Disclaimer: Saiyuki and all its character are not really mine to torture.
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-Chapter 1-
Beautiful Night.
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The room was not big, but it was not too small either. It was enough to accommodate two single beds for its occupant, a shabby looking cupboard in one corner and an old table that was situated near the window complete with three chairs. It wasn't much but it would do for the night.
Sanzo sat in one of the chair a cigarette dangling at the corner of his lips as he stared into the darkness outside. He wasn't in his usual priest robe; instead he was wearing a long-sleeve black t-shirt and his normal worn-out jean. The now ripped and blood-stained robe lay carelessly on the chair beside him. It was beyond restoration, he would have to get another one tomorrow - or rather his emerald eyes friend would have to go and get another one tomorrow. It is Hakkai's responsibility to do all their shopping and he couldn't care less.
He shifted slightly in his seat, trying to favour his wounded shoulder – or not. Immediately, pain spasm through him, like little sharp needles poking at his nerve system. He cursed fiercely, waiting for it to pass. He hates getting hurt! Everybody does… but for him, it is not just a typical disdain sentiment. He loathes it just like he loathes the rain! Getting hurt shows that you are not strong enough… still too vulnerable for your enemies to attack… still too weak to defend yourself… and the people around you… but most of all it meant that he had failed him yet again.
Stay strong… Genjo Sanzo…
It was his master's last wish before the youkais' had attack the temple, stealing something that is far more important than the sutra. Something that had left him a deep scar… an unseen mark upon his heart that still hurts even after all this years… Something that he knew will never completely heal even if given time.
Stay strong… Genjo Sanzo…
The words echoed in his mind, repeating again and again, forever reminding him of his weakness and his failure to abide to his master's last will. He hissed in frustration as the growing empty ache in his heart took root. I'm not strong… he thought sadly. I never was… I've failed you, oshou-sama.
Stay strong… Genjo Sanzo…
There was a soft knocked and the sound of the door being opened. Silent footsteps entered the room as the door was carefully closed again. He did not need to see to know who it was, there is only one man he knew that have the decency to knock before entering. And right now the man's presence is intruding on his privacy.
"Sanzo," Hakkai greeted him, slipping into the last remaining chair and setting down the tray he was carrying. "Care for a tea?"
Before he could say anything, a wooden cup was settled in front of him. Hot steam escaped into the air as the tea was being poured in. He watched in silence, not refusing nor accepting the kind deed.
"How's the shoulder?" Hakkai asked, carefully pouring a cup of tea for himself and taking a little sip before settling back into his chair. There was something wrong with the priest apart from that nasty injury, he knew that. But what is haunting his very complicated friend's mind remains a mystery.
"Fine." Sanzo snapped the answer, taking a few gulp on his tea with a growing frustration. He knew Hakkai was just making sure that he is alright, but he finds the unnecessary concerns of his friend for him are very irritating. All he wants right now is to be left alone… alone in a place where he can have solitude to think and calm his confuse mind. And obviously this place is not here…
He stood up suddenly and reached for his gun – a Smith & Wesson - that was lying on the table, never far away from him. He tucked it neatly under his belt and pulled out his shirt so that it hung loosely over the gun, concealing it. "I'm going out."
"Sanzo," Hakkai started. "But your shoulder…"
"It's fine." He snapped back, snatching his last remaining packet of cigarette and the lighter and stuffing them carelessly into his Jean's pocket. He pauses for a moment at the door. "The sutra is under Jeep's basket. Keep it save."
He didn't wait for an acknowledgement, closing the door shut he made his way down the stairs, ignoring the pain in his shoulder. He would find a place – a nice dark, quiet and lonely place for him to have solitude.
"IT WAS MY DUMPLING KAPPA!"
Sanzo cringed violently as the booming voice floated out of the restaurant and pounded on his ear. It felt as if his eardrums were about to explode. Damn saru…
"WELL I DIDN'T SEE YOUR NAME ON IT SARU!"
Damn idiots… He cursed irritably as Gojyo's voice pounded on his eardrums next. I need to get out of here…
"BUT IT WAS ON MY PLATE!"
Slipping pass the restaurant hurriedly, he silently walk out of the hotel making sure that the two idiots didn't see him leave.
***
The night was clear with millions dazzling stars to decorate the dull heaven. A full moon hung magnificently in the dark sky. It's pale light illuminating the whole world with an ethereal luminosity. Far in the south, the sky glow eerily from the lights of the festival the town was celebrating, sounds of music and faint laughter's drifted with the cold wind.
Sanzo leaned against the side of the old wooden bridge, inhaling his third cigarette. The pain from his shoulder was returning quite sharply, probably had reopened the wound again. He didn't bother to check, if his guess was right, Hakkai can heal it again later.
The priest listened silently to the sounds of the river water rushing softly toward the sea and wondered what had brought him here. He was never fond of rivers; usually he tried to avoid them. Rivers tend to bring the distant past back to him… painful reminiscences that he tried to forget. Tonight was no different, as he stared into the darkness below; his mind was taking a trip into the past.
It was 13 years ago when he when to his first festival. He had never like crowded places or a large amount of people for that matter. He prefers to enjoy solitude by seeping silent tea with his master. But oshou-sama had persistently insisted that they went to this festival for the lousy reason to have some – fun. He didn't know how trying to walk in a crowded place with various odours in the air can be fun… but he had eventually agreed to comply with his master's will although it was against his.
He was glad he did…
"Koryu, are you having fun?"
He looked at his master who was smiling at him with composure. He smiled in return and nod. Before this night, his idea of fun was to be left alone in his room, to do whatever he wishes. But now…
He took another bite from his fluffy cotton candy, savouring the sweetness as it slowly melts in his mouth… it was the most wonderful night he had ever had.
A sudden explosion brought his wandering mind back to the future. For a second he was bewildered, searching for the source of the blast. There was another explosion and the sky was lit in red.
Fireworks… he sighed. There were fireworks too that night, weren't there?
Another blast, this time the sky was lit in green. Far in the distant, he could hear cheers as the spectators observed the fireworks show.
He sighed and flicked the half burning cigarette away, watching as it disappears into the darkness below. Perhaps, he should head back now. Who knows how much food that stupid monkey had consumed since his time of leaving; probably had finished half of the food at the festival. Besides, his shoulder is really starting to hurt. A quick inspection told him that his earlier guess was correct, the bandages was stained with blood. He cursed… all the more reason to go back.
He turned to leave after the last fireworks had lit the night sky… I had fun that night… oshou-sama…
Suddenly, an alarm went off at the back of his mind – youryoku.
He swore viciously. In an instant the Smith & Wesson gun was in his hand and aiming at the lone figure that was standing at the end of the bridge.
"Genjo Sanzo…"
"Kougaiji…"
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To Be Continue
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So how was it? I hope it didn't suck like the previous chapter… I hope you like it. And please by the way, I'm having a little bit trouble here… The italics sentences won't show went I upload the chapters… Can any body help me?