Senko-san: Hi again, minna san! Finally, I've got some ideas on the next
chapter, and I'm feeling so excited to get started! ^_^
Riyo-san: ...Don't you always? -_-;
Senko-san: *Pretends not to hear her.* Anyway, in this chapter, I'm gonna add another character... so I guess it's gonna be a bit crowded...
Riyo-san: Just start writing it, okay??? -_-###
Warning: Beware of foul language!!! ^_^;;;
Chapter 5
Along the way, Hakkai was quiet. Rio didn't want to bother him much as well. She knew it wasn't the right time to say or ask him anything. He needs to calm down... Meeting Keiko before really gave him a shock.
"...Gome ne, Rio-san..." Hakkai spoke softly.
"Ah? Eh, iie...daijobu daiyo..." he startled her.
"I wasn't like myself...she reminded me of someone I knew..."
"...Your girlfriend?"
He was taken aback when she mentioned that. He tried to remain calm and kept the smile on his face.
"How did you know that?"
"Gome ne...Gojyo told me about your past..."
"He did? Ha! Ha! That explains everything...daijobu...you didn't do anything wrong..."
"...Hai."
That night, Goku gobbled up almost everything on the table. The only difference was Gojyo wasn't at the table with them. He decided to go and gamble since they were leaving in the morning. Of course, he wanted to get some chicks as well.
Suddenly, both Rio and Hakkai heard a familiar voice from the reception's desk.
"Gumbawa...annou...do you have a room available?"
Both Rio and Hakkai turned to face the person.
"Hey, that voice sounds like..." Rio began.
"It's Keiko-san." Hakkai still felt his feelings were all mixed-up together.
"Keiko-san?" Goku asked.
"She's the one we were talking to you about before..." Rio explained.
"Oh?" Goku exclaimed.
Sanzo gazed at Keiko. ...So this is the "Keiko" they were talking about...
"Hakkai? Do you want to call her over???" Goku asked eagerly.
Before Hakkai could react towards his question, Keiko turned and saw them.
"Let me check if there are any rooms available, I'll get back to you in a moment...sumimasen..." The receptionist apologized.
"Iya, daijobu. I'll wait." She bowed back.
She approached their table and smiled.
"Minna san...what a coincidence. Thanks again for saving me today..." she said.
"Ha! Ha! Don't worry about it! We can't just pass by acting like nothing happened..." Hakkai forced himself to say.
"Hai...demo, hontouni arigato gozaimasu!"
"Really! There's no need to thank us! Demo ne, would you like to join us?' Hakkai's smile was still plastered on his face. But inside, he wasn't sure what he felt...
"Yeah! Come and join us! There are still lots of food!" Goku exclaimed cheerfully.
"Yeah, and most of it will be gobbled up by you..." Rio muttered.
"What did you say?" Goku asked her.
"Iya...betsuni..." she replied plainly. You bakasaru!
Keiko giggled.
"Arigato gozaimasu...demo, is it really alright for me to join all of you?" She asked again.
"Please! You are more than welcome to have dinner with us!" Hakkai offered her a seat.
She paused for a moment before sitting down. She looked at Hakkai. His eyes are so gentle... She smiled and thanked them.
"Ah! Let me introduce you to everyone... the ones beside you are Goku and Sanzo. This is Rio, and I'm Hakkai..."
"Hai...in that case, let me introduce myself once more, my name is Keiko. Hajime mashite, minna san..." she bowed.
All of them exchanged glances before Goku called the waiter to get more food...
"Ah! There is one more person you haven't met..." Hakkai suddenly remembered.
"Um? Who?"
"A friend of mine...Gojyo..."
"Oh..."
"Gome ne...he is out in town at the moment..."
"Don't worry. That's alright. I'm sure we'll meet each other soon..." she smiled gently.
They were about to finish their meal when the receptionist approached her.
"Sumimasen, demo, all our rooms are occupied..."
"Ah? Oh...sooka? Arigato gozaimasu..."
The inn was really in the 'rush-hour' seasons. Even they only managed to obtain three rooms. All of them were quiet for awhile. Then, Rio looked at the receptionist.
"Do you have an extra mattress or bed available?"
"Ah? Yes...we do..."
"Could you put one in my room?"
"Of course, sir. I'll get someone to do it right away..." the receptionist bowed and walked away.
All of them looked at Rio.
"Rio-san, annou..." Keiko wanted to ask.
"You can sleep in my room..." Rio answered.
"Eh???"
"Doshite?"
"Iya, betsuni...demo..." Keiko stopped. She had a worried expression on her face.
"Why? Do you have anywhere to go?" Rio asked.
"No...demo..."
"Then it's settled. Come. Let's go now..." Rio got up.
"Hai, hai! Oyasumi nasai, Rio-san, Keiko-san."
"Aah. Oyasumi..." Rio coldly replied.
"Um...Hai...Oyasumi nasai, minna san..." Keiko followed Rio slowly.
"I think we should get some rest as well, ne? Sanzo?" Hakkai got up.
Sanzo took his time before he replied.
"Oi, Hakkai..."
"Hai? Nandesuka?"
"...Be careful...you're not acting like yourself at all..." Sanzo's words gave him a shock. "Ikuzou, Goku..."
"Ah! Hai! Oyasumi, Hakkai!" Goku chased Sanzo, whom was already heading away from the table.
Both Goku and Sanzo headed towards their room. Hakkai was left alone, entertaining his own thoughts. Not like myself, eh? Hmm...I guess he is right...I should get a grip...
"We're here..." Rio unlocked the door. "Come in."
"Ah...um...arigato..." Keiko thanked nervously and entered.
The mattress was already there.
"What's the matter? Why are you so tensed?"
"That...um...it's because..." Keiko couldn't find the words to explain. How am I suppose to say it? Are there any words that are gentle enough to say it?
Rio watched her reaction for a few minutes. Sighing, she took off her shirt. What is it she wanted to say???
After Keiko saw her with only her sleeveless shirt, she was dumbfounded.
"A-annou...Rio-san? You're a woman???"
"Hmm? Yeah, I am. Why?"
"Sooka??? Yukatta ne..." she sighed out in relief. I worried myself for nothing...
Rio looked at her, confused. Then, she understood. She smirked.
"Ch! Did you think I would let you stay in my room if I'm a guy?"
"A-ah! Sumimasen! I didn't know you were a woman with that scarf on..." Keiko apologized.
"Iya, betsuni...it wasn't your fault...I prefer it that way, anyway..." Rio placed her shirt on the sofa.
"I think we should sleep now. It's getting late..." She lay down on the mattress.
"Ara? If you sleep down there, who's going to sleep on the bed???" Keiko asked in surprise.
"Ch! You are!" Rio simply replied.
"Nani? D-demo...Rio-san! I can't do that! This is your room...-"
"Yeah, so that means I can do what I want, can't I? And I want you to sleep on that bed, is that clear??? I'm going to sleep now. Don't bother me over small matters...or you'll see the other side of my character...believe me...it won't be pretty..." She warned.
"H-hai...oyasumi nasai...Rio-san..."
"Aah. Oyasumi..." Rio shut her eyes.
It was quiet again. Keiko awkwardly went on the bed. She still felt uneasy of sleeping on it while Rio slept on the mattress. She tried to brush away the thought and tried to sleep.
As the hours went by, Hakkai still couldn't sleep. He sat by the windowsill, staring at the night sky. Suddenly, he heard the doorknob being turned. He looked at the door, wondering who it was. To his surprise, Gojyo burst in, furious about something.
"Gojyo? I thought you wouldn't be coming back tonight..." Hakkai approached his friend.
"Ch! So did I! But...DAMN THAT WOMAN!!!" Gojyo sat on the bed, smoking his cigarette.
"Ara??? Ha! Ha! Ha! This is the first time I heard that type of remark from you, Gojyo. Usually, you'll keep on blabbering about how beautiful women are..."
"Ch! Of course women are beautiful, not to mention sexy...and...hey wait a minute! Who's blabbering???"
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Sumimasen..." Hakkai sat beside him.
"Ch! Takke..." he smoked his cigarette again.
"Do you want to tell me about it?" Hakkai asked.
"Eh?" Gojyo looked at his friend.
Hakkai's smile was gentle, yet, concern as well.
"Ch! I don't know what to do with you..." Gojyo smirked, placing the cigarette in the ashtray.
"Earlier on, I was having a hell of a time...enjoying myself..."
"Gambling, ne?"
"Aah..."
Gojyo was gambling to his heart content, and was winning big. Suddenly, a woman, around 20 years old, approached him. She had brown – almond slanted eyes. Her hairstyle is short, like a guy's and is dark brown. She had a confident looking smile on her face. Her way of dressing was quite attractive as well. She wore an orange sleeveless shirt, with black jeans, revealing her body structure. She tied a grayish-black jacket on her waist and wore dark brown boots.
"Do you mind if I play a game with you?" she asked.
"Eh?"
"What's the matter? Afraid of losing to a woman?" she raised one of her eyebrows.
"Ch! Fine. You're on!"
"Let's have a game of poker, is that okay?" she sat down.
"Heh...anything's fine by me..." Gojyo smirked.
That was when everything started to get wrong...his luck twisted. Everyone gathered around to watch them gamble. They were quite amused to see a woman gambling, and winning...
D-Damn! I'm losing to a woman!!! This can't be happening! The only person whom can win strikes like these is Hakkai!!! Damn it!!! This sucks!!!
Not long after that, Gojyo forced himself to give up. She almost drained up all the money he had! Satisfied, she agreed to it. He headed out of the door, bearing with the embarrassment and annoyance he felt.
"Demo, you are one tough opponent...I hope we can play again in the future..." She grinned.
He felt his face getting red.
"You was just lucky, ojyosan...that's what it was...just luck...I ran out of 'lady-luck' tonight, that's all...you haven't seen my real skills yet..." he forced himself to say.
"Hontou? Demo, don't tell me your 'lady-luck' sided with me tonight! Ha! Ha! How can it, right? Cause I'm a woman too!!!" she laughed.
He tried to act cool till he was out of that building. Inside, he felt so furious, angry. Damn it! She even mocked me in front of those people!!! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! I'll get her somehow!!!
"DAMN THAT BITCH!!!" Gojyo exclaimed and whammed the table beside him, causing the ashtray to topple over.
"Yare yare desu ne..." Hakkai sighed. So that's what it's all about... 'Women- trouble...'
"Grr! Even thinking about it makes me mad!"
"Well...what are you going to do?"
"I don't know yet...but I'll think of something..."
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Iya...what I mean is, right now? Would you like to rest first?" Hakkai giggled.
"NANI??? You're asking me whether I want to rest after all that happened..." Gojyo stood up.
"Ah...um...iya...that's not what I meant..." Hakkai answered, sweat-dropping.
"Ch! How could I sleep now??? Fine!!! I'm going out to relax myself!" Gojyo stormed out of the door, leaving Hakkai watching him go.
Sometimes, you are too childish, Gojyo... Hakkai sighed and shut the door.
Gojyo walked out of town, into the forest. He was still angry, though not angry as he was before. Talking to Hakkai did some good after all... That Hakkai! "Sleep???" How can he think of "sleeping" at a time like this! That was my pride I was talking about!!!
As he was muttering angrily at himself, he heard some people talking. He paused and tried to listen to the conversation. Hmm...are they people living around here? ...Let's see...there are two, ...no, more than two are talking... what's going on???
He cautiously followed the faint voices. Not long after, he saw a small hut, there were people outside of it. Mostly children... They surrounded a taller figure, an adult. Wait a minute...that guy looks familiar... He looked harder on the person, and realized who it was... What the-...!!! Isn't that the BITCH that made me lose 'BIG TIME'???
True enough, it was the woman who gambled against Gojyo before. She didn't realize he was there. The children greeted her happily. She was happy to see them too.
Ch! Don't tell me those are her kids! It can't be!!!
"How are all of you doing?" she asked them.
"We are fine, onechan!" They answered cheerfully.
"That's good to hear. And since all of you have been good today, I'll give all of you a treat!" She winked.
The children squealed with laughter. She took out a paper bag filled with cakes and sweets. The children were excited to see them. She handed it to the oldest and he gave each of them fairly. They were very well behaved children. Then, a woman in her thirties stepped out of the hut. She smiled to herself watching the children enjoying their treats.
"How are you feeling?" She asked the woman.
"I'm feeling much better, thank you. I think I'll be able to start work tomorrow... arigato gozaimasu...for everything..."
"Iya, don't worry about it! Besides, I owe you one..." she smiled.
...What is going on here? Gojyo asked himself. He kept watching them having fun.
"Okay! Make sure you guys brush your teeth before going to sleep! And you better do it now! It's getting late!" She ordered.
"Hai, onechan!!!" They obeyed and went indoors.
"Takke...why are they still awake anyway??? They should be asleep by now..." she sighed.
"Sumimasen...demo, I can't get them to do that till you came...they are really so fond of you..." the thirty looking woman smiled in return.
"Ch! Is that so? Heh! That's something I don't hear everyday..." she smirked.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! I think you deserve the compliment..."
"Hmm...whatever...okay then...I have to go...Oh! Before I forget..." She took out a pouch and handed it to the woman. "This is for you."
"Eh? Kore wa...?" she opened the pouch.
She was surprised when she saw the contents in it.
"This...this is...you...I-I can't except this! This is too much! You've done a lot for us already!" She handed back the pouch.
"I'm not taking it back. If you don't want to use it on yourself, use it for the children..." she pushed the pouch back into the woman's hands.
"D-demo..."
"You guys have given me something much more valuable than money; friendship..." she smiled.
"...Hai...arigato gozaimasu..." the woman felt touched.
"Okay...I have to go now...jya ne."
"Jya ne...itirashai..."
"Aah. You too..." she waved goodbye as she walked away.
Gojyo didn't leave his hiding place. He watched her vanish back into the forest. Ch! So that's it? She came to pay this family a visit? He remembered her giving the children the paper bag. Those treats...did she get them with the money she won? Perhaps...even the 'contents' in that pouch...
He didn't leave his hiding place for some time. He was deep in thought. His anger faded a long time ago. His revenge as well. After awhile, he got up and decided to stroll a bit deeper into the forest before heading back.
As he got deeper, a lake came into his view. It looked beautiful. He slowly approached it. Suddenly, he heard something not far from where he was. Someone is in trouble. He followed the sound. He got closer and closer to the lake. He saw a person was being attacked by youkais.
"Teme!!! BACK OFF!!!" the person warned.
"Hah! Or what? You can't hurt us!" a youkai mocked.
"Heh! You asked for it!!!"
Wait a minute! Isn't that her??? Gojyo paused. It was the same woman he kept bumping into. Her hands were suddenly on fire. That shocked the youkais and Gojyo. She smirked and strikes the first youkai in front of her, setting him aflame. The youkai screamed in pain and jumped into the lake.
"Well? How about it?" she raised one of her eyebrows.
"Kuso..." He finally stood up in the water.
He was badly burned, but he still didn't want to let her go.
"WHAT ARE ALL OF YOU DOING JUST STANDING THERE??? GET HER!!!" He ordered.
The others snapped out of their 'little trances' and began to attack her from every angle. Kuso... She was ready to fight back. Suddenly, two of the youkais got cut into half, and turned to dust.
"N-nani???" the first youkai exclaimed.
Then, she saw the weapon that killed the two; a chained crescent, being pull back towards its owner.
"Takke...you guys really have no manners towards women...you'll never get women to like you that way..." Gojyo smirked as the crescent clicked back onto the staff.
"O-omae..." she looked at him in surprise.
"We meet again, ojyosan..." He said, in his most charming tone.
"...You're that guy that lost to me before...right?" she recalled.
"Oi...you don't have to put it that way..." He felt embarrassed.
"What are you doing here anyway?"
"Just taking the night air..."
Seeing the two very relaxed, made the youkai annoyed. Teme...it's as if we didn't exist!!!
"HOW DARE YOU TWO LOOK DOWN ON US!!? WE'LL TEACH YOU BOTH A LESSON!!! ATTACK!!!"
"Ch! What nonsense..." she grunted.
"This won't take long..." Gojyo smirked.
He killed eight of them, including the one in the lake, and she killed six. As she killed the last one, she accidentally lost her balance and fell into the lake. SH-SHIMATA!!! She splashed into the water. She spluttered and gasped for air, but it wasn't long until she sank again.
Oi...don't tell me... Gojyo watched her bobbing in the water. Takke! She can't swim??? He dived into the lake.
She lost her breath. She was sinking fast. Everything around her was getting blur. Suddenly, she felt someone grasped her gently and brought her to shore. The minute she reached the shore, she gasped for air. He got out of the water and took off his jacket squeezed water out of it. Man! How many times a day does I need to do my laundry???
The moonlight brightened their surroundings a bit. He patted her on the shoulder.
"Oi, are you okay?" he asked.
Suddenly, he was taken aback with what he saw. N-Nani??? H-her hair... Her hair was no longer dark brown, so were her eyes. They were red, just like his. The water seemed to wash away the color of her hair and eyes.
She slowly turned to face his astonished face. She was still out of breath, but gave a smile.
"Oh...looks like you know now..."
"...Aah. Demo...why do you have to hide them?" he snapped back to reality.
"...Because...I was afraid..."
"Afraid?"
"Yeah...afraid...of being rejected..."
'Rejected', huh? Gojyo flashed back of his own memories; his step- mother, his older brother...how she died, how his brother cried...everything...
"Demo...when I saw you today...walking confidently, not hiding your hair and eyes...somehow, I felt as if I had to talk to you...that was why I asked for a game with you..." she explained.
'Walking confidently', is it? Ch! I guess so...
"After I met you...I realized that I shouldn't run away from myself...I have to except who I am..."
Both were silent. Suddenly, he felt sorry for her. He knew how she felt. He sat down beside her.
"Ch! There's one part you got me wrong..."
She looked puzzled. What does he mean? He smiled charmingly at her.
"I don't feel confident walking in public, revealing my hair and eyes...I walk like that because I don't have a choice..."
"...Sooka?"
"Aah. Do you understand now?"
"...Yeah, I suppose..."
"Hmm...since that's over..." he took out his cigarette and lit it. "May I know your name, ojyosan?"
"...Hikaze..."
"Hikaze? Hmm...that's an interesting name..." he smirked.
"How about you?"
"Me? My name's Gojyo. Sha Gojyo."
"Pleased to meet you, Gojyo."
"Likewise, Hikaze-san."
Senko-san: Hmm...so, what do you think? Forgive me if it was a bit lame, because I was just writing away to my heart's content...
Riyo-san: I told you not to get over-excited...
Senko-san: Shut up! I'm different when I'm writing, okay??? I can't help it!!!
Riyo-san: Suit yourself...
Senko-san: Here's the glossary!
Chapter 5
Iie - No, Daijobu daiyo - Don't worry about it, Gumbawa – Good evening, Minna san – everyone, Sooka? – Is that so?, Nandesuka? – What is it?, Ikuzou – Let's go, Itirashai – Take care, Kuso – Damn it, Omae – You
Riyo-san: ...Don't you always? -_-;
Senko-san: *Pretends not to hear her.* Anyway, in this chapter, I'm gonna add another character... so I guess it's gonna be a bit crowded...
Riyo-san: Just start writing it, okay??? -_-###
Warning: Beware of foul language!!! ^_^;;;
Chapter 5
Along the way, Hakkai was quiet. Rio didn't want to bother him much as well. She knew it wasn't the right time to say or ask him anything. He needs to calm down... Meeting Keiko before really gave him a shock.
"...Gome ne, Rio-san..." Hakkai spoke softly.
"Ah? Eh, iie...daijobu daiyo..." he startled her.
"I wasn't like myself...she reminded me of someone I knew..."
"...Your girlfriend?"
He was taken aback when she mentioned that. He tried to remain calm and kept the smile on his face.
"How did you know that?"
"Gome ne...Gojyo told me about your past..."
"He did? Ha! Ha! That explains everything...daijobu...you didn't do anything wrong..."
"...Hai."
That night, Goku gobbled up almost everything on the table. The only difference was Gojyo wasn't at the table with them. He decided to go and gamble since they were leaving in the morning. Of course, he wanted to get some chicks as well.
Suddenly, both Rio and Hakkai heard a familiar voice from the reception's desk.
"Gumbawa...annou...do you have a room available?"
Both Rio and Hakkai turned to face the person.
"Hey, that voice sounds like..." Rio began.
"It's Keiko-san." Hakkai still felt his feelings were all mixed-up together.
"Keiko-san?" Goku asked.
"She's the one we were talking to you about before..." Rio explained.
"Oh?" Goku exclaimed.
Sanzo gazed at Keiko. ...So this is the "Keiko" they were talking about...
"Hakkai? Do you want to call her over???" Goku asked eagerly.
Before Hakkai could react towards his question, Keiko turned and saw them.
"Let me check if there are any rooms available, I'll get back to you in a moment...sumimasen..." The receptionist apologized.
"Iya, daijobu. I'll wait." She bowed back.
She approached their table and smiled.
"Minna san...what a coincidence. Thanks again for saving me today..." she said.
"Ha! Ha! Don't worry about it! We can't just pass by acting like nothing happened..." Hakkai forced himself to say.
"Hai...demo, hontouni arigato gozaimasu!"
"Really! There's no need to thank us! Demo ne, would you like to join us?' Hakkai's smile was still plastered on his face. But inside, he wasn't sure what he felt...
"Yeah! Come and join us! There are still lots of food!" Goku exclaimed cheerfully.
"Yeah, and most of it will be gobbled up by you..." Rio muttered.
"What did you say?" Goku asked her.
"Iya...betsuni..." she replied plainly. You bakasaru!
Keiko giggled.
"Arigato gozaimasu...demo, is it really alright for me to join all of you?" She asked again.
"Please! You are more than welcome to have dinner with us!" Hakkai offered her a seat.
She paused for a moment before sitting down. She looked at Hakkai. His eyes are so gentle... She smiled and thanked them.
"Ah! Let me introduce you to everyone... the ones beside you are Goku and Sanzo. This is Rio, and I'm Hakkai..."
"Hai...in that case, let me introduce myself once more, my name is Keiko. Hajime mashite, minna san..." she bowed.
All of them exchanged glances before Goku called the waiter to get more food...
"Ah! There is one more person you haven't met..." Hakkai suddenly remembered.
"Um? Who?"
"A friend of mine...Gojyo..."
"Oh..."
"Gome ne...he is out in town at the moment..."
"Don't worry. That's alright. I'm sure we'll meet each other soon..." she smiled gently.
They were about to finish their meal when the receptionist approached her.
"Sumimasen, demo, all our rooms are occupied..."
"Ah? Oh...sooka? Arigato gozaimasu..."
The inn was really in the 'rush-hour' seasons. Even they only managed to obtain three rooms. All of them were quiet for awhile. Then, Rio looked at the receptionist.
"Do you have an extra mattress or bed available?"
"Ah? Yes...we do..."
"Could you put one in my room?"
"Of course, sir. I'll get someone to do it right away..." the receptionist bowed and walked away.
All of them looked at Rio.
"Rio-san, annou..." Keiko wanted to ask.
"You can sleep in my room..." Rio answered.
"Eh???"
"Doshite?"
"Iya, betsuni...demo..." Keiko stopped. She had a worried expression on her face.
"Why? Do you have anywhere to go?" Rio asked.
"No...demo..."
"Then it's settled. Come. Let's go now..." Rio got up.
"Hai, hai! Oyasumi nasai, Rio-san, Keiko-san."
"Aah. Oyasumi..." Rio coldly replied.
"Um...Hai...Oyasumi nasai, minna san..." Keiko followed Rio slowly.
"I think we should get some rest as well, ne? Sanzo?" Hakkai got up.
Sanzo took his time before he replied.
"Oi, Hakkai..."
"Hai? Nandesuka?"
"...Be careful...you're not acting like yourself at all..." Sanzo's words gave him a shock. "Ikuzou, Goku..."
"Ah! Hai! Oyasumi, Hakkai!" Goku chased Sanzo, whom was already heading away from the table.
Both Goku and Sanzo headed towards their room. Hakkai was left alone, entertaining his own thoughts. Not like myself, eh? Hmm...I guess he is right...I should get a grip...
"We're here..." Rio unlocked the door. "Come in."
"Ah...um...arigato..." Keiko thanked nervously and entered.
The mattress was already there.
"What's the matter? Why are you so tensed?"
"That...um...it's because..." Keiko couldn't find the words to explain. How am I suppose to say it? Are there any words that are gentle enough to say it?
Rio watched her reaction for a few minutes. Sighing, she took off her shirt. What is it she wanted to say???
After Keiko saw her with only her sleeveless shirt, she was dumbfounded.
"A-annou...Rio-san? You're a woman???"
"Hmm? Yeah, I am. Why?"
"Sooka??? Yukatta ne..." she sighed out in relief. I worried myself for nothing...
Rio looked at her, confused. Then, she understood. She smirked.
"Ch! Did you think I would let you stay in my room if I'm a guy?"
"A-ah! Sumimasen! I didn't know you were a woman with that scarf on..." Keiko apologized.
"Iya, betsuni...it wasn't your fault...I prefer it that way, anyway..." Rio placed her shirt on the sofa.
"I think we should sleep now. It's getting late..." She lay down on the mattress.
"Ara? If you sleep down there, who's going to sleep on the bed???" Keiko asked in surprise.
"Ch! You are!" Rio simply replied.
"Nani? D-demo...Rio-san! I can't do that! This is your room...-"
"Yeah, so that means I can do what I want, can't I? And I want you to sleep on that bed, is that clear??? I'm going to sleep now. Don't bother me over small matters...or you'll see the other side of my character...believe me...it won't be pretty..." She warned.
"H-hai...oyasumi nasai...Rio-san..."
"Aah. Oyasumi..." Rio shut her eyes.
It was quiet again. Keiko awkwardly went on the bed. She still felt uneasy of sleeping on it while Rio slept on the mattress. She tried to brush away the thought and tried to sleep.
As the hours went by, Hakkai still couldn't sleep. He sat by the windowsill, staring at the night sky. Suddenly, he heard the doorknob being turned. He looked at the door, wondering who it was. To his surprise, Gojyo burst in, furious about something.
"Gojyo? I thought you wouldn't be coming back tonight..." Hakkai approached his friend.
"Ch! So did I! But...DAMN THAT WOMAN!!!" Gojyo sat on the bed, smoking his cigarette.
"Ara??? Ha! Ha! Ha! This is the first time I heard that type of remark from you, Gojyo. Usually, you'll keep on blabbering about how beautiful women are..."
"Ch! Of course women are beautiful, not to mention sexy...and...hey wait a minute! Who's blabbering???"
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Sumimasen..." Hakkai sat beside him.
"Ch! Takke..." he smoked his cigarette again.
"Do you want to tell me about it?" Hakkai asked.
"Eh?" Gojyo looked at his friend.
Hakkai's smile was gentle, yet, concern as well.
"Ch! I don't know what to do with you..." Gojyo smirked, placing the cigarette in the ashtray.
"Earlier on, I was having a hell of a time...enjoying myself..."
"Gambling, ne?"
"Aah..."
Gojyo was gambling to his heart content, and was winning big. Suddenly, a woman, around 20 years old, approached him. She had brown – almond slanted eyes. Her hairstyle is short, like a guy's and is dark brown. She had a confident looking smile on her face. Her way of dressing was quite attractive as well. She wore an orange sleeveless shirt, with black jeans, revealing her body structure. She tied a grayish-black jacket on her waist and wore dark brown boots.
"Do you mind if I play a game with you?" she asked.
"Eh?"
"What's the matter? Afraid of losing to a woman?" she raised one of her eyebrows.
"Ch! Fine. You're on!"
"Let's have a game of poker, is that okay?" she sat down.
"Heh...anything's fine by me..." Gojyo smirked.
That was when everything started to get wrong...his luck twisted. Everyone gathered around to watch them gamble. They were quite amused to see a woman gambling, and winning...
D-Damn! I'm losing to a woman!!! This can't be happening! The only person whom can win strikes like these is Hakkai!!! Damn it!!! This sucks!!!
Not long after that, Gojyo forced himself to give up. She almost drained up all the money he had! Satisfied, she agreed to it. He headed out of the door, bearing with the embarrassment and annoyance he felt.
"Demo, you are one tough opponent...I hope we can play again in the future..." She grinned.
He felt his face getting red.
"You was just lucky, ojyosan...that's what it was...just luck...I ran out of 'lady-luck' tonight, that's all...you haven't seen my real skills yet..." he forced himself to say.
"Hontou? Demo, don't tell me your 'lady-luck' sided with me tonight! Ha! Ha! How can it, right? Cause I'm a woman too!!!" she laughed.
He tried to act cool till he was out of that building. Inside, he felt so furious, angry. Damn it! She even mocked me in front of those people!!! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! I'll get her somehow!!!
"DAMN THAT BITCH!!!" Gojyo exclaimed and whammed the table beside him, causing the ashtray to topple over.
"Yare yare desu ne..." Hakkai sighed. So that's what it's all about... 'Women- trouble...'
"Grr! Even thinking about it makes me mad!"
"Well...what are you going to do?"
"I don't know yet...but I'll think of something..."
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Iya...what I mean is, right now? Would you like to rest first?" Hakkai giggled.
"NANI??? You're asking me whether I want to rest after all that happened..." Gojyo stood up.
"Ah...um...iya...that's not what I meant..." Hakkai answered, sweat-dropping.
"Ch! How could I sleep now??? Fine!!! I'm going out to relax myself!" Gojyo stormed out of the door, leaving Hakkai watching him go.
Sometimes, you are too childish, Gojyo... Hakkai sighed and shut the door.
Gojyo walked out of town, into the forest. He was still angry, though not angry as he was before. Talking to Hakkai did some good after all... That Hakkai! "Sleep???" How can he think of "sleeping" at a time like this! That was my pride I was talking about!!!
As he was muttering angrily at himself, he heard some people talking. He paused and tried to listen to the conversation. Hmm...are they people living around here? ...Let's see...there are two, ...no, more than two are talking... what's going on???
He cautiously followed the faint voices. Not long after, he saw a small hut, there were people outside of it. Mostly children... They surrounded a taller figure, an adult. Wait a minute...that guy looks familiar... He looked harder on the person, and realized who it was... What the-...!!! Isn't that the BITCH that made me lose 'BIG TIME'???
True enough, it was the woman who gambled against Gojyo before. She didn't realize he was there. The children greeted her happily. She was happy to see them too.
Ch! Don't tell me those are her kids! It can't be!!!
"How are all of you doing?" she asked them.
"We are fine, onechan!" They answered cheerfully.
"That's good to hear. And since all of you have been good today, I'll give all of you a treat!" She winked.
The children squealed with laughter. She took out a paper bag filled with cakes and sweets. The children were excited to see them. She handed it to the oldest and he gave each of them fairly. They were very well behaved children. Then, a woman in her thirties stepped out of the hut. She smiled to herself watching the children enjoying their treats.
"How are you feeling?" She asked the woman.
"I'm feeling much better, thank you. I think I'll be able to start work tomorrow... arigato gozaimasu...for everything..."
"Iya, don't worry about it! Besides, I owe you one..." she smiled.
...What is going on here? Gojyo asked himself. He kept watching them having fun.
"Okay! Make sure you guys brush your teeth before going to sleep! And you better do it now! It's getting late!" She ordered.
"Hai, onechan!!!" They obeyed and went indoors.
"Takke...why are they still awake anyway??? They should be asleep by now..." she sighed.
"Sumimasen...demo, I can't get them to do that till you came...they are really so fond of you..." the thirty looking woman smiled in return.
"Ch! Is that so? Heh! That's something I don't hear everyday..." she smirked.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! I think you deserve the compliment..."
"Hmm...whatever...okay then...I have to go...Oh! Before I forget..." She took out a pouch and handed it to the woman. "This is for you."
"Eh? Kore wa...?" she opened the pouch.
She was surprised when she saw the contents in it.
"This...this is...you...I-I can't except this! This is too much! You've done a lot for us already!" She handed back the pouch.
"I'm not taking it back. If you don't want to use it on yourself, use it for the children..." she pushed the pouch back into the woman's hands.
"D-demo..."
"You guys have given me something much more valuable than money; friendship..." she smiled.
"...Hai...arigato gozaimasu..." the woman felt touched.
"Okay...I have to go now...jya ne."
"Jya ne...itirashai..."
"Aah. You too..." she waved goodbye as she walked away.
Gojyo didn't leave his hiding place. He watched her vanish back into the forest. Ch! So that's it? She came to pay this family a visit? He remembered her giving the children the paper bag. Those treats...did she get them with the money she won? Perhaps...even the 'contents' in that pouch...
He didn't leave his hiding place for some time. He was deep in thought. His anger faded a long time ago. His revenge as well. After awhile, he got up and decided to stroll a bit deeper into the forest before heading back.
As he got deeper, a lake came into his view. It looked beautiful. He slowly approached it. Suddenly, he heard something not far from where he was. Someone is in trouble. He followed the sound. He got closer and closer to the lake. He saw a person was being attacked by youkais.
"Teme!!! BACK OFF!!!" the person warned.
"Hah! Or what? You can't hurt us!" a youkai mocked.
"Heh! You asked for it!!!"
Wait a minute! Isn't that her??? Gojyo paused. It was the same woman he kept bumping into. Her hands were suddenly on fire. That shocked the youkais and Gojyo. She smirked and strikes the first youkai in front of her, setting him aflame. The youkai screamed in pain and jumped into the lake.
"Well? How about it?" she raised one of her eyebrows.
"Kuso..." He finally stood up in the water.
He was badly burned, but he still didn't want to let her go.
"WHAT ARE ALL OF YOU DOING JUST STANDING THERE??? GET HER!!!" He ordered.
The others snapped out of their 'little trances' and began to attack her from every angle. Kuso... She was ready to fight back. Suddenly, two of the youkais got cut into half, and turned to dust.
"N-nani???" the first youkai exclaimed.
Then, she saw the weapon that killed the two; a chained crescent, being pull back towards its owner.
"Takke...you guys really have no manners towards women...you'll never get women to like you that way..." Gojyo smirked as the crescent clicked back onto the staff.
"O-omae..." she looked at him in surprise.
"We meet again, ojyosan..." He said, in his most charming tone.
"...You're that guy that lost to me before...right?" she recalled.
"Oi...you don't have to put it that way..." He felt embarrassed.
"What are you doing here anyway?"
"Just taking the night air..."
Seeing the two very relaxed, made the youkai annoyed. Teme...it's as if we didn't exist!!!
"HOW DARE YOU TWO LOOK DOWN ON US!!? WE'LL TEACH YOU BOTH A LESSON!!! ATTACK!!!"
"Ch! What nonsense..." she grunted.
"This won't take long..." Gojyo smirked.
He killed eight of them, including the one in the lake, and she killed six. As she killed the last one, she accidentally lost her balance and fell into the lake. SH-SHIMATA!!! She splashed into the water. She spluttered and gasped for air, but it wasn't long until she sank again.
Oi...don't tell me... Gojyo watched her bobbing in the water. Takke! She can't swim??? He dived into the lake.
She lost her breath. She was sinking fast. Everything around her was getting blur. Suddenly, she felt someone grasped her gently and brought her to shore. The minute she reached the shore, she gasped for air. He got out of the water and took off his jacket squeezed water out of it. Man! How many times a day does I need to do my laundry???
The moonlight brightened their surroundings a bit. He patted her on the shoulder.
"Oi, are you okay?" he asked.
Suddenly, he was taken aback with what he saw. N-Nani??? H-her hair... Her hair was no longer dark brown, so were her eyes. They were red, just like his. The water seemed to wash away the color of her hair and eyes.
She slowly turned to face his astonished face. She was still out of breath, but gave a smile.
"Oh...looks like you know now..."
"...Aah. Demo...why do you have to hide them?" he snapped back to reality.
"...Because...I was afraid..."
"Afraid?"
"Yeah...afraid...of being rejected..."
'Rejected', huh? Gojyo flashed back of his own memories; his step- mother, his older brother...how she died, how his brother cried...everything...
"Demo...when I saw you today...walking confidently, not hiding your hair and eyes...somehow, I felt as if I had to talk to you...that was why I asked for a game with you..." she explained.
'Walking confidently', is it? Ch! I guess so...
"After I met you...I realized that I shouldn't run away from myself...I have to except who I am..."
Both were silent. Suddenly, he felt sorry for her. He knew how she felt. He sat down beside her.
"Ch! There's one part you got me wrong..."
She looked puzzled. What does he mean? He smiled charmingly at her.
"I don't feel confident walking in public, revealing my hair and eyes...I walk like that because I don't have a choice..."
"...Sooka?"
"Aah. Do you understand now?"
"...Yeah, I suppose..."
"Hmm...since that's over..." he took out his cigarette and lit it. "May I know your name, ojyosan?"
"...Hikaze..."
"Hikaze? Hmm...that's an interesting name..." he smirked.
"How about you?"
"Me? My name's Gojyo. Sha Gojyo."
"Pleased to meet you, Gojyo."
"Likewise, Hikaze-san."
Senko-san: Hmm...so, what do you think? Forgive me if it was a bit lame, because I was just writing away to my heart's content...
Riyo-san: I told you not to get over-excited...
Senko-san: Shut up! I'm different when I'm writing, okay??? I can't help it!!!
Riyo-san: Suit yourself...
Senko-san: Here's the glossary!
Chapter 5
Iie - No, Daijobu daiyo - Don't worry about it, Gumbawa – Good evening, Minna san – everyone, Sooka? – Is that so?, Nandesuka? – What is it?, Ikuzou – Let's go, Itirashai – Take care, Kuso – Damn it, Omae – You