Fate Plays Her Hand
Ch. 1
Barrowed Hearts
On a day like all the others, with a sky as blue as it can be in October; a cool mountain breeze blew along the valley of the foot hills. Green grass grew all around until it disappeared into a forest full of towering trees that seemed to want to reach the heavens with their branches. The only thing disturbing this serene sight was the sound of metal clashing and a body falling with a groan. Four young women standing amidst a field of well trodden grass practice and rehearse moves, which have been done a thousand times over, yearning for true perfection. Little did they know, they were being observed.
"What an interesting sight, isn't it, Nataku?" Looking up from the pool she used to spy on those who lived in the mortal realm, Kanzeon Bosatsu stared at the ever still form of a young man sitting in a throne a few feet away. "Life. Being alive and perfecting skills. A beautiful thing it is, indeed." The Merciful Goddess commented lightly as she looked back down on the forms of the four girls. The scene changed suddenly as a panic rose over three oldest as what appeared to be the youngest collapsed into a heap on the ground. "Oh dear. It seems that Fate is playing around again."
Swiping her hand along the water's surface clearing the image from her pool, Kanzeon strolled over to the frozen form of the once powerful prince, lacing her fingers through his think plum locks. "How long, my dear Nataku? How long will you sit? Life is awaiting you, and you sit here and wait for the one who will never come." Turning, she gazed patiently into the ever blank golden eyes, awaiting an answer that she knew would never come. "How long Nataku…" she sighed as she stood to leave, "…how long?"
Deep inside his dormant mind, the self imprisoned god listened as her words rang emptily through his thoughts. How long, Nataku…how long? She asked him that everyday.
'How long you ask,' he screamed, 'As long as I choose.'
Sitting in his throne, engulfed in pain and indifference, he sighs bitterly. 'Why? Why should I come out just so they could use me again? I've already lost everything; I have nothing else to be taken…' He winces as once again the memories of that day come flooding back. 'My name is Goku…' The voice he knew all too well echoes with the memory of his face. 'I've lost it all…there is no way to get it back?'
That thought, the one that has plagued his mind for 500 years, came back once again to haunt him. Then, a new thought occurred to him, so quick he almost missed it. 'If I have truly lost everything, I also have nothing to lose…' When the impact of this, for once, optimistic thought, subsided, a smile crossed his face. The first in 500 years.
* * * *
"How is she?"
Emma looked up into the worried blue eyes of her best friend. "Not well, Sephira, not well at all. You know how weak Nara's immune system is. Her fever is very high and has shown no sign of breaking anytime soon."
Sephira scanned the sleeping form of the youngest of their group. Her sleeping eyes were closed tight and her plum colored hair stuck to her sweaty brow. "Keep at it. She is stronger than she looks, she'll pull through." 'I hope'
"Ok. Tell the others to get some sleep. I will stay with her tonight. If something happens, I will call you, alright?" Emma stated as she took the rag from Nara's forehead and dipped it back into the bowl of cool water, praying that it would help to ease the flames.
"Alright. I know Roxanne and Sensei are very worried, but I will try to get them to go to bed." She turned her concerned gaze to Emma. "Don't push yourself, ok? We don't need two sick children. If you need to rest, I will take over."
Emma laughed, despite herself, "Don't worry about me. You get some sleep. I will try to go out in the morning to get some herbs, but we have to see if she can get through tonight before I can begin to identify this."
"Ok, goodnight." With that, Sephira left, closing the door behind her.
Emma watched her go, "Goodnight." With a sigh she looked down on Nara's still form, concern evident in her emerald eyes. Renewing her determination, she rolled up her sleeves and started her attack on Nara's fever. 'Come on Nara, you can get through this. You must.'
* * * *
'Hot. It's too hot. Roxanna, Emma, Sephira? Where are you? Help me! Someone help, I can't hold on, it's so hot.' Ragged, harsh breaths racked Nara's body as she tried to fight off the heat consuming her, but try as she might; she began to feel her life slip away. Her pleas continued, but to no avail. A fear greater than any other she had known now gripped her being. 'No, I don't want to die. Not yet, I'm only a child…help…somebody…anybody…please…'
'Don't give up!' A new and powerful voice rang clear through her mind; banishing the haze caused by the fever.
Nara gasped. 'Who's there?'
'Someone who is here to help you, if you will let me.' The voice answered soothingly.
'Really?' That thought brought new hope into her shaking form. 'Why? Who are you?'
Silence. Nara's purple eyes looked around anxiously, even though she was wary, something inside her yearned for the offered help. After what seemed like forever, the voice returned, speaking in a slow voice, as if choosing its words very carefully.
'I am someone who is also in need of help. If you allow me to help you, all I ask is your help in return.'
Nara was surprised to hear a hint of desperation, but something in her trusted it, wanting to help.
Finally she answered, 'Agreed. What must I do?'
'Just relax… trust me.' Suddenly a golden aura surrounded her mind and new warmth filled her being…
* * * *
Emma jumped in surprise and fear as a bright golden light filled the room. A moment ago, she had heard Nara say, "Agreed. What must I do?" when this light appeared out of nowhere. What was going on? As the light finally subsided, Emma stood, not expecting what she found. Nara was surrounded by the golden aura which seemed to be seeping into her body. She cautiously moved toward the supposed sleeping girl and put her hand on Nara's forehead. It was cool. The fever had broken.
"I have to tell the others." Turning to leave, she was stopped as a strong hand grasped wrist. Through instinct she turned to free herself but froze. Her eyes locked with pools of gold set in the face of an eleven year old. 'What's up, Nara's eyes aren't gold…'
Nara stared right at her as she raised her hand and placed it on Emma's forehead. Emma gasped in surprise as an immense power shot through her mind sending her into the comforting arms of sleep. Nara caught her before she hit the floor and placed her back in her chair.
"Sorry, Emma, but no one must know what you have just seen. At least, not yet. Sleep and all will be well in the morning." With that, a smile crossed her lips. Nara crossed to the mirror and examined her face. Her eyes slowly faded from gold back to their normal violet. Smiling to herself, she returned to her bed as sleep called for her. Her mind drifted slowly into a much needed rest. 'I wonder what will happen tomorrow…'
…5 years later…
The sky was grey as clouds began to roll in from the mountains. The mountain air was crisp, cool and silent. Silence reigned over the valley forest. Not a sound was heard, except the sound of a roaring engine.
"I'M HUNGRY!!!! How much farther?" Goku cried from his usual seat in the back of the topless jeep.
"The village should be coming up soon." Hakkai answered in his usual cheerful manner.
"You said that an hour ago." Goku whined in defeat.
"I just hope we reach it before it begins to rain, those clouds don't look very promising." Goyjo added with a grunt. His tired red eyes surveyed the sky above them for the hundredth time. Sighing, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it before asking, again, "Are you sure the village is near by?"
"I'm positive; according to the map, it should be just after this forest." Hakkai commented as he once again took out the map to confirm their position.
"Let me see that map." Goyjo said as he snatched it out of Hakkai's hands. "Ok, where are we?"
"I think we're right there," Goku said as he pointed to the map. "I remember passing a stream a while back."
"Huh? Wait a sec." Goyjo turned the map right side up and looked again. "Hakkai, you had the map turned the wrong way. OK, let me see, we passed here and… NANI?!?! That means we've PASSED the village and are ten miles from it! HAKKAI! YOU PASSED IT!!!!!!" Goyjo yelled as he flung the map on the ground.
"Oops, gomen, gomen." Hakkai apologized, though not a note of concern was evident in his voice. "Well, it looks like we'll be camping out then."
"DON'T LOOK SO DAMN HAPPY ABOUT IT, YOU BAKA! I was looking forward to a bed and a hot meal FOR ONCE!!!!" Goyjo complained loudly, his red hair flying all over the place as he slumped back.
"Hey! I said I was sorry."
"I DON'T CARE!!!!..."
"Sanzo…haruhata…"
"AND SINCE THIS BAKA SARU ATE ALL THE FOOD, WE HAVE BARELY ANY SUPPLIES LEFT!"
"HEY! IT WASN'T JUST ME!!! AND STOP CALLING ME THAT YOU HENTAI KAPA!!!"
"MAKE ME YOU WIMPY…"
The resounding ring of Sanzo's gun silenced the noisy duo. Goyjo and Goku froze in place as the 'holy' monk lowered his arm.
"Damn, I missed." Sanzo commented in his usual cold voice. "You are too noisy."
"But he…" Goku began.
"ORUSAI!"
Goku and Goyjo sat down quickly and remained silent. The drive went along like that for another hour…until…
"STOP THE CAR!!!!!!" Goyjo yelled suddenly. Hakkai quickly hit the break causing the car to swerve violently to a sudden halt.
"WHAT THE HELL!!!!" Sanzo cursed, righting himself.
"GOYJO! Are you trying to kill us?!" Goku yelled as he got up from the mud he had oh so ungracefully landed in a moment before. But Goyjo wasn't listening, his eyes where focusing on something slightly further down the road.
A wagon seemed to have broken in the middle of the road and two young ladies were scurrying around trying to reclaim the bags that had fallen out. Before anyone could stop him, Goyjo was off, armed with his most charming smile, to see if he could offer his assistance.
One of the girls, obviously the younger, looked up with her violet eyes, noticing him approaching, gasped, and quickly hid herself behind the older girl…no not girl, Goyjo so happily noticed, but woman. The surprised woman looked up at him with, what Goyjo was shocked to see, crimson eyes and smiled.
'She has red eyes and hair. Could she be ...' Not missing a step, Goyjo came to a halt in front of the crimson haired beauty and said, "Excuse me miss, but it seems you are having some trouble. Anything I can do to help? You just name it." His voice dripping with hidden intent.
The woman met his gaze with her large eyes, smiled and replied, "Yes, please. I mean, if it's not too much trouble."
"No trouble at all for a pretty thing like you."
She laughed at his comment and continued. "As you see, our old wagon has finally broken for good and we need to get these groceries home before it begins to rain. Do you think you and your… companions could give us a ride?" She asked sweetly with a disarming smile of her own.
Goyjo turned around to see Hakkai, Goku and Sanzo sitting in the jeep just behind him. Goyjo cringed at the glare Sanzo was throwing him but he quickly regained his composure and turned back to the beautiful girl as she began to speak again.
"We do not live far, and if you help us, in return, we can offer you a dry place to stay for the night and a well cooked meal. You will not find a cook within a thousand miles who can out do our Nara." She said proudly as she indicated the shy girl cowering behind her. At the mention of food, Goku sprang up.
"Really? Sanzo, can we? Please?" Goku turned his pleading eyes on Sanzo, who just glared back. Sanzo was about to say no when he heard a clash of thunder in the distance. Not wanting to be caught in a storm, again, he conceded. "Do as you like."
"YOSHA!!!" Goku cried joyfully as he hopped down from the car to stand next to Goyjo, wanting to get a look at the one who would be making his next meal.
"Thank you very much, um…" She started. Goyjo paused, soon realizing the obvious predicament.
"Oh, yeah, sorry. My name is Sha Goyjo. This little twerp here (HEY!) is Son Goku. The guy driving the Jeep is Cho Hakkai. (Hi! ^_^) and the grumpy monk over there (*click* Goyjo: sweat drop) is Genjo Sanzo."
"Pleased to meet you. I am Roxanne, and the little one behind me is Nara." Roxanne said with a smile. Goku's eyes locked with Nara's and he smiled. Nara gave a quick smile before turning away, blushing. 'She's not little. She doesn't look too much younger than I am' Goku thought with amusement.
"Well, shall we go then?" Hakkai said with a smile. "You can put your groceries in the back, but keep a close eye on them or these two will finish them off before we arrive at your house."
Roxanne laughed at the look she saw on Goku's face. "Ok. Shall we go?" Nara nodded in agreement and together they climbed into the back with Goyjo and Goku, where Goku immediately started to ask Nara about the menu for dinner as Roxanne settled herself next to Goyjo.
"Our house is no more than a mile away. About 200 feet down this road, you will see the road veer off to the right. Follow that till it dead ends saavy?"
"Got it. Here we go." Hakkai said.
"Are you sure, Hakkai, we don't want to pass it." Goyjo shot.
"I'm sure." Hakkai replied as he started the car again and headed off to their new destination. Sanzo sat, glaring at the road ahead. 'Great…'
* * * *
"Where are they?" Emma asked the window for the hundredth time as the sky became darker with the impending storm. "They should have been back an hour ago. I hope they're alright." She slowly walked back into their living room to sit but her worry got the best of her as she began to pace. 'If they don't get back, Sephira will come home to no dinner, and I know she will want a hot meal when she returns. A journey of that magnitude in three days, impossible.' The sound of tires squeaking and doors slamming broke her from her thought. 'Now who could that be?'
"Emma! We're back!" Roxanne called from the door, her arms full of bags. Rushing to help her, Emma grabbed a few bags.
"Where have you been? It's been over two hours. You could've been caught in the storm. What …" Emma's eyes darted as she heard more footsteps come through the door. She gasped as four guys walked in, three of whom were overloaded with bags. Her eyes landed on one of the new faces as he handed Nara his bags so she could put them in the kitchen. This man had green eyes and what appeared to be a dragon on his shoulder. 'A dragon?' Emma quickly turned her gaze back to Roxanne. "Who are they?" Roxanne just smiled at her mischievously.
"Oh, um…Emma, these guys are staying the night." Roxanne said nonchalantly. Emma's countenance changed completely at these words. Her body tensed as her face froze in shock. "You want to run that by me again?"
Nara, returning from the kitchen, noticed Emma's look and quickly intervened. "The wagon finally broke and we had too much to carry on our own, so these kind gentlemen offered us their assistance." She explained quickly as she pointed to Goyjo. Emma looked at the man whom Nara had indicated, her eyes taking in a sight that would have, on any other day, come as a surprise. 'He has crimson eyes and hair to?'
Emma took a deep breath to calm her nerves, then turned to face their 'guests' and bowed politely. "I am extremely grateful to you, um, sirs." She said uncertainly, looking to Roxanne for help. Catching the note of ignorance in her voice, Rox quickly answered her unspoken question.
"Oh! Sorry. I forgot to introduce you. Emma, this is Sha Goyjo, Son Goku, Cho Hakkai, and Genjo Sanzo. Gentlemen, this is my sister, Emma."
Emma stood silently as Roxanna introduced them, observing each in turn. 'So, the red head is Goyjo. He must have been the one who offered to help. He looks like the type to help any lady in need. Next is…Goku? "A thing that cannot be seen by the eye." Unusual name. He looks like he's about ready to keel over from hunger. I should have Nara start on dinner right away. The scowling monk next to him, Genjo Sanzo was it? He doesn't look like a monk. So that leaves the smiling one with the dragon. He must be Hakkai. Seems safe enough, but what do you feed a dragon?'
"Thank you again. Please, make yourself at home. I'll have Nara start on dinner while I prepare your rooms."
"It was no trouble at all. Actually, it should be us offering our gratitude. We appreciate you offering us a place for the night and a hot meal as well. You do not know how much that means to us, Goku especially. I promise you, we will be no trouble at all." Hakkai replied bowing slightly, returning her smile with one of his own.
"Please, have a seat. I'll bring some drinks out in a minute." Roxanne said as she handed off the last of the groceries to Nara.
"Thank you." Hakkai answered as the others made their way to the couches. Roxanne smiled as she and Emma disappeared into the kitchen.
* * * *
"Where did you pick those guys up?" Emma asked as her questioning emerald eyes fell upon Roxanne's innocent red ones. Her voice quickly took a reprimanding tone. "You know better than to talk to strange travelers, especially men, AND invite them to stay. Sephira's going to have a cow when she gets back."
Roxanne just smiled. "Oh she won't care. She'll be too tired to notice anyway. Besides, what was I supposed to do? Goyjo came up and offered us help, and we really needed it. There was no way for us to carry it all ourselves. And you're the one who keeps lecturing me about being courteous and polite. Besides, I think Nara likes the idea of having a few new people to cook for." Her face turned serious as the obvious hit her. "Sephira isn't back yet?"
"No, and I'm beginning to worry, a little. She is a big girl, I'm sure she'll be back any minute. Let's just try to have dinner ready for when she gets here." Emma said as she tried in vain to pull her short brown hair back with a hair band. "Don't let anything on. I don't want unnecessary inquires if you know what I mean. I'm going to get the spare rooms ready. You two get dinner ready, and Nara, you might want to make extra. I have a feeling that that Goku character has a big appetite."
A small smile passed over Nara's lips as she turned back to the boiling pot of water on the stove. 'It's been awhile since I've cooked for so many. I hope he… they… like it.'
"Here, take this while you're going out." Roxanna said handing a trey with a bottle and four glasses set neatly on it to Emma.
"Wine? Do you think that's wise, Roxanne?" Emma asked, eyebrows raised.
"They are our honored guests. I want to treat them right." Roxanne said playfully.
"Whatever." With that, Emma headed out the door.
Nara watched Emma go, a puzzled expression on her face. "Hey, Rox?"
"Yeah, Nara?"
"What do you feed a dragon?"
* * * *
"That was a close one. For a minute there I thought we were going to be kicked out." Goyjo commented, relief evident in his voice.
"I think it's funny that she called us gentlemen." Goku commented with a laugh as he sat down. "I mean, if she really knew what Sanzo was like, she would…OUCH!!! Hey, what was that for?"
Sanzo made no reply as he put his paper fan away and sat back down. Goku sat gaping as he rubbed his now sore head. Goyjo laughed. "Serves you right, chibi saru."
"Save it, kappa." Goku growled.
"Ah, here come our drinks." Hakkai said with a smile, relieved that a fight was going to be avoided, at least for the moment. He watched as Emma came out with a trey set nicely with a bottle and four glasses on it.
"Here you go." Emma said as she put the trey on the table. Immediately, Goyjo reached for the bottle.
"Hey, wine! And a very good year to. Thanks, missy." He said as he opened the bottle and poured himself a glass.
"You're quite welcome. Dinner should be ready in a short while, so just make yourselves comfortable until then." She commented with a smile. "I'm going to go get your rooms ready. I assume you all will want separate rooms?"
"Really? Separate rooms?" Goku said happily. "YOSHA!!!" ^_^
"Finally, a night of peace without Goku's snoring." Goyjo commented.
"Watch it, baka." Goku growled, restarting the previous argument.
"Can't help the truth, monkey boy." Goyjo shot back before taking a drink.
"Thank you, yes. Separate rooms will be fine." Hakkai said with a smile as he ignored the argument heating up behind him.
"Ok then." Emma said as she turned. When she reached the stairs, she heard a gun shot. Turning in shock and fear, she saw Sanzo standing with his gun pointed toward Goyjo and Goku, who were frozen in place. She looked around at them worriedly as Sanzo sat down, mumbling, "Urasai."
Hakkai noticed her shocked expression. "Don't worry, Miss Emma, this is a usual occurrence." He said reassuringly.
Emma nodded slowly and turned. 'Definitely not a pleasant guy. I hope I don't do anything to get him to shoot at me.' She started slowly up the stairs as she saw a flash through the window. Soon after a roll of thunder followed, and a gust of wind blew through the window as the threatening rain began to fall. 'The storm finally started and it looks like it'll be a long one. Sephira, please be ok.'
* * * *
…2 hours later…
Sanzo stood outside on the porch, watching as the rain came pouring down around the lone house. Once Goyjo and Goku started arguing over the last bit of food, he knew he had to leave or he would end up with a headache and two dead companions on his hands. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his cigarettes. Taking one and lighting it easily, he took a relaxing puff. Rain always put him in a foul mood. Inside, he could hear Emma and Nara begin to clean up as Hakkai offered his assistance.
Sanzo just stood there, enjoying the solitude. He listened to the steady beat of the pouring rain and watched as the sky lit up from the frequent lightening blasts. Rain always reminded him of that night. His most painful memories would rise to the front of his mind like the puddles rise from the ground. 'Master…'
Sighing, he took one last drag of his cigarette and bent to put in out. He looked out into the dark night one more time before turning in. Lighting cut across the sky, momentarily lighting up the whole area. In that quick flash, Sanzo noticed a lone figure in the distance, walking forward very slowly. Sanzo took a few steps forward to try and get a better look, but once again, all was dark. 'What was that? Probably nothing…'
* * * *
The rain fell harder and harder, making the ground softer and slicker with each passing second. Another flash of lightening cut across the night sky illuminating the path, casting a shadow over everything its light hit. Out of the darkness, a woman stumbled through the rain, clutching her side painfully. She was drenched, her long light hair clung to her face and back and her eyes locked onto her destination. 'I'm almost there. Just a little further.' Standing as straight as she could, trying to hide the pain she felt, she trudged forward. 'I can make it…just a little further.' A cry escaped her lips as a fresh wave of pain rocked through her body. 'Damn it…' She stumbled forward, falling to one knee. 'No, I can make it. Just a little… further.' She pulled on the last bit of strength she had and shakily got back to her feet.
The lights of the house were obscured by the torrential rain pouring all around her. She could faintly see shadows moving inside the house. If only she could call out to them. Her breathing came in labored, painful gasps as the wound in her side began to bleed through her poor bandaging job, dying her clothes an eerie red. She opened her mouth and tried to call out, but the pain in her side prevented her from getting her words out. All that came out was a fresh moan of pain. Her eyes became hazy as her body began to feel the affects of her strenuous journey. 'I must make it…I have too…I can't stop here…' but her body refused to listen. Her legs shook and she began to stumble. She tried desperately to regain her balance, but failed. Falling forward, her arms, by instinct alone, moved to break her fall, but were too weak to make a difference.
Through her haze, she barely registered what she hit. Not the cool wet earth she expected, but wet cloth. She sighed as she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her. She looked up as her strength drained out of her like her blood, trying to see who caught her. "Who…?" was all she breathed out before darkness took her hostage.
* * * *
"HA! Full house. Aces over Queens. I believe I win this one!" Goyjo said with a laugh as he reached to grab his winnings.
"Not so fast." Came the melodic voice of Roxanne. 'I believe four of a kind beats a full house." Goyjo stared in shock as Roxanne laid down a hand of four sevens. "Seven. My lucky number."
Having lost the last five hands, Goyjo really needed a win for now, he was broke. "How? When? DAMN IT!!!"
Goku was on the floor rolling with laughter. "HA! Goyjo got his ass kicked. And by a girl!!" He gasped between laughs.
Roxanne giggled as she grabbed the last of Goyjo's money and handed it to Nara who was sitting next to her. "I managed to make a pretty good profit tonight."
"How did you get so damn good at this? I've never lost a game. EVER!" Goyjo said with a huff.
"Except to me." Hakkai commented from his place by the fireplace.
"How did I get so damn good…hmmm…sori wa himitsu desu." Roxanne said with a glint in her eye.
"Nani?" Goyjo gasped.
"The rain is really coming down." Emma said, as she wiped her hands on her apron.
"Yeah." Goku agreed getting up off the floor, still chuckling, a grin plastered on his face. "Hey, I wonder how long Sanzo will be." He said as he wiped a tear from his eye.
Just then, the door burst open as a blast of thunder sounded outside. Everyone gasped and turned to see Sanzo standing inside the doorway, soaking wet; his hair plastered to his face. It took a moment for them to realize he was holding something.
"Sanzo, who's that?" Hakkai asked, moving swiftly toward him.
"I don't know. I found her in the storm. She's hurt." Sanzo said as he lifted the girl a little higher. The girls deep golden hair slid from her face, revealing her tired expression. Suddenly, a cry came from the back.
Emma ran forward as she recognized the girl in Sanzo's arms, fear and worry evident in her eyes. "Oh my God, Sephira!"