Standard Disclaimers Apply

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Chapter 2

"Rebirth"

            I awoke with a start to the sound of thunder vibrating through the walls of my room. A pair of violet eyes peeked behind closed lids only to be greeted by a depressing cloak of darkness. My eyes roved around the room and lands upon the glass doors that separated the balcony from the insides of my room. As lightning struck, the whole place became illuminated in brightness enabling me to catch a glimpse of heavy sheets of rain whipping up my doors. The wind hitting it with enough force to rattle the knobs, but not enough to cause any worry. I turn away from the view, propping my head on top of my arm and stared blankly at the wall, its color obscured by the darkness. Awaking in a bad weather was not a good way to start the day. It only served to dampen my already dark mood. I decided then to skip classes. It's not as if the professors are crazy enough to brave the storm anyhow. Even if by some miracle they do decide to continue with classes, there's always tomorrow. School won't be going anywhere anyway. So I rest my eyes to sleep. Minutes trickled by but still sleep eluded me. I tried once again, this time keeping my mind completely blank, but it was no use. My consciousness was widely aroused. Thin brows drew together in a sharp frown as my eyes narrowed. That was the last straw. Now I was definitely pissed. I laid on my back to stare at the ceiling. The occasional flashes driving the shadows away for scant seconds until it gets reclaimed by darkness.

            "Ch'!" I hefted myself off the bed and went in search of the pack of cigarettes I had placed somewhere nearby. I located them shortly by the bed stand after much groping, and my fingers latch on eagerly to a stick. I wasted no time lighting it up and drawing nicotine into my system. It seemed to calm me somewhat. At least my bad mood has been alleviated, even if just a little. Now there was one thing that Sanzo guy and I had in common, cigarettes and beer. The fact that our resemblance to each other was eerily great we could be mistaken for twins, or that our names were exactly the same escaped my notice. Perhaps I was in denial. It didn't really matter. It was not like the dream had any great significance in my life.

            My movements stilled almost immediately as the word 'dream' sank into my consciousness.  I scowled as I remembered the real reason why I was in such a bad mood. It was that damn dream again. I don't know why I'm even having them in the first place, or why I was always privy to that Sanzo guy's thoughts, and his alone. Hell, I don't even believe in reincarnation and all that crap about karma. Never been the superstitious type. Never will be. Yet, the memory of those haunting gold eyes never left my mind's eye. The dreams always did that to me. Plunging me into a world beyond the realm of reality...thrusting my consciousness to this particular man's side...forcing me to listen to his thoughts...forcing me to watch him grow... The sweetness and bitterness of his youth. The tragedy of his teens.

            Anger

            Loneliness

            Betrayal

            Hate

            Emptiness

            I looked on as a silent spectator as all these emotions gnawing at his heart transformed that innocent boy into a cold-hearted man. I kept my vigil as he walked on the earth to sate his blind thirst for vengeance. His struggle for sanity as his bloodlust for youkais steadily increased. I was thankful he was able to save himself from the madness within him. I did not think I could watch him destroy himself without going insane myself. I applauded his efforts to fight his inner demons and winning, though just barely. Enough to gain control over his life at least, which was what really mattered. And the bloodlust was replaced with aloofness, forming a thick wall of ice around his heart. A desperate attempt to shelter his heart. To hide what little love he still had within him, preventing it from being snatched and trampled on by fate's whims. Only to be transformed again as he slowly found his redemption through the guise of his 'followers', and through the youth he often called 'baka saru.' And then the memory of his eyes remained in me. I do not know why I feel this strong connection to this boy. I have never met him, and have only seen him through Sanzo's eyes. Maybe because, I'm the Sanzo in this lifetime...

            Even as I thought of it, the words sounded ludicrous to my mind. My lips formed into a smirk as I continued to consider the possibility. It went beyond everything I believed in. There is no such thing as reincarnation. The hell if I'll be the first to believe in it. But for some insane reason, a part of me couldn't help wishing it was true.

-TBC-

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Kieran: In case you're wondering, I do have a plot for this story. But it won't be shown till later.

R&R please!