* * *
Misty walked out of the inn into the garden behind. There was a small fountain in the middle where blue and pale pink flowers were seen growing around it at the bottom on the forest floor. The grass was green and dark and looked as fresh as morning dew. Tall, dark, gloomy and leafy tress surrounded the garden. The scene was serene except for the occasional silent scream of the cold and chilly wind of the night. There was a wooden bench a few feet from the fountain. None spoke and Misty sat down on the far left end of the bench. Sanzo stopped and after a few seconds, very reluctantly sat down on the far right end of the bench. Misty stared up at the sky. It was like a dark, satiny cloth with many beautiful and glittering sequins sewn on it. The stars seemed so far away but their light was bright.bright as the sun.
Sanzo crossed his arms and frowned in thought. Without looking at her, he finally said, "Why are you out here alone?"
"The Scared Jewel of Hoseki which has been passed down for 6 generations in my family was stolen by demons. For what purpose, I do not know. My father was last to have the heirloom in his keeping. The heirloom was supposed to be given to my eldest brother, Takeshi on his 26th birthday. They must have had a reason to take the jewel but of what power it holds, I know not also," said Misty.
"It must be fate for it was stolen on November the third. My birthday. I was appointed guardian of this jewel hat day, before it was stolen. My father blessed me and said I was now ready to do my task. But after seeing that the jewel was stolen, father was devastated and fell ill for a few days. He soon recovered but he had lost half of his mind. He kept repeating the jewel's name and saying all sorts of terrible things that will come to pass. So I set out to look for the jewel and kill the demons that had stolen it. Takeshi went his own way to find it. He has more knowledge about the heirloom that I know nothing about. But I have heard news: the jewel is on the way to the West," she continued.
Sanzo's eyes widened but he hid it with a frown.
"Why to the West, I wonder?" said Misty thoughtfully. "How about you, Genjo? Who are those 3 demons you have with you?"
"I was appointed a task from the Gods from Heaven to stop this intruder who wants to revive Gyumao, the demon king. That is why the demons have lost control of their power and are turning evil. They sent 3 demons, which really annoys me, to accompany me on my journey. Hakkai, who healed you, wears a controlling device on his ear to stop his darker and menancing side from showing, He is the most human-like.like a woman (tsk.) and is like the father of the whole group. But he nags too much. Goku, that baka saru is just a little kid who has a stomach as a brain. Gojyo, that incorrigible womanizer who smokes and gambles a lot. He's such an annoying bastard!" said Sanzo.
Misty laughed. "Hai, hai. I can see by that. Must be hard being their dad," joked Misty.
Sanzo snorted.
For a few minutes all was quiet except for the harmonic singing from the crickets. Everything was peaceful and quiet. Behind them, noises of laughter and talking were heard made by travelers who had stopped by the inn to stay, who were in the inns most popular room: the bar. They were drinking beer, playing cards or playing mahjong.
Misty stretched out her right hand and laid her hand on Sanzo's hand. She felt his hand stiffen then slowly relaxed but suddenly he snatched back his hand and crossed his arms again.
In surprise, she took back her hand and gave out a sad sigh. "You are cold now, Genjo. Not what you used to be last time. Not as friendly in the beginning."
Sanzo stood up with his hands at his sides and stared at the fountain. "I do not want to revive the past."
"Past? Ch. . . You're pathetic," demanded Misty and sighed again. "I see you have changed," said Misty sadly. She looked to the ground. Under the pale moonlight, she could see the outlined shadow of Sanzo, who stood still and firm as rock.
He is hard and unfriendly. Unlike those 3 years ago, thought Misty.
The night was chilly and a cold wind was blowing. Misty started shivering and she rubbed her palms together to make them warm which had started to feel numb. She suddenly noticed that her injured right shoulder had turned numb from coldness and now hung limply by her side. She knew that the wound had not fully healed yet but she did not say anything. Wearing only a toga top and long pants ( her traveling attire except without the presence of her cloak ), she wasn't dressed for outside. She started chattering as the cold wind pierced her bare skin. She felt so cold and started to lose her focus on things around her.
Suddenly, warmness came back into life inside her body just like fire ablaze anew from the fireplace. She felt no more coldness but warmness and.somehow safe. She looked up to see Sanzo sitting next to her. Sanzo had slid his left robed arm around her shoulder and he clasped both his hands into hers and held them tightly until her hands felt warm again before he took his hand away.
"Genjo?" questioned Misty, confused.
Sanzo sighed. "You have never gotten used to cold weather and it is not even cold tonight."
"You still remember . . . " said Misty, as tears started to form in her eyes but she quickly brushed it away. "I thought you said you wanted to forget the past."
When Sanzo did not answer, Misty stole a glance at his face. Her eyes grew wide with sadness and pity. She turned away.
"You did not use to have the cares and worries you carry now," said Misty in a sorrowful tone.
"But I have always been like this."
"Yes, you did. But it has worsen now," said Misty.
"How are you, Misty-san? Felling better today?" asked Genjo, sitting on the edge of her bed smoothing the bed sheet. He placed some red flowers that had faint golden lines lining its petals into a clear vase filled with spring water.
Misty groaned and turned to him. "I'm getting better, I think. . . though I still feel like shit. My fever has finally gone down," she said. "Hey, you got err. . . dead flowers?!? Thanks, I guess," she said, glancing at the already wilted red flowers.
Genjo smirked at her and said, " Anything to make you recover faster. You heal quickly. . . even though I found you yesterday in a bad state. Plus, you seem to be in a better mood more now."
"And you seem to be kinder now. You actually do have a heart. Who would have guessed?" shot back Misty sarcastically.
Genjo frowned at her and she laughed.
"I do hope my parents do not know of my condition. I do not want to worry them and cause more trouble. It has been a long time since I have seen them," said Misty suddenly. "But my brother, Takeshi, who is four years older will be coming for me. Before I left I told him not to talk to my parents but to say that I am safe," she continued.
Genjo looked at her and somewhat felt drawn towards her. She was a young lady all alone, independent and strong. He felt somehow impressed. "Why did you leave?" asked Genjo.
Misty sighed. "I had a fight with my father. Of what matter, I will not say. Family matters, you might say. I just ran out of the house to relax myself and calm my mood. As you already know, I get agitated and impatient (Genjo rolled his eyes when he remembered the way Misty kept ordering for the curtains to be drawn) quickly. I lost my temper and I started throwing tantrums and when I realized what I had done, I quickly ran out of the house to avoid my father's anger. He was in wrath," laughed Misty. She turned her head to look at the window where sunlight had streamed in.
"That was a year ago. Now I am eighteen. Life at home was boring. I hated it. I wished I had freedom. But . . . now that I think of it, I do not really know what freedom really is," she said in a faraway voice.
Genjo did not answer. Misty sighed.
He finally spoke and said, " 'I do not believe that birds have all the freedom when they can fly. When a bird is tired, if it does not have a tree or a nest to go back to, then there is no freedom in that. Freedom means when you have a place to go back to'.that was what my master told me."
Misty raised her eyebrows and stared at him with impressed looking eyes and said, "Wow. Nice Philosophy."
She got a thwack on the head for that. [ Surprisingly, Sanzo already had a holy paper fan with him that time ]
"I want to explore. See new things. . . not being cooped up all day in a cage. I want to be free," sighed Misty unhappily. "But I am unsure and in doubt."
"Free? That may not always be the perfect answer. Though you do not tell me everything, I know what they are for your eyes tell it all. I cannot help you. You must help yourself firstly. Itis only your past, not your future. Why are you then scared? Running away will only make the past chase you. Confront it! It is only a distant memory," said Genjo.
Suddenly Genjo pulled out a letter that was in his robe. He handed it to her.
"I forgot. Here's a letter for you. A messenger sent it this morning."
Misty slit open the seal with the blade of a dagger which appeared out of nowhere at her will. Genjo noticed this and frowned. She read it and a cry of despair escaped her lips. "What is wrong?" asked Genjo, a concerned look on his face, turning his attention from the dagger to her.
She did not answer but struggled to get out of bed. Genjo surprised, tried to hold down her struggling body.
"Stop! You are not strong enough. Your body will not be able to take too much toil. The poison is still in your body and you must rest," urged Genjo, trying very hard to stop her from getting out of bed.
Misty cried in an urgent tone, "Iie! I must go now! My father is terribly ill and Takeshi wants me to go back home. I must go!"
"But you are not well enough yet! You cannot take the risk. It is still in your body. It needs a fortnight for it to be cleaned from your system. You are too weak now. Iie, you cannot go," said Genjo in a firm voice. Misty looked at him and quickly pushed him away roughly.
"You cannot stop me. It is my matter, not yours. I have to go," said Misty, her eyes locked into Genjo's eyes. Shocked that Misty had pushed him he seemed glued in surprise. Seeing her chance, Misty threw off her blanket and sat up but without warning Genjo suddenly slapped her hard on the cheek and planted his hands firmly on her shoulders. Misty cried out in surprise for the slap had stung. He let go of his grip on her shoulder.
"Under my care you need my permission," he said in an angry voice. "Now stop acting like a brat and think before you act. I will not let you go. Not until you are fully healed," said Genjo finally.
Paralyzed in shock, Misty could not do anything but in the end she turned away from him and stared at the tree outside he window. Genjo waited for a few moments and finally walked out of the room.
Author's note: Thank you for your reviews mina-san! Misty calls Sanzo 'Genjo' because that was what she called him from the beginning so there are parts where Sanzo is changed to Genjo because that happened in the past.
Misty walked out of the inn into the garden behind. There was a small fountain in the middle where blue and pale pink flowers were seen growing around it at the bottom on the forest floor. The grass was green and dark and looked as fresh as morning dew. Tall, dark, gloomy and leafy tress surrounded the garden. The scene was serene except for the occasional silent scream of the cold and chilly wind of the night. There was a wooden bench a few feet from the fountain. None spoke and Misty sat down on the far left end of the bench. Sanzo stopped and after a few seconds, very reluctantly sat down on the far right end of the bench. Misty stared up at the sky. It was like a dark, satiny cloth with many beautiful and glittering sequins sewn on it. The stars seemed so far away but their light was bright.bright as the sun.
Sanzo crossed his arms and frowned in thought. Without looking at her, he finally said, "Why are you out here alone?"
"The Scared Jewel of Hoseki which has been passed down for 6 generations in my family was stolen by demons. For what purpose, I do not know. My father was last to have the heirloom in his keeping. The heirloom was supposed to be given to my eldest brother, Takeshi on his 26th birthday. They must have had a reason to take the jewel but of what power it holds, I know not also," said Misty.
"It must be fate for it was stolen on November the third. My birthday. I was appointed guardian of this jewel hat day, before it was stolen. My father blessed me and said I was now ready to do my task. But after seeing that the jewel was stolen, father was devastated and fell ill for a few days. He soon recovered but he had lost half of his mind. He kept repeating the jewel's name and saying all sorts of terrible things that will come to pass. So I set out to look for the jewel and kill the demons that had stolen it. Takeshi went his own way to find it. He has more knowledge about the heirloom that I know nothing about. But I have heard news: the jewel is on the way to the West," she continued.
Sanzo's eyes widened but he hid it with a frown.
"Why to the West, I wonder?" said Misty thoughtfully. "How about you, Genjo? Who are those 3 demons you have with you?"
"I was appointed a task from the Gods from Heaven to stop this intruder who wants to revive Gyumao, the demon king. That is why the demons have lost control of their power and are turning evil. They sent 3 demons, which really annoys me, to accompany me on my journey. Hakkai, who healed you, wears a controlling device on his ear to stop his darker and menancing side from showing, He is the most human-like.like a woman (tsk.) and is like the father of the whole group. But he nags too much. Goku, that baka saru is just a little kid who has a stomach as a brain. Gojyo, that incorrigible womanizer who smokes and gambles a lot. He's such an annoying bastard!" said Sanzo.
Misty laughed. "Hai, hai. I can see by that. Must be hard being their dad," joked Misty.
Sanzo snorted.
For a few minutes all was quiet except for the harmonic singing from the crickets. Everything was peaceful and quiet. Behind them, noises of laughter and talking were heard made by travelers who had stopped by the inn to stay, who were in the inns most popular room: the bar. They were drinking beer, playing cards or playing mahjong.
Misty stretched out her right hand and laid her hand on Sanzo's hand. She felt his hand stiffen then slowly relaxed but suddenly he snatched back his hand and crossed his arms again.
In surprise, she took back her hand and gave out a sad sigh. "You are cold now, Genjo. Not what you used to be last time. Not as friendly in the beginning."
Sanzo stood up with his hands at his sides and stared at the fountain. "I do not want to revive the past."
"Past? Ch. . . You're pathetic," demanded Misty and sighed again. "I see you have changed," said Misty sadly. She looked to the ground. Under the pale moonlight, she could see the outlined shadow of Sanzo, who stood still and firm as rock.
He is hard and unfriendly. Unlike those 3 years ago, thought Misty.
The night was chilly and a cold wind was blowing. Misty started shivering and she rubbed her palms together to make them warm which had started to feel numb. She suddenly noticed that her injured right shoulder had turned numb from coldness and now hung limply by her side. She knew that the wound had not fully healed yet but she did not say anything. Wearing only a toga top and long pants ( her traveling attire except without the presence of her cloak ), she wasn't dressed for outside. She started chattering as the cold wind pierced her bare skin. She felt so cold and started to lose her focus on things around her.
Suddenly, warmness came back into life inside her body just like fire ablaze anew from the fireplace. She felt no more coldness but warmness and.somehow safe. She looked up to see Sanzo sitting next to her. Sanzo had slid his left robed arm around her shoulder and he clasped both his hands into hers and held them tightly until her hands felt warm again before he took his hand away.
"Genjo?" questioned Misty, confused.
Sanzo sighed. "You have never gotten used to cold weather and it is not even cold tonight."
"You still remember . . . " said Misty, as tears started to form in her eyes but she quickly brushed it away. "I thought you said you wanted to forget the past."
When Sanzo did not answer, Misty stole a glance at his face. Her eyes grew wide with sadness and pity. She turned away.
"You did not use to have the cares and worries you carry now," said Misty in a sorrowful tone.
"But I have always been like this."
"Yes, you did. But it has worsen now," said Misty.
"How are you, Misty-san? Felling better today?" asked Genjo, sitting on the edge of her bed smoothing the bed sheet. He placed some red flowers that had faint golden lines lining its petals into a clear vase filled with spring water.
Misty groaned and turned to him. "I'm getting better, I think. . . though I still feel like shit. My fever has finally gone down," she said. "Hey, you got err. . . dead flowers?!? Thanks, I guess," she said, glancing at the already wilted red flowers.
Genjo smirked at her and said, " Anything to make you recover faster. You heal quickly. . . even though I found you yesterday in a bad state. Plus, you seem to be in a better mood more now."
"And you seem to be kinder now. You actually do have a heart. Who would have guessed?" shot back Misty sarcastically.
Genjo frowned at her and she laughed.
"I do hope my parents do not know of my condition. I do not want to worry them and cause more trouble. It has been a long time since I have seen them," said Misty suddenly. "But my brother, Takeshi, who is four years older will be coming for me. Before I left I told him not to talk to my parents but to say that I am safe," she continued.
Genjo looked at her and somewhat felt drawn towards her. She was a young lady all alone, independent and strong. He felt somehow impressed. "Why did you leave?" asked Genjo.
Misty sighed. "I had a fight with my father. Of what matter, I will not say. Family matters, you might say. I just ran out of the house to relax myself and calm my mood. As you already know, I get agitated and impatient (Genjo rolled his eyes when he remembered the way Misty kept ordering for the curtains to be drawn) quickly. I lost my temper and I started throwing tantrums and when I realized what I had done, I quickly ran out of the house to avoid my father's anger. He was in wrath," laughed Misty. She turned her head to look at the window where sunlight had streamed in.
"That was a year ago. Now I am eighteen. Life at home was boring. I hated it. I wished I had freedom. But . . . now that I think of it, I do not really know what freedom really is," she said in a faraway voice.
Genjo did not answer. Misty sighed.
He finally spoke and said, " 'I do not believe that birds have all the freedom when they can fly. When a bird is tired, if it does not have a tree or a nest to go back to, then there is no freedom in that. Freedom means when you have a place to go back to'.that was what my master told me."
Misty raised her eyebrows and stared at him with impressed looking eyes and said, "Wow. Nice Philosophy."
She got a thwack on the head for that. [ Surprisingly, Sanzo already had a holy paper fan with him that time ]
"I want to explore. See new things. . . not being cooped up all day in a cage. I want to be free," sighed Misty unhappily. "But I am unsure and in doubt."
"Free? That may not always be the perfect answer. Though you do not tell me everything, I know what they are for your eyes tell it all. I cannot help you. You must help yourself firstly. Itis only your past, not your future. Why are you then scared? Running away will only make the past chase you. Confront it! It is only a distant memory," said Genjo.
Suddenly Genjo pulled out a letter that was in his robe. He handed it to her.
"I forgot. Here's a letter for you. A messenger sent it this morning."
Misty slit open the seal with the blade of a dagger which appeared out of nowhere at her will. Genjo noticed this and frowned. She read it and a cry of despair escaped her lips. "What is wrong?" asked Genjo, a concerned look on his face, turning his attention from the dagger to her.
She did not answer but struggled to get out of bed. Genjo surprised, tried to hold down her struggling body.
"Stop! You are not strong enough. Your body will not be able to take too much toil. The poison is still in your body and you must rest," urged Genjo, trying very hard to stop her from getting out of bed.
Misty cried in an urgent tone, "Iie! I must go now! My father is terribly ill and Takeshi wants me to go back home. I must go!"
"But you are not well enough yet! You cannot take the risk. It is still in your body. It needs a fortnight for it to be cleaned from your system. You are too weak now. Iie, you cannot go," said Genjo in a firm voice. Misty looked at him and quickly pushed him away roughly.
"You cannot stop me. It is my matter, not yours. I have to go," said Misty, her eyes locked into Genjo's eyes. Shocked that Misty had pushed him he seemed glued in surprise. Seeing her chance, Misty threw off her blanket and sat up but without warning Genjo suddenly slapped her hard on the cheek and planted his hands firmly on her shoulders. Misty cried out in surprise for the slap had stung. He let go of his grip on her shoulder.
"Under my care you need my permission," he said in an angry voice. "Now stop acting like a brat and think before you act. I will not let you go. Not until you are fully healed," said Genjo finally.
Paralyzed in shock, Misty could not do anything but in the end she turned away from him and stared at the tree outside he window. Genjo waited for a few moments and finally walked out of the room.
Author's note: Thank you for your reviews mina-san! Misty calls Sanzo 'Genjo' because that was what she called him from the beginning so there are parts where Sanzo is changed to Genjo because that happened in the past.