Tears Of A Child
It was night-time. What hour it was he did not know. It just seemed so nice to just lie here among the tall grass of the plains behind the village he just ventured into during the day. For once, since he set foot out of Mount Taikyoku, Chichiri felt comfortable. Comfortable in a sense that it wasn't blazing hot, and he knew he was somewhere which had other human beings other than himself. He could hear faint noises coming from the village square, which was still mildly active during the night, joined in with a chorus of nocturnal insects. Staring up at the unfortunately starless sky, Chichiri felt peace emanating from his surroundings, which took his mind off his past for the moment. By the will of Suzaku, he might just be able to walk out of his misery one day. But he decided to carry the memory of Hikou and Kouran together with him for the rest of his life, together with the yoke of guilt that came with it. If anything, it would be a lesson well learnt.
Chichiri gave a little sigh and was about to doze off underneath the watch of the moon, when he heard sounds, sounds that weren't there just a moment before. It was faint, yet it did not fit in with the serenity of the night. The sound became louder, and Chichiri could make it out that it was the sound of a child sobbing and running in his direction. Who could it be? The child must be trying to leave, for this plain was one of the routes leading out of the village.
He just lay there, waiting for the child, which was running blindly towards him through sheer coincidence. He surely did not want to scare the poor child away, as he had done earlier. In fact, he wanted to help, and appearing suddenly from the grass like a ghost was definitely not a way to comfort a troubled child.
Sure enough, the child just ran and ran, until he tripped on Chichiri's body on the ground and fell, still sobbing. Chichiri took this moment to grab the startled child by the arms, who let out a yelp for being held in the dark.
Beneath the silvery moonlight and Chichiri's trained eye, he was surprised and startled to see that he recognized the child. It was one of the twins. Which one, he couldn't tell, however.
"Let me go! Who are you?! Let go of me!! Urgh!" were the words that sputtered out of the boy's mouth, kicking and struggling at the monk's grasp.
"Calm down. It's just me, the scar faced monk you met on your way to do some shopping. But don't worry, I've put on a mask now, so you won't see the nasty scar anymore. I'll be forever grinning so I won't scare anymore people."
The boy calmed down considerably, shoulders still heaving from both the crying and running. Chichiri took this as a cue to introduce himself.
"My name's Chichiri, no da. Which one of you are you?"
"…the…older one. Bu Koutoku …" came the reply, so soft that Chichiri had to strain his ears to make it out. He felt the boy's small hands clutching tightly at his clothes. Something terrible must have happened, noting the absence of the younger twin.
"Where are you going so late at night?" Chichiri asked gently, intending to coax the boy into opening up to him.
***
Koutoku didn't know what it was or why, but he felt again the sense of comfort he felt earlier upon meeting this strange monk for the first time. Maybe it was his calm soothing voice as well. He couldn't remember the last time any grown-up ever spoke to him in this manner. All he remembered was Shouko and her daughters scolding and beating them. Something in this Chichiri made him feel like spilling everything out, all the sadness and helplessness bottled inside him.
"I'm leaving the town to look for … a better job…One that could support my otouto better…" was his reply to the monk's question. It wasn't the whole truth, yet it wasn't a lie either.
"Why? What's wrong?"
The note of concern was apparent in the blue haired monk's voice, and Koutoku felt in his gut that he could trust this man. After all, what did he have to lose?
"We're both orphans, Shunkaku and I. We lost our parents during a village massacre, and have been alone ever since. We were both sold to Shouko of this village by a slave trader, and have been working our skins off for her. All for a meal a day, and some shelter at night. But if that's not bad enough, we get beaten at every slightest mistake we make. Shun-chan has always been weak compared to me. He's sick, and can't take all these any much longer…I…I have to protect him…I'm all that he has left…" With this, he broke down sobbing again, this time on Chichiri's shoulder. Deep down, though, Koutoku still held back his deepest secret. He didn't want to deceive Chichiri, but he just couldn't find a way to tell the whole truth either.
***
So that's why they seemed so in need of money earlier. Poor kids. Having their parents killed at such a tender age, having to fend for themselves. And it wasn't their fault to have such an un-sympathetic mistress. That old crone should be glad she wasn't here right now, for Chichiri sure felt like hitting her flat. These twins are still young to suffer so much! Especially Koutoku, who spoke with a maturity well beyond his age.
"Koutoku? I've just made up my mind."
"Hmm? What is it, Chichiri-san?" Koutoku lifted his tear-stained face from Chichiri's shoulder, wondering what he meant.
"I'm going to help you and your brother. I'm going to get both of you out of the hell you're living in, and get him to a doctor. Then, I'll find a good foster home for both of you, away from this village and that Shouko."
He looked down at the boy, who just stared up at him with glassy eyes filled with wonder and astonishment. And happiness.
"You mean it, Chichiri-san? Helping me and Shun-chan?" but then he looked downcast again. "But how? We don't have any money to pay you…"
"Nonsense! I'm not doing this for money, na no da! I just want to see both of you happy, living a child's life like it should be led. So, do you trust me?"
***
Bu Koutoku looked up at Chichiri, and nodded his head.
Things will be better from now on, Shun-chan. They will be. I just know it.
***
Shunkaku stared wide-eyed at the monk before him. Until Koutoku nudged him surreptitiously, "Stop gaping, otouto, he might find it rude."
Shunkaku tried to avert his gaze, to no avail. He couldn't understand. Why is it that the monk has on a perpetual smile? Doesn't his face ache? And what is it with that 'no daa-ing' business, anyway? He continued to study the monk, who had his back turned towards him, fortunately.
"His name's Chichiri, and he has a mask on, Shun-chan. A smiling mask doesn't ache," Koutoku whispered next to him.
Shunkaku snapped out of his silent musings with a start. How did aniki know what he was thinking?
Koutoku merely grinned at his younger brother in amusement. " You can be so obvious at times, Shun-chan. "
Shunkaku huffed and folded his arms, mildly offended. Koutoku smiled gently and put an arm around his brother's shoulders. He could not suppress the welling anticipation within him as he watched Chichiri in silence, At last, they were going to be free.
***
Unaware of the quiet exchange between the twins, Chichiri continued to put all his monkly skills in practice. Dealing with Shouko and her husband was definitely testing his exhausted amount of patience. He would like nothing better than to drag both of them by the scruffs of their necks and shake the hell out of them. As it was, he wondered why nobody could hear him gritting his teeth. They were asking for an outrageous price. What did they think the monks nowadays are? Bankers?
Three thousand gold ryou, and not a copper lesser. " Shouko had greed written all over her pockmarked face. Chichiri wondered who in his right mind would encumber himself with such a woman.
Then again… A glance at her drunkard husband made him reconsider his previous thought. Those two are destined for each other.
"Perhaps a lesser price… the younger one seems to be a weakling. He's going to cost me a fortune in medical fees." Chichiri hated himself for saying that. It was heartless, and cruel nonetheless. However, if he didn't start to haggle, the twins are going to stay just where they are. "Two thousand gold ryou should cover the price."
Shouko's husband arched an eyebrow. " Two thousand?" The corners of his mouth quirked into a smirk. A decidedly unpleasant expression. "I fear you misunderstand. My wife actually meant to say that they cost three thousand…each."
"Nani!!??" Chichiri sincerely hoped that his eye wasn't bugging out. He realized that his mouth was hanging open and shut it with a snap.
"Well?" Shouko's husband inquired, the smirk deepening. Chichiri tried his best not to gawk. That man was supposed to be inebriated! How could he be so…so sober when it came to money matters?
Chichiri stiffened his resolve. Those crooks are going to rob him of his clothes if they can get away with it. "They aren't worth it. They're both too young. Two thousand gold ryou are more than sufficient. "
Shouko's husband wasn't fazed by his insistence. "Then what are you standing here for? Go someplace else where you can find workers of a more… suitable age."
Chichiri glowered at him. If looks could kill, that drunkard would be dead with a few daggers through his back. With that one sentence, he had cunningly trapped Chichiri on the spot. It was either pay up, or leave. Chichiri didn't dare to try pretending the latter, the couple seemed capable of carrying out their threats through pure spite.
Well he isn't a Suzaku seishi for nothing. He had a couple of notably useful connections as well. Taiitsukun's certainly going to murder him for this.
"Perhaps you would be able to excuse me for a moment." Chichiri said sardonically.
"Of course. You seem to be
reconsidering. Finally decided that the price is actually reasonable?"
Shouko asked, a noticeable sneer spreading across her countenance.
Chichiri bared his teeth in what should have been a smile, but passed for a
snarl instead. On his way out of the house, he felt a shy, hesitant tug on his
sleeve.
"Chichiri-san?" Koutoku inquired worriedly.
"Shhh… Everything will be fine." Chichiri tried not to grimace. " Or until Taiitsukun finds out, anyway," he mentally added. Koutoku, however, looked visibly reassured.
***
Chichiri surveyed the pile of gold before him critically. Mount Taikyoku's resources are going to prove useful. He had found a secluded spot in a nearby clearing, and teleported the money needed from Taiitsukun's personal collection. It wasn't exactly stealing. As the creator of the world, Taiitsukun certainly didn't need money. It's made for poor, impoverished monks such as himself. He had merely forgotten to ask permission first.
"Oh well," he muttered," I can ask when I get back… if that old crone lets me live long enough."
***
"My…my… I didn't know that monks were so rich." Shouko's eyes were ablaze with desire.
"You didn't know, and you asked for six thousand gold ryou. If you knew, you would have asked for twenty thousand. How sweet of you." Chichiri thought sarcastically with a derisive snort.
"Where did you get the money from?" Shouko's husband asked suspiciously.
Chichiri couldn't resist it. "Oh, that," he said disparagingly. "Why, it puffed out of thin air."
Not staying to admire the couple's enraged faces, most regretfully, he grabbed the twins' hands and stalked out of the house.
***
Chichiri stayed in the background while the elderly couple fussed and cooed over the twins. They had always wanted children of their own, and now they were enthusiastic over having the twins under their care. A trifle over-passionate, perhaps. Koutoku was obviously embarrassed, while Shunkaku was actually intimidated by the couple's display of affection. They'll get over it though. Right now, Chichiri was much more concerned about the explanation Taiitsukun would expect of him when he got back. He doubted the old crone would understand the necessity to pay six thousand gold ryou to save a pair of twins. This was all so unfair. Monks just weren't expected to be millionaires. And yet he had to play the role of one. If he had known, he wouldn't have become a monk, it would be much more profitable to be a real millionaire instead.
"Chichiri-san? Chichiri-san?" It was Koutoku. He had somehow escaped from the couple's incessant fussing.
"Hai?" Chichiri asked distractedly, half of his mind still on monks and millionaires. And an extremely furious Taiitsukun.
Koutoku lowered his gaze. "Arigatou." He shuffled his feet uncomfortably. "I don't know how to thank you… but we… how can I ever repay you?"
" Koutoku, I helped you because I wanted to, I don't intend to ask anything of you." Chichiri glanced obliquely at the old couple, who were now mussing the hair of a very irritated nine-year-old. "Though it certainly wouldn't hurt if you promised to be nice to your foster parents, ne?"
Koutoku grinned. "You needn't even ask."
***
"Leaving so soon? Chichiri-san, why don't you stay longer? " Koutoku begged, with Shunkaku nodding eagerly.
"I would love to, Koutoku, but I really have to go." Chichiri sighed. Taiitsukun had probably found out about the alarming rate of money reduction by now.
Koutoku's face fell. "Where are you going then?"
"Need I be going anywhere?" He wouldn't be able to go anywhere after Taiitsukun had finished with him, he was certain of that. Life was just so unfair.
"Chichiri-san, do promise you'll visit," Shunkaku pleaded, his eyes wide and beseeching.
Chichiri smiled. The younger twin had been terrified of him at first, but Shunkaku had come to like and trust Chichiri well enough after seeing him in his mask.
"I will."
The twins and their newfound family sent him off. The elderly couple couldn't seem to accept the fact that Chichiri didn't need rations, for certain undisclosed reasons. Chichiri, however, persevered, though the old lady seemed to think that he was being unreasonably foolish.
***
Back at Mount Taikyoku…
"SUZAKU SHICHI SEISHI CHICHIRI! What in the name of the four gods did you think you were DOING? Without MY permission!"
"Aww… you're really in for it now," one of the nyan-nyans offered helpfully.
"It not as if she really cares about money…" another continued.
"Nah, she's just sensitive about a certain someone who didn't say please."
"The grand conclusion is…"
"You're dead!!!" They all chorused happily.
Chichiri just wished that the ground would split open at his feet and swallow him whole.
***
· Um… the next chapter's going to be a little slow, as we've got our hands full with add-maths projects, exams, etc. So please be patient, it'll probably be another half-a-month or so. (sighs)
· Still need the Japanese reference stuff? Here it is.
-san - a term of respect
nani - what
· Please review! (falls onto knees) Onegai?
· All right, the prologue and first two chapters have the boring past life covered ( runs from onslaught of Chichiri and Boshi twins fans) . Next chapter's going to be in the Fushigi Yuugi series timeline! Finally…
