"Stranger." I've come to hate that word. It's right to hate a word that hates you, right? I was always told never to hate anything, but after all I've suffered through, it seems to be all I have left. Sadness and hate. The flood killed my happiness, destroyed my life. And the people aren't helping.

"Stranger..."

"Where are you goin, Stranger?"
"We've got no rooms for you, Stranger."

I've heard it all. Every excuse, every reason for me to spend another night in the wilderness. It rained last night. My clothing still holds dampness and specks of mud. There still remain a few specks of dried blood under my eye, the one that no longer sees. I know it was a punishment from the gods. My two eyes had failed to see the foolishness of my actions. They failed to see his innocence, the innocence of my best friend. The fear in his eyes as I dealt the final blow they failed to see. They failed to see I loved him still in the moment that I killed him. It was an act I'll forever regret, and I'll bear this wound until the day I join him in heaven, beside my lost love and family.

They see me crying now, the steady flow of tears from the eye that still remains open. The eye the gods foolishly spared me. I wish they had taken my life, but I am not to be so lucky. Death is too kind for a man who would slaughter his best friend. No. The gods desire me to live and suffer, forever their "stranger." Always the wanderer with no place to go, no one to go to. No shoulder to cry on. I am alone. No place I am welcome. I have no money, no food, nothing. I am as alone as a man can be, abandoned by even the gods.

Suzaku, I wish no longer to be a burden to you. Although I worshipped you, you abandon me now. And I know I deserve it. Everything. I was merciless in my attack of him, refused to listen to her tears. I suffer for it now. And now I say this. Suzaku, I have yet to find a kind soul in this cruel world, this place where I am an unwelcome stranger. If, by the end of this day, I remain a stranger, I will suffer you no longer.

"Stranger…"

A new voice speaks to me. I fear to look up. The faces are always the same: cold, unwelcoming. Their eyes pierce my soul, as if trying to find my meaning.

"You look cold, Stranger. Come in and rest."

I pause. This voice is kind. Suzaku, do you truly desire me to live? Have you led me somewhere for a stranger like myself? I look up and find myself looking into the eyes of a small man. His garbs are simple and recognizable. A monk. He doesn't seem to be troubled by my face. Behind him I spy a small monastery.

"Please come in, Stranger. Have you been traveling long? You certainly look weary."

I force a nod, but no words come from my mouth.

"You may stay here the night before traveling again in the morning. You seem young to be traveling alone."

"I'm old enough to be alone," I whisper. I suppose he hears me, as he nods. Then, surprisingly, he smiles.

"One shouldn't spend his nights alone in these cities. Come. What is your name, Stranger?"

This takes me by surprise. He's asking my name.

"Houjun. Ri Houjun," I reply.

"Welcome to our monastery, Houjun-kun," the monk smiles. And to my own amazement, a small smile tints my lips. I am welcomed. Perhaps Suzaku desires me to be his burden a while longer. He has been kind enough to return my name.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, Chichiri's one shot is done ^^ I'm pretty proud about this one. Hope y'all liked it. Hope this one doesn't need much explaining, but just in case you couldn't tell, it's from Chichiri's POV after the flood, before he's a monk. Ja no da!