18 February 2003
Disclaimers apply to everything
Chapter 11 Prologue 2: Crossing Faith
Author's note: I decided against starting another fic to continue this one, instead I'll just continue! So here it is, the second installment.
The sakura blossoms gently floated to the ground, covering the ground in a blanket of muted pink. One petal accidentally settled in his wineglass, contrasting with the deep burgundy.
"Ha! Found you!" A triumphant voice caught him off-guard. He looked up the tree he was leaning against to peer into a pair of large golden eyes.
"Nataku. What are you doing here?"
Nataku looked around. "I'm hiding from Goku. Hide me!"
"Why should - "
"Yeah! Nataku, can't hide anymore!" Goku's triumphant voice rang through the relatively quiet forest and the boy himself jumped into view. He caught sight of the other and stopped. "Sanzo? What are you doing here?"
Sanzo turned away, sipping his wine. He heard a deep chuckle and saw a red-headed man sitting on a branch in a nearby tree. His black outfit was a stark contrast to the pink blossoms, not to mention the cigarette he was smoking did little to enhance the perfumed air.
"Ah, Gojyo, he's enjoying the flowers for once... let him." Hakkai's voice came from behind him and Sanzo turned around to look at the wiry man.
"Eh, Sanzo?" Goku noticed something poking out of the monk's robes. "Is that your gun? How come you still keep it?"
"The harisen is here too," Sanzo growled and took out the much-feared harisen. Goku turned delightedly to Nataku, who was eyeing the fan curiously. "See that, Nataku? It looks real harmless, but when Sanzo swings it - "
THWACK-THWACK-THWACK!
Nataku peered at Goku, who's face was half-slammed to the ground, the tell-tale signs of a magnificent bruise forming on his head. "Does it hurt?"
Sanzo made an impatient noise.
Two years... how much has changed? Two years since they defeated Guyamou (sorry for the spelling), two years of idle leave. They have been readmitted to heaven, and Nataku finally came out from his coma. Though Sanzo couldn't care less if they threw him to Hell.
"Heaven to Priest, hello?" Gojyo grinned and waved a hand in front of his eyes. He scowled and sipped his wine again. "What's with your guys?"
Hakkai chuckled. That was almost cheerful for him. Sanzo rarely showed any emotion since they came here - not even the many women Gojyo tried to send his way made any effect.
"Come on, Nataku, It's nearly lunchtime!" Goku sniffed the air in delight. Not even the delicate perfume of the flowers can dampen his keen sense of smell. Nataku set off after his friend, laughing like small children.
"Look at him... he's so happy here." Hakkai laughed. "Unlike some people... who's thoughts are far away from home..."
Gojyo grinned and ran his hand through his luxurious red hair. Even in Heaven, and given the position he was in, he still insisted on keeping his long red hair. Unlike Hakkai, how decided to leave it long, like Tenpou did. Even Sanzo let his hair grow, though Gojyo suspected it was more from ignorance than vanity.
"Still thinking of her?"
Hakkai gave his friend a silencing look and looked exasperated as Sanzo got up. "Ah, Sanzo - "
"Scram." He said shortly. Quickly Gojyo and Hakkai complied. When they were out of earshot, Hakkai sighed. 'You had to bring that up, didn't you?"
"Hey, he was looking so sullen it was making me itch!"
"The man needs his privacy."
"Heck! We've been here for a year! Can't he just get over her?!" Gojyo's voice was rising. Then he calmed himself down. "Look, we all have issues to deal with, but we have to accept the fact that we can't go back. It's something he should have understood."
"He does understand, Gojyo."
"Then?!"
"That's what makes it so hard." Hakkai smiled ruefully.
"Ai... Jiroushin, where is that nephew of mine?" Kanzeon Bosatsu's deep voice hung in the air, an unanswered question. Her (I've decided to cal this one a 'she' as She is the Goddess of Mercy...) long suffering servant bowed nervously. "I have no idea, Master. He's always moving about..."
"Ah yes..." She chuckled. "Always the restless one... what do you make of him, Jiroushin?"
The man bit his lip. "He doesn't seem to happy, Kanzeon Bosatsu- sama. Unlike the little monkey - "
"COMING THROUGH!!!!" The doors burst open with a bang and two whirlwinds raced through the room, knocking poor Jiroushin right into the lily pond. One stopped to see what he had done. "Hey, Goku, we've knocked the old guy into the pool!" He called to the other. Jiroushin clambered out of the pool, the water dripping from his armor. "Master Nataku! You should be more careful - "
"Enough, Jiroushin, go and change," Kanzeon smiled at the two boys. Grumbling to himself about impudent brats, the man exited the room as the two grinned at the deity. "Thanks! Once he gets worked up, our ear's burn off!" Nataku laughed. Kanzeon waved them off. "Did you see Konzen?" She still liked to call the four of them by their old names, even though Sanzo had repeatedly yelled at her to stop.
"He's at the sakura garden." Nataku ran off to play. Kanzeon grinned. He's got five hundred years of play to catch up with...
Ryudell's golden eyes darted furtively around as she weaved her way through the crowded marketplace. She had to be careful - if any Warriors caught her in a public place, she might face an unpleasant punishment.
As she continued to walk, her mind worked franticly on the plan that she was about to execute. It was... a miracle if she could pull it off, but she knew what was at stake. The future of Dyraa. The future of her ruler. And right now, the only man who can help her was in another dimension, another time.
She reached the village shrine and climbed the steps leading to the prayer chamber. So far so good. The shrine was filled with people who came to offer their prayers or ask for blessings, so her presence wasn't noticed. But she didn't come here to pray.
Ryudell approached the altar and knelt right next to a girl who was deep in prayer, a beige hood hiding her face from view. She closed her eyes and pretended to pray. "Thank you for coming, Marilee."
The girl smiled slightly. "It has been a long time since we've seen each other. Of course, what would people think to see a Guardian and a criminal?"
"Criminal or not, I need your assistance. I assume you still know how to open the Dimension Gates?"
"How can I possibly forget..." She snickered. "The very reason why I'm a criminal."
Marilee, a criminal wanted for escaping death. During her Guardian tests, she had failed and was condemned to death, but she escaped, thanks to Ryudell's helping hand and has been on the run since.
"I'm going to give you a chance to be pardoned and elected a Guardian, if you will help me." Ryudell said in a low voice. Marilee grinned. "And what is that favour you have to ask?"
"Find me somebody. In another dimension."
Marilee frowned. "That will be difficult. Do you have the exact dimension? You know these things are like layers of paper, one slight mistake and you end up somewhere else."
"I have it. But you must search for him yourself."
"That is possible..."
"You only have one week."
Marilee's eyes flew open. "One week? Are you out of your mind?!"
"You must bring him back here in one week," She said firmly. "Knock him out if you have to, but that is it. Please, Marilee, I don't know anyone else who can help me."
Marilee bit her lip. She owed her life to this woman, and she was given a chance to be a normal citizen again. No more running from Guardians who can kill her. "What is his name? Do you have a picture?"
"His name is Genjyo Sanzo. Here is the location," She quickly pressed her hand to Marilee's shoulder, transferring the coordinates. "And if he refuses, show him this." She slipped her Light Whip to Marilee and continued to pretend praying. The shrine was beginning to empty of visitors. Time was running out. "Leave immediately."
Marilee fell silent for a while. This must be something big, or else Ryudell wouldn't ask for her. Did it have to do with Lady Sarra? For Ryudell was Lady Sarra's personal guard, and to entrust her whip to bring back a stranger from a different dimension clearly indicated that she was desperate.
"I will bring him back." She said finally. "I'm honored by your trust in me, Mistress."
Ryudell was about to reply when she heard the familiar clinking sound of the Warriors' armor. "Mistress Ryudell?"
She turned around and saw a Warrior kneeling behind her. "I'm afraid you must return to the palace. It is not safe for you to be here, with so many people."
"How thoughtful of you." Her voice dripping with sarcasm. The Warrior merely bowed. "It is the concern of King Erik that you return to the Citadel with haste, Mistress."
"Very well." She got up and paid her last respects to the deities. This time she prayed in earnest. Marilee was still kneeling on the floor, deep in prayer.
Marilee waited until the sound of armor could not be heard. She then pulled the hood lower and silently left the shrine.
Disclaimers apply to everything
Chapter 11 Prologue 2: Crossing Faith
Author's note: I decided against starting another fic to continue this one, instead I'll just continue! So here it is, the second installment.
The sakura blossoms gently floated to the ground, covering the ground in a blanket of muted pink. One petal accidentally settled in his wineglass, contrasting with the deep burgundy.
"Ha! Found you!" A triumphant voice caught him off-guard. He looked up the tree he was leaning against to peer into a pair of large golden eyes.
"Nataku. What are you doing here?"
Nataku looked around. "I'm hiding from Goku. Hide me!"
"Why should - "
"Yeah! Nataku, can't hide anymore!" Goku's triumphant voice rang through the relatively quiet forest and the boy himself jumped into view. He caught sight of the other and stopped. "Sanzo? What are you doing here?"
Sanzo turned away, sipping his wine. He heard a deep chuckle and saw a red-headed man sitting on a branch in a nearby tree. His black outfit was a stark contrast to the pink blossoms, not to mention the cigarette he was smoking did little to enhance the perfumed air.
"Ah, Gojyo, he's enjoying the flowers for once... let him." Hakkai's voice came from behind him and Sanzo turned around to look at the wiry man.
"Eh, Sanzo?" Goku noticed something poking out of the monk's robes. "Is that your gun? How come you still keep it?"
"The harisen is here too," Sanzo growled and took out the much-feared harisen. Goku turned delightedly to Nataku, who was eyeing the fan curiously. "See that, Nataku? It looks real harmless, but when Sanzo swings it - "
THWACK-THWACK-THWACK!
Nataku peered at Goku, who's face was half-slammed to the ground, the tell-tale signs of a magnificent bruise forming on his head. "Does it hurt?"
Sanzo made an impatient noise.
Two years... how much has changed? Two years since they defeated Guyamou (sorry for the spelling), two years of idle leave. They have been readmitted to heaven, and Nataku finally came out from his coma. Though Sanzo couldn't care less if they threw him to Hell.
"Heaven to Priest, hello?" Gojyo grinned and waved a hand in front of his eyes. He scowled and sipped his wine again. "What's with your guys?"
Hakkai chuckled. That was almost cheerful for him. Sanzo rarely showed any emotion since they came here - not even the many women Gojyo tried to send his way made any effect.
"Come on, Nataku, It's nearly lunchtime!" Goku sniffed the air in delight. Not even the delicate perfume of the flowers can dampen his keen sense of smell. Nataku set off after his friend, laughing like small children.
"Look at him... he's so happy here." Hakkai laughed. "Unlike some people... who's thoughts are far away from home..."
Gojyo grinned and ran his hand through his luxurious red hair. Even in Heaven, and given the position he was in, he still insisted on keeping his long red hair. Unlike Hakkai, how decided to leave it long, like Tenpou did. Even Sanzo let his hair grow, though Gojyo suspected it was more from ignorance than vanity.
"Still thinking of her?"
Hakkai gave his friend a silencing look and looked exasperated as Sanzo got up. "Ah, Sanzo - "
"Scram." He said shortly. Quickly Gojyo and Hakkai complied. When they were out of earshot, Hakkai sighed. 'You had to bring that up, didn't you?"
"Hey, he was looking so sullen it was making me itch!"
"The man needs his privacy."
"Heck! We've been here for a year! Can't he just get over her?!" Gojyo's voice was rising. Then he calmed himself down. "Look, we all have issues to deal with, but we have to accept the fact that we can't go back. It's something he should have understood."
"He does understand, Gojyo."
"Then?!"
"That's what makes it so hard." Hakkai smiled ruefully.
"Ai... Jiroushin, where is that nephew of mine?" Kanzeon Bosatsu's deep voice hung in the air, an unanswered question. Her (I've decided to cal this one a 'she' as She is the Goddess of Mercy...) long suffering servant bowed nervously. "I have no idea, Master. He's always moving about..."
"Ah yes..." She chuckled. "Always the restless one... what do you make of him, Jiroushin?"
The man bit his lip. "He doesn't seem to happy, Kanzeon Bosatsu- sama. Unlike the little monkey - "
"COMING THROUGH!!!!" The doors burst open with a bang and two whirlwinds raced through the room, knocking poor Jiroushin right into the lily pond. One stopped to see what he had done. "Hey, Goku, we've knocked the old guy into the pool!" He called to the other. Jiroushin clambered out of the pool, the water dripping from his armor. "Master Nataku! You should be more careful - "
"Enough, Jiroushin, go and change," Kanzeon smiled at the two boys. Grumbling to himself about impudent brats, the man exited the room as the two grinned at the deity. "Thanks! Once he gets worked up, our ear's burn off!" Nataku laughed. Kanzeon waved them off. "Did you see Konzen?" She still liked to call the four of them by their old names, even though Sanzo had repeatedly yelled at her to stop.
"He's at the sakura garden." Nataku ran off to play. Kanzeon grinned. He's got five hundred years of play to catch up with...
Ryudell's golden eyes darted furtively around as she weaved her way through the crowded marketplace. She had to be careful - if any Warriors caught her in a public place, she might face an unpleasant punishment.
As she continued to walk, her mind worked franticly on the plan that she was about to execute. It was... a miracle if she could pull it off, but she knew what was at stake. The future of Dyraa. The future of her ruler. And right now, the only man who can help her was in another dimension, another time.
She reached the village shrine and climbed the steps leading to the prayer chamber. So far so good. The shrine was filled with people who came to offer their prayers or ask for blessings, so her presence wasn't noticed. But she didn't come here to pray.
Ryudell approached the altar and knelt right next to a girl who was deep in prayer, a beige hood hiding her face from view. She closed her eyes and pretended to pray. "Thank you for coming, Marilee."
The girl smiled slightly. "It has been a long time since we've seen each other. Of course, what would people think to see a Guardian and a criminal?"
"Criminal or not, I need your assistance. I assume you still know how to open the Dimension Gates?"
"How can I possibly forget..." She snickered. "The very reason why I'm a criminal."
Marilee, a criminal wanted for escaping death. During her Guardian tests, she had failed and was condemned to death, but she escaped, thanks to Ryudell's helping hand and has been on the run since.
"I'm going to give you a chance to be pardoned and elected a Guardian, if you will help me." Ryudell said in a low voice. Marilee grinned. "And what is that favour you have to ask?"
"Find me somebody. In another dimension."
Marilee frowned. "That will be difficult. Do you have the exact dimension? You know these things are like layers of paper, one slight mistake and you end up somewhere else."
"I have it. But you must search for him yourself."
"That is possible..."
"You only have one week."
Marilee's eyes flew open. "One week? Are you out of your mind?!"
"You must bring him back here in one week," She said firmly. "Knock him out if you have to, but that is it. Please, Marilee, I don't know anyone else who can help me."
Marilee bit her lip. She owed her life to this woman, and she was given a chance to be a normal citizen again. No more running from Guardians who can kill her. "What is his name? Do you have a picture?"
"His name is Genjyo Sanzo. Here is the location," She quickly pressed her hand to Marilee's shoulder, transferring the coordinates. "And if he refuses, show him this." She slipped her Light Whip to Marilee and continued to pretend praying. The shrine was beginning to empty of visitors. Time was running out. "Leave immediately."
Marilee fell silent for a while. This must be something big, or else Ryudell wouldn't ask for her. Did it have to do with Lady Sarra? For Ryudell was Lady Sarra's personal guard, and to entrust her whip to bring back a stranger from a different dimension clearly indicated that she was desperate.
"I will bring him back." She said finally. "I'm honored by your trust in me, Mistress."
Ryudell was about to reply when she heard the familiar clinking sound of the Warriors' armor. "Mistress Ryudell?"
She turned around and saw a Warrior kneeling behind her. "I'm afraid you must return to the palace. It is not safe for you to be here, with so many people."
"How thoughtful of you." Her voice dripping with sarcasm. The Warrior merely bowed. "It is the concern of King Erik that you return to the Citadel with haste, Mistress."
"Very well." She got up and paid her last respects to the deities. This time she prayed in earnest. Marilee was still kneeling on the floor, deep in prayer.
Marilee waited until the sound of armor could not be heard. She then pulled the hood lower and silently left the shrine.
