Chapter Two

            Genjo Sanzo was a quiet, angry man with a hot temper, blonde hair and flaring amethyst eyes, which had a tendency to dart around quickly and observantly. He had been wandering around since six, and as the sun was just starting to set, he felt himself growing aware of his surroundings more and more. Growing alive, more than he did whilst it was still bright out.

            The dark red hues brought out in the sky reminded him of bloodshed. Which, as he thought smugly to himself, was what the lands would soon be seeing if he caught another one of those damned youkai. 'Those things are creepy, and annoying, bothering me all day…' Sanzo yawned. He continued his late-day walk along the smoldering street of the now near-deserted marketplace. 'I've got to find that item… It's important that I do, quickly."

***

            The blade was now out of its beautiful sheath, and Sha Gojyo was admiring it carefully: running a finger down the middle of its shaft, eyeing it for balance, setting it down again and looking over it in awe. Gojyo noticed it was nearly nightfall, and the first rays of the darkened sky were lighting the silver color with bluish hues. Winks and snips of light played on the silver, seemingly caressing it with a soft lullaby. 'Surely there is no other blade like this,' he thought, and let it sit for a moment. He wouldn't know that what lay so close ahead was going to change everything.

            Suddenly, amethyst glowed on the silver, illuminating it in more than just natural light. The natural blue and striking violet colors mingled, creating a deep shade of lavender. What beauty the colors reflected in Gojyo's eyes, how stunningly unforeseen! It was now painfully obvious to the half-breed that this blade was more powerful than what he had expected. With a smirk he lifted it, pleased.
            "Aren't you a fine piece?" Said the demon boy to the inanimate blade. However, he did think it odd that the glow would be something like purple. Did it mean something? Gojyo, being the guy he was, pushed it aside and lay back on the floor. He looked out the star struck window, mildly engaging in his own daydreams – something he did not do often. Usually he liked to give thought up for action. But, he couldn't get that blade out of his head. Something about it just brought him to life, and he the same to it, but what was it? Why was this so special? He sat back pondering…

***

            Sanzo felt it. He knew something was up, and he knew it now. The object was near; it called him towards itself. Seriousness ruffled his feathers and lowered his brow cautiously, slowly taking in his surroundings so not to miss what he was looking for. A market stall was open, finally, the only one he'd found so far! Hopefully it was one that carried what he was seeking…

            "Yes! This is good." Sanzo said, mildly happy for once.

            The shop did have what he needed… More ammunition.

            "Hello there, good sir! What can I help you with?"

            "Yeah, hey. I need some ammo for this baby," Sanzo said, dropping the gun on the table, so that the shopkeeper could evaluate it.

            "Hmm. Here I have some of what you need," the keeper crooned, setting a box on the table as he spoke, "full metal jacket, a straight drive, quick, and possibly the most lethal, despite their simplicity. What do you say?"

            "How much?" Sanzo asked, slightly in interest, mingled with his own thoughts.

            "Three thousand yen, sir."
            "Very well." Sanzo sighed, coughing up the cash. After all, it was the only store he found open at this hour. Man, what you had to pay these days for late-night business. As soon as he had came, Sanzo was off into the night.