Seven: Reach for the sky
Chapter theme music: The Adventure by Angels and Airwaves
"In reality, it's simple. The only hope we have is to leave, give them some space, and then catch up to them later. If we keep on like we have been, Sanzo will snap and start shooting..."
Silence filled the room.
"Hey…"
Continued silence.
"I said 'hey'!"
Chris looked at the unresponsive figures before her. Melinda slouched on a chair by the window, her legs hooked over one side, picking at her nails and holding them up in the air. Anna sat in the corner, one elbow propped on her knee, staring at the floor. Savannah, perched on the side of one of the beds, rocked back and forth, her arms wrapped around her legs. None of them seemed to be paying attention.
"Hey, guys, snap out of it. This is serious." Chris walked over to Melinda, bending down and waving her hand in between Melinda's face and her self-manicure. "Listen to me."
Melinda glanced at her, repositioned her hands even closer to her face and continued picking.
"This isn't funny Melinda," Chris continued. "You two either. Come on. We need to figure out what to do."
"Just give it a rest," Anna added, her voice strained. "None of this makes sense. I don't think even you will be able to figure it out, genius."
Chris furrowed her brow. "We have to at least try."
"Why?" Melinda added, still not looking up. "What's the point? If this is really happening, things that none of us can control are going on. And if it isn't, if it's just a dream, then, heck, whoever's havin' it should seriously improve the atmosphere. Add some palm trees and margaritas, a little music and a light breeze. Oh, and don't forget to make the guys fall madly in love with us and we can all go off and make babies." She rolled her eyes. "Things aren't going the way any of us would have liked."
"Of all people to say that, it shouldn't be you, Melinda," Chris added. "Gojyo's tripping over himself trying to get close to you."
"And?" Melinda replied, irritated. "What good does that do me if all he's looking at is my body? That's not what I want from him. You know I won't just sleep with him. I want a relationship, like you all want with your guys. Unless we can stick around, they'll never have time to learn who we are."
"You didn't exactly help in that department, Melinda. We all know that Sanzo is the only one who could have a problem with us and you have to go and insult him, and to his face!" Anger and frustration filled Chris's voice.
Anna's eyes flickered across the room to Melinda and she slowly stood. "Sometimes, you can be a real moron, Melinda." The half-breed turned her head in Anna's direction, eyes narrowing.
Anna continued. "You want one thing, but act completely contrary to how you should to get it. From what Savannah told me, you made yourself sound like the childish idiot I know you to be."
Melinda shifted in her seat, swinging her legs back onto the floor and placing both hands on the arm rests. "You have a problem with me speaking my mind? We all know Sanzo's a jerk to his core, and every once in a while, it can be good for someone to hear that. Stop trying to defend your 'boyfriend'."
Anna tilted her head slightly, her disgust showing on her face. "Just get over yourself, Melinda. You have to realize that you can't change everyone. We're not all putty in your hands like your little sister."
Savannah stopped rocking and looked up at Anna where she stood at the foot of the bed. "Hey, Anna. Stop it. Don't say mean things like that about her and me. You know how she reacts."
"Oh, shut up." Anna glared at Savannah, causing her to glare back, resentment in her eyes. "Your sister needs to realize she isn't a goddess that controls the world. Her Machiavellian personality won't go unnoticed by everyone, especially me. You have to get it through your thick skull that some people are just going to stay the way they are no matter what you do. We all just have to accept them as they are."
"Really? Is that how you see it?" Melinda stood and walked up to Anna, looking down at her. "So, some people are just gonna be jerks and there's nothin' to be done, huh? Then, I guess, if that's your attitude, that's also how you justified taking all that abuse when you were younger."
Anna's glare deepened and her fists clenched at her sides.
"I guess to you," Melinda went on, "your father was just doing the only thing he knew how to and there was nothing you could do about it."
"Stop it, Melinda!" Savannah yelled.
Melinda persisted. "So, of course you'd sit back and let him beat you bloody. That's just how he was born… You are so pathetic. You'll just roll over and ask for more. Well, I'm not like that. I'm not so weak and cowardly that I'll sit back and simply-"
Melinda stumbled backward, tripping over a chair and slamming into the window. Bringing a hand up, she wiped blood from her mouth. "You witch!"
Anna stood, shaking, her fist hanging in the air. "Don't talk about me. Don't talk about my father. And don't talk about my past! You're a self-righteous piece of trash that does nothing but meddle in other people's lives. Just stop!"
Anna's eyes widened as Melinda stepped toward her, shaking with rage. Chris shouted for her to calm down, but her words didn't seem to get through. Stepping back, Anna brought an arm up in front of her face, but Melinda grabbed it and punched her hard, snapping her head back and sending her sprawling into the door. Hitting her temple against the doorframe, Anna's vision flashed white, so she failed to see the next several hits coming. A blow to the side crumpled her to the floor and then a kick to the stomach bowled her over.
Chris grabbed Melinda from behind, but her strength was far inferior and she was easily shaken off. "Stop, Melinda! You're hurting her!"
"That's the point!" she shrieked.
Chris slid in front of Melinda, placing both hands on her shoulders. As Melinda struggled to shove past her and get to Anna, who with Savannah's help, was dragging herself away, Chris continued. "You're twice her size! It's like beating a child!"
"Does it look like that matters to me?" Melinda spat, her eyes crazed. "I couldn't care less if she's smaller than me. Just because she's weak doesn't mean she can get away with slandering me when it comes to my sister." She threw Chris to the side, slamming her into the table. "I'll beat her 'till she passes out."
Melinda looked at Anna holding onto her side and wincing. Then, her eyes looked at the figure crouching just in front of the girl. "Move."
"No." Savannah glared at her, one hand on Anna's shoulder.
"Don't think sitting there will stop me. Apparently, your 'friend' has forgotten what it feels like to be up against someone out of her league. She needs a little reminding."
"Shut…up…" Anna managed between gasps. "You're such…a fool. You think…force…will always…get you…what you want…"
"Be quiet, Anna. You're hurting yourself." Savannah's voice was panicked, but eyes never broke her sister's glare.
Melinda felt Chris's hands on her arm, pulling her. "Stop this, Melinda. You're throwing a fit, like a three year old."
Melinda yanked her arm free. "And what if I am, huh? What're gonna do, mom? You gonna make everything better? A few pats on the head and it's all fixed?" She took a few steps back, placing a hand on the windowsill. Her voice was quivering. "The situation is out of control. We're thousands, if not millions, of miles from home. We have no idea how we got here, and no idea how to get back. We can't stay with them, 'cause someone needs to have a certain knobby pickle yanked out of his butt, and we can't just sit here, because for some reason, people are out to kill us! And to top it off, we can't even leave, 'cause we're in the middle of the frickin' desert with a transforming dragon that doesn't even work!"
Shizuku fluttered her wings at Melinda's outburst and re-settled on the lamp.
"The last thing I need right now is some weakling coward trying to get me to question the past ten years of my life."
Chris stepped closer to Anna, standing with her arms to her sides, a look of concern on her face. Anna coughed a few times, and pulled herself to a sitting position.
Melinda stepped away from the window and moved toward her. Anna continued to glare despite the pain shooting through her body. "Go ahead," she muttered. "Beat on someone half your size when she's down. I wouldn't expect any less from someone as low and worthless as yourself. I really can't believe Savannah hasn't run away from such an abusive waste of skin."
Shoving Savannah aside, Melinda lunged at the blond. Just as she would have dealt Anna a vicious right hook, the frail girl crouched down bracing one hand on the ground and kicked Melinda straight in the chest. Recoiling, Melinda snatched Anna's leg out of the air and flung her across the room, sending her crashing through the unlatched window. Savannah flipped over her sister, and bracing her hands firmly on Melinda's shoulders while planting her feet on the wall, pushed with all her strength, knocking her off balance and pinning her to the floor.
"Get off me," Melinda seethed, her voice weak from the blow to her sternum.
"No."
Melinda shifted to flip over and send Savannah flying, but, sensing her intention, Chris added her own strength into the equation, leaning over Melinda and pressing her firmly into the floor.
"Stop, Melinda," she warned. "Now."
Outside, shattered glass crunched underfoot as Anna dragged herself upright, bleeding from her forehead and a gash in her arm.
Melinda's glare deepened. "You can't make me," she hissed, slowly twisting out of Chris's and Savannah's grips. "I'm bigger, stronger, and more determined than you two. You know I could take all three of you at once."
"Not when I can do this." Chris drew two thin threads of chi around Melinda's wrists, putting enough pressure to immediately turn her hands white, the blood flow near completely cut off.
"You can't scare me," Melinda whispered. Twisting her legs fiercely and kicking them into the air, she flipped her body over and around, sending Savannah back-flipping away, landing on a table. Hands still bound, Melinda scissored her arms, whipping the chi strings out and around Chris's neck. Stepping behind her, Melinda drew her now numb hands around Chris's sides and up in front of her face. Leaning her head down towards the girl's ear, she uttered, "My hands or your throat."
Smiling, she watched as the luminescent threads disappeared. With a feint laugh, she stepped out towards Anna, only to land hard face-first on the wood floor. Arms bound together behind her and ankles securely tied, she laid rather undignified, neck straining to mutter curses at Chris, who stood, a sad frown of disappointment in her features.
"Melinda," she nearly sighed, "you have to stop. You can't win, not in such close quarters, and especially unarmed."
A few pained groans and muted swears were her first response, followed by a resolute, "Screw you".
"Sis!" Savannah shouted, sliding from her perch to lean down by the half-breed's humbled form. "We know you're not really this mad at Anna, so quit, please? You're freakin' me out. It's like somethin' in your head just snapped..."
Savannah's eyes darted from Anna as she wiped blood from her forehead and back to her sister. "Please."
Taking a few deep breaths, Melinda said, between clenched teeth, "Fine, just let me go, Chris."
"You swear to stop?"
"Yeah, now just get off me."
Hesitantly, Chris stepped back, releasing her hold on Melinda and Savannah hopped off to the side, leaping back to stand near Anna at the broken window.
Melinda gradually sat up and moved to leave. Giving Anna one final glare, she threw the door open.
"Where ya goin'?" Savannah asked, leaning outside to brush glass off Anna's clothes.
"Somewhere other than here," Melinda replied. "I can't be in the same room as that self-righteous prima donna for any longer without killing someone."
"That's my line," Anna muttered, coughing blood into her hand.
Melinda's eyes narrowed.
"You're not actually thinking of going out there alone, are you?" Chris asked, staring at her, eyes wide. "The guys are still gone. There won't be anyone around if-"
The door slammed. "Well," Chris said, sighing, "that went splendidly."
Savannah brought a hand to Anna's bleeding face, and had it batted away. "Don't touch me." Standing, Anna stumbled away from the building, limping slightly.
"Now, where are you going?"
"Out." Anna coughed again, spitting blood onto the ground.
Once she disappeared from sight, Chris and Savannah stood in a moment of awkward silence. Savannah shuffled around for a few minutes, fiddling with the drapes, poking beneath the mattress. Chris stroked Shizuku, then turned to her fidgeting friend.
"So," Chris began. "How long until we follow them?"
"About now."
Goku sat, perched on a bench, hands on his knees. How long are they gonna do this for?
"Take that over-inflated ego of yours outta your ears and listen, jerk. They won't be a problem."
"They already have been, and unless someone up there starts to pity me, it'll just get worse." Sanzo inhaled deeply, then let the smoke stream over Gojyo, who narrowed his eyes. Not impressed, Gojyo reciprocated the action, adding his own personal touch, namely his favorite hand gesture.
"Listen, Sanzo," Hakkai interjected, ignoring their silent pissing contest. "It's true that they seem to be drawing youkai to them, but so are we. And you know good and well that if we hadn't been with them at the lake today, Anna would have been taken, and the others would have been in grave danger. With all eight of us, we still sustained significant injuries."
"As I said before," Sanzo continued, running his hands over his face. "That's not our problem. Whatever they did to get those youkai to come after them, they can deal with it themselves."
"But," Hakkai replied, "what if we are the reason they're being attacked? What if the assassins from Gyumaoh truly are trying to use them against us?"
"Well, sucks to be them," Sanzo answered, apathetically, flicking ash onto the bench. "Don't they say it's dangerous to hitch-hike?"
"Those girls deserve our help," Gojyo replied, stepping away from the building. "We got 'em involved in a way. So, let's lend a helping hand. It'll go a long way when it comes to getting' on their "sweet" side, if ya know what I mean."
Goku repositioned himself. This is so pointless. "I wanna eat somethin'. Can ya give me the card?" he asked, innocently.
"Shut it, rat brain and help us out here," Gojyo snapped. "Make it three against one, come on."
Goku opened his mouth to speak, but then his eyes met Sanzo's. Don't even…he seemed to say.
Goku closed his mouth and twitched in his seat. Gojyo looked at him expectantly, eyebrows raised. "Well?"
One more glance at Sanzo and Goku was trapped. "I think Sanzo has a point…" he replied quietly, as if embarrassed or even ashamed.
"Goku," Hakkai stated. "Are you sure?"
Goku's eyes stayed on his shoes. "Well, we really need ta go West, ya know. And they're pretty strong… If Sanzo thinks we need ta leave 'em, then I guess…I'm okay with it…" he trailed off.
Hakkai sighed, and lowered his eyes. "Okay," he muttered, softly.
"Whatever," Gojyo said, rolling his eyes. "Screw both of you. I'm goin' to see what they're doin'. I'll talk to 'em, then after hearing their thoughts, see if you're still the stiff we all know you are."
"Wait, Gojyo," Hakkai added, grabbing him by the arm, an idea coming to him. "I have an idea. How about we do a little 'research'."
Sanzo narrowed his eyes. What now… he wondered.
"What would you say to this, Sanzo? Gojyo and I go and watch what happens to them without us around. We'll see where the girls head, and if after twelve hours no one attacks, we leave, taking it that they were only being targeted because of their apparent connection with us. Does that sound good to you?"
Sanzo scoffed. "As if I'd sit here for half a day."
Hakkai frowned slightly, silently scolding Sanzo for being uncooperative and soulless.
Sanzo let out an irritated sigh. "You have three hours, and even if they are attacked, if they're able to deal with it themselves, then this case is closed. No more women. Ever."
"But if we hafta step in?" Gojyo asked, hopefully.
Sanzo sounded his disgust, glaring at him. "If it is absolutely necessary, and it is extremely apparent that such a situation is not a fluke but will definitely be repeated…" He sighed. "They can stay with us-"
"Dang right, they can," Gojyo interrupted.
"-until," Sanzo continued, "we find and kill the degenerates that are after them, under the strict condition that if at any point in time I deem them a liability, they're gone. Got it?" he ended, definitively.
Hakkai smiled gently. "Of course, Sanzo. I'm always open to the voice of reason."
"Oh yeah, baby," Gojyo chimed, rubbing his hands together. "Four hot chicks on one long journey coming up."
"Hey," Sanzo interjected. "If you try to fool me and step in when it isn't necessary, I'll castrate you."
"Fine, fine," Gojyo replied, waving dismissively at him. Then his eyes narrowed. "You just want an excuse to get me by the short 'n curlies, don't ya?"
The sound of gunfire greeted empty air. Hakkai had 'conveniently' chosen that moment to haul Gojyo out into the crowded street, disappearing among the afternoon masses.
Goku smiled to himself. Yay, he thought. They're comin' with us after all…
"So, Sanzo," he started, quietly. "How 'bout we hit the buffets while they're experimentin'…"
Sanzo looked down at the widely smiling never-satisfied primate and gave an irritated sigh.
"Whatever, just don't even think about mentioning the opposite sex."
"No worries," Goku chirped, hopping off the bench. "My lips are sealed, well, except when it comes ta piggin' out…"
Sanzo came as close to rolling his eyes as is physically possible without actually having them move.
Melinda strode into the forest, slamming her fists against a tree. "What is wrong with her? Why can't she just shut up and take it? I can't stand people that refuse to admit their mistakes." She sighed. "I guess I was a little extreme though, beatin' on someone who'd just been poisoned... But, God!" she shrieked, throwing her hands in the air. "She makes me so mad!"
She ranted on for several minutes, throwing rocks and breaking branches, until she heard someone step into the forest. Spinning around, she readied herself for combat, her hand instinctively going to her side. Looking down, she confirmed the absence of her katana.
Great… Chris's warning about being alone flashed through her mind and she winced. Oh well. I can take 'em barehanded. It might be a little tricky though…
As the sounds drew closer, Melinda realized the intruder was much further away than expected.
Just how far away is he? Man, what's up with my hearing? He musta been nearly a quarter mile away…
After several more moments, Melinda hunkered closer to the tree she was perched behind and peered around it to see a solitary figure emerge between the trees.
You've gotta be kidding me…
"Just how many kinds of stupid are you?" she asked.
"Fewer than you," Anna responded.
Melinda stepped out into the clearing, glaring deeply at the blond.
"We need to settle this," Anna stated, calmly.
"Ha. Funny. You know you're no match for me hand to hand, so just what did you have in mind? Jan ken?"
Anna didn't find this amusing. "I'm willing to resolve this as civilly as possible. Admit to me that someone can be strong and still decide to accept a beating, and I'll consent that you've done well by your sister."
Melinda's eyes narrowed. Anna had long ago honed in on the sore spot even Melinda hadn't wanted to admit to herself. What haunted her more than anything was the possibility that she had failed in her attempt to raise Savannah. Anna always knew where to stick the red-hot poker, that's for sure.
Considering these terms, Melinda clicked her teeth together. "I'm thinkin', I'm thinkin'," she stated, noticing Anna growing impatient.
"Fine," she sighed. "I guess you're righ-"
An arrow clipped Melinda's shoulder, dropping her to her knees.
"Dang it!" she shouted, clutching the shallow slice in her skin. "Now I'll hafta buy a new shirt."
"Shut up, ingrate!" Anna shouted, grabbing her by the arm and dragging her behind a tree.
"Don't worry," Melinda stated. "They're not tryin' ta kill us or they woulda aimed better. All we gotta do is outmaneuver a few guys and we'll be-"
Anna shoved Melinda to the side as a sword bit into the tree beside her.
"Man," Melinda muttered, flicking her fingers free of blood. "They're not playin' around…"
"Just shut up and arm yourself." Anna could feel the churning burn of panic rising in her. She didn't have her knives and the poison wasn't fully out of her system. Her movements were still sluggish. This is bad, she thought. All I have going for me physically is my agility and in this condition I could barely dodge a Frisbee…
Cursing herself for thinking it, she hoped beyond anything that someone would save her. And right after I swore I'd be able to protect myself…
Melinda threw her a wicked grin. "Let's kick some youkai boo-tay."
"So, when do we step in, bud?" Gojyo asked. Hakkai looked on intently, ignoring the question.
Melinda and Anna stood back to back, dodging arrows and deflecting knives with stout tree limbs. Roughly twenty youkai hemmed in around them, eyeing them hungrily.
"Man, those chicks are hot," Gojyo continued. "Makes me feel like-"
"Watch," Hakkai interrupted, pointing to a pale-skinned youkai that stepped forward. Gojyo 'harumphed' and then kept quiet.
"Come on, honeys," the youkai jibed, smoothly. "Don't make us hurt your pretty little faces. Our master prefers his goods undamaged and complete with all accessories."
Melinda blew a kiss his direction and quickly followed it with a palm-sized rock. Bringing his katana hilt up, he batted it away.
"Aw, don't be so mean," he cooed.
"Cut the smalltalk," Anna snipped. "Ever heard of 'pearls before swine'? So-called 'merchandise' like us isn't for resale." Despite her un-phased exterior, inside, she was shaking.
The youkai had advanced to within four sword-lengths. A few rushed forward, aiming to tackle them.
Melinda leapt over one youkai as he grabbed at her, kicking him firmly between the shoulder blades.
"Don't let them get a hold of your weapons," the youkai shouted. "The half-breed's a real punisher with katana, and the skinny one's aim's not too bad."
"How could you know that?" Anna asked, incredulously. "No one that's faced us in battle has survived."
The youkai laughed. "Sure, you keep believin' that."
From their concealed locations in the trees, Hakkai and Gojyo exchanged hurried glances.
"Survivors?" Hakkai whispered.
"No clue, man…" Gojyo replied. "But it looks like we'll be needed pretty quick if they really don't let 'em get their hands on any weapons. And is it just me, or are these guys a lot more skilled than your average youkai?"
"They do appear stronger, but let's just wait a moment more. If they can hold their ground unarmed, then I might honestly have to reconsider whether our protection is necessary."
The youkai continued throwing insults and catcalls at the women before them. After a few more rushes, they had succeeded in decking Anna and causing Melinda to pull a muscle in her side.
"This," Melinda whispered over her shoulder, "could get ugly."
Forty more youkai appeared throughout the trees.
"Yeah," she said slowly. "We're screwed." Anna's breath caught in her throat. "Hope you do well during torture…" she ended, laughing.
Hakkai glanced at Gojyo.
"Time to show these amateurs how it's done."
Goku leaned back from the table, rubbing his stomach.
"And that's how you take advantage of unsuspecting restaurant owners. Those meat buns never saw me comin'…"
Goku glanced at Sanzo, who sat disgruntled, arms folded. Goku frowned at him.
"Whatcha thinkin' 'bout so hard, Sanzo?"
The perturbed priest sighed, rubbing his eyes. "I just see those morons coming back after nothing happens and claiming they barely escaped with their lives."
Goku laughed a little. "They just might, ya know…So, what?" he continued. "You thinkin' o' spyin' on 'em?"
"…maybe."
Goku sat for a moment, then smiled again.
"Check, please."
"Are you sure she went this way, Savannah? And what makes you think Anna followed her?"
Savannah gave an exasperated groan. "Please, stop insulting my reconnaissance abilities."
"Oh, eloquent all of a sudden, are we?" Chris grinned from behind her. "Nice to know I'm starting to rub off on you."
In the distance, deep within the trees, they heard faint catcalls drifting through the branches. Chris perked up and Savannah turned, sticking her tongue out and pulling down on her eyelid.
"See," she said slyly. "You should never have doubted me."
"I yield, I yield," Chris said, jokingly, raising her hands.
"Now, how 'bout helpin' 'em out a bit?"
Savannah grinned and held up Melinda's belt, both katana securely in place.
"Let's see what these do, hm?"
Landing softly, Hakkai leaned firmly against the base of a tree while Gojyo spied around him to the ring of opponents a few yards off.
"So, how do we do this, 'sweetie'?" Hakkai asked, trying to lean forward but just being pushed back by a hand on his shoulder.
Gojyo brought a finger up to his mouth, shushing him. "I'm tryin' to think of the sexiest way to reveal myself."
"Well, that's pretty easy. You take off your –"
"Shhh!" Gojyo hissed, physically clapping a hand over Hakkai's mouth. "That's my line! You totally stole my pun. You can't do that. That's man-law ethics 101. Doing that's like takin' the last beer or havin' a one-night stand with your friend's girl. It's really that uncool."
"…Anyway," he continued, with a sigh. "Just let me do this, okay? I'll score more points as the dazzling hero going in alone, so keep your pun-hijacking butt put."
"I think your plan has a flaw," Hakkai whispered, pointing through the trees. "It doesn't work very well if someone beats you to it."
Gojyo whipped around to see Chris and Savannah snaking through the trees, mouthing strategy to one another. "Shucks…" Gojyo muttered. "Now we have to wait and see if they even things up, don't we? Dang it. Life sucks…"
"Hey, it could be worse," Hakkai added, reassuringly patting Gojyo on the back. "It could've been Sanzo."
Gojyo paused for a moment, and then, as quietly as possible, guffawed. "Good one, Hakkai. You sure have a strange sense of humor."
Hakkai raised an eyebrow and then shrugged it off.
By now, Chris and Savannah had successfully come well within attack range and were just looking for a hole in the youkai's defensive line. The two made eye contact, then darted forward. Springing ahead on all fours, Savannah shot between the legs of one attacker, flipping over to kick him squarely in the chin, using one hand to support herself and the other to push the man away with the help of Melinda's katana.
Utilizing this moment of distraction, Melinda back-flipped over Anna, bracing her hands on the girl's shoulders to launch herself high into the air. This forced Anna nearly to the ground, but landed the redhead directly in front of the supposed youkai leader and, smoothly disarming his lieutenant, she brought a knife to the man's throat.
Guessing Melinda's plan, Chris opted for showy moves rather than practical ones, weaving intricate but, in truth, inefficient paths through the youkai, restraining them as well as she could. Intimidation was their game plan.
Anna rolled away from a youkai that clutched at her and dragged herself, panting, to Savannah's side. This smallest member was grinning widely, an opponent securely held under each arm.
"Melinda!" she shouted, squeezing the youkai even harder for good measure. When her sister stole a glance at her, Savannah slid the katana-laden belt down her leg and, using its momentum, flicked the blades across the clearing as they rolled off her foot. Melinda's arm shot out, snatching the belt from the air, without taking the knife away from her hostage's throat.
"So," she said tauntingly. The youkai looked on with clenched teeth as the half-breed nodded at the belt and then to her waist. "If you'd be so kind, honey."
The man grunted a laugh. "For a chick, you've got quite the pair. But, you must be joking. You don't think I'd actually help to arm you?"
"Sure I do," she said, winking at him. "Cause if ya don't…" Looping the belt over her shoulder, she drew a katana and placed it at his throat. Then, slowly, she slid the knife in her left hand down his chest until it rested just below his belt. "…ya might just be donatin' your pair, if ya know what I mean."
The youkai glared at her.
"How 'bout we compare?" she asked.
The man jerked as Melinda pressed the blade more firmly against his body, and then, after a few more persuading jabs, he slowly raised a hand, slipping the belt from her shoulder.
"Man," Gojyo muttered, watching the youkai as his hands brushed against the woman's waist, fumbling slightly with the buckle from the stress of having his own 'accessories' on the line. "I'd like to be doing that inspection right about now…"
Hakkai flicked him in the forehead. "Keep your head out from under the covers, okay. They're not in the clear just yet. Look."
Gojyo rubbed his forehead, cursing his monocled friend under his breath, and raised his eyes to the canopy. "Aw, dang it," he whispered, frustrated. "Just how many rounds of "Whack a Mole" are we gonna hafta play?"
From all directions, dozens more youkai slunk through the trees, silently springing from branch to branch, slowly but surely nearing the small group of defenders.
"I mean," he continued, "this is just gettin' ridiculous. Some evil overlord has way too much free time. And aren't there like, logistical issues with havin' so many soldiers out at once?"
Hakkai nodded his head in understanding. "It does present problems. It would seem their base headquarters isn't very far away. Or," he said, grudgingly, "their could just be thousands of them deployed. Somehow they must be able to communicate throughout these lands. I'm not sure how they would accomplish that, but perhaps someone from another country has developed a method. You never know…"
Melinda smirked at the man before her. "So," she drawled. "Call your men off, have them drop their weapons, and remove their clothes while they're at it, shoes included." She kissed the air in front of him.
He sneered at her as the katana at his neck drew rivulets of blood, then his eyes flashed upward. Before the smile could even reach his lips, Melinda's blade tore through his throat. They're coming, she realized.
All hell broke loose. Enemies dropped down around them, cries erupting from their throats. Blades and arrows flashed in the sunlight, made to look all the more intimidating by the enclosed nature of the battlefield. With trees towering around them, the girls had nowhere to fall back to, nowhere to gather and regroup.
"Screw a flashy entrance," Gojyo muttered, launching into the fray beside Hakkai. "Anna!" he shouted, arcing his blade over her crouching form. Six youkai fell hard, cut in two.
Anna appeared visibly relieved and moved close to Hakkai, who beckoned her to him. "We thought you could use a little help," he shouted through the noise, pushing her behind him.
"Thank you," she whispered, voice quivering. "I can't believe I'm this helpless…"
"Well," Hakkai said, reassuringly, "we'll just have to do something about that." He smiled over his shoulder at her. "And I'll heal those wounds once we're done here."
Savannah bounded up next to them, waving to Gojyo as he passed. "I can watch after her, Hakkai. I think Chris wants ya over there." She jerked her head in the direction Gojyo had just gone.
"You sure?" Hakkai asked, using chi to repel arrows and cut down charging youkai.
"Yep, we'll be fine," she answered, cheerfully, flipping over an opponent to use her momentum in breaking his neck.
Hakkai sprinted toward the enemy-dense northern part of the forest. He could see the problem. So, it looks like this is where they're entering the forest. Swarming through the trees, youkai peppered the area, outnumbering them fifty to one.
"We can't win this!" Chris shouted at him, her chi threads grasping multiple enemies as they rushed at her.
"We'll manage somehow!" he yelled back.
Gojyo appeared at his side. "We could really be screwed, man. They just keep coming…"
Spinning, Melinda sliced an incoming youkai from top to bottom. But, as she whipped around to face her next opponent, a blade pierced her right shoulder from behind. Letting out a cry, she brought her other arm behind her, removing her attacker's legs. The man's shrieks tore through the maelstrom until a katana through the throat silenced him. Melinda's right arm hung at her side. She strained to lift it, but the supporting muscles in her back had been severed.
"Great…I'm okay left-handed, but I just can't keep up…not for long. Chris!" she shouted. Her friend stole a glance at her. "Who are these guys? Where do they come from? Why are they so good?"
"I'm not sure. All I can tell is that –"
Chris stopped, an arrow protruding from her chest. She looked down at it as if it were a spot of ink on her clothes.
Melinda stood, stunned as Chris looked back up at her before falling to her knees. Rushing toward her friend, she completely forgot the battle raging around her. A youkai's swing sliced deep into her already useless right arm, and she spun, removing his head before she reached Chris.
"Hakkai can fix you, just don't mo– "
Chris watched voicelessly as a youkai smashed a club into the back of Melinda's head, sending her sprawling.
Three others grabbed her limp body and hoisted her onto their shoulders, only to have their legs cut off where they stood. Gojyo caught Melinda as she fell to the ground, then halted when he saw Chris, small rivulets of blood sliding down her chin.
"Holy– " A hack to his right shoulder caught him off guard and he suffered a sweeping blow to the side before he could recover and fend the attackers off.
Savannah appeared at that moment, Anna being dragged behind her. Hakkai ushered them to his side as he crouched next to Chris. Huddling together, they all peered out at their enemies as they formed a dense ring around them. Panting and in pain, the ragged band of travelers felt all will to fight leave them.
They all felt it, the overwhelming despair that welled up in their hearts. "You will lose this fight" it seemed to say. And they believed it. Yet, each one of them silently yearned to believe that some greater will might be taking place, that somehow, everything so far had a purpose, and that, if they believed enough, anything was possible.
This was a time to believe.
"…on ma ni hatsu mei un. Makai Tenjyo!"
A gentle breeze rustled the surface of the pond, ripples spreading out from the many lily pads dotting the square enclosure. The delicate plants swayed slightly from the motion and coy brushed past the bobbing stems. Elegant white pillars rose on all sides of the sanctuary, sheltering the serene waters.
"An interesting turn of events."
"Indeed."
"Will this not simply complicate matters? As it was, their progress has been deplorable."
" 'Deplorable' is such a strong term. How about…'less than desired'?"
Standing near the water's edge, a tall man in very restrictive garb glanced at the woman seated beside him. The woman rested an arm indolently across her lap as she traced small circles on her cheek, leaning on one elbow in her chair.
"At times," the man continued, masking his vexation at her response, "if I am not mistaken, Your Excellency, you seem more transfixed by their antics than by their advancement, or rather, their lack thereof."
A sly smile spread across the woman's face. "Oh, come on, Jiroushin. Don't tell me you're not captivated by their display…"
Jiroushin showed no emotion as he responded. "I am not."
Kanzeon found this hard to believe, and chuckling, swatted his arm. "Please. As if anyone watching them could possibly not be."
"No offense, My Liege, but your obsession does not accurately reflect the viewpoints of others. Your overt interference in regards to those women is further proof that you have gone too far in this regard."
"Oh, give it a rest, Jiroushin. Since their time in heaven, those four have been rebellious and completely drawn to each other. It is only natural for two groups of similar beings to meet like this. I was simply helping accomplish the inevitable. Plus," she added, "this is what they asked for, or do you not remember? How long were we going to make them wait?"
Jiroushin still did not approve. "The repercussions could be enormous. You really should have sought counsel before making such a drastic move. And then to bring them here?"
"It's not like this is the first time I've done such a thing," Kanzeon replied, nonchalant. "Why make such a fuss over these four when no one objected to the others?"
Jiroushin's jaw dropped slightly before he could stop himself. "Surely you must be kidding. Do you not remember the uproar it caused when you reincar–"
"Yes, yes, I was only joking. Calm down." She sighed heavily, rubbing her temple.
Several moments of silence passed, interrupted only by the splashing of several coy in the pond.
"Back to my original question," the Merciful Goddess continued. "When you see them struggle like this, doesn't it impel you to action? Do you not yearn to assist them?"
Clearing his throat, Jiroushin replied, "Truly it can be said they could use some abetment, and on occasion this has been given."
"Yes, but more than that," Bosatsu continued. "You are curious as to the outcome, are you not? How things will truly turn out?"
"I am sure we have all speculated in that regard. The successful resurrection of Gyumaoh would bring adverse effects against all of the Three Worlds."
"Yes, yes, but, more than just speculation," Kanzeon broke in, waving his words away with one hand. Her eyes rose to meet his and her voice lowered. "Do you not want to truly know? Do you not wish to see it?"
Her assistant quickly looked back onto the pond. "That ability is difficult to master. Often things discerned from such endeavors are incomplete, even false. It is not a route to pursue."
"And if you are certain to reveal the truth?" Bosatsu's eyes danced mischievously.
Jiroushin's expression grew serious and he held Kanzeon's gaze steadily. "The gift of foresight is tempting to some, but let none forget the price of such a power."
His voice hardened and bore no cadence. "'Any events witnessed via the use of foresight concerning mortal kind bar all further interference. The one having foreseen said affairs is thenceforth prohibited from travel to the mortal world until the thorough accounting of all glimpsed happenings has come to fruition. Any attempt to violate this construct will result in the unpreventable exorcism of divinity from the instigator.'"
In a very ungodlike gesture, Kanzeon rolled her eyes. "You are so boorish, Jiroushin. Spouting regulations that I myself helped formulate."
"Even so," he interrupted. "You seem to have forgotten their importance. Once the future has been seen, not even a god can move to change that course of events. And if one tries, that one is stripped of all power. You become no longer a god – a mere mortal." He paused. "The penalty is death."
The Merciful Goddess uncrossed, then re-crossed her legs, fiddling with her sheer skirt as she did so. Sighing, she gazed out upon the water. "Then thank the gods neither of us has used that power. What a shame that would be, to no longer be able to step in…even to save them…"
Her assistant shifted slightly and peered at her from the corner of his eye. "If I am not mistaken, Madam Lord, I sense a touch of remorse in your voice. You haven't actually…?"
Kanzeon smiled, but her eyes remained empty. "Of course not. Who would do such a thing?"
"An exceedingly curious and overly protective aunt," Jiroushin replied.
Bosatsu's smile faded.
Jiroushin closed his eyes and slowly shook his head. "How does it end?"
"Not well."
End Chapter
Chapter theme music: The Adventure by Angels and Airwaves
