.

The rest of the day was spent mostly in dressing rooms. Not that Saya had much choice. Every time she thought they would finally be heading back to Omoro, Kaori or Lulu or one of the twins found another dress or shirt or pair of jeans for her to try on. And they wouldn't accept no for an answer. Nor would they let her return the item to the rack if they thought it looked good on her, whether she wanted it or not.

Finally they left the store after paying for Saya's new clothes, they all headed back to the Miyagusuku van. Saya bid Kaori goodbye and promised to see her again soon, inviting her to come visit at Omoro anytime.

Kaori promised to visit them soon and then set off to catch her plane back to Osaka.

"Well…" Lulu said casually, "I believe all of this will last you for a while." She nodded to herself.

"A while?" Saya repeated amused.

"Hai. There's enough to last a few weeks."

Saya laughed. "Let's go home. It will take hours for me to put all of this up."

-------------------

It had been a rather slow day, almost as if the sun were anticipating something coming with the rising moon and it was trying to delay the arrival of the night. Even now, as the orange orb was falling behind the horizon, it still seemed to be clinging with all its might to the clouds in the sky.

Any other day Saya would have enjoyed resting on a day like this, but not today.

With an heartbroken sigh, Saya rolled away from the window and curled in on herself.

She had been restless since returning from the previous day's shopping trip.

This depressing mood had not come on suddenly, she had been fine when they had first returned to Omoro, and dinner had been cheerful and talkative. And then Saya had happily returned to her room to put away her new belongings. Laughing to herself about Lulu's shop-a-holic tendency of never looking at a price tag.

She had been putting away the last of the new items, a light pink dress, the same shade as her favorite flower, decorated with lace. It looked slightly similar to the dress she had worn that night at the Opera, purchased only because Lulu's insistence that Joel would be adamant in inviting them to Red Shield parties and charity events now that she was awake.

Saya had been rather immersed in the thought of wearing the dress on an outing with Hagi, and blushing at the prospect.

It was as she was hanging the dress inside the closet that the trouble had started. Her eyes landed on another garment hanging back in the corner, one that she had had for a while. A white button down shirt… Hagi's… shirt… She hadn't remembered it being there before, assuming Hagi had taken it with him the night he returned, like Lulu had said he had the cello and his coat.

She went numb form shock. The pink lace slipped from her limp fingers and crumpled on the floor.

Immediately she reached for the large garment. Pressing it to her face. Of course most of his sent had faded, but it was still there, however faintly. The light fragrance of rose, overpowered by rosin and the sweet sent of his blood.

With a sigh she pulled the shirt on, snuggling into the soft material. It was almost as if Hagi had wrapped his arms around her… but she knew it wasn't possible because he wasn't here… Not here…? Her lids parted slowly. He isn't … here… Comprehension hit like a wall.

IIE!

A sob rippled out of her throat as she shook her head violently, trying to rid herself of the memory of yesterday's painful realization. She pressed her self deeper into the sheets.

Hagi…

It was so strange, so foreign to her to be without the one person whom had always been present. The one she had always expected to be with her. He had always wiped away her tears when she was sad and had played soothing melodies for her when she couldn't sleep and had protected her from her fears.

Where are you? Why are you not here yet?

Saya could not fathom how she had ever been so oblivious as to not know how much she loved him. She needed him with her as much as she needed air to breathe. She simply could not be with out him.

I miss you so much…

Just as the light from the sun finally faded and her room was engulfed by the darkness of night, Saya felt her hope of ever seeing Hagi again vanishing. He must not want to be with her any longer… she did not, could not, blame him for feeling that way… she would not have wanted to be the Chevalier of a selfish person such as herself either.

A soft knock on her door startled her. She had locked it earlier so no one would enter and find her in this state. She didn't feel like getting up to see who it was so she simply lifted her head she called in a weak, shuddering voice, "Who is it?"

"It's me." Came Kai's worried voice. "Um… Daijoubu desu ka?"

"I'm alright." She answered, it was unconvincing even to her own ears.

"I came to tell you dinner is ready…" Kai replied gently.

Saya had no appetite. "I am not hungry…" She heard the shock in Kai's silence. She was always hungry.

"Are you sure? Maybe if you-"

She growled slightly, cutting him off. "I am not hungry!" Immediately she was ashamed at herself for speaking to her brother that way, but she wanted to be left alone. "I am tired…" she added in a softer tone. "I want to sleep."

Kai knew the real reason she wasn't hungry and as much as he wanted to try and ease his sister's pain, he respected her wish to be left alone. "Alright… Sleep well, Saya. But we have a plate ready if you change your mind."

Saya heard his fading footsteps and sighed in relief. "Arigatou…"

--

Saya didn't recall falling to sleep but at some point she had, even though she really had not intended too.

When she awoke the night was at it's peak. The moon and stars were very bright.

What was she to do with herself now? She couldn't keep crying… the other's were already asleep, she didn't wish to wake them.

I need to get out of this house for a while. Maybe the cool night air could clear her head.

Going over to the closet she found a comfortable pair of shoes and slipped them on before walking over to the door.

A thought occurred to her. If one of the others were to wake and come to check on her only to find her gone, they might assume the worse. She knew Lulu would understand… but she doubted Kai would listen… It was impossible to lock her door from outside the room, so how would she prevent them from noting her absence?

She thought about it for a minute, her eyes scanning the room for an idea eventually landed on the window. That's it! She could go out the window, it would be an easy exit, and reentering would be simple for a Chiropteran. And she could leave the door locked so no one could come in to find her gone, they would think she was still sleeping. Lulu wouldn't tell.

Saya climbed up on her bed and crawled over to the large pane of glass. The tiny clasp was unlatched with a nearly silent cashik.

Quietly she slid the window to the side and climbed nimbly out onto the ledge, sliding the glass back in place, leaving only a tiny crack so she could get back in.

Careful not to make noise, she scaled down the building from ledge to ledge until her feet hit the sidewalk without a sound before quickly hurrying down the street. At the corner she cast one last glance at her home to see if anyone was following. There was no sign of movement. She turned away and ran.

Now that she was outside she had no idea what to do, all of the shops in town were closed. So she simply walked around, looking for small changes to the city that she hadn't noticed yet.

To her surprise she found herself on Park Avenue, in front of a small flower shop. She remembered this place, it was where she had fallen into that flower bed when she saw Hagi. And just like last time, she instinctively turn to look across the street where he had been that first day. He wasn't there… she didn't know why she thought he would be…

Hagi was not in Okinawa, if he was, surely he would have come to her by now had he seen what a state she had been in earlier. But still she could not fight the urge to look for him even though she knew her efforts were pointless. Looking wouldn't hurt, would it? Just to be safe.

It seemed reasonable, in her frazzled mind, to check all of the places she had seen him before. And with that she set out.

To the school where they had first interacted, she searched where the big tree had been before venturing inside the school, which to her amazement wasn't locked and she saw no teachers, up the various hall ways and stair wells in which he had carried her injured form away from danger. In the Biology lab she stared at the spot they had lain in after he had pulled her aside from the attack of that Chiropteran, reliving in her mind that moment when their lips had met for the first time.

She traveled to the back ally where he had found her when they were looking for a frantic Kai, and from there to the warehouse where she had fought with Forest. Nothing.

The sense of déjà vu was over powering. She remembered clearly how she had traveled this same route three years earlier after they had first returned from New York. At the time she had had the same mission… looking for Hagi.

There was one place she hadn't checked last time though… the tomb. What if he were to go there. Surely he would want to check for himself that she was awake.

Saya ran as fast as she could to the tomb, bounding up the steps effortlessly and inside the cave-like structure. It was empty. There was no sign he had been there, no familiar sent hanging in the air… no pink rose.

With a weary sigh, she made her way back down to the side walk. What now? He's not here… and if I were to go looking for him elsewhere I would never find him.

Her heart weighed heavy in her chest as she looked up at the night sky. Hours had passed since leaving Omoro. It was time to head back home.

Saya was in no hurry though and let her shoes scuff loudly against the rough concrete of the sidewalk. In the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of light and she turned to look. The full moon above danced on a dark waving surface.

The ocean… Saya blinked. How could she forget? The only other place in Okinawa she had seen Hagi. The beach.

In the distance she could make out a large dark from rising out of the water. That rock… her favorite spot…

Eager to check to only other place she could think of, she took off in a sprint, not slowing her pace until she reached the top stair on the breakwater wall.

No one was there. It had been foolish to hope otherwise.

Tired and forlorn, she trudged down the stone steps and across the moon-bleached sand. She sat with a huff and pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs.

A pang echoed in her heart as she remembered the times she had seen Hagi here. The first when she had been upset and had ran away from David and George at the clinic. Hagi had found her here and she had angrily demanded that he tell her who she really was. And the second, that night they had a farewell party in George's memory. Hagi had sat on the breakwater wall and played the cello for them. But no one had made an effort to include him.

How she wished she had been more friendly with him in those early days of their reuniting. Had made more of an attempt to include him in her family. Even though she already knew he would turn the offer down, at least he would have known I cared…

Maybe if she had made an attempt… he would have been here now. If he would just come back, even for a minute, she could apologize for all the wrong she had done to him and try to make it better. But what if it was already too little too late?

With that thought in her mind, her head fell to rest on her knees and she let her tears flow freely.

---------

A light thump of shoes hitting the concrete roof of Omoro was the only hint of Hagi's arrival.

The Chevalier had not rested since he had parted ways with Nathan in Paris. He wanted nothing more than to sit and catch his breath. But he was so close… resting could wait. The only thing on his mind was finding his Queen. And he knew, all traces of his fatigue would vanish… the moment he gazed upon her face.

Saya.

He dropped from his perch down to her window. It was already open. He slid the pane back quietly and crawled into the room.

She was not there. "Saya?" he whispered quietly, perhaps she had sensed his approach and, not realizing it was he, had hidden. His eyes traveled around the room. No… she was not here… he would have been able to locate her effortlessly. He would have heard her heartbeat.

But her sent was achingly strong. And that coupled with the unmade bed confirmed what he hoped. Saya had been here… recently. So Nathan spoke the truth… Saya truly is awake.

Where was she now, though? He walked over to the bedroom door and moved to open it. It didn't budge. Locked? From inside the room. But then… he turned away from the door. Where was she?

He stared at the window for a moment. Had she gone out that way? Obviously Saya wasn't here, she had to have gone out somehow. This was the only other option.

It would explain why the window had been open… But where would she… His eye's narrowed as he recalled the one place in Okinawa Saya had always told him she loved to go. The beach.

He swiftly climbed out of the window and leapt up to the roof. Bounding from building to building he quickly reached the edge of the city and darted into the trees, he could get there faster this way.

After running only a few minutes, he saw a light flash between the trees. The headlights of a passing car. He was almost there.

Hagi broke from the wood and vaulted over the highway separating the trees from the white sand and the surf, landing lithely on the breakwater wall. His weary eyes scanned the span of the shore. A ways farther up the beach he saw a large rock jutting out of the water… He remembered it. That was her favorite spot.

Making his way closer to it, he made out a small dark figure contrasting with the light sand. A woman, he could tell from the sound of her sobs. She had long sweeping black hair, nearly curtaining her huddled form.

Saya.

--

A tingling in her spine accompanied by the odd feeling of being watched told Saya she was not alone. Someone was standing behind her.

In her crying fit, she had mistakenly ignored the fact that anyone, possibly someone up to no good, could approach her.

But as she sat there, a wave of familiar comforting calm washed through her. It was like she had been immersed n a dark shadow, a strong protective shield. And she knew, without a doubt, that this person was no stranger.

She knew this feeling, had experienced it numerous times. Only one person gave her this security through their gaze.

Saya slowly lifted her head from her knees. No… it can't be… Hagi couldn't really be here… could he?

All she had to do was turn around and look. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. She wanted so badly to turn and see him standing there… but she was afraid that it would not be him.

A slight flowed from the forest across the highway and out to the blue ocean, carrying with it a fragrance she knew like the back of her hand. Hagi!? Her hair swung around her face as her head snapped around to the direction the sent came from.

There he stood, a few meters away by the concrete wall. Tall and elegant as ever. Dressed in a dark suit, wavy brown hair falling around his pale face. Piercing blue grey eyes locked on hers.

Saya stopped breathing.

This is a dream… it has to be… he cant really be here! Saya repeated over and over in her mind. Fearing this was only a figment of her imagination. But as she gazed at the man before her she knew, without a doubt, he was real.

Slowly she got to her feet, never taking her eyes from his face.

His lips moved and she heard her name whispered softly, "Saya…"

That was all it took. Saya barreled into him with such force he nearly fell over, her arms constricting around him, her face burring into his front. She began to cry again.

His worried voice reached her ears. "Saya?"

"Y-you are really here? It is not a dream this time!" She mumbled.

His arms tightened around her thin frame in response. "No. This is not a dream."

"Hagi…" She sighed before sobbing harder into his coat.

Minutes passed.

Hagi ran his fingers soothingly through her long hair, enticing her tears to subside. She simply stayed there, in the embrace of his comforting arms. Enjoying the sense of completeness she had not felt since waking.

He's here! He's alive! He didn't die in the explosion. Her eyes opened. He survived the attack on the Met… and he had not tried to contact her to inform her that he was alive? Did he not know how worried she had been? How heartbroken? Boiling anger welled up inside her and she pulled away abruptly.

An emptiness from the lack of contact with him consumed her but she ignored it. Her arm pulling back of its own accord before snapping forward. There was a loud slap, and Hagi's head fell to his left shoulder.

His the fingers of his bandaged right hand came to rest on the palm shaped red splotch on his right cheek. He looked down at her in surprise.

"Doushite!?" She yelled, her lovely face contorted with fury.

Hagi blinked in confusion at the sudden outburst. "What is the matter?"

"Y-you… do you have any idea how worried I was about you!?" She cried, her eyes stinging. "I was so afraid you had died! And you were alright the entire time and you never said anything!"

Hagi's chin fell to his chest, ashamed that he had cause his Queen pain.

"You could have tried to get in contact with us! You could have came back to the apartment! We stayed there for days, waiting on word form you!" Warm trickles of salty water flowed down her cheeks as she remembered the state she had been at that time, she had been no different than a zombie.

"Saya…" Hagi said sadly.

"How could you!?" She cried over his reply, breaking into sobs, her anger quickly giving way to sadness. "How could you say such things to me… and then just disappear and let me think you had died!?" Her small hands, balled into fists, beat against his chest feebly.

He tried again. "Saya I…"

She let out a pained wail at the sound of his voice and her fists pounded harder. Strong arms wrapped around her and pulled her against him. She resisted at first, weakly trying to push him away, but quickly gave up, she missed had missed the contact.

Hagi felt her fingers latching onto his coat, her forehead pressing into his chest.

Her breathing was shaky. "You… you might as well have k-killed me when I asked…" she stated in a crackling voice, "thinking you were dead while I still lived… it was more that I could take…"

Hagi replied in a solemn voice, "Saya, I am terribly sorry for bringing you so much pain. And I assure you this is not what I intended."

Tears subsiding, Saya opened her eyes. Hagi brought his left hand up to her cheek, turning her face so she was looking up at him.

"As badly as I wanted to, I could not come back immediately, I was badly injured after the building collapsed. But I did return, once I had healed enough I came back to the apartment. However you had already returned to Okinawa."

He was injured… Saya felt horrified. Hagi had been hurt, and she hadn't been there to help him. She had to catch her bottom lip between her teeth to keep herself from crying out again.

Hagi continued. "I set out to find you, however I misjudged how much time I had left to make it to Okinawa. By the time I arrived, you had already gone into your sleep."

Saya felt her heart ache at the look of pain on his face. She was not the only one hurting, he was as rattled as she from this distance between them.

She clenched the material of his jacket possessively in her fists. "But you are here now…" She whispered.

"Yes." He agreed, steely eyes gazing into hers. "And I will never leave you again."

Those six little words, they were all she needed to hear. They were what she had been waiting for.

As if he were the thread and his words a needle, he repaired the gapping hole in her chest. The missing piece of her heart clicked back into place, right where it belonged.

Drunk on happiness from his words, her hands automatically slip up his chest to his face. The palms of her hands forming the shape of his high cheek bones, fingertips edging into his hair.

As she held his face a warmth bubbled in her stomach. She remembered it well from that night at the Met. In the night's frenzy and closeness between them, it had drove her to rise up and meld her lips against his.

Her face heated as she remembered that moment, and realized that she wanted that again. Now.

Without hesitation she pulled his face down to her own. She couldn't see his reaction through her closed eyes, but she heard his surprised gasp. She felt his arms tighten protectively in their hold around her waist and, to her delight, Hagi's mouth pressed closer to hers.

As she was reveling at the feel of his lips on hers, something bright flashed across her face, surprising her. She pulled away and looked out to the ocean.

The sun was rising.

"Oh! I have to get back! The others will be worried sick if they find out that I'm not there." Saya said frantically. She, regretfully, removed herself from Hagi's arms, not noticing how his face fell into a disappointed expression before composing himself. She ran to the stone stairs and turned to look down the highway towards the city.

"Going that way will take too long…" She fretted, biting her lip. We could run, she thought looking to the trees, no one would see.

But even as she thought this, she knew she would never be able to run all the way back to Omoro, she was too tired. This sleepless night was weighing down on her. How will I make it back in time…?

"Waaha!" Her legs were swept out from under her. She fell backwards, but instead of hitting the ground, she landed in two strong arms. She looked up at Hagi in surprise. "Nani…?"

He glanced down at her, "You need to get home quickly. Hold on."

"Hai, demo…" her words cut off abruptly as he jumped into the air. "Ah!" Her arms locked tight around his neck as they descended downward into the trees on the opposite side of the highway.

Saya looked up at Hagi as they made their way through the trees. He seemed to be thinking about something. But she couldn't think of what it could be.

"Arigatou…" Saya whispered.

He glanced down at her, the arm around her back squeezing her to him a little tighter. "For what, Saya?"

She nestled her head in the crook of his neck. "For coming back."

A lost kiss will one day return to you

A/N: well it took a little less time to write… I think… ^^; I've also been brainstorming on the villain for this story… with the help of my friend. =) and its coming along quite nicely. But there will be a few more chapters before the bad guy is introduced... haha.

Well… more fluff next chapter… and hopefully a nice conversation between Saya and Hagi… ^_^

See ya next chapter…

Review…?