A Painful Encounter
There was a low rumbling in the distance and Kiyoko looked to the sky. She stood in her traditional Buddhist robes, her sutra hung limp over her shoulders, the white cloth scraping along the dirt path and the chakra on her forehead showed her closeness to the gods. Trees loomed from all sides and Kiyoko scanned the rest of the environment, for some reason she couldn't figure out where the rumbling was coming from as it wasn't a cloudy day, it was rather bright so they, and by they I mean her travelling group, had decided to take a break for a moment to catch their breaths.
Itsuko sat on a log, her fingers strumming away at the guitar that she had in her arms, her mid-length green hair hung loosely down her back, she had tied her jacket around her waist as if to make to log seem more comfortable and the rest of her outfit was rather simple, she wore flimsy trousers made of a light and travel worthy material and she wore a simple short sleeved top, the tune she was playing not recognizable to the others, this was Kiyoko's apprentice and was well on her way to becoming a Sanzo herself one day. The other members of the group were scattered around the clearing. Aya was reading, sat cross-legged on the floor near Itsuko, she was wearing a simple pair of black shorts and a sleeveless top, her jacket was laying on the floor beside her and her Youkai limiter was glistening in the sun. Her long black hair was hanging over her eyes so it was a wonder how she could read her book, she was listening intently to the tune that was being played from behind her and Hatsuka was pacing up and down, her cargo pants making a rustling noise every time she walked, her hands clad in leather gloves clenched and un-clenched at her side her leather jacket thrown over her shoulders and her crimson hair was tied back into a loose ponytail. These last two members were Kiyoko's bodyguards and were both Youkai, one more so then the other and the same with the matter of being a bodyguard, one did it by choice were, as the other had no choice at all.
The rumbling sound could still be heard and grew louder with every passing moment and Kiyoko grew more anxious as the time passed. Aya looked up from her book, you could tell that the boredom was beginning to get to her and she snapped at the nearest person possible...
"Would you stop pacing, you're driving me crazy!" Aya snarled at Hatsuka who in turn looked over her shoulder and glared right at Aya.
"Well, you know you could get off your butt and take over, I'm not the only bodyguard here!" Hatsuka argued back, Aya glanced at her book for a moment and then at Hatsuka who narrowed her eyes at the evil smirk that had appeared on Aya's face.
"What..." She had no time to finish her sentence as the book Aya was reading a moment ago went whizzing past her head, Hatsuka ducked just in time and the book went flying into Kiyoko, all 3 girls turned and held their breaths as the book seemed to slide down her face in slow motion, Kiyoko bent down and picked up the book.
"Now, what have I told you?" She directed this comment at Aya, who was trying hard not to laugh.
"But... I'm so bored!"
"But that is no excuse to throw a book at a team mates head...or mine." Aya smirked as Kiyoko finished speaking.
"Well, I did." A sharp glare from Kiyoko and Aya knew that it was time to stop talking. Hatsuka walked over to Kiyoko and took the book off her, she then smirked at Aya in the same way she had done before throwing it…
"What are you planning?"
"Do you want this back?"
"Well, yeah"
Hatsuka opened the book and flipped to the back and with one slow movement ripped the ending out of the book, Aya stared at her in horror, jaw dropped and eyes wide open, Kiyoko went to tell her off... again when the rumbling sound grew much louder, Itsuko put down her guitar an slowly rose to her feet and placed a hand on the hilt of her sword, knowing that she was ready to protect Kiyoko with her life. The other two began to scan the area before running off in opposite directions. All was quiet except for the rumbling until...
"ARGH!!! WHAT THE-?!" Hatsuka voice was heard from the east, moments later Aya came crashing through the trees.
"Was that Hatsuka's voice I just heard... and so did everyone else by the volume."
"YOU STUPID- WHO GAVE YOU A LISENCE?!"
"Yes, I believe it was." Aya stated, looking rather proud of herself. Kiyoko began to run towards the sound, the rumbling had stopped and had been replaced with Hatsuka's constant cursing.
"YOU IDIOT! DID YOU NOT SEE ME? ARE YOU BLIND, MAN!" Kiyoko looked over and saw that Hatsuka was on the floor, clutching her leg in obvious pain, above her a man stood, a look of worry on his face. Behind him a large iron jeep was parked and three men were sat inside, the current events amusing them.
"If you would just keep still and stop screaming at me, I might be able to help." The man said, Hatsuka backed away with one finger waving in a threatening way.
"Hell no! You've already done enough damage and-" She stopped at the appearance of her travelling group, Kiyoko lent down to examine her leg, Itsuko ran back to the camp for medical supplies whilst Aya just stood there, laughing at her misfortune and taking this as the perfect opportunity to gloat.
"Karma's a bitch!" She did a little jig but stopped at the sight of Kiyoko glaring at her.
"Two things. One, not helpful and two, don't use that type of language"
"Sorry, Sanzo."
"Yeah, now say sorry to me." Hatsuka said through gritted teeth as Kiyoko was poking her leg, one of the men had gotten out of the jeep and walked up to Aya, he looked about 18 and was staring at her in confusion.
"What did you just say?" said the small boy to Aya
"Huh?" Aya quirked an eyebrow at him
"A minute ago, you said Sanzo..."
"Yeah... I did... why?" Aya asked suspiciously, the boy looked over at another one of the men who were in the vehicle.
"Do you know her, Sanzo?"
"Nope." The man responded, the 3 girls all stared at this man in awe.
"Did you just...?" Aya said pointing her finger and waving it up and down, "Are you a...?" Aya tried to put two and two together but was failing at it rather badly. Kiyoko helped Hatsuka to her feet and the guy who ran her over took a step forward.
"Will you please let me look at her leg?" The obvious driver of the jeep asked, Kiyoko turned and faced Hatsuka who was glaring at the man.
"I'm afraid that would be damaging to your health, you see she can get nasty when angry." Kiyoko explained. The man took a step backwards and at that moment Aya came to a realization.
"Wait a minute...he's a Sanzo and you're a Sanzo... are you two related?" Aya shouted making everyone jump, Itsuko walked up behind Aya, and tapped her on the shoulder, making her jump.
"What did you say?" Itsuko asked looking at her with confusion, in her arms were the medical supplies Kiyoko had asked for. Aya turned and faced her.
"There are TWO Sanzo's!" cried Aya
"Really?" said Itsuko in surprise, her eyes flicking to the man sitting in the front seat of the jeep. The crown on his head making it all too obvious.
"NO I'M LYING" Aya stated sarcastically, "OF COURSE THERE ARE!" Aya yelled at Itsuko who was walking over to Kiyoko.
"Well, how was I supposed to know that?" Itsuko said as she passed Kiyoko a set of bandages for Hatsuka's leg. Aya stood there looking dumbfounded before waving a finger at Kiyoko.
"You knew?"
"Of course, did you really think I was the only Sanzo? How many times have I explained this?" sighed Kiyoko in exasperation.
"30" Itsuko said instantly. Aya dropped her finger and stared at her
"You've been keeping count?"
"Oh yeah." nodded Itsuko proudly.
"Anyway, back to the small fact that my leg is bleeding…lots." Hatsuka said cutting out the mindless arguing. Kiyoko smiled.
"Aya, could you carry Hatsuka until we reach the next village?" She asked sweetly, Aya's jaw almost hit the floor in shock.
"Are you crazy? Carry…that?" Said Aya pointedly throwing an accusing finger at Hatsuka who's eye twitched.
"What do you mean 'that'? AND STOP POINTING! ITS RUDE" yelled Hatsuka angrily.
"What else would I mean? You, that, they're the same thing." Aya shrugged completely ignoring the last comment.
"Hatsuka! Aya! Play nice" Itsuko said, covering the fact that she was laughing. Kiyoko smiled.
"If you don't do as I say, I will ban beer from the journey." Aya and Hatsuka both gasped, one of the men in the jeep let out a low whistle.
"Ouch…that was low." his voice was deep and pleasing to the ear.
"Fine. I'll do it, but only for my one love…BEER!" Aya cried, Hatsuka turned to Kiyoko.
"On second thought, I'd rather walk." stated Hatsuka desperately as Aya advanced on her like a predator about to tear its prey apart.
"NEVER! FOR THE GOOD OF BEER I WILL CARRY YOU!"
"I hate you, Kiyoko" Hatsuka mumbled under her breath as Aya hoisted her up onto her shoulder, catching her leg in the process.
"MIND MY LEG!" screeched Hatsuka in clear distress at being man-handled like a sack of potatoes.
"I DON'T CARE! I'M COMING BEER!"
"Is she talking about the beer?" Itsuko asked as their group began to walk away. Kiyoko turned to her and smiled.
"I believe so…worrying isn't it?" sighed Kiyoko.
"Oh yeah" They disappeared behind the trees, leaving a very confused looking group of young men.
----------
CD: Yes!! The first chapter is written!! I'm so happy!!
JT: Yes! It's so beautiful…even though FS helped none.
FS: You wrote it without me!!
CD: Well, we'd like it if you R&R and tell us what you think.
JT: REVIEW!!