Disclaimer: I don't own Gensomaden Saiyuki or any of its characters for they belong to the rightful owner. -_-! And dreadfully sorry if some characters are not themselves here.
***************************************A Twist from Fate******************************************
It was very late in the night and most people inside the inn were sound asleep. But a small figure could be seen sitting near the bank of the nearby river with his head tilted up to face the sky. His golden eyes shone like the stars when they reflected the moon's light. Shortly, tears started to brim in his eyes and eventually one by one they fell down to his cheeks but he took no notice of it. He was looking at the sky with a glazed look as tears continued to fall from his beautiful citrine eyes. Absorbed as he is in his world of thoughts, he didn't notice the girl with long silver hair and blue eyes standing beside him looking at him.
"Your eyes will lose their beauty if you continue crying like this." She said as she offered him a handkerchief.
"Dare da?" Goku asked surprised
"My name's Ummei. I was a having a hard time to sleep so I decided to have a walk when I saw you. You seem troubled and I was wondering if there's anything I could do. Are you okay?"
"H-hai Ummei-san. There's no problem. I was just--- well, the stars were shining bright and I think my eyes were strained from looking at them that they began to water. By the way, I'm Son Goku."
Goku immediately wiped his eyes and looked at the girl while trying to make up a smile that just died down before it could be formed. Ummei sighed and looked at him once again. His hair gently swayed with the evening breeze while his golden eyes started to show redness due to his tears.
"Nice to meet you Goku. By the way, do you mind if I sit here with you?" He shook his head and Ummei sat beside him and looked at the sky.
"You know, when I saw you crying, I asked myself what could be the reason why this genki little boy is crying? I couldn't form any theory or something. I saw you with your friends and you looked happy with them." Goku looked at her with a questioning gaze and spoke suspiciously.
"Why do you know that? Are you spying on us?" Ummei laughed and shook her head.
"Iie. I was going to the market when I saw you and your three friends arrive earlier in that green jeep." Goku let out a sigh of relief then apologized to her.
"Gomenasai Ummei-san. There's really a lot of things that we worry about that we tend to judge others easily."
"Yeah. Never ending youkai fights, endless journey to the west, and not to mention that bastard kami that wants to take you and the sutra for himself. Even I wouldn't stand it this long!" Ummei said in a loud whisper.
"Nani? What did you just say?" Goku said looking at her once again.
"I…I said do you want something to eat? I have some food with me here."
"FOOD? Where?!" Goku said excitedly with shining eyes while Ummei procured an ohagi behind her.
They both ate the ohagi while stargazing and soon, Food and drinks kept appearing in Ummei's hand she that was hiding behind her while the Goku continued to devour it.
"So, could you tell me something about those guys who were with you and where are you guys going?" Goku nodded and after eating a handful of ohagi, he began describing his friends.
"Well, we're going to the west to… well," Goku hesitated to divulge their mission to her but she didn't persuade him.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want. Just tell me about your friends."
"Okay! The brunette's Cho Hakkai. He killed a thousand youkais before but now, he's our official driver, cook, and peacemaker in the group. He usually tries to separate me and Gojyo before Sanzo gets annoyed and hits us with his harisen.And I really like him because he smiles a lot and he's kind. Though it's kinda weird sometimes. Sha Gojyo's the redhead. He likes to fight, eat, and drink lots of alcohol, gambling, and specially women. We also know him as ero-kappa and if you noticed his hair that is like that of a cockroach so you could also call him a gokiburi. But he's still a great friend." They both laughed loud while adding some funny things about Gojyo.
"Who's the monk? He's quite a looker you know. I saw several girls in town looking at him when you arrived." Goku stopped laughing and became gloomy.
"He's Genjo Sanzo. Yeah he's a monk but does not act like one. He usually smokes, curses a lot and hits people with that huge paper fan of his or makes them a target practice of his gun. But he's the reason I'm with them now. He was the one who gave me my freedom from that cave but…" Tears started to fall from his eyes again and he wasn't able to continue.
"What's wrong Goku?"
Goku just fell silent and lowered his eyes. He doesn't want Ummei to see him crying again but he couldn't help it. Ummei held his face and tilted it up to face her. He was crying hard but he looked away from her as much as he could. Ummei reached out
and wiped his tears from his eyes that made the blood rushed up to Goku's cheeks at her touch.
"You feel alone don't you? Sanzo freed you from that cave but you think that he doesn't care about you and the only reason he freed you was that you were annoying and so on. You felt great gratitude because of that and you will do your best to protect him because he became special to you. But he acts as if you're nothing, a worthless little monkey that he freed from that cave and nothing more. Am I right Son Goku?"
Goku couldn't bear hearing her words. She was right, he's wondering how she knew those things but he didn't care. At last, he broke down in sobs and Ummei quickly caught him in her arms before he fell to the ground. He was crying really hard and he doesn't care to do it in front of a new acquaintance tonight. He was glad that she came here , she gave him the comfort he and solace he badly needed. They were still for a long time. No voice was heard except of Goku's occasional sobs and the rush of water flowing in the river. Then Goku looked up at her and with a small smile, spoke in a croaky voice.
"Arigato gozaimasu Ummei-san I feel better now. I was sure glad you saw me here and gave me those ohagis. They're great!" Ummei smiled and ruffled his hair.
"You better go back now Goku. You need some sleep too you know."
"Hai, Ummei-san and thanks again!" He said standing up.
"Matte Goku!" she said as he made his way back to the inn
"Nani?" He turned around and faced her once more.
"I think Sanzo does care for you Goku, he just doesn't like to show it but trust me, he does. And if you prove my statement wrong and you shed tears again because of him, I'll be there for you no matter what and no matter where you are."
Goku blushed a bit and after thanking her again, he continued towards the inn. He couldn't help but remember the things she said earlier. She believes Sanzo does care for him. He was glad that he met someone who understood him. With these light feelings and thoughts, he wore a smile on his face as soon as sleep overcame him. Meanwhile, Ummei stood by the river and gazed at one of the windows of the inn. She knew that his newfound friend's already sleeping peacefully inside.
"Sleep well Goku, and soon, you will no longer cry because of him. I promise that."
And with a sly smile, a wisp of smoke, she disappeared into the night.
Thanks a lot to those who gave me the idea for this one. And also to the gensomaden saiyuki guys in our class (though they don't know I call them that)!!! Hope you'll enjoy the other chapters ^_^
