Chapter 5
Sanzo's POV
I was kind of getting impatient waiting for the saru to come back. I mean, Goku really took his time in taking a piss. I was ready to hop off Hakuryu to find him and beat him to a pulp when I heard him scream for my help. Forgetting all madness and irritation, I ran as fast as I could to get to his side.
I vaguely hear and felt Hakkai and Gojyo hop off the jeep to follow me too. I stop dead in my tracks when I see Goku still screaming his head off, and oh my, I thought naughtily as my hand flew to my mouth to stifle a laugh.
Yup, he forgot to raise his pants and he was fully exposed too. Though I really wanted the sight..... I'm kind of selfish about it. So when I heard Hakkai and Gojyo gasp I know its time for me to act.
I went to the saru's side menacingly to give him a whack in the head, which in turn made him stop screaming. When he decided to stop off his ear shattering yell, he decides to point aimlessly in front of him.
"Baka saru! What do you think you're doing?" I ask him indignantly whilst helping him pull his pants up his waist.
"Ne Sanzo? I think he's okay just minutes ago." Gojyo said a mean grin in his face. I took out my gun and fired three times. One over his head, one just missing his right ear and the last one barely missing his left ear.
"Sanzo!!! You might kill me!" Gojyo said shrilly as he hid his lanky frame behind the ever smiling Hakkai.
"That's what I'm aiming for." I murmured as I turned to Goku, who seems to have calmed down.
"Oi saru what happened?" I ask while looking at him strangely. Whatever it is, it must be really frightening since Goku's never afraid of any enemy. May it be a kami, a demon prince or whatever, nobody and I mean no one fazes him. Well maybe except me. I thought smugly, I grin spreading over my features at the thought.
"Over there! She's peeking!" I turned to look over to where he is pointing and saw a young maiden of about 19, looking very pretty. She had climbed out of the hole she came peeking through and she had a huge smile over her face.
"I'm sorry, little one. Did I scare you?" She said as she closes the distance between her and Goku. I move over Goku to cover him protectively.
"Who are you?" I ask her tentatively, not rudely. I don't know. Something about her makes you respect and adore her. Maybe because of the way she moves..... She's so graceful; you'd think she's dancing. I hear a piercing whistle, and I sweat dropped involuntarily.
Gojyo. I thought angrily. If there's a woman, Gojyo's bound to be like that. Oh you know the flirting galore. But I think no matter how Gojyo flirts with this woman.... Oh bless his heart. I shook my head in disgust when I heard Gojyo howl in pain. Me and the saru turned to take a look.
Hakkai had 'accidentally' stepped on Gojyo's foot, uh, a little too hardly. The ever present smile was still present although it was strained and it looked at little too smug for my taste. Hmp. The kappa deserved it nonetheless. That's the price he'll pay for not keeping his hormones in check.
The maiden laughed gaily. She turned to Goku once again and dropped to her knees clutching Goku's hand.
"I'm sorry if I scared you." She said sincerely. The saru looked at her surprised but nodded all the same.
"It's okay. I was just surprised that's all. No harm done." The woman smiled serenely. Still holding Goku's hand she brought it to her chest in a fond manner.
"Don't worry about anything. I didn't see a thing." She said while winking at Goku. I happened looked at her eyes. I was surprised to see that it was a beautiful shade of blue, almost as blue as the morning sky...... But it was a little dull. A light bulb flashed in my head.
"You're blind?" I asked aloud. She turned to me and nodded.
"Sad but true. Although I think it's not a disability at all." She stood up and dusted her knees. Gojyo laughed.
"Hah! Oi, saru! You've been afraid of such a silly thing." Goku blushed. Probably because of his own stupidity.
"Urusai." He yelled angrily. I fired my gun again to silence the two sarus off. From years of experience I know that it's the best way to put a lid on their mouths. The woman laughed again in amazement.
"I'm sorry if I've been so rude. You must be wondering who I am." Goku nodded fervently.
"Baka saru! She can't see you!" Gojyo whispered to Goku who had already stood up as well.
"Che."
"I'm Hestia." She said as she took a bow. Wait. That name's kind of familiar. I'm sure I've heard it somewhere.
"Pleased to meet you! I'm Goku and this kappa here is Gojyo." Goku said as points toward Gojyo, who had an irritated look on his face.
"I'm Hakkai." Hakkai said as he reaches out his hand to shake Hestia's hand.
"And this is Sanzo!" Goku said happily as he bounded next to me all genky and excited.
"The Sanzo ikkou?" Hestia asked, her forehead creased up.
"Hai. You've heard of us?" Hakkai asked her politely.
"Of course. The famous Sanzo ikkou." She said breathily, her hands flying to her face, getting her hair out of her eyes.
"Are you alright, Hestia?" I asked her. I you ask me, she suddenly looked pale and out of breath. She shook her head.
"I'm fine." She made her way towards Goku. You know what? I'm surprised. She's blind but she can tell who is who and she knows where to go. I guess she's right in telling that it really isn't a disability for her. I looked at their exchange amused.
"Seiten Taisen Son Goku?" She asks as she dropped to her knees again, clutching the saru's hand again.
"How did you know....?" Goku didn't finish his question when the woman suddenly hugged her tightly. Tears were streaming down her face.
"Now I'm a step closer to my son." She mumbles as she continues to hug Goku like her own child.
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Goku's POV
After Hestia had finally let go of me, she excused herself for losing her cool. I told her its okay. I really don't mind. I mean, I could do with a little motherly love.
She led us down her hiding place. I'm a tad surprised when we descended down. There's a whole village down there. They're living normally and peacefully minus the sun and the sky and the rain.
My eyes budged at the sight of food, meat buns, dumplings, fried rice.....I drooled just thinking about eating them. But then I restrained myself. I have work to do.
I just remembered the folklore and about Hakkai's story about the strange old woman he talked with. This was all it. A village underground...... Acres and acres of lifeless land..... It's just too much of a coincidence. All we need to find now is the sage.
"Ne, Hestia? Do you know the sage?" I asked her eagerly.
"I'll answer all your questions once we reach my house." She didn't talk for a while and so do we. Hakkai, Gojyo and even Sanzo were looking around fascinated about the place. I would also if I weren't so worked out about the situation.
Hestia stopped at the biggest house in the village and after fumbling with the door, she let herself in and us. Once we were settled nicely in, I pounced on her like a cat with a bug.
"Hestia? How did you know that I was Seiten Taisen?"
"I just knew." She answered mysteriously. My mouth dropped open.
"Do you know where the sage is? Or if there really is a sage?" Hakkai asked.
"I'm the sage." She answered shortly. Soon enough, Gojyo's mouth dropped open too. I snorted.
"Yeah right. And I'm the tooth fairy." Sanzo said sarcastically.
"You are?!!" Me, Hakkai and Gojyo turned to ask Sanzo.
"Shine." He said venom in his voice. Well, so much for the laugh. We wouldn't dare risking our lives especially in Sanzo's hands. He is very much capable of doing that you know.
"I am telling the truth. I am the sage. Don't you know of the great uprising to us spell casters?" She asked us confused.
"We knew. But you wouldn't expect us to believe that you are the heroine of the folklore?" Hakkai asked a challenge in his voice. I nodded fervently.
"I'm not asking you to." She said as she raised her arms. She started chanting. A blue light blinded us. When it faded, Gojyo had disappeared.
"Where's the kappa?" I asked aloud looking everywhere. Hakkai shrieked, pointing to his side. In the place of Gojyo sat a large, red bull toad.
"Don't tell me that's Gojyo." Sanzo said, suppressing a smile.
"That's one of the few spells I make." Hestia said smiling. She raised her hands again in the air and started chanting. Gojyo reappeared after a hazy fog cleared up.
"Awww... And I wanted Gojyo to stay that way...!" I said smiling smugly at the ero kappa. He looked pissed but didn't say anything at all.
"Do you believe me now?" Hestia asked. One by one we slowly nod our heads.
"Its true that I am the chosen maiden. I eliminated everything in my path to save my child and my people. I thought back then that it was the only hope."
"That's understandable. I heard that the youkai numbers were just....damn too many." Hakkai finished lamely.
"Yes. And although we knew how to fight.... Even if we defeated them they just kept pouring in." Hestia paused for awhile before continuing.
"I just gave birth to my son.... I wanted him to see the world, to experience life... That's why I thought I'd sacrifice myself."
"You're too giving." I murmured touched by the woman's love for her child. That makes me wish that I too have a mother.
"But I forgot one thing."
"What?" Sanzo asked, obvious that he's itching to know more.
"I passed the test. To be the chosen one. Heaven blessed me and in turn made me a lower class kami. I'm immortal."
"Oh." Hakkai mumbled, understanding why the woman stayed young and alive all these years.
"I would die but then be revived again after a day. When I woke up... my son was gone. He was taken by his father." Hestia's voice choked.
"Why don't you look for him? I'm sure you could..." Gojyo stopped short when Hestia held up her hand.
"I can't. I knew where they are. But I can't go."
"Why?" I asked her, saddened about her fate.
"Because they're in heaven. My child's father is a kami."
"What?! Then your child is a heretic!" Sanzo exclaimed.
"He is." Hestia nodded.
"But the only heretics we know of are... Goku, Homura and...." Hakkai stopped then he turned to look at me.
"Don't tell me your child's Nataku!" I exclaimed, surprised.
"He is my son. My sole purpose for living is to meet him again."
"Hestia." I said, barely containing my happiness. This is what I've been waiting for. Maybe she knows a way to get my memories back....Anyway that is what Kanzeon Bosatsu said. Hestia turned to me a pleading look in her features.
"Goku. I know everything about my son. He is now under the spell of his father. You will be the only one who can save him from further loneliness and suffering."
"How did you know all that?" Sanzo asks suspiciously.
"I also have the gift of foretelling the future. Just last night I dreamt of something horrible."
"What is it?" Hakkai asks alarmed. Hestia pursed her lips.
"Blood will be spilled. From two heretics." Everyone's eyes is on me. I could feel it.
"Is there a way to prevent it?" Sanzo asks panicked. Hestia nodded.
"All I know is that Goku should get his memory back. But I don't know how that will help.... My dreams only tell me that far...."
"How will I get it back?" I asked determined. I would do everything in my power to stop that from happening.
"You should go back to the last place where the two of you had your last share of happiness." Hestia said as she lifts her head as if sensing a presence.
t.b.c
Sanzo's POV
I was kind of getting impatient waiting for the saru to come back. I mean, Goku really took his time in taking a piss. I was ready to hop off Hakuryu to find him and beat him to a pulp when I heard him scream for my help. Forgetting all madness and irritation, I ran as fast as I could to get to his side.
I vaguely hear and felt Hakkai and Gojyo hop off the jeep to follow me too. I stop dead in my tracks when I see Goku still screaming his head off, and oh my, I thought naughtily as my hand flew to my mouth to stifle a laugh.
Yup, he forgot to raise his pants and he was fully exposed too. Though I really wanted the sight..... I'm kind of selfish about it. So when I heard Hakkai and Gojyo gasp I know its time for me to act.
I went to the saru's side menacingly to give him a whack in the head, which in turn made him stop screaming. When he decided to stop off his ear shattering yell, he decides to point aimlessly in front of him.
"Baka saru! What do you think you're doing?" I ask him indignantly whilst helping him pull his pants up his waist.
"Ne Sanzo? I think he's okay just minutes ago." Gojyo said a mean grin in his face. I took out my gun and fired three times. One over his head, one just missing his right ear and the last one barely missing his left ear.
"Sanzo!!! You might kill me!" Gojyo said shrilly as he hid his lanky frame behind the ever smiling Hakkai.
"That's what I'm aiming for." I murmured as I turned to Goku, who seems to have calmed down.
"Oi saru what happened?" I ask while looking at him strangely. Whatever it is, it must be really frightening since Goku's never afraid of any enemy. May it be a kami, a demon prince or whatever, nobody and I mean no one fazes him. Well maybe except me. I thought smugly, I grin spreading over my features at the thought.
"Over there! She's peeking!" I turned to look over to where he is pointing and saw a young maiden of about 19, looking very pretty. She had climbed out of the hole she came peeking through and she had a huge smile over her face.
"I'm sorry, little one. Did I scare you?" She said as she closes the distance between her and Goku. I move over Goku to cover him protectively.
"Who are you?" I ask her tentatively, not rudely. I don't know. Something about her makes you respect and adore her. Maybe because of the way she moves..... She's so graceful; you'd think she's dancing. I hear a piercing whistle, and I sweat dropped involuntarily.
Gojyo. I thought angrily. If there's a woman, Gojyo's bound to be like that. Oh you know the flirting galore. But I think no matter how Gojyo flirts with this woman.... Oh bless his heart. I shook my head in disgust when I heard Gojyo howl in pain. Me and the saru turned to take a look.
Hakkai had 'accidentally' stepped on Gojyo's foot, uh, a little too hardly. The ever present smile was still present although it was strained and it looked at little too smug for my taste. Hmp. The kappa deserved it nonetheless. That's the price he'll pay for not keeping his hormones in check.
The maiden laughed gaily. She turned to Goku once again and dropped to her knees clutching Goku's hand.
"I'm sorry if I scared you." She said sincerely. The saru looked at her surprised but nodded all the same.
"It's okay. I was just surprised that's all. No harm done." The woman smiled serenely. Still holding Goku's hand she brought it to her chest in a fond manner.
"Don't worry about anything. I didn't see a thing." She said while winking at Goku. I happened looked at her eyes. I was surprised to see that it was a beautiful shade of blue, almost as blue as the morning sky...... But it was a little dull. A light bulb flashed in my head.
"You're blind?" I asked aloud. She turned to me and nodded.
"Sad but true. Although I think it's not a disability at all." She stood up and dusted her knees. Gojyo laughed.
"Hah! Oi, saru! You've been afraid of such a silly thing." Goku blushed. Probably because of his own stupidity.
"Urusai." He yelled angrily. I fired my gun again to silence the two sarus off. From years of experience I know that it's the best way to put a lid on their mouths. The woman laughed again in amazement.
"I'm sorry if I've been so rude. You must be wondering who I am." Goku nodded fervently.
"Baka saru! She can't see you!" Gojyo whispered to Goku who had already stood up as well.
"Che."
"I'm Hestia." She said as she took a bow. Wait. That name's kind of familiar. I'm sure I've heard it somewhere.
"Pleased to meet you! I'm Goku and this kappa here is Gojyo." Goku said as points toward Gojyo, who had an irritated look on his face.
"I'm Hakkai." Hakkai said as he reaches out his hand to shake Hestia's hand.
"And this is Sanzo!" Goku said happily as he bounded next to me all genky and excited.
"The Sanzo ikkou?" Hestia asked, her forehead creased up.
"Hai. You've heard of us?" Hakkai asked her politely.
"Of course. The famous Sanzo ikkou." She said breathily, her hands flying to her face, getting her hair out of her eyes.
"Are you alright, Hestia?" I asked her. I you ask me, she suddenly looked pale and out of breath. She shook her head.
"I'm fine." She made her way towards Goku. You know what? I'm surprised. She's blind but she can tell who is who and she knows where to go. I guess she's right in telling that it really isn't a disability for her. I looked at their exchange amused.
"Seiten Taisen Son Goku?" She asks as she dropped to her knees again, clutching the saru's hand again.
"How did you know....?" Goku didn't finish his question when the woman suddenly hugged her tightly. Tears were streaming down her face.
"Now I'm a step closer to my son." She mumbles as she continues to hug Goku like her own child.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----
Goku's POV
After Hestia had finally let go of me, she excused herself for losing her cool. I told her its okay. I really don't mind. I mean, I could do with a little motherly love.
She led us down her hiding place. I'm a tad surprised when we descended down. There's a whole village down there. They're living normally and peacefully minus the sun and the sky and the rain.
My eyes budged at the sight of food, meat buns, dumplings, fried rice.....I drooled just thinking about eating them. But then I restrained myself. I have work to do.
I just remembered the folklore and about Hakkai's story about the strange old woman he talked with. This was all it. A village underground...... Acres and acres of lifeless land..... It's just too much of a coincidence. All we need to find now is the sage.
"Ne, Hestia? Do you know the sage?" I asked her eagerly.
"I'll answer all your questions once we reach my house." She didn't talk for a while and so do we. Hakkai, Gojyo and even Sanzo were looking around fascinated about the place. I would also if I weren't so worked out about the situation.
Hestia stopped at the biggest house in the village and after fumbling with the door, she let herself in and us. Once we were settled nicely in, I pounced on her like a cat with a bug.
"Hestia? How did you know that I was Seiten Taisen?"
"I just knew." She answered mysteriously. My mouth dropped open.
"Do you know where the sage is? Or if there really is a sage?" Hakkai asked.
"I'm the sage." She answered shortly. Soon enough, Gojyo's mouth dropped open too. I snorted.
"Yeah right. And I'm the tooth fairy." Sanzo said sarcastically.
"You are?!!" Me, Hakkai and Gojyo turned to ask Sanzo.
"Shine." He said venom in his voice. Well, so much for the laugh. We wouldn't dare risking our lives especially in Sanzo's hands. He is very much capable of doing that you know.
"I am telling the truth. I am the sage. Don't you know of the great uprising to us spell casters?" She asked us confused.
"We knew. But you wouldn't expect us to believe that you are the heroine of the folklore?" Hakkai asked a challenge in his voice. I nodded fervently.
"I'm not asking you to." She said as she raised her arms. She started chanting. A blue light blinded us. When it faded, Gojyo had disappeared.
"Where's the kappa?" I asked aloud looking everywhere. Hakkai shrieked, pointing to his side. In the place of Gojyo sat a large, red bull toad.
"Don't tell me that's Gojyo." Sanzo said, suppressing a smile.
"That's one of the few spells I make." Hestia said smiling. She raised her hands again in the air and started chanting. Gojyo reappeared after a hazy fog cleared up.
"Awww... And I wanted Gojyo to stay that way...!" I said smiling smugly at the ero kappa. He looked pissed but didn't say anything at all.
"Do you believe me now?" Hestia asked. One by one we slowly nod our heads.
"Its true that I am the chosen maiden. I eliminated everything in my path to save my child and my people. I thought back then that it was the only hope."
"That's understandable. I heard that the youkai numbers were just....damn too many." Hakkai finished lamely.
"Yes. And although we knew how to fight.... Even if we defeated them they just kept pouring in." Hestia paused for awhile before continuing.
"I just gave birth to my son.... I wanted him to see the world, to experience life... That's why I thought I'd sacrifice myself."
"You're too giving." I murmured touched by the woman's love for her child. That makes me wish that I too have a mother.
"But I forgot one thing."
"What?" Sanzo asked, obvious that he's itching to know more.
"I passed the test. To be the chosen one. Heaven blessed me and in turn made me a lower class kami. I'm immortal."
"Oh." Hakkai mumbled, understanding why the woman stayed young and alive all these years.
"I would die but then be revived again after a day. When I woke up... my son was gone. He was taken by his father." Hestia's voice choked.
"Why don't you look for him? I'm sure you could..." Gojyo stopped short when Hestia held up her hand.
"I can't. I knew where they are. But I can't go."
"Why?" I asked her, saddened about her fate.
"Because they're in heaven. My child's father is a kami."
"What?! Then your child is a heretic!" Sanzo exclaimed.
"He is." Hestia nodded.
"But the only heretics we know of are... Goku, Homura and...." Hakkai stopped then he turned to look at me.
"Don't tell me your child's Nataku!" I exclaimed, surprised.
"He is my son. My sole purpose for living is to meet him again."
"Hestia." I said, barely containing my happiness. This is what I've been waiting for. Maybe she knows a way to get my memories back....Anyway that is what Kanzeon Bosatsu said. Hestia turned to me a pleading look in her features.
"Goku. I know everything about my son. He is now under the spell of his father. You will be the only one who can save him from further loneliness and suffering."
"How did you know all that?" Sanzo asks suspiciously.
"I also have the gift of foretelling the future. Just last night I dreamt of something horrible."
"What is it?" Hakkai asks alarmed. Hestia pursed her lips.
"Blood will be spilled. From two heretics." Everyone's eyes is on me. I could feel it.
"Is there a way to prevent it?" Sanzo asks panicked. Hestia nodded.
"All I know is that Goku should get his memory back. But I don't know how that will help.... My dreams only tell me that far...."
"How will I get it back?" I asked determined. I would do everything in my power to stop that from happening.
"You should go back to the last place where the two of you had your last share of happiness." Hestia said as she lifts her head as if sensing a presence.
t.b.c