Senko-san: Huh! Finally! I've just returned from a three days camp! I'm
sooo worn out...demo, I MUST write this next chapter first! I've got new
ideas in my head and I don't want it to go to waste...^_^
Riyo-san: Just write the damn thing! I wanna get some shuteye! -_-#
Senko-san: Wakatta ne...
The stars were glittering happily, accompanying the moon. Everything was calm, peaceful. Hakkai let his thoughts drift away into the night sky. He couldn't sleep. Slowly, he looked down below his room towards the garden. He noticed there was someone there. Is that...Gojyo? He looked harder. ...Iya...the figure is smaller... Ah! Isn't that...?
He decided to take a look. He went downstairs, towards the garden. The person was still there. He slowly approached her. Seeing the person up close, he knew who she was. So, I was correct. It's...
"Keiko-san?"
She looked at him in surprise.
"Hakkai...-san?"
"Gome ne, did I scare you?"
"Iya...daijobu..."
"Err...what are you doing out here?"
"Nothing much...just taking a stroll..."
"Can't sleep, eh?"
"Em...you too?"
Hakkai just smiled in reply. Both were silent for a while. Then, the cold, night breeze came.
"Annou...why don't we go inside and have some tea?" Hakkai suggested.
"Ah? Em...hai! That's a good idea!" she smiled. She headed for the kitchen.
"Annou...I'll go and boil some water first...do you mind waiting for awhile?" she asked.
"Iie. Daijobu desu..." He replied.
"It won't be long..."
"Hai...arigato gozaimasu..."
She entered the kitchen and started to boil a kettle of water. Hakkai sat at the table and waited.
After a few minutes, the tea was ready. She was about to bring it out when suddenly, she felt uneasy. She looked behind her and saw a youkai grinning slyly at her. Seeing him, caused her to drop the tray and sent it crashing to the floor.
The sound of crashing essentials startled Hakkai. He ran towards the kitchen immediately.
"Keiko!!! Daijobu desu ka???" Hakkai saw her, backing to the wall.
The youkai got closer towards her. Then, he turned to look at Hakkai.
"H-Hakkai...-san..." she saw him, fear in her eyes.
"You...DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!!!" Hakkai warned.
"Heh...yeah, right! Threats like that will never work on me..." the youkai laughed.
More of them appeared, grinning slyly at both of them. Shimata... Hakkai went in front of her, trying to protect her. This time...no matter what happens... His past flashed back into his mind. I'm going to protect her!!!
He released a powerful 'ki' energy, destroying half of the youkais around. Shimata...they keep on coming...if this goes on...
"HAKKAI-SAN!!! LOOK OUT!!! BEHIND YOU!!!"
He turned and saw a youkai about to pounce on him, ready to stab him. He wasn't ready to counter it. S-Shimata!!!
"IYA!!! YAMETE!!!" She screamed.
Suddenly, the youkai froze. Both Hakkai and the youkai looked confused. Slowly, the youkai looked at his hand. It was bleeding.
"N-nani???" he questioned.
Suddenly, he felt his whole body was in pain. Hakkai was shocked with what he saw. The youkai was bleeding! As he looked closer, the youkai was going to fall in pieces! It was as if he was cut by something thin, and sharp. The youkai screamed in pain one last time before he turned to dust.
"H-Hakkai...-san? Daijobu daiyo?" a voice quivered.
Hakkai looked at her in astonishment. Then, he saw something at her fingers. It looked like rings, but when looked closer, it looked more like weapons.
"Keiko...you did that?"
"H-hai...I can control these threads...that's why..." she answered nervously.
"Keiko-san..."
"I-I...didn't want you to get hurt...you are so nice to me...dakara ne..."
Hakkai smiled. He felt happier after listening to her words. Perhaps...both of us...are given another chance to redeem ourselves...
"Daijobu. Arigato gozaimasu..." Hakkai patted her on the shoulder.
"...Hai...Hakkai...-san..." Keiko slowly smiled back at him.
Hakkai saw it. Her smile, it was the smile that he had missed for a long time. I thought...I would never see a smile like that again... Without him realizing it, he slowly grasped her, and held her tight. She was stunned, but she remembered earlier that day, his reactions showed her that she reminded him of someone he really loved. Therefore, she didn't fight back. Besides...I understand the way he feels...I've lost some precious people in my life as well... She closed her eyes to hold back her tears.
"HAKKAI!!!"
A voice startled both of them. Hakkai let her go immediately and both of them looked at the person running towards them.
"G-Goku?"
"Hakkai!!! Keiko-san!!! What happened??? Whoa! What happened to the kitchen???" the youth asked in amazement. Sanzo and Rio came after him. Both not in a good mood.
"Ah? Ha! Ha! Actually...we were attacked by youkais..." Hakkai explained.
Rio noticed that Hakkai and Keiko were blushing slightly. Perhaps, even Sanzo noticed it as well.
"AH??? YOUKAIS???" Goku exclaimed in disbelief.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Daijobu, Goku. We're both fine..." Hakkai smiled.
"Eh??? Nani???" Goku asked, puzzled.
"Eh?" Hakkai looked confused.
"Ch! I thought I could have some fun! But it looks like you guys finished it before I even got here!!!" Goku grumbled.
"...Oh! Ha! Ha! Ha! Sumimasen!!!" Hakkai laughed at his own silliness. Of course Goku's not worried about us! He knew we could handle those youkais...
"So, I guess we're not needed anymore, are we?" Rio asked.
"Eh? Aah..." Hakkai slowly answered.
"Ch! Takke! You guys woke me up for nothing! Don't do that again!" Sanzo turned around, heading towards his room.
"AH!!! MATTE, SANZO!!!" Goku chased him.
Rio headed towards her room as well.
"Oi, Keiko..."
"Ah! Hai?"
"...Iya, betsuni...I guess I'll leave the two of you alone...jya ne..." Rio continued on towards her room.
Both Hakkai and Keiko watched them vanished into their rooms. Slowly, Hakkai looked at her. She paused for a moment, then, smiled.
"...Nani? Hakkai-san?"
"Ah...etto...why don't we clean this place a bit first, ne?"
"...Hai..." The bonfire flickered and glowed, as it helped to keep the two soaked people warm. A purple and a grayish-black jacket were placed not far from it, to dry them up. There were two pairs of boots beside them as well.
"Feel better?" she asked, throwing more sticks into the fire.
"Aah..." He lit a cigarette.
He kept his lighter and looked at her.
"...So, you live in this village?"
"Hmm...yeah, you could say that..."
"You don't sound so sure about your own answer..."
She smirked and hugged herself even tighter.
"...I suppose so..." she answered.
He looked at her even harder.
"Bad memories, eh?" he asked, puffing out smoke from his cigar.
"...Yeah..." She shut her eyes slowly.
She let her memories flow back into her. Most of them are bitter and painful...
"I lived with my father, a youkai..." she began.
He was quiet, ready to listen.
Her mother died when she was very young. So, she didn't remember much of her. She and her father lived a happy, simple life in a village further away from the one they are in now. The villagers were kind to them, knowing that her father was a youkai...
But years later, youkais everywhere turned insane, killing almost everyone in the village. Of course, being a half-breed, she was the only youkai that didn't become insane. She tried to stop her father, who also turned insane, but failed.
The villagers began to fear her. They wanted to get rid of her, fearing that she too, will become like the others. They chased after her, with sticks, rakes, hoes, and other weapons in their hands, bashing her up as she ran for her life. The children threw stones at her. She could have used her powers to protect herself, but she was afraid she couldn't control it... She realized she was heading towards a cliff, but she couldn't turn back. She froze, looking down at the ferocious, chopping river down below. She didn't know what to do. Even if she knew how to swim, she wasn't sure whether she could survive the impact when she crashed the water. Her body began to ache, her wounds continued to drip to the ground. She saw the villagers approaching closer. Finally, she took a deep breath, shut her eyes, and jumped.
She crashed into the water, feeling the impact up to her bones, her wounds began to make her feel worse and her head was dizzy. She couldn't keep her head above the water. It was getting harder for her to breath. Her lungs began to fill with water. She was going to drown...
"I thought I was a goner, demo, a woman found me while she was washing her children's clothes by the riverside...She took me in... and gave me a home... I got to know all of her children...we were like a family. Soon, I was able to move about, and those kids were longing to take me to the village with them..." she glanced at him.
He was still listening. He could understand how she felt. Ch! We are very similar...
"...Well, fearing that I might put those kids in danger, I colored my hair and wore contact lenses. The lady helped me to buy them..."
"...Okay, I think I know the story from there..." Gojyo threw away his burnt cigarette bud.
"Yeah, I guess...maybe I'll bring you to meet them some other time..." She smiled.
"Nah, I don't think so."
"Eh? Why not?"
"I 'met' them just now...when you pay them a little visit..."
"Oh, I see...hey, wait a minute! Were you spying on me?"
"Ch! You wish! It was a coincidence! I was 'taking the night air', remember???" Gojyo answered coolly.
"Ch! Whatever!"
He grinned, listening to her reply. He slowly looked around him. Then, something caught his eyes; a red flower bed...
"Ch!" He looked away. "Nani?" she looked at him.
"Iya, betsuni..." He sighed.
She saw what he was looking at. She grinned to herself and slapped him playfully at the back.
"Takke! You don't like red flowers, eh?"
"Ittei...ch! Teme... So what if I don't?" he grumbled, annoyed.
"I like them..." she smiled, staring at the flowers.
He paused. He liked the way she smiled as she looked at the flowerbed. He slowly smirked again.
"Ch! They're nothing but trouble to me..."
"Really? I didn't know they are 'cursed'..."
"They are 'cursed'...sadly, only to me and my life..."
"Ha! Ha! Ha! That's too bad! Red lilies...they are my favorites..."
"Not mine..."
"Yeah, whatever...you'll learn to like it..."
Ch! Somehow she sounds like someone I know...
"Aah..."
They chatted for a few more hours, till they both fell asleep as the bonfire kept them warm through the night...
In the morning, the six was downstairs, having breakfast. Sanzo was getting annoyed by the minute. They have been waiting for Gojyo for since dawn.
Finally, he appeared, greeting them casually. It caused Sanzo to get more annoyed, Rio felt like punching him right on the face, Goku yelled at him as he stole his last bun. Hakkai and Keiko just sighed and smiled watching them. After everyone settled down, Hakkai introduced him to Keiko.
"Where were you, anyway?" Rio asked.
"Eh? What's the matter? You missed me?"
"I'll kill you if you say that again..."
"Okay! Okay! I was just strolling around town..."
"Ch! Whatever..." she muttered.
"Ikuzou..." Sanzo got up.
"Eh? But I haven't drank beer yet..." Gojyo looked at him.
"And I haven't had enough to eat!!!" Goku whined.
Sanzo shot a bullet between the two. They got the message. Hakkai dragged them out.
"Oi! Hakkai! Hanase! I can walk you know!" Gojyo tried to get free.
"Aaaaah! HARAHETTA!!!!!!!!" Goku grumbled.
"Now, now you two...you don't want to make Sanzo even angrier, do you?" Hakkai kept them in his grasps, dragging them out.
As the five prepared to leave, Keiko slowly approached them.
"Hakkai-san?"
"Hai?" Hakkai smiled warmly.
"Annou...please take care, ne?" she said with great difficulty.
Hakkai wanted to answer, but couldn't. He felt so...heavy...and he knew why.
"Aah. You too." He finally said.
"Ne, Sanzo...can't she come too?" Goku asked.
"Bakasaru! Is your stomach really the only thing you think about???" Gojyo teased.
"TEME!!! DON'T CALL ME 'SARU'!!! BESIDES, WHY DID YOU SAY THAT ANYWAY???" Goku yelled back.
"Oi, Hakuryu can only carry up to FIVE people, did you realize that???" Gojyo patted Goku's head playfully.
"DON'T TOUCH ME, YOU ERO KAPPA!!!" Goku slapped his hand away. Hakkai and Keiko can't help but smile at them. Hakuryu turned into a jeep and they got onboard. Then, a person approached them.
"Oi, so you are going already?"
All of them looked at the person. Gojyo was surprised when he saw her.
"Hikaze???"
"Yo, Gojyo!" She winked.
"Who's this, Gojyo?" Hakkai asked.
"Ah! Everyone, this is Hikaze, Hikaze, this is Sanzo, Goku, Hakkai, Rio and Keiko..." Gojyo introduced them.
"Hai...hajime mashite, minna san!!!" She smiled.
"Hai, hai..." Hakkai smiled.
He looked at Gojyo.
"Annou...is this the woman you were talking about last night?" Hakkai whispered, teasingly.
"Ch! Yeah...and I guess I owe you one..." He got his message.
"Better not keep her waiting..." Hakkai told him.
"Ch! So...take care of yourself, okay? Perhaps we'll meet again in the future..." He winked back at her.
"Actually..." she began.
Everyone looked at her.
"I would like to go with you guys..." she smirked.
Everyone looked at her with amazement.
"Nandato?" Gojyo asked in disbelief.
"What's the matter? Afraid of losing to a woman???" she teased.
"Oi! I've heard that line once, okay? That's enough for me!"
Everyone except Sanzo, grinned watching the two.
"Sorry, but I guess you can't..." Gojyo continued.
"...and why's that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"...Simply put, there's no room left..."
"Oh..." She sounded a bit disappointed. "That's just how my luck is, isn't it?"
Suddenly, some children ran towards her and hugged her.
"Onechan! Please take care!" the youngest said.
"We will miss you, onechan!" the other said.
"I promise I'll take care of the family, onechan! So you don't have to worry!" The oldest told her.
"Omae..." She smiled and hugged all of them. "Demo ne, I don't think I'll-..."
"Hikaze?" a woman approached her.
She looked at the woman. She smiled a motherly smile at her. Her smile always brings comfort to her.
"Mei-chan..."
"Hikaze, I think you should go where you think you belong..."
"Demo..."
"You always wanted an adventure, didn't you? Daijobu ne. We'll be fine..."
"Gome nasai, demo...I think we've made ourselves clear." Sanzo suddenly voiced out. "Our jeep can only carry up to five people..."
"But, if she had her own vehicle, is it alright for her to come along?" Mei asked.
"Ch! Suit yourself..." he answered.
"Very well..." Mei smiled.
Mei looked back at the forest.
"Riko!!!" she called.
Slowly, a figure came into view. It approached them faster and faster, and flew around Mei a couple of times before settling on her shoulder.
All of them looked at it in amazement.
"Is that...?" Hakkai still couldn't believe it.
"Hai, this is Riko. Like your jeep, he could transform into one as well." She stroked it.
Riko looked exactly like Hakuryu, only he is gray in color. Hakuryu seemed to want to know him better, but Hakkai told her to stay in jeep form.
"You can play with him later, okay?" He patted him.
"I'd like you to take care of Riko for me, Hikaze."
"Mei...-chan..."
"Riko loves adventures as much as you do, Hikaze. That's why you've never seen her around..." Mei stroked Riko's neck.
Hikaze still hesitated.
"Take him, Hikaze. I know he will be a great help..." Mei handed Riko to her.
"Arigato gozaimasu...Mei-chan..." she finally took Riko from her hands.
Riko seem to understand them. He flew around Mei twice, as if to thank her as well, and then sat on Hikaze's shoulder.
"Em. Wakatta ne...I promise I'll come back to see all of you soon..." She promised.
Once again, the children ran towards her and hugged her tight.
"Now you guys be good kids, stay out of trouble and help you mother in any way you can, okay?"
"Hai, onechan!!! Itirashai!!!"
She then hugged Mei tightly, trying not to cry. Mei hugged in return.
"Please take care of yourself..."
"Hai...you too, Hikaze..."
"Alright then, Riko! Do your stuff!!!" Hikaze ordered.
Riko immediately turned into a brown jeep and Hikaze hopped in.
"Well, no objections, right boys?" she asked.
All of them agreed. She turned and glanced at Keiko, who was still standing beside Hakuryu.
"How about you, Keiko? Where are you heading?" Hikaze asked.
"Ah? Um...actually...I'm in search for my sister..." Keiko answered.
"Oh? In that case, let's follow these guys to the west first, then, we go look for her, is that okay?" Hikaze grinned.
"W-well, if it's alright with you..."
Keiko glanced at Hakkai. He was looking at her all the time! She knew he was waiting for her answer. She also felt the urge to go with them...
"Just get on, okay?" Hikaze laughed.
"Hai!" She finally made her choice and got on.
"Heh! Welcome aboard the 'journey to the west'!" Gojyo grinned at them.
"Ch! Baka..." Sanzo grumbled.
Now, there were two jeeps heading towards the west, side by side. Mei and her children waved goodbye as they left the village. They knew that someday, they would meet again...
Senko-san: Yay!!! It's done!!! ^_^
Riyo-san: You mean THIS chapter, right?
Senko-san: Of course! What did you think I mean? Hey...wait a minute! You always critized my fanfic, don't tell me-
Riyo-san: SHUT UP! WHAT DO I CARE ABOUT IT?
Senko-san: Aw, c'mon! Admit it!
Riyo-san: Leave me alone! -_-#
Senko-san: Okay! ^_^
Riyo-san: ...........................Senko-san?
*No reply*
Riyo-san: .........Sen-?
Senko-san: Zzzzzzzzzzz.........
Riyo-san: -_-# You forgot about the glossary...Ch! Fine! I'll do it...JUST this once! And I thought I was the one who wanted to sleep...
Chapter 6
Yamette! – Stop it!, Daijobu daiyo? – Are you alright?, Dakara ne... - so/ therefore..., Matte – Wait, Itirashai – Take care
Riyo-san: Just write the damn thing! I wanna get some shuteye! -_-#
Senko-san: Wakatta ne...
The stars were glittering happily, accompanying the moon. Everything was calm, peaceful. Hakkai let his thoughts drift away into the night sky. He couldn't sleep. Slowly, he looked down below his room towards the garden. He noticed there was someone there. Is that...Gojyo? He looked harder. ...Iya...the figure is smaller... Ah! Isn't that...?
He decided to take a look. He went downstairs, towards the garden. The person was still there. He slowly approached her. Seeing the person up close, he knew who she was. So, I was correct. It's...
"Keiko-san?"
She looked at him in surprise.
"Hakkai...-san?"
"Gome ne, did I scare you?"
"Iya...daijobu..."
"Err...what are you doing out here?"
"Nothing much...just taking a stroll..."
"Can't sleep, eh?"
"Em...you too?"
Hakkai just smiled in reply. Both were silent for a while. Then, the cold, night breeze came.
"Annou...why don't we go inside and have some tea?" Hakkai suggested.
"Ah? Em...hai! That's a good idea!" she smiled. She headed for the kitchen.
"Annou...I'll go and boil some water first...do you mind waiting for awhile?" she asked.
"Iie. Daijobu desu..." He replied.
"It won't be long..."
"Hai...arigato gozaimasu..."
She entered the kitchen and started to boil a kettle of water. Hakkai sat at the table and waited.
After a few minutes, the tea was ready. She was about to bring it out when suddenly, she felt uneasy. She looked behind her and saw a youkai grinning slyly at her. Seeing him, caused her to drop the tray and sent it crashing to the floor.
The sound of crashing essentials startled Hakkai. He ran towards the kitchen immediately.
"Keiko!!! Daijobu desu ka???" Hakkai saw her, backing to the wall.
The youkai got closer towards her. Then, he turned to look at Hakkai.
"H-Hakkai...-san..." she saw him, fear in her eyes.
"You...DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!!!" Hakkai warned.
"Heh...yeah, right! Threats like that will never work on me..." the youkai laughed.
More of them appeared, grinning slyly at both of them. Shimata... Hakkai went in front of her, trying to protect her. This time...no matter what happens... His past flashed back into his mind. I'm going to protect her!!!
He released a powerful 'ki' energy, destroying half of the youkais around. Shimata...they keep on coming...if this goes on...
"HAKKAI-SAN!!! LOOK OUT!!! BEHIND YOU!!!"
He turned and saw a youkai about to pounce on him, ready to stab him. He wasn't ready to counter it. S-Shimata!!!
"IYA!!! YAMETE!!!" She screamed.
Suddenly, the youkai froze. Both Hakkai and the youkai looked confused. Slowly, the youkai looked at his hand. It was bleeding.
"N-nani???" he questioned.
Suddenly, he felt his whole body was in pain. Hakkai was shocked with what he saw. The youkai was bleeding! As he looked closer, the youkai was going to fall in pieces! It was as if he was cut by something thin, and sharp. The youkai screamed in pain one last time before he turned to dust.
"H-Hakkai...-san? Daijobu daiyo?" a voice quivered.
Hakkai looked at her in astonishment. Then, he saw something at her fingers. It looked like rings, but when looked closer, it looked more like weapons.
"Keiko...you did that?"
"H-hai...I can control these threads...that's why..." she answered nervously.
"Keiko-san..."
"I-I...didn't want you to get hurt...you are so nice to me...dakara ne..."
Hakkai smiled. He felt happier after listening to her words. Perhaps...both of us...are given another chance to redeem ourselves...
"Daijobu. Arigato gozaimasu..." Hakkai patted her on the shoulder.
"...Hai...Hakkai...-san..." Keiko slowly smiled back at him.
Hakkai saw it. Her smile, it was the smile that he had missed for a long time. I thought...I would never see a smile like that again... Without him realizing it, he slowly grasped her, and held her tight. She was stunned, but she remembered earlier that day, his reactions showed her that she reminded him of someone he really loved. Therefore, she didn't fight back. Besides...I understand the way he feels...I've lost some precious people in my life as well... She closed her eyes to hold back her tears.
"HAKKAI!!!"
A voice startled both of them. Hakkai let her go immediately and both of them looked at the person running towards them.
"G-Goku?"
"Hakkai!!! Keiko-san!!! What happened??? Whoa! What happened to the kitchen???" the youth asked in amazement. Sanzo and Rio came after him. Both not in a good mood.
"Ah? Ha! Ha! Actually...we were attacked by youkais..." Hakkai explained.
Rio noticed that Hakkai and Keiko were blushing slightly. Perhaps, even Sanzo noticed it as well.
"AH??? YOUKAIS???" Goku exclaimed in disbelief.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Daijobu, Goku. We're both fine..." Hakkai smiled.
"Eh??? Nani???" Goku asked, puzzled.
"Eh?" Hakkai looked confused.
"Ch! I thought I could have some fun! But it looks like you guys finished it before I even got here!!!" Goku grumbled.
"...Oh! Ha! Ha! Ha! Sumimasen!!!" Hakkai laughed at his own silliness. Of course Goku's not worried about us! He knew we could handle those youkais...
"So, I guess we're not needed anymore, are we?" Rio asked.
"Eh? Aah..." Hakkai slowly answered.
"Ch! Takke! You guys woke me up for nothing! Don't do that again!" Sanzo turned around, heading towards his room.
"AH!!! MATTE, SANZO!!!" Goku chased him.
Rio headed towards her room as well.
"Oi, Keiko..."
"Ah! Hai?"
"...Iya, betsuni...I guess I'll leave the two of you alone...jya ne..." Rio continued on towards her room.
Both Hakkai and Keiko watched them vanished into their rooms. Slowly, Hakkai looked at her. She paused for a moment, then, smiled.
"...Nani? Hakkai-san?"
"Ah...etto...why don't we clean this place a bit first, ne?"
"...Hai..." The bonfire flickered and glowed, as it helped to keep the two soaked people warm. A purple and a grayish-black jacket were placed not far from it, to dry them up. There were two pairs of boots beside them as well.
"Feel better?" she asked, throwing more sticks into the fire.
"Aah..." He lit a cigarette.
He kept his lighter and looked at her.
"...So, you live in this village?"
"Hmm...yeah, you could say that..."
"You don't sound so sure about your own answer..."
She smirked and hugged herself even tighter.
"...I suppose so..." she answered.
He looked at her even harder.
"Bad memories, eh?" he asked, puffing out smoke from his cigar.
"...Yeah..." She shut her eyes slowly.
She let her memories flow back into her. Most of them are bitter and painful...
"I lived with my father, a youkai..." she began.
He was quiet, ready to listen.
Her mother died when she was very young. So, she didn't remember much of her. She and her father lived a happy, simple life in a village further away from the one they are in now. The villagers were kind to them, knowing that her father was a youkai...
But years later, youkais everywhere turned insane, killing almost everyone in the village. Of course, being a half-breed, she was the only youkai that didn't become insane. She tried to stop her father, who also turned insane, but failed.
The villagers began to fear her. They wanted to get rid of her, fearing that she too, will become like the others. They chased after her, with sticks, rakes, hoes, and other weapons in their hands, bashing her up as she ran for her life. The children threw stones at her. She could have used her powers to protect herself, but she was afraid she couldn't control it... She realized she was heading towards a cliff, but she couldn't turn back. She froze, looking down at the ferocious, chopping river down below. She didn't know what to do. Even if she knew how to swim, she wasn't sure whether she could survive the impact when she crashed the water. Her body began to ache, her wounds continued to drip to the ground. She saw the villagers approaching closer. Finally, she took a deep breath, shut her eyes, and jumped.
She crashed into the water, feeling the impact up to her bones, her wounds began to make her feel worse and her head was dizzy. She couldn't keep her head above the water. It was getting harder for her to breath. Her lungs began to fill with water. She was going to drown...
"I thought I was a goner, demo, a woman found me while she was washing her children's clothes by the riverside...She took me in... and gave me a home... I got to know all of her children...we were like a family. Soon, I was able to move about, and those kids were longing to take me to the village with them..." she glanced at him.
He was still listening. He could understand how she felt. Ch! We are very similar...
"...Well, fearing that I might put those kids in danger, I colored my hair and wore contact lenses. The lady helped me to buy them..."
"...Okay, I think I know the story from there..." Gojyo threw away his burnt cigarette bud.
"Yeah, I guess...maybe I'll bring you to meet them some other time..." She smiled.
"Nah, I don't think so."
"Eh? Why not?"
"I 'met' them just now...when you pay them a little visit..."
"Oh, I see...hey, wait a minute! Were you spying on me?"
"Ch! You wish! It was a coincidence! I was 'taking the night air', remember???" Gojyo answered coolly.
"Ch! Whatever!"
He grinned, listening to her reply. He slowly looked around him. Then, something caught his eyes; a red flower bed...
"Ch!" He looked away. "Nani?" she looked at him.
"Iya, betsuni..." He sighed.
She saw what he was looking at. She grinned to herself and slapped him playfully at the back.
"Takke! You don't like red flowers, eh?"
"Ittei...ch! Teme... So what if I don't?" he grumbled, annoyed.
"I like them..." she smiled, staring at the flowers.
He paused. He liked the way she smiled as she looked at the flowerbed. He slowly smirked again.
"Ch! They're nothing but trouble to me..."
"Really? I didn't know they are 'cursed'..."
"They are 'cursed'...sadly, only to me and my life..."
"Ha! Ha! Ha! That's too bad! Red lilies...they are my favorites..."
"Not mine..."
"Yeah, whatever...you'll learn to like it..."
Ch! Somehow she sounds like someone I know...
"Aah..."
They chatted for a few more hours, till they both fell asleep as the bonfire kept them warm through the night...
In the morning, the six was downstairs, having breakfast. Sanzo was getting annoyed by the minute. They have been waiting for Gojyo for since dawn.
Finally, he appeared, greeting them casually. It caused Sanzo to get more annoyed, Rio felt like punching him right on the face, Goku yelled at him as he stole his last bun. Hakkai and Keiko just sighed and smiled watching them. After everyone settled down, Hakkai introduced him to Keiko.
"Where were you, anyway?" Rio asked.
"Eh? What's the matter? You missed me?"
"I'll kill you if you say that again..."
"Okay! Okay! I was just strolling around town..."
"Ch! Whatever..." she muttered.
"Ikuzou..." Sanzo got up.
"Eh? But I haven't drank beer yet..." Gojyo looked at him.
"And I haven't had enough to eat!!!" Goku whined.
Sanzo shot a bullet between the two. They got the message. Hakkai dragged them out.
"Oi! Hakkai! Hanase! I can walk you know!" Gojyo tried to get free.
"Aaaaah! HARAHETTA!!!!!!!!" Goku grumbled.
"Now, now you two...you don't want to make Sanzo even angrier, do you?" Hakkai kept them in his grasps, dragging them out.
As the five prepared to leave, Keiko slowly approached them.
"Hakkai-san?"
"Hai?" Hakkai smiled warmly.
"Annou...please take care, ne?" she said with great difficulty.
Hakkai wanted to answer, but couldn't. He felt so...heavy...and he knew why.
"Aah. You too." He finally said.
"Ne, Sanzo...can't she come too?" Goku asked.
"Bakasaru! Is your stomach really the only thing you think about???" Gojyo teased.
"TEME!!! DON'T CALL ME 'SARU'!!! BESIDES, WHY DID YOU SAY THAT ANYWAY???" Goku yelled back.
"Oi, Hakuryu can only carry up to FIVE people, did you realize that???" Gojyo patted Goku's head playfully.
"DON'T TOUCH ME, YOU ERO KAPPA!!!" Goku slapped his hand away. Hakkai and Keiko can't help but smile at them. Hakuryu turned into a jeep and they got onboard. Then, a person approached them.
"Oi, so you are going already?"
All of them looked at the person. Gojyo was surprised when he saw her.
"Hikaze???"
"Yo, Gojyo!" She winked.
"Who's this, Gojyo?" Hakkai asked.
"Ah! Everyone, this is Hikaze, Hikaze, this is Sanzo, Goku, Hakkai, Rio and Keiko..." Gojyo introduced them.
"Hai...hajime mashite, minna san!!!" She smiled.
"Hai, hai..." Hakkai smiled.
He looked at Gojyo.
"Annou...is this the woman you were talking about last night?" Hakkai whispered, teasingly.
"Ch! Yeah...and I guess I owe you one..." He got his message.
"Better not keep her waiting..." Hakkai told him.
"Ch! So...take care of yourself, okay? Perhaps we'll meet again in the future..." He winked back at her.
"Actually..." she began.
Everyone looked at her.
"I would like to go with you guys..." she smirked.
Everyone looked at her with amazement.
"Nandato?" Gojyo asked in disbelief.
"What's the matter? Afraid of losing to a woman???" she teased.
"Oi! I've heard that line once, okay? That's enough for me!"
Everyone except Sanzo, grinned watching the two.
"Sorry, but I guess you can't..." Gojyo continued.
"...and why's that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"...Simply put, there's no room left..."
"Oh..." She sounded a bit disappointed. "That's just how my luck is, isn't it?"
Suddenly, some children ran towards her and hugged her.
"Onechan! Please take care!" the youngest said.
"We will miss you, onechan!" the other said.
"I promise I'll take care of the family, onechan! So you don't have to worry!" The oldest told her.
"Omae..." She smiled and hugged all of them. "Demo ne, I don't think I'll-..."
"Hikaze?" a woman approached her.
She looked at the woman. She smiled a motherly smile at her. Her smile always brings comfort to her.
"Mei-chan..."
"Hikaze, I think you should go where you think you belong..."
"Demo..."
"You always wanted an adventure, didn't you? Daijobu ne. We'll be fine..."
"Gome nasai, demo...I think we've made ourselves clear." Sanzo suddenly voiced out. "Our jeep can only carry up to five people..."
"But, if she had her own vehicle, is it alright for her to come along?" Mei asked.
"Ch! Suit yourself..." he answered.
"Very well..." Mei smiled.
Mei looked back at the forest.
"Riko!!!" she called.
Slowly, a figure came into view. It approached them faster and faster, and flew around Mei a couple of times before settling on her shoulder.
All of them looked at it in amazement.
"Is that...?" Hakkai still couldn't believe it.
"Hai, this is Riko. Like your jeep, he could transform into one as well." She stroked it.
Riko looked exactly like Hakuryu, only he is gray in color. Hakuryu seemed to want to know him better, but Hakkai told her to stay in jeep form.
"You can play with him later, okay?" He patted him.
"I'd like you to take care of Riko for me, Hikaze."
"Mei...-chan..."
"Riko loves adventures as much as you do, Hikaze. That's why you've never seen her around..." Mei stroked Riko's neck.
Hikaze still hesitated.
"Take him, Hikaze. I know he will be a great help..." Mei handed Riko to her.
"Arigato gozaimasu...Mei-chan..." she finally took Riko from her hands.
Riko seem to understand them. He flew around Mei twice, as if to thank her as well, and then sat on Hikaze's shoulder.
"Em. Wakatta ne...I promise I'll come back to see all of you soon..." She promised.
Once again, the children ran towards her and hugged her tight.
"Now you guys be good kids, stay out of trouble and help you mother in any way you can, okay?"
"Hai, onechan!!! Itirashai!!!"
She then hugged Mei tightly, trying not to cry. Mei hugged in return.
"Please take care of yourself..."
"Hai...you too, Hikaze..."
"Alright then, Riko! Do your stuff!!!" Hikaze ordered.
Riko immediately turned into a brown jeep and Hikaze hopped in.
"Well, no objections, right boys?" she asked.
All of them agreed. She turned and glanced at Keiko, who was still standing beside Hakuryu.
"How about you, Keiko? Where are you heading?" Hikaze asked.
"Ah? Um...actually...I'm in search for my sister..." Keiko answered.
"Oh? In that case, let's follow these guys to the west first, then, we go look for her, is that okay?" Hikaze grinned.
"W-well, if it's alright with you..."
Keiko glanced at Hakkai. He was looking at her all the time! She knew he was waiting for her answer. She also felt the urge to go with them...
"Just get on, okay?" Hikaze laughed.
"Hai!" She finally made her choice and got on.
"Heh! Welcome aboard the 'journey to the west'!" Gojyo grinned at them.
"Ch! Baka..." Sanzo grumbled.
Now, there were two jeeps heading towards the west, side by side. Mei and her children waved goodbye as they left the village. They knew that someday, they would meet again...
Senko-san: Yay!!! It's done!!! ^_^
Riyo-san: You mean THIS chapter, right?
Senko-san: Of course! What did you think I mean? Hey...wait a minute! You always critized my fanfic, don't tell me-
Riyo-san: SHUT UP! WHAT DO I CARE ABOUT IT?
Senko-san: Aw, c'mon! Admit it!
Riyo-san: Leave me alone! -_-#
Senko-san: Okay! ^_^
Riyo-san: ...........................Senko-san?
*No reply*
Riyo-san: .........Sen-?
Senko-san: Zzzzzzzzzzz.........
Riyo-san: -_-# You forgot about the glossary...Ch! Fine! I'll do it...JUST this once! And I thought I was the one who wanted to sleep...
Chapter 6
Yamette! – Stop it!, Daijobu daiyo? – Are you alright?, Dakara ne... - so/ therefore..., Matte – Wait, Itirashai – Take care