Christmas Message
Message II: Peace & Hope
-ººº-
Snow, as proven by so many previous generations was a cause for snowball fights. No matter where you are, if it snows, there's bound to be a snowball fight.
Even if you have to be educated on the finer points of it since you've been stuck in a rock for about five hundred years or so.
"So, Goku, the thing you have to do is pack the snow into a firm, round ball… just pat it around till you get a ball shape."
"Uh… like this?"
"Perfect! Now you pick a target, aim, rear back and…"
WHOMP!!!
"Bulls eye."
Goku's golden eyes grew wide. "Hakkai! That was DEAD-ON!!"
The green eyed man just smiled. "It comes from flinging ki balls. Now you try it."
"What the heck- HAKKAI!! Did you thr-"
WHOMP!!!
"YESS! WOOO! I got 'im! Hakkai, did you see that!?"
"Yes, and I suggest you make more before Gojyo gets on his feet…"
"YOU STINKIN' MONKEY!! I'M GONNA MAKE MONKEY STEW OUTTA YA!!"
Fling!
"Hah! Missed by a mile! Let the master show you how it's done!!"
WHOMP!
"Who's got who now, monkey boy?!"
Splutter, splutter, splut. "I'll get you, kono ero kappa!!"
"Come and TRY!"
The Ultimate Snowball War between Gojyo and Goku began as a barrage of round white icy spheres began flying to and fro. Hakkai had run to the sidelines to watch the battle from relative safety. He chuckled at the sight his two friends made, exchanging insults as they let their ammo fly. It wouldn't be long now before they both got the idea of making snow forts.
It was somewhat of a good thing, noted Hakkai, that they were snowed in for a few days in this small town, near the mountains. It was a good chance for a rest from their usual routine of traveling and fighting. Even if it did delay their mission much to Sanzo's annoyance, there wasn't much one could do against the will of Mother Nature.
So, in his own grumbling manner, Sanzo had resigned to their situation and holed himself up in the warm inn room with his cigarettes, his tea and his newspaper. Snowball fights in the inn's large lawn and clowning about in the freezing cold was left up to his ward and the kappa. Hakuryu too had 'kyuued' his preference for staying indoors and curled up under a blanket. Gojyo had been scorched in the behind twice by an annoyed dragon before he learned to look before he sat down anywhere.
Hakkai decided to go shopping in town by himself for once. Quietly, he slipped away to ask Sanzo for his credit card.
Sanzo cast him a glance as he handed the gold card over.
"Get some cigarettes. And a new lighter."
Hakkai nodded amiably. "Hai, hai. I should be back in about an hour or so."
"Mmm."
"Keep an eye on Hakuryu, will you? Gojyo and Goku are still outside having a snowball fight."
The monk snorted. "Not surprised."
Hakkai grinned. "Sure you won't join them?"
"Don't be stupid."
With a chuckle, Hakkai shrugged on a long coat and shut the door quietly. With a snort, Sanzo turned his attention back to his newspaper.
Join them… yeah right. Like that would ever happen…
Some of the townspeople assured Hakkai as he bought supplies and walked around town, that the roads would be cleared by the next day and the newcomers could continue on their way.
Sanzo will be happy to hear that. Or at least less cranky, thought Hakkai with an amused smirk.
In the mean time, Hakkai strolled along the snow covered streets and enjoyed himself looking at the Christmas decorations and lights that adorned the front windows of stores. This particular town celebrated the holiday and Hakkai had already visited the local church, dropping a few coins into the alms box.
It struck him as an irony how they celebrated the arrival of peace and joy when the world around them was in chaos and despair.
Then again, countered Hakkai's own mind, how could he smile and be cheerful when he had been in so much pain and anguish?
Touché.
A particular store caught Hakkai's eye as he strolled past. The window display had a twelve inch Christmas tree with mini presents beneath it. Beside the tree was a doll propped up on a tiny chair and an equally tiny book on its lap. Surrounding it were other soft toys like teddy bears and golliwogs, all looking upwards at the doll. It looked like story time for toys. All around it were books of ordinary size, meant for human hands. Past the cozy display, the store lights were warm and inviting.
Hakkai smiled and stood outside the window for a few minutes.
Coming to a decision, he pushed open the door, jingling a bell above it.
Half an hour later, he came back out with a book in hand and a grocery bag in the crook of another arm. Unexpectedly, he had purchased an anthology of fairy tales, a book meant for kids. But the book had charmed Hakkai into picking it up and after flipping through some pages, deciding on it. The motherly lady and her husband who ran the store had commented it was a lovely Christmas gift for any age really. It just depended on the child within, she had said with a twinkle in her eye.
Perhaps he could give it to Goku as a gift. It'd be a change to actually get the boy to read something rather than eat something.
Then again, remembered Hakkai with an amused air, the only books he was interested in had been cookbooks and other reading items featuring food. He had discovered Goku's penchant for them before they had set off on their journey.
As he flipped through the book, something happened to slip out from one of the pages. Hakkai caught it before it hit the snow below.
It was an old bookmark, pressed flat between the pages of the book and forgotten. Just a simple brown rectangular card with pale yellow ribbon tied through a hole at the top, a picture of a snowy village had been printed on it. A star hung in the sky along with the words,
"On Earth, Peace and Goodwill Toward All Man."
To Hakkai, it was a nice sentiment and one he would most certainly like to have. But as circumstances went, this was not to be in his life. And in the back of his mind, he doubted if it would come around soon.
Placing the bookmark carefully in the first page with the yellow ribbon hanging out, he shut the book and placed it in a coat pocket. Just as he walked away from the store porch and headed out into the streets, the first thing he did was…
WHUMP!
Collide with someone and fall into the snow.
A gasp resounded. "Ah, I'm so sorry!"
Hakkai chuckled a little, getting up onto his knees on the snow. "No, no, it was my fault…"
Then the voice struck him as familiar. VERY familiar.
He turned to look at the person who had fallen into the snow with him. Both eyes widened.
She may have had no tell tale signs like long pointed ears or her tattoo or the normal outfit she wore. But she was instantly recognizable.
"Yaone-san?"
The purple eyed youkai looked back at him, equally surprised.
"Hakkai-san!"
After getting up and collecting their respective packages, both opponents (so to speak) each explained why they were in the little town with natural caution. They were enemies after all.
"We got snowed in for some days here. You?"
"Just a little shopping."
…uh… enemies that engaged in casual everyday conversation that is.
Hakkai smiled. "Rather unusual for the chemist to Tenjiku's prince to come shop in this rather small faraway town."
Yaone smiled sheepishly, fiddling a little with her suppression bracelet. "It's a long story."
He nodded. "Well, I won't detain you much longer, Yaone-san." Hakkai bowed. "I'll be on my way then."
Yaone nodded. "See you." She watched him turn and continue on his way. Just as she turned around, sharp amethyst eyes caught the sight of something in the snow. A book lay there, swirling gold letters on the cover deeming it a book of fairy tales. Bending her knees, she picked it up and wondered who it belonged to. Then a sudden thought struck her as she looked up again at the rapidly retreating figure.
"Hakkai-san!"
He turned around once more to find Yaone running up to him. "Yes?"
"Is this yours?" She held out the newly bought book.
Taking it with a surprised expression, he broke out into a smile. "Ah, yes! I didn't even know it was gone. Thank you."
Yaone smiled as well. "I didn't know you read fairy tales."
The green eyed man chuckled. "There is something about legends and stories that have always intrigued me."
"I'm just surprised you find time to read any book."
He shrugged. "During sleepless nights, it is a good companion to have." He opened it up to the first page and scanned it silently. Then he looked up. "Did you happen to see a bookmark with a yellow ribbon, Yaone-san?"
"No… perhaps it's still in the snow back there."
Hakkai blinked in surprise as she turned and headed back to the front of the bookstore. Without another thought, he trailed after, deciding not to question why he and his usual opponent were looking for a small bookmark in the snow.
Yaone's gloved hand closed in on the card a foot away from there the book had been. "Found it!"
Hakkai looked up and smiled, getting to his feet. As she came over, her eyes read the words on it and she smiled, rather sadly.
"Will that ever be possible, I wonder…?" she murmured as she handed it over to him.
He looked at the bookmark for a while, pondering it over. "…well… this is a start."
Yaone looked surprised. "This?"
He smiled. "You helped me find the bookmark. We're at peace and you showed me goodwill. I'd like to think that there's hope left if we are able to do so."
Yaone slowly smiled. "Perhaps."
"…would you like to walk with me for a little longer, Yaone-san? It's a nice day for a stroll."
She smiled wider. "I'd like that."
The pair headed off, talking about the things they had bought, Goku and Lirin's latest antics, and the town. Yaone surprised Hakkai by being very familiar with the town. They stopped by a certain herb store where Yaone taught Hakkai which herbs were for medicine while he in turn, pointed out others meant for medicinal and cooking purposes. They halted by the frozen pond where some of the townspeople were ice skating to watch but declined to try it out themselves.
After they took their leave, Yaone happened to look upwards. "…will you wait a moment, Hakkai-san? I need to get something."
"Of course."
Yaone went off and soon returned from a pet store with a small paper bag filled with birdseed. Pouring it out onto one slightly cupped hand, she looked at Hakkai with a smile.
"I know you're fond of dragons. But do you like birds?"
Hakkai laughed. "Goku would tell you he liked his birds fried, boiled or grilled."
Yaone chuckled and poured out some birdseed onto Hakkai's hand. They poured it out by a tree on the ground and stepped back. It didn't take long for the birds to come and feast themselves silly. Both Hakkai and Yaone enjoyed spreading the birdseed around as more and more birds arrived. Conversation was made in low tones.
As Yaone gently flung some more bird seed on the ground, she suddenly said, "…I used to live here a long time ago before I met Kougaiji-sama. I come here every December."
"… no wonder you know this place so well. But no one seems to recognize you."
She shook her head. "People don't remember names, only faces. And when I was here, I was very young. It's better this way. And I remember them so, it's alright."
"…your family?"
"…I have none left. But it doesn't matter much." She looked around. "As long as I have my memories, I'm content." Yaone's eyes were far away as she continued to watch the small birds enjoy the seeds on the white snow. Jolting after two minutes, she turned to Hakkai who had been quiet the whole time.
"Are there any more seeds left?"
Hakkai shook the bag. "I'm afraid not." Getting to his feet, he extended a hand to help Yaone up. "Shall we?"
Nodding, Yaone picked up her things once more and beside Hakkai, continued their walk. By late afternoon, they ended up back at the same bookstore they had met in front of.
"I had better head back," remarked Yaone glancing at the clock on display at the watch shop. "I'm rather late."
Hakkai nodded. "… here. Merry Christmas."
Yaone blinked at the sudden gesture. "…don't you want it?"
He smiled. "It doesn't matter."
With a smile, she took the bookmark. "Thank you. I just wish I had something to give to you in return."
Hakkai only shook his head. "Your company today was a gift in itself. Thank you."
A tinge of red rose to her cheeks as she smiled widely. "You're welcome. Merry Christmas, Hakkai-san."
"Merry Christmas, Yaone-san."
With a last exchange of smiles, Yaone went on her way and Hakkai on his. As Hakkai approached the inn where they were staying, his thoughts were snapped back to the present and in amazement, saw Gojyo and Goku being pelted by snowballs from the sidelines.
From Sanzo of all people.
WHOMP!
"AARGH!! Stupid MONK!! Lay off already!! Cease fire!!"
WHOMP!
"AAAGH!!"
Carefully avoiding the flying snowballs, Hakkai headed indoors to put his things away. Coming back outside, he smiled as he walked up to Sanzo who was still throwing snowballs with a perfectly straight face.
Hakkai grinned. "May I?"
Sanzo flung another snowball, hitting Goku right on the back of his head and throwing him into a snowdrift. "Help yourself."
"Thank you."
Fling!
WHOMP!
Gojyo shook a fist. "HAKKAI, you traitor!! Goku, quit floundering around and make more snowballs!"
"Mmph mmphmh!!"
"This means war!!"
"As you wish, Gojyo!" called out Hakkai merrily.
Sanzo glanced at him with an eyebrow raised. "You're being exceptionally cheerful."
Hakkai smiled as he remembered the words on a bookmark and the afternoon spent with a certain young lady.
Hope for peace on earth and goodwill towards man.
The green eyes crinkled in a grin. "Tis' the season to be jolly."
The monk merely raised his eyebrow even higher but made no comment about the empty paper bag in Hakkai's coat pocket.
End.
A/N: Dedicated to Imaginator and to the thousands of Saiyuki fans here in and around the world.
A/N II: "Peace & Hope", reason why no one's killing each other (snowballs hopefully aren't fatal although knowing Sanzo, they might just rank number three on the most lethal weapon list beneath the gun and the harisen) and a hope for a better future.