"Which one do you want?" Myka called from the highest branch in the tree, her hair whipping around her face. Sanzo spared a glance upward; he wasn't expecting her to do it. She was afraid of heights, and this was the tallest tree around. He had to gather twigs for fire, what he had forgotten was that he was supposed to collect dead ones.

"Whichever looks the thickest, I guess."

"That was specific..." She grumbled, and reached to grab one. Suddenly the branch gave way, and she screamed as she plummeted downward. Sanzo's eyes widened as he attempted to catch her, and acted more of a break to her fall.

He opened his eyes painfully after a passage of time, he had hit his own head on the way down. Feeling something on his chest, he looked up to find Myka on top of him, grinning madly, despite her cheek that was bleeding and a few scratches on her arms. Ever so slowly, she raised her hand, and weaving between her fingers were the twigs he had wanted.

"You idiot..." He whispered coldly, but his eyes betrayed him.

Past's Future

Scroll Two: I Don't Care for Her

The morning was a hectic one, Hakkai changing Myka's bandages and trying to hide his worry that the bleeding hadn't stopped; Gojyo began to yell at Sanzo, who in turn was trying to explain to the Inn Keeper why a shot had gone off in their room. Goku, in the meantime, was chasing Jeep round the balcony, who had stolen his third muffin.

Predictably, they were thrown out, and left standing in the morning mist as the sun bled colors into the sky.

"What do we do now?" Goku asked in a huff, glaring at Jeep who had turned into what it was named for.

"We should get out of here, that's what." Gojyo lit his cigarrete and glanced at Myka, who averted his strong gaze. She failed to hide a wince though as she rubbed her shoulder, red already coming through the white weavings.

"She's coming with, right?"

"No." Sanzo answered. "We will leave her at the village's hospital."

"Sanzo, don't you think-" Goku started, but was silenced at Sanzo's stare.

"I can't say I agree with you." Hakkai said, revving up the engine as he sat in the driver's seat.

"Where am I going to..." Myka trailed off, noticing the Jeep only had four seats. Her voice seemed soft, weak. A certain aura of depression radiated from her, like a cloud tainted with rain.

"C'mere with me." Gojyo smiled, grasping her hand and hauling her up unto his lap. She seemed surprised, but leaned back into him, forcing a smile on her face.

"Thank you." But her eyes didn't match her smile, and Gojyo mentally frowned.

"It's my pleasure." He grinned mischeously and pulled her in closer. Normally, Goku would've yelled at him, but even he was old enough to see what Gojyo was trying to do. He kept silent, shivering slightly as the wind bit at his face.

It was strangely docile as the hum of the engine was the only thing audiable as they finally pulled up into the hospital driveway, Sanzo being the first one to get out and slam the car door harder than nessasary.

"What?" He asked crossly, seeing his three companions stay put. He didn't get an answer. His foot began to drum the ground as he grew more impatient. Finally Goku spoke,

"I thought we're supposed to be saving people, not killing 'em."

"What are you-"

"If we leave her here, where is she going ta go?" Something dark went into Sanzo's eyes as he looked straight at her.

"Oh, I'm sure she'll find somewhere to go, won't you, Myka?"

"..." She looked away, her eyes downcast.

"Leave her alone, Sanzo, you've done enough." Gojyo spat, tasting bile. "Now your just being unfair. I know what shit went on between you two, but it's nothing compared to what your doing to her."

"You told them?" He implied, in an icey voice that made the words sting more.

"I-I..."

"Did. You. Tell. Them."

"Hai." She whispered, and lifted herself off of Gojyo and hopped out of the car, flinching as she walked with her head up towards Sanzo, even when his hand hovered over his gun. Her steps steady, and despite of the wetness across her face that could only be caused by tears, the woman stopped her stride and stood directly in front of him, her gray eyes boring into his skull fircely. Hakkai made a motion for Goku and Gojyo not to say anything with the wave of his hand.

"I had hoped you would forgive me..." She stepped closer, her face inches from his. "And I hope you can forgive me now, too." She kissed him quickly, her lips only grazing his, and she continued walking, her boots thudding against the pavement. Myka only turned once, and smiled a sad, tired, and weary one.

"Thank you, Hakkai, Goku, and Gojyo, you've all treated me very kindly. Hakkai, you treated me with more care than any sibling could, Goku, you gave me the remedy of humor and stuck up for me, and Gojyo showed me that warmth and love still exists..." She bowed deeply, flinching as she came back up. "I thank you, Sanzo, for letting me see you one last time."

With sadness that one could only feel and not explain, she opened the door with her good arm and stepped inside.

Sanzo touched his lips in confusion, and looked back at the hospital, and then at his three friends. Each of them looked away, almost hurt.

"What?" He snapped walking back to the Jeep.

"She left for a reason that you were too much of an asshole to notice." Gojyo replied hotly.

"She left you because the priest had started beating her once he found out you two were in some of relationship. He threatened to kill you in front of her if she didn't leave." Hakkai's voice was empty as he pulled out of the driveway. "He was bluffing, but Myka didn't realize it until much later, she was only a girl. If you think that was bad, her life after she left was horrible."

"She saved your life." Goku yelled over the dull roar of the engine.

"As if I didn't realize." Sanzo said, his fingers tapping the metal of the door in a frustraded manner. A pang of guilt shot through him instantly, and he was relieved at the same time that it wasn't because of her she had left. Flashbacks of the scars that were on her arms played through his head.

"She would've died if she had stayed with us." He concluded, and Gojyo scowled.

"You keep telling yourself that." He slumped in his seat, sucking in on his cigarrete hard.

"Shut up. Anyone who doesn't, dies."

"You know what? I don't think he deserves her, Gojyo." Goku said, the kappa nodding in agreement. "She's way better off if we leave her in the hospital, where someone won't shoot her."

"Godamnit, shut the hell up!" Sanzo spun around in his seat, glaring menacingly at the two.

"Is that what you wish? I can't say I don't agree with them." Hakkai said softly.

"We're not taking her with us." Sanzo decided for the one hundreth time that morning.

"Why not? She carried four swords on her back, that must mean she skilled in battle." Goku pointed out.

"No."

Everyone went silent, the quiet dripping between them posionessly. Hakkai stopped the car abruptly, sending everyone lurching forward.

"What the hell-"

"Look." He said simply, with a nod of his head. Hungover men stumbled around, talking of five youkai on their way to the hospital between murmers and slurrs. Hakkai spun the car around with a screech and drove full speed back. Sanzo's protesting thoughts were put on hold as they saw Myka with two swords in each hand, her breathing heavy as five youkai surronded her in ring, crying and worried doctors flocking near the door.

"Where's Sanzo and his followers?" Asked one.

"I have no idea what your talking about."

"Oh yes you do." A sword lashed out of her, but with a clang of metal to metal she threw it off, knocking the sword from her oppenants hand.

"I won't tell you." She growled, her eyes darting about.

"Then we have no choice but to kill you, and then those doctors and patients." Snarled one, cracking his knuckles primely.

"I'm not afraid of anything." She whispered, then sprang up and kicked one in the head, reaching one arm out and sticking her two swords through an oncoming youkai's head. Propelling herself forward with a thrust of her arm, she stuck another's head with her opposite arm, and she hung between them. In a second she swung her feet forward, and kicked a charging youkai in the gut, before untangling her swords and sweeping around, cutting another in half.

It was so quick, the appaulse was a beat late.

Everyone cheered while she slid her sowrds behind her to their sheaths and winced, rubbing her shoulder tenderly.

Our four heroes just gaped, until Gojyo leaped out of the car and bounded to her, followed by an eager Goku. Hakkai gave a knowing look at Sanzo, who waved him off as they trudged across the lawn to her.

"Your back...?" She smiled, though it was somewhat unstable. She cried in surprise as Gojyo swept her off her feet bridal style.

"How'd a beautiful lady like you defeat all of those youkai with an injured shoulder?" He asked, careful not to touch the injurey as he held her. Goku jumped up and down excitedly.

"That was so awesome! How'd ya do it?" He asked quickly, then took out his weapon. "You've got to face me."

"I...Why..." She looked around and then at Gojyo, who winked.

"I think we're gonna keep ya."

"Don't make any asumpsions yet." Sanzo stated tiredly, running a hand through his hair and feeling his vein pop. Hakkai smiled,

"You came back...Sanzo..." she said, locking eyes with him. "All of you...I thought..." And then she lost consiousness, going limp in his arms.

"Man, is she packing or what? She has got to be the hottest-"

"Enough." Sanzo said, waving his hand absently at him. They were in the hospital lobby, complete with uncomfortable wooden seats and poor lighting.

"This place reeks." Goku said, visibly sniffing around and perching himself on the arm of his chair.

"Really, is she yours Sanzo?" Gojyo continued, as scarlet met violet. Sanzo touched his lips unconsiously, his eyes going distant. "Cause you know I won't touch another man's property."

"She's not even coming with us." Sanzo retorted, back to earth.

"Are you serious!? She kicked five youkai ass in two seconds." Goku's adrenaline fed his words as he stood up proudly.

"Goku..." Hakkai warned, but Goku toppled off the chair from loss of balance and landed with a thud on the ground.

"That doesn't matter, I don't want another coming with us."

"If you don't care for her..." Gojyo leaned over and was inches away from Sanzo's face, and he blew smoke expertly into it. "Then why don't you let her come? What do you care if she dies, hnn?"

"Pull something like that again, and die." The priest promised, wearily reaching for his gun.

"In her eyes, Sanzo, is strong dedication..." Hakkai said, as if not to anyone as his eyes were hidden from veiw. "Reminds me of Yaone-San..."

"Ha, that chick you got the hots for, Hakkai?" Gojyo inquired, and wasn't satisfied when Hakkai waved him off.

"I don't know what your talking about, I merely respect her."

"Oh, don't give me that bull shit." Gojyo crossed his leg over the other and turned his eyes skyward. "Well, fuck. This just sucks. Everyone's got a chick 'cept me."

"..." Sanzo glared at him. Gojyo raised an eyebrow back, long used to that look.

"Do you wish for death?"

"Goku...?" Hakkai asked, finally making eye contact. How could anyone like Goku...? His eyes flicked over to Goku, who was promtly walking around the room, atempting to understand the scrolls on the walls, and they didn't fail to notice a limp in his walk. The kappa smirked.

"Lirin, Mokey's female twin. I think he likes her."

"Ahh..." Hakkai nodded knowingly, smiling. Sanzo's eye gave an unhealthy twitch.

"Don't even mention that name in my presence...and why the hell are we-I mean you even talking about this?!" He held a pistol promtly to Gojyo's temple.

"Think about it. The hospital is lending us rooms for the night." Hakkai said as he stood up, brushing any stubborn dust off his clothing.

"But's only lunch time..." Goku whined, back from his trip around the room.

"We must consider Myka's needs...she is in need of a good rest. Tell me..." He placed an arm around Goku's shoulders and led him out of the lobby. "What do you think of Lirin...?"

"I've already made my decision." Sanzo said coldly, avoiding Gojyo's eyes as he walked placididly out of the room behind Goku and Hakkai.

Myka blinked her groggy eyes open, inhaling sharply at the ache in her shoulder. She smiled weakly, she was so pathetic as too make it even worse.

Sitting up carefully, the white sheets falling off and pooling around her in the pale moonlight coming from the window, she strained her ears for any signs of life. Hearing nothing, she slipped out of bed on her long, but shaky legs and stretched, biting her lower lip in attempt to help erase the pain in her shoulder. The floor felt cold and univiting to her bare feet.

Frowning, she sat back down. Just like Sanzo...She hadn't expected a welcome from him, what she had done was horrible. She could've withstood pain longer. She could've said good bye. Maybe she shouldn't inconvience them, seeing Sanzo one last time was enough to keep her going a few more years. After that...

With a shiver, she stood and walked out of the room, wrapping a sheet around her, in an attempt to keep her warm. It reminded her of her robe she wore long ago. With a small and somewhat guilty smile she wondered if Sanzo would think the same way.

Creeping into the empty hallway, only lit by the moonlight that carved hideous shadows, she then realized she had no idea of what room they were staying at. Feeling stupid, she wandered down a little ways, and found a map on the wall. Thanking herself for getting taught too, she read where the guest ward was and on tip toes got there, cursing the hospital for being so large and full of twists and turns.

Opening the door as silently as she could, she looked in to find all four of them there, Hakkai occupying the bed while Goku was sprawled out on a futon along with Gojyo and Sanzo. Hoping she wouldn't startle them or wake them, she knelt beside Sanzo, clutching her blanket carefully. The priest Sanzo hung around as kid, the Sanzo then, didn't let Kouryuu (his real name then) know that he knew about Myka, but he let Myka know.

She smiled fondly at the memory.

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be sorry, in fact, be happy. You see, let me tell you about the sakura tree."

Myka looked up, her large eyes wet with tears. "The sakura tree?"

"Yes, did you know the sakura tree has no color in it's petals?"

"Um...Is this a trick question?" Sanzo laughed, a warm, rumbling sound etched deep in his throat.

"It is said that one person is buried under the sakura tree, and the blood of that person gives the sakura tree it's pink petals. With out that person, the tree isn't as beautiful."

"Oh..." She looked down, trying to register what he was saying. How did that relate to Sanzo's-Kouryuu-(she corrected, having formed the habit of calling him Sanzo) and their relationship?

"You'll understand one day." He smiled and wiped the tears from her face. "I know I preach way too much-"

"Not at all Mr. Sanzo,sir...priest...person..."

"Your cute. Anyway, get going now, Sanzo wouldn't want to see you cry, neh?"

She once heard you can tell the condition of a person's soul by the way they slept. Sanzo looked restless, his brow furrowing as his golden hair stuck to his forhead from sweat. He looked worn so much he didn't bother to feel.

Myka frowned, stroking his cheek lightly with one hand. She wished she could make him happier. But to do that, she would have to leave. And that's what she was going to do.

A single tear illumated by silver slipped down her cheek, landing on Sanzo's chest.

"I'm glad you let me see you again..." She smiled, despite the salt that was coming into her mouth from her mounting number of tears. She always felt disgusting when she cried, after Sanzo's master had said that.

"I missed you, Sanzo...I didn't want to leave, and I don't want to leave now. But atleast I'm saying goodbye this time. And this time, you'll be happy I'm gone. I'm sorry for being so selfish..." She stared at him a moment longer, than got up, careful not to trip over her sheet.

Closing the door discreatly behind her, her bangs darkened her face as she padded down the hallway toward the exit, grabbing her boots on the way out.

Sanzo opened his eyes, narrowing them suspisuosly. He had this dream...that Myka was sitting over him in a white sheet around her, smiling sadly and stroking his cheek, crying.

Gah, he was getting as bad as Gojyo...not that he felt any sort of attraction to her whatsoever. He hated perverts.

Shaking his head to rid himself of such senile thoughts and sitting up, he gasped slighly. She was here. It was so like Myka to leave something so obvious. He ran a finger over the sheet, wetness that reeked of tears there.

The real question was, would he go after her?

Isn't this what he wanted?

Hell, it even made it easier on him.

Then why was he even wasting his time pondering over it?

"Damn it all to hell." He snarled and threw the covers off him.

Sanzo's eyes scanned the front yard, able to pick out every blade of grass due to the light. The wind whisted to him as he swiftly ran straight, because he had no other lead. He ended up looping around the village-people looking out their windows and cursing at him for being out so late, of course- and then back in front of the hospital. Leaning against a tree tiredly, he let his gaze wander.

A tree. That was it.

Looking up, he found her, on a branch, siloutted by darkness and moonlight, a sheet whipped around her and blended with her hair, making sight fluttering noises. God, and he ran all the way around town to find her in front of his face.

"Get down here." He grunted, but it was loud enough for her to hear. He blinked in surprise when with a rush of air she landed gracefully beside him as if it were nothing.

"What are you doing out here?"

"I was just going to leave." She said firmly, her hands clanched into fists.

"Why are you doing that?" The way he asked was as if he didn't care, and this was a pain. Which it was, he repremanded himself certainly.

"Y-you don't want me around...and I-I..."

"Spit it out-"

"I just want you to be happy...and I don't think you like seeing me here, so I can just dissapear again like last time."

"Damn, can't say I feel the same way. I don't know about you, but I live for myself, and die for myself." He started walking away. "I face both head on, I don't run like you. I thought you were better than that." She grinned, and ran after him, slowing down once she caught up. He was both complementing and critsizing.

"Say anything, you die. I'm tired. And you woke me up." Her eyes widened and failed to catch his smirk as he opened the door and walked in, her following behind. Their footsteps seem to echo in the dark hallway. For once, she was thankful it was dark, so he couldn't see her blushing face.

"Where's your room?" He asked gruffly, turning to face her. Her voice seem to hitch in her throat; his eyes looked beautiful in this light and shadow.

"Way this...I mean, this way..." She gave a nervous laugh and took the lead, her hips swaying and her pace quick.

They walked there silently, when she finally came to her room, and with a click of the nob the door was open. She hesitated.

"What is it?"

"Nothing...so..."

"Unfortuneately, the pervert, monkey, and Hakkai want you to come with, so you will see me tommorrow." With that he closed the door behind him.

"We're going to go in twenty minutes." Sanzo informed Myka, who was sitting upright in the hospital bed, greeting the crisp morning sunshine that afted trough the window panes.

"Alright...thank you..." She gave a crooked smile, one he reconigized from when they were younger. He had momentarily forgotten about her wound until it dawned on him why they were in the hospital in the first place. He leaned against the side table, he knew she wasn't expecting a apology.

And she wasn't going to get one.

"Damn...I wasted a bullet.." He muttered, cocking his gun and loading it up.

Okay, she did get one. Sanzo-style. "Damn..."He repeated, already he was giving himself up. She watched with a small smile, this was the Sanzo she had loved as a child.

"I like your friends."

"Don't group me with them."

"Sorry."

"Quit apologizing, it's getting annoying."

"Sorry." She giggled, and he raised an eyebrow. He was distantly reminded of a child, and as the time past, her amusement seemed to grow.

"Shut up or die." He looked away, so as she wouldn't see the movement of his mouth.

"Alright." She worked herself out of bed, Sanzo watching carefully as she tugged her boots on and laced them, bent over.

"Why did those youkai want to know who you were?" She asked, her eyes not leaving his as they walked out the door, he chose caustiously to stay a bit behind her.

"It's a long story."

"Later, then?" She spared a glance back at him, a flicker of mischeif in her eyes. He felt himself nodding, realizing what she was asking.

"Later."

"We're going to need to do something about sitting arrangements." Sanzo groaned, grinding his teeth as he saw Gojyo flirting like crazy with Myka, who sat nicely wedged between his legs.

"Is somebody jealous?" Gojyo taunted, and Myka blushed. Sanzo rubbed his temple, blaming whatever god he cursed in his past life for the fate that lay before him.

"Do me a favor and just die, Gojyo."

"Yeah, your making me gag back here, kappa."

"Watch and learn, Goku-"

"(gunshot)Damn, I must've missed."

"...guns make me nervous, Sanzo-kun..."

"Sanzo-kun?! Why are you calling him that for? C'mere..."

"Oh stop that Gojyo, that tickles!(Laughing)"

"Pervy kappa..."

"(vein pop)You want to walk west?!"

"It's going to be another beautiful day, huh Jeep?"

"(Chirp)"

A/N: Once again, thank you very much for reading and thank you for the reveiw(s) I recieved! (I've only gotten one so far, but I'm so pathetically gracious that I'm SO happy, Imagine what more does to me, heheh) Keep 'em coming, good and bad, because it fuels my fire, so to speak. After this I'm thinking of writing a Goku/Jirin or Hakkai/Yaone...what do you guys think? (Not that this story is going to end anytime soon...we're looking at a lot of chapters people. ) Or should I just include those pairings in here? See first sentence.

Uh...

Ja ne