Note that none of the Characters of Blood+ are created by me, I'm just a fanfic writer, that's all ;; Spoilers for episode 40+ and above.

This fic is dedicated to all the Solomon fans out there. I've seen some wonderful tributes, from all the Haji-like people, but I think I'm more like Kai, shouting "Live on!" in spite of whatever might come, and whatever might be ;)

WHERE I BELONG

Chapter 1 : Live Today For Tomorrow

Okinawa, Japan

As the sun set, a dark blue sports car went racing up along the bridge over the sea by Okinawa. It was a relatively empty road at this hour, and for this particular driver, a very fast drive. The car came to a halt under the hill in the island, and a man got out and ascended the steps at an even pace, black leather shoes and dark blue pants moving up the stairs unhurriedly, taking a step at a time.

He had just reached the Miyagusuku family tomb at the top of the hill, as the golden glow from the sun faded away, and the gentle soft azure of the evening settled about.

This must be the most peaceful place on earth, he thought. Not the most beautiful nor miraculously wondrous, but it is peaceful. How fitting that you should be here.

His eyes washed over the surroundings, then settled on the tomb itself. With a slightly sad smile he'd move towards it, then he raised an eyebrow. His eyes had caught sight of a red rose, almost blue in the gradually deepening night, with a single blue ribbon tied about the stalk. His steps brought him over, soundless gentle steps, and his delicate hand reached out for the rose. Then he paused, just short of touching it, and shrugged.

It really didn't matter, just as he didn't matter either... when the time comes, it would be up to her to decide.

As his hand pushed the door to the tomb open, he smiled wistfully.

Brother... everytime I enter this place, I am grateful. Very much more than I can say... that I have a chance to see her again, is entirely due to you. We may not meet again, but I will remember your kindness.

The tomb was not musty, in fact he felt it was rather neat, or perhaps well-kept might be the word. Even the film of dust over the floor was almost of a measured thickness, probably someone did some cleaning in here now and then. He had only eyes for one thing though - the cocoon of sorts in the middle of the room, complete with the open sarcophagus. There was a long soft sigh from him, and then he remained still.

Time passed.

Finally, he sighed and bowed.

"Sorry."

There was a blur of movement, then there it was, facing him. The dark chiropterean claw upraised, the back of it warding off the blade that had been sent hacking downwards.

He stepped back easily, a slight movement that took him more than 10' backwards, his voice soft as he greeted the one he faced. "Haji."

"Why?" The angular pale face, framed in the dark straight yet curling bangs, with narrowed eyes, ready for battle. The large metallic cello case stood in the dust by his side, ready to be used at an instant's notice.

"I just wish to see her face." His voice was even, sad, yet somehow, a little steely. "It's been... so long now."

"We are grateful." Haji straightened up against the man, dressed in a beautiful dark blue suit, pristine and refined. "But you will not be allowed to interrupt her rest."

"I will not wake her." He sighed again. "Please Haji. I have no intention to fight you. I only come to see her face."

The moments ticked by, yet within the tomb, nothing changed. Outside the night sky deepened in hue.

A nod, by the dark haired man. "Very well then." Stepping back slightly, to stand beside the cocoon.

"My thanks." He bowed slightly, then walked forward to the cocoon.

He could almost see, almost feel the life that lay within. The core of warmth that nourished them all... nourished his heart, and gave eternity a sense of meaning.

The blade glinted dimly, though there was no light source in the tomb. Then it descended...

And stopped.

Solomon's eyes widened.

"Saya!" Haji moved to kneel down between Solomon and the cocoon, seizing hold of the hand that had emerged.

Watching Haji, he stepped back, a feeling of uncertainty in his guts.

Something is amiss... I am not supposed to be here.

Right before his eyes, the cocoon slowly split open before the dainty hands that tore it apart, to reveal the bared form of a young female girl, covered in long hair, emerging from within.

"Saya!" It was Solomon's turn now, snapping out of his thoughts to rush over as well, taking her hand in his, mirroring Haji's movements. Saya's true Chevalier gave him a look but did not move to stop him, as he knelt down beside her to support her by the shoulders.

She shouldn't be up so soon, she had not been sleeping long enou...

There was the sharp harsh sound of something cracking. "Ugh!"

Was that my voice? My hand...

Her hand had crushed his completely, snapping bones, her fingers piercing right through his palm. Burning crimson eyes gleamed in the darkness, searing right into his soul.

"Saya...?" His voice trembled, not so much from the physical pain, but from the shock and dismay. After waiting so long, was this how his reunion with her was to be?

A low snarl from her, and the next moment he felt the impact of the wall on his back, stone cracking behind him from the force of the blow, before he slumped down onto the ground with a low groan. Raising his eyes, he saw Haji placing a hand on her shoulder, his mouth saying something he couldn't make it out, then she vanished.

There was a glimpse of movement before him, red eyes gleaming amidst flowing jet black hair and pale skin, then he grunted as he felt his wrist seized and his arm being twisted behind back, another vice like grip closing about his neck from behind.

"Saya!" He heard Haji cry out, and he felt a deep pain pierce his neck to the soft velvet texture of lips, lips that he had so craved, upon his skin, he felt his lifeblood being drained away rapidly.

His free hand straightened out his fingers, on the verge of transforming into his weapon, when he stopped, and his hand fell open.

If this is your wish, Saya, then so be it. I have no regrets...

Weakness washed over him, but at the same time, there was a gentle peaceful bliss, as his eyes closed.

Perhaps this is where Solomon Goldsmith truly belongs after all. In a tomb, in her arms... How I started, is how I will end.

The grip loosed, and he fell to the ground... no, someone caught him. He looked up a little, surprised, relieved yet ambivalent.

Oh, its you Haji.

His soft blue eyes saddened.

I have always strived for peace, I have always hated fighting, but he is the one being I have tried time and time again to eliminate. Yet he is the one who has saved me...

"Saya!" Haji's voice rang out as he lowered Solomon to the ground, then stepping over him protectively and facing his mistress. "Wake up!" Raising a knife to his hand, now in clawed form, he would slice his flesh and let his blood flow, before he'd lower his lips to take in the blood from his hand.

The girl, if indeed it was Saya, brooded there quietly a moment, before suddenly racing forward, only to be met with Haji interposing himself between her and her target, and with one hand the dark haired Chevalier would seize her wrist, pulling her back slightly to face him, his other hand gripping her other hand. There was a snarl of defiance from Saya, before he let go of her hand, arm moving about her shoulders to pull her to him, then his lips met hers, swiftly yet not too forcefully.

Behind him, Solomon sat up gingerly, one hand reaching for his neck wound, but that hand stopped as he watched them kiss, and a trickle of blood flowed down her face from where their lips met.

The red light went out of Saya's eyes, as her body seemed to slump forward, her hands clinging on to Haji.

"What happened... Haji?" She whispered, as an expression of inexplicable joy spread over her face. "Is that really...?" Her hands started to tremble.

"Yes," a voice of affirmation.

"Haji...I thought I'd never see you again..." She seized him tight, hugging him close as she buried her face in his chest and started to sob softly, hot tears of joy spilling over his chest. "Oh Haji..."

Solomon flinched, and closed his eyes. His body leaned against the wall, and slumped down slightly. The wound at his neck had stopped bleeding, but more slowly than normal - he was weak from the loss of blood, and he knew it. But nothing was so weakening, nothing so painful as that horrible gnawing, biting, stabbing feeling inside of him, that ripped at his heart.

Saya... will it forever be this way? Is there not even the tiniest place in your heart... for me? I... I do not know how I can continue...

He gave a low sigh and leaned forward, letting a hand come to grip his forehead, fingers tousling his hair, and though his eyes were closed, that did not blot away the sound of her sobbing. Every moment sent agony through his veins, and he trembled again.

But I can. I knew this, that this might be, would be, what would greet me when I returned. When I returned to protect you from my brother I already knew that, and now when I return to be at your side I knew it again.

The trembling stop, the hand steadied, no longer gripping the pale golden strands, just supporting his visage.

No. Solomon Goldsmith will not go quietly into the night - he will remain by your side. He could have accepted death, for it had already claimed him, but he chose to struggle and live on, and even if it means his heart should be torn from his body while he yet lives, so be it. I have an eternity to be by your side, and if in all that time there would be but an instant where you have laid your eyes on me, then, it would be worth it. I will endure, for you, Saya. I will live today for tomorrow, only for you.

Strength returned to his body, and he turned to look where Saya was clutching Haji. Her sobbing had stopped now, and his pained eyes met Haji's gaze.

Saya stopped, noticing Haji looking elsewhere. "Haji?" Turning around to see what he was looking at, and remembering what had happened, vaguely through a mist of scarlet. "There was someone else..." Her eyes widened as she saw the dark blue dressed man against the wall.

Solomon...

He winced as he saw her expression contort, pain, confusion, anguish, regret playing across her face, as she stiffened, then bowed her head, her hair falling down to hide her face. So many expressions, yet not one single one that he desperately craved for.

"I'm sorry." She whispered, her fist clenching up in pain, for she could not stop her eyes from noticing the marks on his neck, even in this dim light. "I'm sorry, Solomon." A rivulet of warm tears ran down her face.

He wasn't sure what to say, what to do in response, and there was that gnawing sadness that he might have already lost the one person most important to him, that gnawing sadness that would not go away. Yet from within, he already knew what he would do.

Moving over slowly, he knelt down before Saya and reached out to touch her cheek, the back of his fingers brushing away the tears, and she blinked and looked up at him, and saw his gentle sad smile.

Though her hair is longer now, she still looks exactly the same as when we were in the zoo.

Taking up her hand, he'd move to draw slightly closer. He could feel Haji tense up even more but he really couldn't care less at times like this.

"Solomon..." He heard her lips form his name, as if in awe.

How can he be so... good? To me? Especially after all I've done and when I'm...

Saya's eyes widened, a red flush ran up her cheeks, and even spread down to her upper torso, as her arms coming up around her form to try to cover herself. Haji put a protective arm around her, as she tried to shy away in his embrace from Solomon, but the blonde Chevalier only gave a gentle smile and drew off his coat with a flourish, placing it on her shoulders. Underneath he wore a white long-sleeved shirt.

"Feel better?" He smiled as he stood up, his benign expression hiding the sharp searing pain that he felt wrench inside of him, as he saw her shrink close to Haji away from him. Although that pain was alleviated as she reached up both hands to draw the coat around her, keeping it close to hide her naked body as she nodded in response and gingerly got up to her feet. "Well since that's the case, it's time to get going."

"Go where?" Saya asked, then her thoughts were reminded of some others. "Kai... where is Kai? And all the rest?" She looked around a little wildly. "How... how long have I been asleep?"

"Eighteen years." Haji responded quietly.

Eighteen years... only... no wonder neither of them really seemed that happy to see me...

"I... what happened? How could it...?"

"Well, you're here with us now." Solomon interjected coolly. "Let's get you to some place more comfortable and in some proper clothes."

Saya blinked, then she nodded, relenting. "That means Kai and the rest...?"

Solomon paused a while, then looked at Haji questioningly.

"They're fine." The dark haired man replied. "You'll see later." Haji stood up, and his fingers brushed against hers as he moved past, and turned slightly to look into her eyes. "It's good to have you back, Saya."

"I know where the Omoro is," Solomon observed quietly. "I will not be joining you, but I can give you both a lift." His movements were a little delicate, for his body hurt from the loss of blood, but bar that he did not show any sign of weakness.

Haji looked at Saya questioningly, and she nodded, then her scarlet eyes went to regard the other man's back as he pushed open the portal of the tomb.

Solomon looked back over his shoulder and smiled. And then Saya smiled as well, to see him glad. "To the Omoro it is then." And in that moment, just for that moment, he was happy.

END OF CHAPTER 1

Hope all of you enjoyed the story so far :) I know some people are probably wondering, how did Solomon survive, but there's a portion to that that I have already written out, I'll find somewhere down in the other chapters to unveil it.

Meantime please do review or email me at :) all and any feedback is welcome, and an author lives largely for those, believe me.