18 February 2003
Disclaimers apply to everything
Chapter 12 Crossing Borders
The Death Gate oversaw everything, quietly watching as it did its job, drawing the life from people who were due to die. And it watched over her mistress.
Her mistress could no longer speak to It. She was controlled by the silver chakra on her forehead, and the chakra prevented her mistress from hearing Its voice. And It was unable to do anything. It could not disobey her commands, even when she did the wrong thing. It hated being used. She was a good mistress, but now she was possessed. Her mind had been wiped of memories... but It had protected one sliver of memory... It would continue to keep it alive, for the sake of her mistress.
Unable to act directly, It had sent a message to the Guardian of Dimensions, hoping the Guardian would understand. It needed the man Sarra loved to break the chakra. Only through Sarra's living memories can she overcome the chakra's powers. And the chakra was fused in such a way that she could not access her memories at all unless she wanted to suffer pain beyond death.
It had watched as the girl named Marilee disappear through the Dimension Portal. From here, It could do nothing more but to wait.
Hakkai finished reading the book and put it on top of a high stack of books on his coffee table. It was amazing how much Tenpou Gensui read in his days. There were books ranging from philosophical views to deity journals; even a few manga titles! He understood when other deities remarked that Tenpou was the most knowledgeable god in Tenkai history. Of course, he, Hakkai had so much to learn.
A loud rapping on the door told him someone else was still awake at this hour. Curious, he got up. "Who is it?"
The door creaked open and a disheveled brown head poked through. "Hakkai?"
Hakkai breathed in relief. "Goku! How come you're still awake?"
Goku stepped into the room, massaging his stomach. "I was hungry... do you have anything to eat?"
"I don't think so..." Hakkai started to say, but smiled suddenly. 'What if I cook you something? I'm in the mood for some food too," Although he thought it was likely that there will be nothing left once Goku's done with it. The boy nodded energetically and flopped down on the couch while Hakkai disappeared to the kitchen and began pulling out pots and pans. Drawing his knees to his chin, he contemplated something. "Hakkai...?" He said slowly. The man was busy frying something. "Wait a bit, I'm just finishing."
Goku shook his head. "No.. it's not that. Uh..." He scratched his head as Hakkai set down a plate of scrambled eggs and bread. His hunger overrode all doubts and he wolfishly attacked the food.
Hakkai quietly watched Goku eat. It was one of the things that didn't change, he thought. He's still as childish as ever, and he still likes to spoil the boy. He had to admit, deep inside, he missed the old days, when Togenkyou was theirs to roam. Now... they were stuck in this place...
"Hakkai..." Goku's voice trailed off as he finished the food. "I wanna go back to Togenkyou..."
Hakkai sighed. The boy seemed to know what he was thinking. "We can't, Goku. Kanzeon Bosatsu saved us from death by granting us our past titles in Heaven. We can't return to Togenkyou... because we don't exist there anymore."
Kougaji contentedly sipped his ale. It was a cold night, and the tavern was filled to capacity. Rowdy miners clustered around a table, exchanging life chilling stories. Farmers discussed the effects of such weather on their crops, and sellers like him simply enjoyed the fruits of a hard day's work.
Him, a seller. He never thought it would come to that, but it seemed natural after the hard life he lead. Endless battles against the shadows, and now it was all over, he was contented enough to sit back and enjoy the remaining days. No longer was he Kougaji, the Prince. After the defeat of that evil woman, and ensuring that his father remained sealed, God had erased the hard years from the people's minds, but Kanzeon Bosatsu requested that the four demons who in the end aided Sanzo retain theirs. It was so they could repent, she had said with a wink. Old hag, he snorted disgustedly. She probably did that so she could have fun watching them squirm in the aftermath. It was strange, he reflected; youkais and humans living together, like in this tavern - there was no discrimination.
The doors burst open and a cloaked figure staggered in. It approached the bar and sat down next to Kougaji. "Ginger beer," It rasped and Kougaji grinned inwardly as it lowered the hood that had been covering its face. He was stunned to see a beautiful girl staring sharply at him. "What?" She snapped. He shrugged and turned back to his drink. Women. Even after marrying Yaone, he still couldn't figure them out.
Still, he secretly eyed the girl out of the corner of his eye. She was very fair, with sharp hazel eyes and golden-brown hair falling in a fringe down her forehead. And quite slender, he recalled her entrance. But the feminism ended there. There was nothing feminine about the way she handled her drink, or her eyes wander around the tavern. He could tell she was a fighter of sorts.
Marilee scanned the tavern. It was boisterous, but she had grown tired of such places. There was always some punk who didn't value his life my trying to get a piece of her ass. She signaled to the bartender. "You know everybody living in this town?"
"I'd say I do," The bartender smiled.
"Good. Is there a man named Genjyo Sanzo - "
CLUNK!!!
She snapped her head to the man who sat next to her. He had dropped his tankard. What's with him, she thought warily as she observed he was looking at her in... fear? Shock? She noticed he was the kind with pointed ears and had a tattoo of claw marks on one side of his face. She noticed most pointy-eared people had tattoos and she wondered why.
The bartender scratched his chin. "Sounds like a monk, but there's no one living here..."
"Excuse me," Kougaji said through clenched teeth as he grabbed her wrist and dragged her outside. The moment they stepped out she twisted his arm and stood a little way off. "You'd better have a good reason for dragging me out, mister, and I don't wanna hear another lusty story," She snapped. Her nerves were stretched to breaking point already. She had only two days... and it seems like this Sanzo man doesn't exist.
Kougaji rubbed his arm. She was strong. "You're looking for Sanzo?"
"What if I am?"
"You won't find him here."
The answer made her roll her eyes. "Then I'll try some other place. Now leave me alone."
"You won't find him on the face of the earth," He said at last. "Seems like you're not from this place at all if you know who he is."
"I don't," She snapped. "I only know his name. What do you know?"
"I know where he is." Kougaji replied quietly. Marilee forced a laugh. "You're the fifteenth who said so. The other fourteen are in the Underworld. Care to explain?"
"I can help you find him." He said shortly. "If you'll trust me."
"Who are you? Some kind of guide or something?" She asked suspiciously.
"I was his enemy."
"Then what makes you think I should trust you?"
"Because you don't have any other choice." Kougaji pointed out. "You can journey the whole world and you'll never find him. I'm giving you a helping hand here."
"Why do you want to help me?" She narrowed her eyes. Kougaji blinked. True... he didn't know she was, or where did she come from, but something in him said to help her... maybe it's the least he could do to repay Sanzo.
Sarra was perched on a pedestal, helplessly wound in some silken fabric as dressmakers flitted around her, twittering like canaries. She had been standing for almost an hour, and she was tired.
Ryudell sat on a pouf and stared in Sarra's general direction, but she was really nowhere nearby. Her mind was somewhere else, waiting restlessly. Five of the seven days have passed and still there was no sign of Marilee or Sanzo. Her heart sank lower with each passing hour, and her anger rose with it. If Marilee failed to return... then she would lead the Guardians in a revolt against their Lady and King Erik. She knew it would be suicide, but she could not bear to see Lady Sarra manipulated for life, or her fellow Guardians suffer under an evil ruler. She and the others have sworn to protect the realm of Dyraa, and even if it meant killing their Lady, then they would have to do it. It was simply that.
But in truth, she could not bear to think of hurting Sarra. Nigaki had sworn her to protect the girl, and protect she would... in the name of the Guardian of Life. And the dream she had... a voice had told her to seek Sanzo. And she kind of understood. Sarra had lost almost all of her memories, but she still saw something in those gray eyes every time Sarra visited the Waterfalls. Try as she might, she couldn't remember, and the Silver Chakra prevented her from remembering. How convenient.
"Ryudell?"
Ryudell snapped out of her reverie. "Yes, Lady?"
"I was asking your opinion," Sarra gestured to the dress. It was made of the finest silk and velvet, silver-blue in color. Intricate embroidery ran down the skirt, ending in a swirl at her feet. It was breathtaking the way the dress enhanced her fair skin, and gave depth to her exotic hair. But it not seem right. Somehow it broke her heart imagining Sarra standing next to King Erik as they completed their union.
"It's beautiful, my Lady," Ryudell said in all honesty. Sarra laughed. "I'm not good at this sort of thing... I hardly ever wear anything else than my usual clothing."
"Your grace, what about your bouquet for the union?" The florist bowed low. She held a huge bunch of flowers to Sarra. "Please choose your flowers and the arrangement."
Sarra sighed. She knew this would be a headache. She looked at the flowers. There were all sorts of flowers in a myriad of colors. None really took her fancy, and she started handing it back when she froze.
Hidden under a rose was a delicate purple bloom, the purest shade of violet. She fingered the bloom when a fleeting glimpse of memory flashed through her mind, but she didn't grasp it. She turned to the florist. "This flower... and some lily-of-the-valley... that will be all." She gently pulled the flower out and returned the bouquet. Ryudell smiled sadly. If only she knew... how much that flower represents.
Disclaimers apply to everything
Chapter 12 Crossing Borders
The Death Gate oversaw everything, quietly watching as it did its job, drawing the life from people who were due to die. And it watched over her mistress.
Her mistress could no longer speak to It. She was controlled by the silver chakra on her forehead, and the chakra prevented her mistress from hearing Its voice. And It was unable to do anything. It could not disobey her commands, even when she did the wrong thing. It hated being used. She was a good mistress, but now she was possessed. Her mind had been wiped of memories... but It had protected one sliver of memory... It would continue to keep it alive, for the sake of her mistress.
Unable to act directly, It had sent a message to the Guardian of Dimensions, hoping the Guardian would understand. It needed the man Sarra loved to break the chakra. Only through Sarra's living memories can she overcome the chakra's powers. And the chakra was fused in such a way that she could not access her memories at all unless she wanted to suffer pain beyond death.
It had watched as the girl named Marilee disappear through the Dimension Portal. From here, It could do nothing more but to wait.
Hakkai finished reading the book and put it on top of a high stack of books on his coffee table. It was amazing how much Tenpou Gensui read in his days. There were books ranging from philosophical views to deity journals; even a few manga titles! He understood when other deities remarked that Tenpou was the most knowledgeable god in Tenkai history. Of course, he, Hakkai had so much to learn.
A loud rapping on the door told him someone else was still awake at this hour. Curious, he got up. "Who is it?"
The door creaked open and a disheveled brown head poked through. "Hakkai?"
Hakkai breathed in relief. "Goku! How come you're still awake?"
Goku stepped into the room, massaging his stomach. "I was hungry... do you have anything to eat?"
"I don't think so..." Hakkai started to say, but smiled suddenly. 'What if I cook you something? I'm in the mood for some food too," Although he thought it was likely that there will be nothing left once Goku's done with it. The boy nodded energetically and flopped down on the couch while Hakkai disappeared to the kitchen and began pulling out pots and pans. Drawing his knees to his chin, he contemplated something. "Hakkai...?" He said slowly. The man was busy frying something. "Wait a bit, I'm just finishing."
Goku shook his head. "No.. it's not that. Uh..." He scratched his head as Hakkai set down a plate of scrambled eggs and bread. His hunger overrode all doubts and he wolfishly attacked the food.
Hakkai quietly watched Goku eat. It was one of the things that didn't change, he thought. He's still as childish as ever, and he still likes to spoil the boy. He had to admit, deep inside, he missed the old days, when Togenkyou was theirs to roam. Now... they were stuck in this place...
"Hakkai..." Goku's voice trailed off as he finished the food. "I wanna go back to Togenkyou..."
Hakkai sighed. The boy seemed to know what he was thinking. "We can't, Goku. Kanzeon Bosatsu saved us from death by granting us our past titles in Heaven. We can't return to Togenkyou... because we don't exist there anymore."
Kougaji contentedly sipped his ale. It was a cold night, and the tavern was filled to capacity. Rowdy miners clustered around a table, exchanging life chilling stories. Farmers discussed the effects of such weather on their crops, and sellers like him simply enjoyed the fruits of a hard day's work.
Him, a seller. He never thought it would come to that, but it seemed natural after the hard life he lead. Endless battles against the shadows, and now it was all over, he was contented enough to sit back and enjoy the remaining days. No longer was he Kougaji, the Prince. After the defeat of that evil woman, and ensuring that his father remained sealed, God had erased the hard years from the people's minds, but Kanzeon Bosatsu requested that the four demons who in the end aided Sanzo retain theirs. It was so they could repent, she had said with a wink. Old hag, he snorted disgustedly. She probably did that so she could have fun watching them squirm in the aftermath. It was strange, he reflected; youkais and humans living together, like in this tavern - there was no discrimination.
The doors burst open and a cloaked figure staggered in. It approached the bar and sat down next to Kougaji. "Ginger beer," It rasped and Kougaji grinned inwardly as it lowered the hood that had been covering its face. He was stunned to see a beautiful girl staring sharply at him. "What?" She snapped. He shrugged and turned back to his drink. Women. Even after marrying Yaone, he still couldn't figure them out.
Still, he secretly eyed the girl out of the corner of his eye. She was very fair, with sharp hazel eyes and golden-brown hair falling in a fringe down her forehead. And quite slender, he recalled her entrance. But the feminism ended there. There was nothing feminine about the way she handled her drink, or her eyes wander around the tavern. He could tell she was a fighter of sorts.
Marilee scanned the tavern. It was boisterous, but she had grown tired of such places. There was always some punk who didn't value his life my trying to get a piece of her ass. She signaled to the bartender. "You know everybody living in this town?"
"I'd say I do," The bartender smiled.
"Good. Is there a man named Genjyo Sanzo - "
CLUNK!!!
She snapped her head to the man who sat next to her. He had dropped his tankard. What's with him, she thought warily as she observed he was looking at her in... fear? Shock? She noticed he was the kind with pointed ears and had a tattoo of claw marks on one side of his face. She noticed most pointy-eared people had tattoos and she wondered why.
The bartender scratched his chin. "Sounds like a monk, but there's no one living here..."
"Excuse me," Kougaji said through clenched teeth as he grabbed her wrist and dragged her outside. The moment they stepped out she twisted his arm and stood a little way off. "You'd better have a good reason for dragging me out, mister, and I don't wanna hear another lusty story," She snapped. Her nerves were stretched to breaking point already. She had only two days... and it seems like this Sanzo man doesn't exist.
Kougaji rubbed his arm. She was strong. "You're looking for Sanzo?"
"What if I am?"
"You won't find him here."
The answer made her roll her eyes. "Then I'll try some other place. Now leave me alone."
"You won't find him on the face of the earth," He said at last. "Seems like you're not from this place at all if you know who he is."
"I don't," She snapped. "I only know his name. What do you know?"
"I know where he is." Kougaji replied quietly. Marilee forced a laugh. "You're the fifteenth who said so. The other fourteen are in the Underworld. Care to explain?"
"I can help you find him." He said shortly. "If you'll trust me."
"Who are you? Some kind of guide or something?" She asked suspiciously.
"I was his enemy."
"Then what makes you think I should trust you?"
"Because you don't have any other choice." Kougaji pointed out. "You can journey the whole world and you'll never find him. I'm giving you a helping hand here."
"Why do you want to help me?" She narrowed her eyes. Kougaji blinked. True... he didn't know she was, or where did she come from, but something in him said to help her... maybe it's the least he could do to repay Sanzo.
Sarra was perched on a pedestal, helplessly wound in some silken fabric as dressmakers flitted around her, twittering like canaries. She had been standing for almost an hour, and she was tired.
Ryudell sat on a pouf and stared in Sarra's general direction, but she was really nowhere nearby. Her mind was somewhere else, waiting restlessly. Five of the seven days have passed and still there was no sign of Marilee or Sanzo. Her heart sank lower with each passing hour, and her anger rose with it. If Marilee failed to return... then she would lead the Guardians in a revolt against their Lady and King Erik. She knew it would be suicide, but she could not bear to see Lady Sarra manipulated for life, or her fellow Guardians suffer under an evil ruler. She and the others have sworn to protect the realm of Dyraa, and even if it meant killing their Lady, then they would have to do it. It was simply that.
But in truth, she could not bear to think of hurting Sarra. Nigaki had sworn her to protect the girl, and protect she would... in the name of the Guardian of Life. And the dream she had... a voice had told her to seek Sanzo. And she kind of understood. Sarra had lost almost all of her memories, but she still saw something in those gray eyes every time Sarra visited the Waterfalls. Try as she might, she couldn't remember, and the Silver Chakra prevented her from remembering. How convenient.
"Ryudell?"
Ryudell snapped out of her reverie. "Yes, Lady?"
"I was asking your opinion," Sarra gestured to the dress. It was made of the finest silk and velvet, silver-blue in color. Intricate embroidery ran down the skirt, ending in a swirl at her feet. It was breathtaking the way the dress enhanced her fair skin, and gave depth to her exotic hair. But it not seem right. Somehow it broke her heart imagining Sarra standing next to King Erik as they completed their union.
"It's beautiful, my Lady," Ryudell said in all honesty. Sarra laughed. "I'm not good at this sort of thing... I hardly ever wear anything else than my usual clothing."
"Your grace, what about your bouquet for the union?" The florist bowed low. She held a huge bunch of flowers to Sarra. "Please choose your flowers and the arrangement."
Sarra sighed. She knew this would be a headache. She looked at the flowers. There were all sorts of flowers in a myriad of colors. None really took her fancy, and she started handing it back when she froze.
Hidden under a rose was a delicate purple bloom, the purest shade of violet. She fingered the bloom when a fleeting glimpse of memory flashed through her mind, but she didn't grasp it. She turned to the florist. "This flower... and some lily-of-the-valley... that will be all." She gently pulled the flower out and returned the bouquet. Ryudell smiled sadly. If only she knew... how much that flower represents.
