Senko-san: There's nothing much to say… I've been making you guys wait for too long… (Guilty as charged! Xo)

Searching For a Blood-red Lotus

Chapter 6

"She'll be fine. The wound isn't too deep."

"Yukatta… arigato, sensei. (That's good… thank you doctor.)" Yue bowed gratefully and helped Scarlet out of the room.

Yue's POV

"We better send you back. Gojyo must be worried about you…" I began.

Instead of a smile, I saw her face saddened as she looked away from my gaze. It made me feel guilty of ever mentioning what I did.

"Gome ne… (Sorry…). I didn't mean to upset you, Scarlet…"

She immediately shook her head, and motioned that I didn't do anything wrong. Yet, I knew something was bothering her.

"Ne, Scarlet? Are you really alright? You're not like yourself…" I asked, concerned.

She remained quiet, avoiding my gaze again.

"You can always open up to me, you know?" I tried to reassure her.

Scarlet's POV

We were slowly approaching the boys when Yue said so. I slowly looked back at her, smiling a kind, yet concerned smile at me. The feeling of gratefulness filled my heart.

From her face, I gazed at the two whom are waiting for us ahead and without realizing it, I smiled thankfully at all of them for being there for me. Slightly relieved, Yue returned the smile and helped me walk on.

Sadly, the pain I felt would not go away…

"Sorry to keep both of you waiting." I heard her say.

"So, how was it?" Kougaiji asked, standing up from his seat, followed by Sanzo.

"She'll be fine. She just needs to take it easy until her leg's better."

"I see…" Kougaiji approached me, making my heart skip a beat.

For a few seconds, his eyes seem to sink into mine, before he spoke again.

"I think it's best we send you home now…"

Gojyo's POV

I wasn't focused on what I was doing, and my thoughts were far away. I didn't even feel like doing anything…

Yesterday, Scarlet returned home late. Rika had gone hours ago. I almost dozed off on the couch waiting for her to return. I couldn't understand why, but, it simply wasn't the same without her around…

She was quite surprised to see me still awake, grinning at her as she came into the living room. She noticed my hurt arm and I told her what happened. But, I quickly assured her I was okay. Before she could react, I insisted that she go and get some rest.

Honestly, I was uncertain whether I could face her when she had that worried or saddened face. I was still uncomfortable to see women when they look that way…

As hours slaved by, I still found myself smoking a cigarette, staring blankly at the television. It was on, but I was on a different "channel".

Come to think of it, she was walking slightly slower than usual… or am I just imagining it?

She had prepared breakfast like usual, and went off to work… Yet, deep inside of me, I could feel something didn't seem quite right…

I've been trying to figure that out the whole morning, but it seems I'm getting nowhere…

Suddenly, my cell phone rang;

"Hello? …Oh! Heh, so it's you!" I grinned to myself.

Scarlet's POV

My shift's nearly over… Soon, I have to face Gojyo again… I've been very careful today, so that either him, or Zhan would worry…

I've also asked Yue and the others to not say anything about my injury to anyone… I didn't want anyone else to worry about me…

"Looks like I could be an actress…" I grinned at my own silliness for thinking that way.

Another hour passed by, and I waved goodbye as Zhan closed the shop. I continued walking back slowly. My leg still stings a little… I continued down a corner and saw Gojyo walking the same direction I was. I was about to catch up with him when, I saw three women called him and surrounded him. I immediately hid myself by going to the lane before them, and luckily, they didn't see me… and I was in the listening range of their conversation…

"Gojyo! Where have you been all this time?" asked the first.

"Yeah! We've missed you!" said another.

"You're mean for leaving us for such a long time!" whined the third.

"Heh! C'mon! It's not like there aren't any other 'big-shots' in your minds, eh, ladies?" Gojyo smirked playfully at them.

"But no one's as good as you…" The second played her fingers on his chest, looking at him seductively.

"Yeah… It's a bore without you…" the first joined in, rubbing his shoulder-blades.

"Actually… we're heading to the pub soon…" the third slowly slid her arms around his waist. "We could all go… and have some fun together…" she smiled mischievously.

I was still leaning against the wall, listening to them. I could feel as if my heart was stabbed hard.

These women… are so outspoken… even Rika… Me? I couldn't even utter a single word!

My hands tightened into fists, trying to pull myself together.

Maybe… I'm just a burden to him…

I couldn't bear it any longer. I ran down the lane I was on as fast as I could, forgetting my injured leg.

Everything around me was a blur. I wasn't even focusing where I was going.

"Oi! Slow down! You'll hurt someone!"

"Heh! You think that'll slow me down? Forget-…! WHOA!"

Suddenly, someone knocked against her, sending them both crashing to the ground.

"Owowowowow…" the person grumbled.

"See? I told you so!" the other person ran up to them.

"Well, she appeared so suddenly! It's HER fault!"

"If you weren't running down the hill like a maniac, none of this would have happened!"

She watched both of them continue to quarrel as she tried to get up. The boy noticed this, and held out his hand.

"Daijobu desu ka? (Are you okay?)" he smiled.

She took his hand, and returned his smile as he helped her up.

"You should apologize!" he told the girl.

"NANI? (WHAT?) Why should I?"

"Because…-!" He began when, suddenly, his stomach began to rumble…

The other two stared at him for a few seconds…

"See what you did? You made me hungrier…" He muttered.

"ME? YOU were the one whom got us lost in the first place!"

"You're blaming ME now? YOU'RE the one whom forced me to company you meet that brother of yours!"

"Well, you said you knew this area!"

"No, I didn't!"

"Yes, you did!"

"No, I DIDN'T!"

"YES, YOU DID!"

Scarlet tried to pull them apart and calm them down.

"Ha! And you!" the girl pointed at her, surprising her. "You're at fault too! If you didn't appear from that corner, I wouldn't have these bruises!"

"Oi! It's not her fault!"

"Urusei, saru! (Shut up, monkey!)" she snapped at him and stared back at her. "Therefore, you have to help me find onii-chan! (big brother!)"

"Saru tei yunna! (I'm not a monkey!)"

"Well, how 'bout it?" she asked her, ignoring the grumbling "monkey" beside them.

A smiled formed on my face and nodded. I couldn't help but felt amused by these two.

"Good! Now let's see… Here's the address… It's been awhile since I've returned here… so I've kinda forgotten the area…" She grinned and showed Scarlet the address.

Scarlet read it.

Eh? Isn't this…?

Gojyo's POV

"Sorry to disappoint you, ladies. I'm kinda busy right now…" Gojyo smirked, and walked on.

"Ah, but Gojyo-!"

"Ja ne… (Bye…)" he waved, leaving them behind.

Heh! Looks like my charms still work… I smirked to myself.

He approached a store, and saw her standing outside, drinking a soda. She noticed him coming, and waved at him.

"Sorry, did you wait long?" he arrived beside her.

"Nah, I just arrived!" She smiled cheerfully.

"So, where are we heading?"

"Hmm… How about a movie? My treat!"

"Yeah… it's been awhile since I entered a cinema…"

"Sa, ikimasho! (Then, let's go!)" she took his hand and they headed to their next destination.

Senko-san: Looks like I'm gonna leave you guys with a cliff hanger again… Sorry! Still, I bet you guys know who the two "new characters" were, didn't ya? If you don't, looks like you have to wait a little longer to find out… (Sorry, again!) The faster I finish my assignments, the faster I'll continue! But I do hope you'll keep supporting my fanfics… Hontoni arigato! (Thank you very much!) Luv u guys!