Senko-san: Okay, I know this is getting old but… SORRY FOR THE EXTREMELY LONG WAIT! Xo Lots of things begin to pile up, waiting to be done… uh… T.T Anywho, I reread my last chapter… and I discovered it was kinda lame… AARGH! Terrible! And to make up for it, from this chapter onwards, I'll try to make it as interesting as possible!
Searching For a Blood-red Lotus
Chapter 3
"Gojyo-san! Hayaku! (Hurry!) Over here!"
"Oi! Wait up! Where are you going?"
"Just keep up! We're almost there!"
I was uncertain where I'm going, but I tried to keep up with her. Everything around me was a blur, all I knew was I must keep her in my sight.
I began to pick up my pace, I'm gaining on her. Where is she taking me? What is she so excited about?
Suddenly, she stopped and turned to face me. Her face cherry and filled with joy.
"We're here!" She smiled.
Here? 'Here' where?
I slowly walked up to her side, panting. She turned to pull away some of the branches in her way. She took my hand and guided me through. I was uncertain at first, but her assuring smile succeeded to persuade me.
My eyes widened in awe as I absorbed what I saw. There, we both stood, looking at the beautiful meadows, with flowers dancing to the rhythm of the gentle wind, the soft rustling of the trees like the calm sea, the beautiful sunshine, warming us, as if trying to welcome us. Everything… was so… peaceful…
"You like it?" She asked.
"How did you find this place?" I was still admiring the beautiful "paradise" in front of me.
"Quite by accident, actually. But that doesn't really matter, right? This is our world! We can do anything here!" She beamed.
Watching her run through the meadows happily, a warm feeling crept into me. I started to catch up with her. She saw me coming, and started to run off again. We chased each other, rolled on the grass, we really did enjoy ourselves…
This is our world… our little "paradise"…
I slowly stirred as the sunlight hit my face. I knew I've returned to reality… to this dull world… where "paradise" is out of reach…
I stretched slightly and headed for the bathroom. As I stepped out, a delicious smell filled the air. Grinning knowingly, I dressed and headed to the kitchen.
As I expected, Scarlet was busy cooking breakfast. I leaned against the doorframe watching her… I guess, there is still "paradise" here after all… Somehow, her presence made me feel at peace.
It's been a week since she stayed here. Zhan was also happy to have her as his working partner. She has been working hard… sometimes a little too hard… She even caused Zhan to worry about her!
She turned and noticed me. She smiled warmly at me and I did the same. She placed the dishes on the table and gestured that breakfast was ready.
"Thanks." I sat down as she poured me a cup of coffee.
She sat beside me, with her own dish in front of her. As both of us ate, I decided to start a conversation.
"Ne, Scarlet?"
She looked at me.
"How's the whole week? I hope you feel quite comfortable…"
She nodded assuringly.
"That's good…" I popped another piece of omelet into my mouth. "If it's alright with you, would you like to help me out with my chores after your shift's done?"
She gave a warm smile as an answer.
"I'll take it as a 'yes'." I winked.
She has been working hard; I can't help but give her a little treat. It has been a tough week for her after all…
Her wounds were healing nicely, just like how the doctor hoped. Yet, sometimes, she does things that could worsen them; THAT'S what worries me!
There was once when she wanted to place the videos on the highest shelf, she lost her balance and fell! Luckily, Zhan managed to break her fall! Heh! She really scared him half to death!
Still, I really admire her courage…
Hours passed by, the day changed to the afternoon. I entered the video shop, greeted by Zhan.
"Hi, boss!" He smirked from behind the counter.
"Yo! So, where's Scarlet?" I looked around.
"At the store room, I think. She went to get the latest videos."
"I see. I'll go check her out." I walked pass him, towards the storeroom.
I knocked and entered. There, I saw her sorting out the videos by categories. She saw me and smiled.
"So, you ready?" I asked.
She gestured that she had a bit more to do, asking me to wait awhile.
"Is that so? Why don't I give you a hand, then? You'll be twice as fast!" I approached her.
She assured that she was okay, but I'm not taking any excuses.
"It's okay! I insist! I'm the boss, after all!" I chuckled.
She finally gave in, and let me assist her. It wasn't long 'till we finished sorting everything, and brought them out to arrange them on the shelf.
"There we go!" I placed the last one on the shelf.
"Thanks, boss!" Zhan grinned.
Scarlet bowed with gratitude.
"Heh! No sweat!" I winked.
As we headed out of the door, Zhan called out to us.
"Don't worry about the store! I'll take care of it!"
"Yeah! I know!" I grinned.
"Oh, and Scarlet?" He continued.
Both of us turned to face him.
"If he gives you any trouble, let me know!" He smiled mischievously.
"Teme! (Damn you!) Do you want to lose your job?" I chuckled slyly. I knew he was just teasing…
"Ooh! Scaaary!" He smirked.
"Whatever! We're outa' here!" I opened the door and we both left the store.
I could see she was smiling watching both of us "argue". Another relief for me. It pains to see a woman sad…
As we walked on, I asked where she wanted to go first. She looked at me in a very puzzled manner and I chuckled.
"To tell you the truth, I don't have any chores to do… It's just that… I hope you'll accompany me around…" I smiled at her.
She still had that surprised look on her face.
"It's kinda' lonely to walk by myself…" I continued.
Finally, she beamed. Her smile was gentle… Her eyes were filled with joy…
"I'm happy to see that you're okay with the idea… Okay! What's our first…-"
"Gojyo?"
I paused. That voice sounds familiar… I looked at the person who was now in front of us.
"So, it is you, Gojyo!" The person smiled.
Another figure approached behind the person. I let out a smirk across my face. A warm, familiar feeling spread inside me…
"Yo, Yue, Hakkai…" I replied.
"Hello, Gojyo. It's been awhile, hasn't it?" Hakkai greeted, when he noticed Scarlet by my side. "Oh, I see you have a friend with you…"
"A'ah… (Yeah…) This is Scarlet. Scarlet, this is Hakkai and Yue. They're good friends of mine…" I introduced her.
She smiled and bowed.
"Pleased to meet you too, Scarlet." Yue bowed in return.
"A pleasure…" Hakkai agreed.
"Only the both of you? Where's the blonde? Won't he be jealous that his girlfriend's out with another guy?" I teased.
"Err… well actually…" she tried to explain when I felt someone approached me from behind.
"WHO'S GONNA BE JEALOUS, OMAE ERO KAPPA? (YOU PERVERTED WATER SPRITE?)"
…Speak of the devil…
I turned to face him. I was already feeling uneasy, but I covered it with a sly grin on my face.
"Oh…I see… So you ARE jealous, eh?"
"OMAE…! (YOU…!)"
"Maa… maa… (Now, now…) Don't start this in front of Scarlet, okay?" Hakkai voiced out.
"Ch! Fine! This kappa (water sprite) is not worth my breath, anyway…" Sanzo muttered.
"Nandato? (What?) You…-" I began.
"Err, can we drop by somewhere to get something to eat? I'm feeling a little hungry…" Yue cut in, trying to calm both of them.
"Sounds like a good idea." Hakkai agreed. "What do you think, Scarlet?"
She simply nodded.
"You don't have to be shy with us, Scarlet…" Yue told her.
"Um… Yue… actually…" I gazed at Scarlet before I continued.
She motioned that it's okay to tell them of her "little problem"… Though I can see she was slightly sad about it… I patted her comfortingly on the shoulder, and explained to the others of her… incapability… Yue felt guilty about it, and apologized, but she smiled motioning it was okay.
Finally, we decided to go to a restaurant to have something to eat, and continued our chat…
Senko-san: I'm afraid I have to stop here first, everyone! (Running out of time…) I'm sorry, but it looks like you have to wait some more! Forgive me! I don't mean to do this to you guys! (Please feel free to send me messages, good or bad… I'll accept them with open arms!)
