-- Disclaimer -- I do NOT own Gensomaden Saiyuki
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Part II: Cho Hakkai
What happened to me? I'm now a professor at a school. I'm not married, nor have any kids. I don't think I'll have time for them- or I really just don't know my own reasons… but I'm taking care of one infant, in particular- and the father too… the father's just clueless how to raise a baby on his own.
Looking up from the sink, I heard a cry from one of the bedrooms. Sighing, I washed my hands. "Hai hai…" I chuckled quietly as I proceeded into the room.
"Tai-kun…" I started, smiling as I picked up an infant from the crib. Smiling pleasantly at it, I gently rocked it back and forth. The baby's deep amethyst eyes stared at me and slowly smiled. And slowly, those eyes were drifting off to sleep as I hummed to it quietly. "Tai-kun, I'm pretty busy right now… You're so demanding at times, aren't you? Oh, that stare… you probably inherited that from your father." I said to it softly.
"And just what do you mean by that? Na, Hakkai?" a voice from the doorway asked.
"Nothing, Sanzo… really, this is your son, not mine- you should learn how to take care of it." I smiled, as I gentle put the toddler down on the crib. Straightening up, I turned to Sanzo who was leaning against the doorframe. I noticed Sanzo was holding a letter. I looked at him questioningly. "What's that?"
"Oh, this?" Sanzo asked, tossing him the letter as we left the room and went into the dining room. "It's a letter from saru."
"Goku?" I echoed, took it and read it aloud:
Sanzo,
Long time no hear. I managed to locate you after all these years! Anyway Hakkai sent me an invitation, hope you'll go to that too. I will.
Ja ne.
Goku
ps: It's kinda weird that you have the same address as Hakkai does…
Sanzo looked up from the paper as I gave a small chuckle, "The prodigal pet returns, ne, Sanzo?"
"Urusai."
"Make yourself useful, help me with the preparations for the party tomorrow." I said, tearing a piece of paper from a notebook.
"Whatever."
I took my coat that was hanging from the stand and my wallet, I turned to Sanzo. "I'm going to town to buy things. Keep and ear and eye on Tai. Would you be needing anything?" I asked, opening the door.
"Nothing." He mumbled, without looking up from the paper.
"Alright then, I'll be back in an hour."
-- grocery --
Looking at my list, I proceeded to the next aisle. I've always done the
shopping, cooking- all the chores. Scanning the shelves, I was looking at my
list and the numerous cans and boxes in front of me.
"Hakkai-san?"
I spun around, blinking in surprise. A slender woman with soft saffron eyes, long hair and a ready smile was behind me. "Yaone-san?" I asked in disbelief.
"Hai… It's been a while, hasn't it?" she smiled.
"Yeah… very long." I laughed. "How are you doing? Never thought I'd run into you here."
"We're in town for a few days. On a business trip, as you could say."
"I see…" I nodded. We?
"Oh well… I think I'm disturbing you or something… I'd better get going…" she started to say.
"Oh, no, it's alright…" I said quickly. She smiled. "Yaone-san, would you like to have coffee or something?" I offered casually. She looked at me thoughtfully, and then smiled.
"I'm so sorry, Hakkai-san… we're in a bit of a hurry today." she said, glancing at her watch. "Right, Kage?" she added, turning to a boy behind to her.
The young boy said nothing. I assumed he was at around the age of eight. I smiled at him, "Kage-kun? You have a nice name."
"Hai. 'Shadow'." he answered politely, looking at me. That stare is oddly familiar, I thought. Then it hit me, I mentally laughed for not noticing it before. Besides from the same saffron eyes and fair complexion as Yaone has, his other features, even his posture and way of coolness were identical to one person: Kougaiji. I see… so Kougaiji beats me again. I smiled, partly laughing at myself for actually hoping- wishing of something ridiculously impossible. Kage then turns to Yaone, "Mother?"
"Yes, Kage?"
"Is this man the Cho Hakkai?"
Yaone smiled at him, "Yes, Kage."
Kage turned to me and bowed politely. "Pleased to meet you, sir."
I laughed and placed a hand on his head. "Kage-kun, no formalities. Pleased to meet you too."
"Kage, I want you to pay for what you got and wait patiently outside, alright?"
"Yes, mother." He said. "Good bye, Hakkai-san." He said, bowing politely before leaving.
I smiled at Yaone, "You've raised a fine young man, Yaone-san."
"Both Kou and I want Kage raised properly, etiquette and self-control are the main things." She laughed. "Saki will probably end up like Kage."
"Saki?"
"Oh, our other son, just a few months old. I left him with his father."
"Oh… is that why you're in a hurry right now?"
"I'm really sorry…"
"Oh, Yaone-san. I'll be having a reunion tomorrow, you and Kougaiji-san are welcome to drop by."
"Thank you… we'll see. I have to go see if Kou will want to." She smiled. "I'll try to let you know."
"Alright, that'll be great."
-- home --
"I'm back." I called, depositing the groceries on the table.
"Sanzo?" I called again. Curiously, I went to Sanzo's room.
He's not here… I thought, and went to Tai's room. "San-"
I started to call, and then I smiled. The afternoon light filtered throught
the translucent curtains, I saw Sanzo sitting on the armchair by the window
with Tai in his arms- both of them were asleep.
"Like father, like son." I chuckled lightly, softly closing the door. I've always felt kind of sorry for Sanzo. His wife died right after Tai was born- but when he got married, he changed. After she died, his old self resurfaced. And even though he doesn't show it, I know how he's feeling. I know he needs Tai- just like when Goku had needed him- maybe that's why Sanzo named him after the sun. Taiyo.
Maybe that's why… I thought as I sorted out my shopping, I've always known Yaone will end up with Kougaiji- I just have no chance of competing. Another reason might be, for not settling down, I smiled, is that these two needs me more than anything else. I think I belong here more than anywhere else.
-- a/n -- Tsk- so, what do you think? ^-^ still continue?
I tend to be a *bit melancholic at end bits. Lol. Don't forget the review!!