Disclaimer: As usual applies to everything.

28 December 2002

All throughout this exchange, Sanzo had been quiet.  Obviously he was displeased at the unexpected turn of events… not when they're so near to their goal.  But he had to keep his temper in check anyway.  He maybe impatient, but he knows when to keep his trap shut.  It seems like Gojyo and Goku are right at home though…

"Wow… neat place!" Was Goku's first reaction to Nigaki's home.  The latter grinned sheepishly.  "I'm sorry about the mess…"

"Is this some kind of – contraption?" Gojyo gawked at a strange mass of wires and blinking diodes on a table.  Nigaki hurriedly took it away.  'Well, it's supposed to be a simple tracking device…"

Hey…" Goku blinked.  "Aren't those things waaaaay after this time…?"

"Pretty smart, monkey," Gojyo chuckled.  "The fresh air must've done you some good."

"It seems to be functional," Hakkai examined it carefully.  "How did you make it?"

"It's actually and ancient technology," Nigaki said, smiling.  "Long before this Realm was one, there was an ancient civilization that did not possess supernatural powers – they made things like these to work.  Then humans… evolved.  The powers of the mind took over, and soon such things were forgotten, besides they brought so much pain and suffering, not to mention mass destruction.  Such technology was forbidden, and no one else remembers it now, except me, and Ryudell."

"If we're to believe you,' Sanzo said calmly, "You must be over a thousand years old."     

'Ah, yes…" Nigaki laughed.  "Well, I guess it doesn't hurt to tell you.  "I'm… an exception.  In this world, there are supposed to be two things that you cannot control – life and death.  But I, I can.  I am already 7000 years old…" He smiled in amusement as Goku half fell from his chair.  "Pretty old," Gojyo cracked up with laughter.  "Now Goku here can be regarded as a teenager!" He received a quick kick in the shins for that by the ever-offended Goku.  Hakkai smiled.  "Well, that makes you our senior then. Please proceed."

"I am the Keeper of Life." He cast a mournful look outside the window.  Far ahead, through the trees, there were distant lights… another hut.

"How do you keep life? Eat?" Goku's bottomless pit was already rumbling in hunger.  Hakkai hurriedly rushed to his aid. 

"Not exactly…" Nigaki smiled and headed to the kitchen, where the foursome followed.  "Portals are like us – they have different personalities, and respond differently to different people.  Some are stubborn, some are strong, but of course, it all depends on us Guardians.  Strange isn't it?" He laid out dish after dish on the table.  Goku, apparently too hungry to care, gobbled up whatever he could see. 

"But you surely can control them?" Hakkai inquired rather fascinated.  This portal thing… it was something like his own qi power, relying on the strength of the spirit. 

"Yes, we can." Nigaki smiled.  "Guardians who hold the key – " He indicated to the tiny sliver of crystal set in the center of his forehead, "Can control their portals freely.  But too much use can result in injury, as Ryudell's case, or sometimes death.  That is why we have the Citadel." He beamed as Goku burped his satisfaction.  "Do you like it?"

"He likes it so much that he left us hungry," Gojyo grumbled as he beheld the empty plates.  "Brainless monkey.  Don't you have a thought for others?"

"Hey, kappa, you were staring open-mouthed at his story that your asparagus fell out! What was a man to do?!" Goku said in indignation.  Gojyo's cigarette feel out in rage.  "Of all the – " He hastily cut short because a very annoyed looking Sanzo had aimed his gun at him.  "Shut up." He said in a deadly voice. 

"Ah…" Nigaki chuckled.  Hakkai was looking sheepish again.  "It's alright.  I don't mind it.  It's a welcome change anyway.  This place is getting to be a drag after all these years."

"You sure picked up some language," Gojyo observed.  Nigaki chuckled.  "Yes… I'm wondering when I'm going to die."

"You control the Life Portal, so that means you're going to live forever?" Sanzo asked icily.  Nigaki paused.  "It doesn't mean that way, Priest Sanzo.  Nobody lives forever.  My powers allow me to live longer," He watched as Gojyo and Goku run out of the house for a spot of jousting.  Hakkai, sweat dropping, also went outside with Hakuryuu.  The little dragon seems to like it here.

"Then the Keeper of Death must have a hard time fighting his own demise," Sanzo lighted a cigarette.  Nigaki's head jerked towards Sanzo.  For a moment he was speechless.  "It maybe so," He said finally.  "The Death Gate has been without a Keeper for centuries… now its Keeper is having a hard time controlling a Gate that can control her.  For the Death Gate is the cursed gate, and its Keepers will suffer for their powers, great as they are."

Just then there was an enormous yell and a loud explosion sound.  Alarmed, Nigaki and Sanzo hurried outside, where they were met with a horrifying sight. 

Gojyo and Hakkai were thrown on the floor, their clothes torn and bloodied.  "Goku?"

"ARGH!!!"

A huge winged monster hovered a hundred meters or so above them, visible only by its dark shadowy form.  And Sanzo caught Goku's yells coming from the monster! "Baka saru…" He cursed as he whipped out his exorcism gun.  But it was no good, it was too dark, and he might risk hurting Goku.  He turned to Nigaki.  The Guardian was focusing on the monster.  "It's a magical creation," he said quietly. "But it is too dark."

"Then bring forth the light."

Nigaki turned in surprise at the speaking form.  It was from the edge of the trees, and he could see nothing.  But he knew.  He concentrated and the whole plain burst in a dazzling flash of white.  In the split second of the aftermath, they heard a bloodcurdling shriek and the monster hurtled to the ground.  Well, it missed the ground, and crashed through Nigaki's roof instead.  Everybody winced.  Only Sanzo was impassive. 

Hakkai was Gojyo struggled up and ran to the scene.  "Goku?"

"Yeah…" came a feeble reply.  Sanzo came forward and helped search through the rubble until the pulled out the little monkey.  "You alright?" Sanzo asked.

"Guess not," Goku groaned.  He was in a rather bad shape.  Otherwise, he was standing. 

"Heh.  Guess that teaches you not to go waving you Nyoibou in the air, huh?" Gojyo chuckled.

Sanzo had stood back from the group.  Out of the corner of his eye, he was watching Nigaki.  The man was walking to the edge of the forest.

Nigaki slowly approached the trees.  "Thank you."

"I sensed its presence," came the reply.  "There is no need to thank me."

"Sarra…" Nigaki's face was troubled. 

Sarra stepped forward into the light.  Her light gray eyes did not show any hint of uneasiness, or anger.  They were calm and calculating, assessing the situation with the precision born of many years of training.  "The creature was probably one of Media's creations.  She loves to put poison in her creatures.  Have any of them suffered direct contact with it?"

            "Oh," Nigaki's eyebrows arched in surprise.  "Goku – "

            "YARKH!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Goku withered on the ground, convulsed in pain.  Fire was shooting through his veins, burning in his head, needles were pushing their way outwards from his body.  "What is happening?" Hakkai cried in confusion.  His qi treatment had no effect on Goku whatsoever.  He was attempting to try again when a hand rested on his shoulder.  In surprise, he watched as Sarra kneeled next to him.  "Let me help," she said quietly.  She gently laid a hand on Goku's head.  A diffused blue light spread from her hands and seemed to be absorbed into his body.  Almost immediately, Goku's tremors subsided.  Hakkai watched in amazement at this miracle, but he felt Sarra's hand lightly grip his shoulder as she worked.

            Soon Goku was back to normal – bruised, but otherwise fine.  Hakkai breathed freely.  Sanzo on the other hand, was furious.  "Saru! Trust you to attract trouble!" His hand came out and nearly hit Goku's head if it wasn't for Sarra's intervening hand.  She glared (did she glare?) at Sanzo.  "It wasn't his fault.  Hit me, if you want." She lightly slapped his hand away.  Then she turned to Nigaki.  "These people need shelter, and so do you.  Hurry to the Citadel now, I think it's going to rain." Indeed the sky seemed darker than it was.  Hakkai was alarmed.  "Oh no…"

            "Hurry," Nigaki urged them.  He supported Gojyo, and Hakkai carried Goku.  Nigaki turned to Sanzo.  "I'm sorry, but please help Sarra back to her hut."

"She can go – "

"No," Nigaki persisted gently.  "You can go.  She needs help."

Sanzo was speechless for a moment.  At last he turned around and saw Sarra already heading towards the forest, but even at this distance he saw that her steps were unsteady.  He made an impatient "Tch."

Gojyo stared as Sanzo headed towards the trees.  "Oh, boy," He muttered.  "If he lives through this one, he's gonna be hell irritated!"