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"And just where have you been? There are far too many tasks that need completing for you to be gallivanting around!" Dr. Huang growled angrily, stamping her foot when Nii just brushed her off with a wave of his hand. In a fit, she threw the clipboard she had been holding in his general direction, just barely missing his head as he took his seat in front of his computer.

"Such a temper, Dr. Huang. You really need to get laid or something," he commented coolly, causing her to stamp her foot again in frustration and possibly embarrassment. "Anyway, if you really want to know, I was simply out to further my newest study."

That caught her interest. "How so? You mean the one on the memory replacement drug that you were harping about the other day?" she asked, retrieving her clipboard from the floor where it had fallen.

He tapped his forehead, his smile widening. "Yes, that one. Let's just say I found a perfect guinea pig," he said vaguely, turning toward his computer to signal that the conversation was over. Dr. Huang simply snorted in frustration, deciding it would be best just to leave him be until he decided that he wanted to tell her more about it.

When the click of her high heels faded in the distance, Nii couldn't help the smirk that crossed his features at the idea of his latest venture against the Sanzo party. It gave him chills just thinking back on the interesting talk with the woman in the village.

"What do you mean, you can help me? Why in the world should I trust a complete stranger like you?" Hanna questioned, rightfully so. This man was creeping her out just by being around her.

"Well, I told you, I am a doctor that specializes in memory and the workings of the mind. What if I told you that I could give you a medicine that would restore your son's memories to him?"

Hanna's eyes widened in shock, even as her hands flew to cover her now-open mouth. "Y-You could do that? You could help me get my Malachai back from that horrid Sanzo priest?" she questioned, grabbing onto his coat without thinking. Her eyes shone with determination and a light of hope.

"Of course, my dear woman. After all, I hate seeing such a devoted mother like yourself in such pain. Sanzo is indeed infamous for taking things that other people want and need," the man replied enigmatically, patting her reassuringly on her shoulder despite the tone of his voice. He continued to smile pristinely at her, reaching into his lab coat and handing her a bag.

"But this…this is a bag of…m-meat buns," she noted confusedly, opening the bag when the smell had wafted through the paper. She looked to him for an explanation for receiving such a strange thing. He was supposed to be helping her get her son back, not giving her handouts!

The man chuckled, taking the cigarette out of his mouth and tossing on the ground before crushing it with the heel of his boot. "How perceptive you are. You see, it would seem that your son has developed quite a taste for meat buns on his travels with the Sanzo party. Inside each and every one of these buns is a dose of my medication, so that the others won't suspect a thing! Isn't that clever?"

She had to admit it was. "So…all I have to do is get these to Malachai and he'll remember everything?" she inquired eagerly, unable to contain her joy at such a prospect. Finally, she would be able to make up all the horrible things that had happened to separate her from her precious child.

"Not quite, dear lady. You see, you will have to help him remember at first. As time wears on, he will begin to remember more and more. Soon, he will forget all about Sanzo and the others, as well as the journey that they are on," he instructed her, handing her a vial of pink liquid as well. "You will also have to keep administering the medication, like a follow-up. It will take some time to get his memory back completely, so make sure you give him this twice a day. If you ever run out, I will know where to find you to replenish your supply."

Hanna nodded, barely able to believe her good fortune. She knew the perfect person to help get these to her son and to help her gather the boy as well. "Oh doctor…how can I ever repay you for this?" she asked, clearly willing to do anything. She didn't very much like the idea of what the lecherous-seeming doctor would have in mind, but it would be well worth it if Malachai was returned to her.

But to hers surprise, the man shook his head. "The knowledge that I have done at least one good deed will be enough. I only wish you and your son the best," the doctor replied, waving his hand as he started walking down the street. Hanna thought about catching up with him, but changed her mind. She needed to get to Maru's place as quick as she could.

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