Senko-san: Konichiwa, minna san! I made this chapter especially for
Mother's Day. I hope you guys'll like it!
Chapter 8
The day was sunny, the village was lively, everyone seem to have something to do...including the ikkous...
Hakkai brought Goku and Yumei to buy supplies for their journey. It has been a week from the day Rio released her from the grasps of slavery, and Goku have had always been by her side, trying to cheer her up. 'You shouldn't be sad, try to enjoy life! You are no longer a slave! You're free!' Goku once told her. Slowly, she learnt to smile, and even laugh again...
Gojyo and Hikaze headed for a bar to have a drink or two. Keiko was out too. She wanted to cook something special for their dinner that night, so she went to do some shopping of her own. Sanzo was reading his newspaper in his room, while drinking his tea. As for Rio, she decided to stroll around town.
As she strolled around, she heard someone crying. It was faint, but she managed to trace from where it came from. She walked down an empty looking alley. Soon, a little boy came into view. He was crying softly on top of some empty pile of crates. She stopped right in front of him and looked blankly down at him.
"Why are you crying?"
The boy was startled and quickly glanced at her.
"Why are you crying?" she repeated her question.
".... B-because...because..." he began, choking his tears.
"Speak up! How can you be a man if you keep acting this way?" she told him.
The boy tried to stop crying. He rubbed away his tears and tried to calm down. She sighed and sat down beside him. She gave him a gentle pat on the back. 'I might as well comfort him first...' she thought.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"...Iori." He slowly replied.
"...Can you tell me what is wrong, Iori?"
At first, he hesitated, but finally, he told her everything. "Okasan...She is very ill...so...my little sister and I went into the woods to get the herbs she needed to get better...but...we got attacked by a youkai...and he kidnapped my little sister...He brought her deeper into the forest...but I couldn't catch up...and lost track of them...I ran back to get help...but no one wanted to help me...and now...I don't know what to do! ...I...I...don't want to lose them! Okasan and Mio are the only family I have!" he started to cry again.
"Stop crying!" Rio told him.
He stopped and looked at her. She let out another sigh and stood up.
"...Oniisan...?" Iori feared she might leave him too, just like the other villagers.
"You are such a nuisance..." she muttered, giving him an annoyed look.
He looked down at his feet. He felt his tears filling his eyes again.
"Show me the way."
With that, he beamed and grabbed her hand, leading the way.
The forest was darker and quieter than usual. There were demonic waves in the air. 'That youkai's around here somewhere...I can feel it...' She cautiously looked around while Iori lead them deeper into the forest. After sometime, they came to a halt.
"...This is where she got kidnapped..." he held her hand tighter.
She looked at him. She knew he was frightened. Terrified to be exact. Suddenly, she felt the demonic aura began to get stronger. 'It's coming...this one's kinda' strong...'
"Iori...I need you to do something for me."
"Eh? What is it?"
"Listen carefully." She knelt and looked straight at him. "Run back to the village as fast as you can. Don't look back. Get my friends and bring them here."
"D-demo..."
"We don't have much time! They're just around town! But..." suddenly, a thought snapped into her mind. "Never mind! Iori! You know where the inn is, don't you? There is a person called Sanzo staying there! Get him, and tell him to call the others! Now go!"
"How about you, oniisan?"
"SHUT UP AND GO!!!" "H-hai...I'll be back, oniisan!" Iori ran off.
She was ready. She slowly stepped forward, gripping tight to her weapon. 'After all this is over...I should tell him that I'm..."
Suddenly, a nasty, sinister laugh could be heard all around her. 'Finally, he appeared...'
"Show yourself, you damn thing!"
"I already did!" a sinister voice answered.
Suddenly, the ground she stood began to change. Everything around her began to change. 'What the-? Is this some kind of illusion???'
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! You fool! You've stepped right into my trap!"
"Ch! You f bastard! Quit playing these dumb tricks! It's annoyingly old-fashioned!"
A shadowy figure appeared in front of her. Finally, he showed himself.
"Where's the kid?" she demanded.
"Ooh? So you're here to rescue her? Don't worry. She's still alive. And since you came...you'll be my lunch!" he licked his lips.
"Ch! I'm gonna give you one damn good stomach-ache that you'll never forget!"
Meanwhile, Iori was running as fast as he can towards the inn. He stampeded towards the stunned receptionist.
"P-please! M-may I know which room Sanzo-sama is???" he panted.
"S-Sanzo?" the receptionist repeated, still stunned.
"Please! This is important! I have to see him!"
"Eh? Annou...what's wrong?" A voice behind him spoke.
It was Hakkai, with Goku and Yumei trailing behind him.
"Oniisan! Do you know Sanzo-sama???" Iori asked desperately.
"Sanzo?" Goku asked, surprised.
"You know him, don't you? Ah! Are you that oniisan's friends?"
"Oniisan? Which oniisan?" Hakkai asked, puzzled.
With that, Iori told them the whole story.
"Yare yare desu ne...that doesn't sound good...Goku! You and Yumei go and find Gojyo and the others. I'll go and get Sanzo!" Hakkai told them.
"Em! Wakatta!" Goku and Yumei dashed out of the inn.
"Come with me!" Hakkai told Iori.
They ran towards Sanzo's room. Hakkai didn't bother to knock at the door. His sudden entrance annoyed Sanzo. He was just about to drift off to sleep when Hakkai entered.
"Temme...this better be good, Hakkai..." He looked at Iori. "...and who is this kid?"
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Well...that's a long story..."
"What's going on?"
About an hour has passed, she was already barely standing. She panted heavily as she scanned around. 'That damn thing's fast...and I hate it when he plays this sickening game of 'hide-and- seek'...' It was hard for her to see anything. The forest was suddenly filled with thick mists. What was worst, the mist blocked the youkai's aura, which made it harder for her to sense from which direction he will be attacking.
Her clothes were torn and she was bleeding badly. 'How late can those guys be!' she thought, still holding her crossbow tightly. 'If only I could shoot that f guy...it'll be much easier...'
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Having fun, are we?" the youkai cackled.
"Yeah...so much fun that it makes me wanna kill you more!"
"Ha! Ha! Ha! If you could!"
Suddenly, she senses he was about to lunge at her from the back. She turned and fired. Then, she heard him laugh again. Before she could react, she felt as if her body was pierced by thousands of thorns.
'Damn...it...' She fell to the ground. She felt her body was burning, her eyesight was getting blur.
"How does that feel? That was one of my strongest poisons. Don't even think of moving. Unless, of course, you want to die faster..." She closed her eyes, trying to fight back the pain. She heard his footsteps approaching closer and closer. 'If he comes any closer...' she tightened her grip on her crossbow, ready to fire.
'BANG!'
She heard the youkai wailed in pain. Sanzo pulled back his 'Shoureiju'. 'Ch! The aura's faded again...' The youkai was shot at the shoulder, and he vanished into the mists, again. 'Ch! What a grand entrance! Temme...' But deep in her, she felt relieved.
"Ch! You guys are late!!!" she yelled at them, grinning to herself.
"Oniisan! Omae wa, doko?" Iori called out to her.
"Rio! Daijobu desu ka?" Hakkai called out to her. '...I sense her aura's fading fast...'
"Takke! It's hard to see with all this mist..." Gojyo muttered.
"Rio...-san..." Yumei muttered worriedly.
"Don't worry, Yumei. She'll be alright." Keiko tried to comfort her.
"Yeah, she's tough. She won't die that easy!" Hikaze agreed.
"What now, Sanzo?" Goku asked.
"...We wait..." Sanzo replied.
"Heh! I think it's a bit too late for you to ask that...Hakkai..." she answered, as she forced herself to get up.
"Rio! I think I've made it easier for you to track him now, right?" Sanzo called out to her.
"Aah. Wakatteiru..." she slowly scanned her surroundings. 'Temme...where are you...?'
Suddenly, she 'caught hold' of his aura and fired at that direction. They heard him scream out in pain again. 'Heh...see you in the afterlife...' She fell crashing to the ground, with a satisfied smile on her face. Just then, the mist began to fade.
They saw her lying motionless on the ground. All of them rushed towards her.
"Rio! Daijobu desu ka?" Hakkai checked her pulse and looked at the others worriedly. "She's poisoned. She needs a doctor, fast!"
Suddenly, he felt a weak tug at his shoulder.
"Rio! Don't move!"
"N-never mind me...f-find Mio..." she blacked out.
"...Hai..."
"Hakkai...you and Yumei go back with her..." Sanzo suddenly voiced out.
"Sanzo...?" Hakkai looked at him in surprise.
"Go."
"Hai. Hakuryu!!!" Hakkai called out.
Hakuryu immediately changed into a jeep and they sped off towards town. The others searched around the forest and finally found Mio unconscious in a cave nearby, still with the herbs in her hands.
A few days passed. Finally, Rio woke up.
"Rio-san! Yukatta ne..." Yumei hugged her tight.
"Yumei...?" She slowly looked around and saw all of them.
All of them looked relieved and smiled gently at her. All except Sanzo, that is. He was emotionless, like always. She saw Iori running towards her and hugged her tight. Before he could say anything, she asked him first.
"How's your sister and mother?"
"T-they're fine...arigato, oniisan..." Iori tried to hold himself from crying.
"Sooka? Yukatta ne..."
"...Sumimasen, oniisan...sumimasen..."
"Why are you apologizing?"
"B-because...we've created so much trouble..."
"...Iie...It wasn't any trouble to me...daijobu..."
He couldn't hold his tears back any longer. He hugged her tighter as the tears of joy trickled down his cheeks. Everyone decided just to let him be. Even Rio didn't bother to say anything...
The next day, they were ready to leave. Just before they were leaving, Iori called Rio for the last time. He approached her, with Mio by his side.
"Oniisan? Here...please take this..." he handed her a small pouch.
"Kore wa...?" she opened it and was surprised to see a jade pendant in it.
"It's from okasan." He explained.
She sighed and tied the pouch. She gently placed it back at the palm of his hands.
"Arigato...demo...tell your mother I can't except it..."
"Demo..."
"Tell her, I have already received a 'gift' from her...from all of you..." she smiled slightly and patted his head.
"Eh? Really?" he asked, confused.
"Aah. It's right here...and please carry it in each one of you always..." she touched gently on his chest, right above the heart.
Slowly, he smiled. He understood what she meant.
"Em! Wakatta, oniisan!"
"Oh! That's another thing I want to tell you...I'm not oniisan...call me onesan..."
"I know. Demo, I like calling you oniisan..." Iori smiled.
"Heh! As you like...take care, Iori, Mio."
Both of them nodded and watched them leave. 'Don't worry, Rio onesan...I'll protect okasan and Mio...and I promise not to cry anymore...I promise..."
As they sped on, Goku broke the silence.
"Ne, Rio?" Goku began.
"Nani?"
"Why did you agree to help that kid anyway?"
"...Wouldn't you, Goku?"
Goku paused and then chuckled. "Ha! Ha! I guess you're right..."
"Ch! Next time use your head, you bakasaru!" Gojyo teased.
"Don't call me 'saru', you ero kappa!!!"
"Nandato???"
Once again, the two started to squabble again. Hakkai sighed his usual sigh, Sanzo threatening them to shut the hell up, Keiko and Yumei smiled helplessly watching them, Hikaze mocked them, etc. Rio on the other hand, had her thoughts far away...
'I guess...the other reason why I helped Iori is because of his love towards his family...I couldn't save my family back then...I didn't want him to lose his..."
Senko-san: Ah...Finally, that's done! I hope you guys enjoyed it! Well, I've gotta go now, it's getting WAAAAAYYY too late and I gotta wake up early. Till next time, jya ne!
Chapter 8
Oniisan – big brother, okasan – mother, wakatteiru – I know, onesan – big sister
Mother's Day. I hope you guys'll like it!
Chapter 8
The day was sunny, the village was lively, everyone seem to have something to do...including the ikkous...
Hakkai brought Goku and Yumei to buy supplies for their journey. It has been a week from the day Rio released her from the grasps of slavery, and Goku have had always been by her side, trying to cheer her up. 'You shouldn't be sad, try to enjoy life! You are no longer a slave! You're free!' Goku once told her. Slowly, she learnt to smile, and even laugh again...
Gojyo and Hikaze headed for a bar to have a drink or two. Keiko was out too. She wanted to cook something special for their dinner that night, so she went to do some shopping of her own. Sanzo was reading his newspaper in his room, while drinking his tea. As for Rio, she decided to stroll around town.
As she strolled around, she heard someone crying. It was faint, but she managed to trace from where it came from. She walked down an empty looking alley. Soon, a little boy came into view. He was crying softly on top of some empty pile of crates. She stopped right in front of him and looked blankly down at him.
"Why are you crying?"
The boy was startled and quickly glanced at her.
"Why are you crying?" she repeated her question.
".... B-because...because..." he began, choking his tears.
"Speak up! How can you be a man if you keep acting this way?" she told him.
The boy tried to stop crying. He rubbed away his tears and tried to calm down. She sighed and sat down beside him. She gave him a gentle pat on the back. 'I might as well comfort him first...' she thought.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"...Iori." He slowly replied.
"...Can you tell me what is wrong, Iori?"
At first, he hesitated, but finally, he told her everything. "Okasan...She is very ill...so...my little sister and I went into the woods to get the herbs she needed to get better...but...we got attacked by a youkai...and he kidnapped my little sister...He brought her deeper into the forest...but I couldn't catch up...and lost track of them...I ran back to get help...but no one wanted to help me...and now...I don't know what to do! ...I...I...don't want to lose them! Okasan and Mio are the only family I have!" he started to cry again.
"Stop crying!" Rio told him.
He stopped and looked at her. She let out another sigh and stood up.
"...Oniisan...?" Iori feared she might leave him too, just like the other villagers.
"You are such a nuisance..." she muttered, giving him an annoyed look.
He looked down at his feet. He felt his tears filling his eyes again.
"Show me the way."
With that, he beamed and grabbed her hand, leading the way.
The forest was darker and quieter than usual. There were demonic waves in the air. 'That youkai's around here somewhere...I can feel it...' She cautiously looked around while Iori lead them deeper into the forest. After sometime, they came to a halt.
"...This is where she got kidnapped..." he held her hand tighter.
She looked at him. She knew he was frightened. Terrified to be exact. Suddenly, she felt the demonic aura began to get stronger. 'It's coming...this one's kinda' strong...'
"Iori...I need you to do something for me."
"Eh? What is it?"
"Listen carefully." She knelt and looked straight at him. "Run back to the village as fast as you can. Don't look back. Get my friends and bring them here."
"D-demo..."
"We don't have much time! They're just around town! But..." suddenly, a thought snapped into her mind. "Never mind! Iori! You know where the inn is, don't you? There is a person called Sanzo staying there! Get him, and tell him to call the others! Now go!"
"How about you, oniisan?"
"SHUT UP AND GO!!!" "H-hai...I'll be back, oniisan!" Iori ran off.
She was ready. She slowly stepped forward, gripping tight to her weapon. 'After all this is over...I should tell him that I'm..."
Suddenly, a nasty, sinister laugh could be heard all around her. 'Finally, he appeared...'
"Show yourself, you damn thing!"
"I already did!" a sinister voice answered.
Suddenly, the ground she stood began to change. Everything around her began to change. 'What the-? Is this some kind of illusion???'
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! You fool! You've stepped right into my trap!"
"Ch! You f bastard! Quit playing these dumb tricks! It's annoyingly old-fashioned!"
A shadowy figure appeared in front of her. Finally, he showed himself.
"Where's the kid?" she demanded.
"Ooh? So you're here to rescue her? Don't worry. She's still alive. And since you came...you'll be my lunch!" he licked his lips.
"Ch! I'm gonna give you one damn good stomach-ache that you'll never forget!"
Meanwhile, Iori was running as fast as he can towards the inn. He stampeded towards the stunned receptionist.
"P-please! M-may I know which room Sanzo-sama is???" he panted.
"S-Sanzo?" the receptionist repeated, still stunned.
"Please! This is important! I have to see him!"
"Eh? Annou...what's wrong?" A voice behind him spoke.
It was Hakkai, with Goku and Yumei trailing behind him.
"Oniisan! Do you know Sanzo-sama???" Iori asked desperately.
"Sanzo?" Goku asked, surprised.
"You know him, don't you? Ah! Are you that oniisan's friends?"
"Oniisan? Which oniisan?" Hakkai asked, puzzled.
With that, Iori told them the whole story.
"Yare yare desu ne...that doesn't sound good...Goku! You and Yumei go and find Gojyo and the others. I'll go and get Sanzo!" Hakkai told them.
"Em! Wakatta!" Goku and Yumei dashed out of the inn.
"Come with me!" Hakkai told Iori.
They ran towards Sanzo's room. Hakkai didn't bother to knock at the door. His sudden entrance annoyed Sanzo. He was just about to drift off to sleep when Hakkai entered.
"Temme...this better be good, Hakkai..." He looked at Iori. "...and who is this kid?"
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Well...that's a long story..."
"What's going on?"
About an hour has passed, she was already barely standing. She panted heavily as she scanned around. 'That damn thing's fast...and I hate it when he plays this sickening game of 'hide-and- seek'...' It was hard for her to see anything. The forest was suddenly filled with thick mists. What was worst, the mist blocked the youkai's aura, which made it harder for her to sense from which direction he will be attacking.
Her clothes were torn and she was bleeding badly. 'How late can those guys be!' she thought, still holding her crossbow tightly. 'If only I could shoot that f guy...it'll be much easier...'
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Having fun, are we?" the youkai cackled.
"Yeah...so much fun that it makes me wanna kill you more!"
"Ha! Ha! Ha! If you could!"
Suddenly, she senses he was about to lunge at her from the back. She turned and fired. Then, she heard him laugh again. Before she could react, she felt as if her body was pierced by thousands of thorns.
'Damn...it...' She fell to the ground. She felt her body was burning, her eyesight was getting blur.
"How does that feel? That was one of my strongest poisons. Don't even think of moving. Unless, of course, you want to die faster..." She closed her eyes, trying to fight back the pain. She heard his footsteps approaching closer and closer. 'If he comes any closer...' she tightened her grip on her crossbow, ready to fire.
'BANG!'
She heard the youkai wailed in pain. Sanzo pulled back his 'Shoureiju'. 'Ch! The aura's faded again...' The youkai was shot at the shoulder, and he vanished into the mists, again. 'Ch! What a grand entrance! Temme...' But deep in her, she felt relieved.
"Ch! You guys are late!!!" she yelled at them, grinning to herself.
"Oniisan! Omae wa, doko?" Iori called out to her.
"Rio! Daijobu desu ka?" Hakkai called out to her. '...I sense her aura's fading fast...'
"Takke! It's hard to see with all this mist..." Gojyo muttered.
"Rio...-san..." Yumei muttered worriedly.
"Don't worry, Yumei. She'll be alright." Keiko tried to comfort her.
"Yeah, she's tough. She won't die that easy!" Hikaze agreed.
"What now, Sanzo?" Goku asked.
"...We wait..." Sanzo replied.
"Heh! I think it's a bit too late for you to ask that...Hakkai..." she answered, as she forced herself to get up.
"Rio! I think I've made it easier for you to track him now, right?" Sanzo called out to her.
"Aah. Wakatteiru..." she slowly scanned her surroundings. 'Temme...where are you...?'
Suddenly, she 'caught hold' of his aura and fired at that direction. They heard him scream out in pain again. 'Heh...see you in the afterlife...' She fell crashing to the ground, with a satisfied smile on her face. Just then, the mist began to fade.
They saw her lying motionless on the ground. All of them rushed towards her.
"Rio! Daijobu desu ka?" Hakkai checked her pulse and looked at the others worriedly. "She's poisoned. She needs a doctor, fast!"
Suddenly, he felt a weak tug at his shoulder.
"Rio! Don't move!"
"N-never mind me...f-find Mio..." she blacked out.
"...Hai..."
"Hakkai...you and Yumei go back with her..." Sanzo suddenly voiced out.
"Sanzo...?" Hakkai looked at him in surprise.
"Go."
"Hai. Hakuryu!!!" Hakkai called out.
Hakuryu immediately changed into a jeep and they sped off towards town. The others searched around the forest and finally found Mio unconscious in a cave nearby, still with the herbs in her hands.
A few days passed. Finally, Rio woke up.
"Rio-san! Yukatta ne..." Yumei hugged her tight.
"Yumei...?" She slowly looked around and saw all of them.
All of them looked relieved and smiled gently at her. All except Sanzo, that is. He was emotionless, like always. She saw Iori running towards her and hugged her tight. Before he could say anything, she asked him first.
"How's your sister and mother?"
"T-they're fine...arigato, oniisan..." Iori tried to hold himself from crying.
"Sooka? Yukatta ne..."
"...Sumimasen, oniisan...sumimasen..."
"Why are you apologizing?"
"B-because...we've created so much trouble..."
"...Iie...It wasn't any trouble to me...daijobu..."
He couldn't hold his tears back any longer. He hugged her tighter as the tears of joy trickled down his cheeks. Everyone decided just to let him be. Even Rio didn't bother to say anything...
The next day, they were ready to leave. Just before they were leaving, Iori called Rio for the last time. He approached her, with Mio by his side.
"Oniisan? Here...please take this..." he handed her a small pouch.
"Kore wa...?" she opened it and was surprised to see a jade pendant in it.
"It's from okasan." He explained.
She sighed and tied the pouch. She gently placed it back at the palm of his hands.
"Arigato...demo...tell your mother I can't except it..."
"Demo..."
"Tell her, I have already received a 'gift' from her...from all of you..." she smiled slightly and patted his head.
"Eh? Really?" he asked, confused.
"Aah. It's right here...and please carry it in each one of you always..." she touched gently on his chest, right above the heart.
Slowly, he smiled. He understood what she meant.
"Em! Wakatta, oniisan!"
"Oh! That's another thing I want to tell you...I'm not oniisan...call me onesan..."
"I know. Demo, I like calling you oniisan..." Iori smiled.
"Heh! As you like...take care, Iori, Mio."
Both of them nodded and watched them leave. 'Don't worry, Rio onesan...I'll protect okasan and Mio...and I promise not to cry anymore...I promise..."
As they sped on, Goku broke the silence.
"Ne, Rio?" Goku began.
"Nani?"
"Why did you agree to help that kid anyway?"
"...Wouldn't you, Goku?"
Goku paused and then chuckled. "Ha! Ha! I guess you're right..."
"Ch! Next time use your head, you bakasaru!" Gojyo teased.
"Don't call me 'saru', you ero kappa!!!"
"Nandato???"
Once again, the two started to squabble again. Hakkai sighed his usual sigh, Sanzo threatening them to shut the hell up, Keiko and Yumei smiled helplessly watching them, Hikaze mocked them, etc. Rio on the other hand, had her thoughts far away...
'I guess...the other reason why I helped Iori is because of his love towards his family...I couldn't save my family back then...I didn't want him to lose his..."
Senko-san: Ah...Finally, that's done! I hope you guys enjoyed it! Well, I've gotta go now, it's getting WAAAAAYYY too late and I gotta wake up early. Till next time, jya ne!
Chapter 8
Oniisan – big brother, okasan – mother, wakatteiru – I know, onesan – big sister