Chapter 4: The Country's Future.
A/N: I am so sorry for the late updates. I haven't been able to go on the computer because of bad grades. I am so sorry, I would be updating more but I really have to work hard to get my grades up and then I promise lots of updates. But just work with me and it'll be fine and I'll soothe all of your lovely 58 needs.
" Gojyo? Could you water my roses around the edge of the planter box today?" Hakkai asked sweetly as Gojyo came back with the watering can.
" Yeah, no problem." Gojyo said, pouring water around the small square, making sure he didn't leave any dry dirt. Hakkai noticed Gojyo had bee awfully quiet since the incident at breakfast two days ago. Gojyo usually didn't want to leave the room, probably to avoid Lord Homura. Hakkai was definately worried. It was just in his nature. After all, they did have some awkward experences the past few days.
" Gojyo?" Hakkai asked.
" Hmm?" Gojyo hummed. " Want me to get the hose instead?"
" No, no, that's not it." Hakkai smiled. " I was wondering what's wrong...you've been quiet lately."
" It's nothing, don't worry."
" I have to worry. I don't want my wonderful babysitter being all depressed." Hakkai teased.
" Pfft." Gojyo spat. " Babysitter."
" Well, you don't like being called a servant, since you're last meeting with Sanzo and I don't want to call you slave because that's not what you are. So I guess babysitter fist best." Hakkai said happily.
" I swear, if you weren't an inch shorter then me, I would think you were a 5 year old." Gojyo glared. " You're so kiddish."
" Childish is more the correct word." Hakkai corrected.
" 'Cuse me, a 12 year old." Gojyo hissed. " A really smart ass 12 year old."
Hakkai chuckled. " You're so honest Gojyo. You just say whatever is on your mind."
" Glad you like that. That little quality gets me fired, but not here." He smiled, pouring out the last few drops of water onto the roses themselves, making them glitter in the morning sun. Gojyo sighed outwardly in completion. " Geez, this is hard work. How come these bastard roses haven't bloomed for you after all you do for them."
" I don't know." Hakkai shrugged sadly.
" Plus, you're so nice to them too."
" I treat them like they were my own family, it's like they don't want to bloom for me." Hakkai sighed, leaning back in his chair, closing his dulled emerald eyes and resting his hand on his forehead.
" Or..." Gojyo pondered.
" Or?"
" Maybe they're waiting."
" For what?" Hakkai asked, quite confused.
" Maybe they're waiting until they can look their absolute best for you." Gojyo grinned.
Hakkai couldn't say anything, he just smiled. " I suppose you might be right."
" Of course I am." Gojyo hissed more sharply. " You hungry yet, I can go get you something."
" No, well, I could go for a glass of ice water. I believe I am having a bit of mindstrain again." Hakkai sighed outwardly, rubbing on his temples.
" Okay, that's fine. I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." Gojyo scolded.
" I won't." Hakkai smiled.
With that, Gojyo ran off towards the castle. He went into the kitchen, Goku was there washing dishes idly, humming a tune until he saw Gojyo rush in.
" Hey monkey." Gojyo teased.
" Don't call me monkey or I'll make you wash these dishes."
" Oh shut up and get me some ice water."
" I'm not your servant." Goku whined, sticking is tongue out at the kappa.
" Fine, Prince Hakkai told me to get him ice water."
" He told you to get him ice water." Goku resisted.
" Ahhh, fine." Gojyo growled, pouring some pure water into a glass with a few cubes of ice floating.
" Oh yeah, how are you holding up here, since breakfast that one day."
" Why does everybody keep asking me about that?" Gojyo hissed. " Sure Homura scared the shit outta me, but I am not traumatized. Argh, I'm the one who's having a mindstrain."
" Prince Hakkai's having another mindstrain?"
" Yeah. I have to go back to him now, bye monk--AH!" Gojyo panicked, nearly dropping the glass of water when seeing two big brown eyes looking up at him. " Princess! Don't do that!"
" AH! Princess Yaone! How are you?" Goku squeeled, hugging Yaone.
" Great, where's Sanzo? Shouldn't he be helping you out?"
" He's off with the king. He took Dokugakuji, Kougaiji, Zenon and Shien with him as well. There was a brawl in town square again." Goku whined.
" Again..." Yaone sighed.
" What happened the first time?" Gojyo asked, a bit confused.
" We can't really talk about it. Let's just say...my father is a bit power hungry." Yaone sighed, rolling her eyes idly.
" No shit." Gojyo said.
" So what are you doing in the kitchen Gojyo?" Yaone asked, quickly changing the subject.
" Hakkai's having a mindstrain and wanted ice water. Speaking of which, I have to go give it to him. See ya Princess, Monkey."
" Ah, wait, I'll walk with you over there." Yaone said, following Gojyo into the halls towards the garden. " Sooo..." Yaone started off instantly.
" Sooo what?" Gojyo said mockingly.
" How do you like Hakkai so far?" Yaone grinned.
" If you think you're gonna hook us up, I like to keep my head where it is, thank you." Gojyo hissed.
" Aww, come on, you don't like him even a little bit."
" Yeah, he's sweet and cute." Gojyo said, almost choking on the sappiness of the situation, but spat out his words anyway.
" So you like him?" Yaone pryed.
" No." Gojyo denyed.
" Yes you do." Yaone smiled.
" If it will get you to shut the hell up, yes." Gojyo sputtered. " I do like him." He looked over at Yaone, who had almost grown hearts in her eyes and a pink blush on her face, ready to squeel. " But I am not telling him a damn thing or will this little thing turn into anything more then a 'like' situation." That statement made Yaone cower. " I also don't want to soothe your sick pleasures."
" Awwwwww, come on!" Yaone whined.
" How is it that every day you turn more and more into Goku!? Geez, shut up!"
" I can tell my daddy on you..." Yaone pointed out, but said in a joking manner. Gojyo panicked, but didn't know any panic besides on his obvious face. "...whom you're obviously scared of."
" I am not scared of Lord Homura." Gojyo said seriously.
" It's alright." Yaone smiled sadly. " Everybody is."
" But not everybody is going to admit it, and that's me. Now, I have to go get this to Hakkai. See ya Princess." Gojyo waved, turning into the garden.
Yaone turned back and went back into the throne room. A few minutes later, a furious Lord Homura came in, Zenon and Shien obviously trying to soothe his anger, meanwhile getting soothing words from Dokugakuji, Kougaiji and Sanzo. Homura looked at Yaone, a familiar fury in his eyes and stormed off to his own quarters. Sanzo, Kougaiji and Dokugakuji stayed in the room with Yaone.
" What happened, Kougaiji?" Yaone asked, a bit worried.
" The townspeople are revolting. It's not too good right now. We managed to calm them down for the time being, but if our Lord doesn't start listening to the people, our country could be in serious danger." Kougaiji reported.
Yaone sighed. " This isn't good. Anything we can do."
Sanzo joined in quickly, " We don't expect another outburst for another few days. Lord Homura did give some money to the town, but I doubt that will keep them at bay."
" Anything else happen?" Yaone asked, knowing something was being hidden.
" We almost shed blood." Dokugakuji confessed. " Lord Homura ordered us to attack, but we didn't, which is part of the reason he's so upset."
" This isn't good at all, the country is falling to ruin." Yaone sighed worriedly.
" Don't worry Princess. Everything will turn out right." Kougaiji soothed as Yaone hugged him. She smiled.
" Thank you, all of you. Go get something to eat and head back to your quarters to rest." Yaone ordered, heading in the direction her father stormed off in.
" Umm--" Sanzo started.
" He's in the kitchen." Yaone smiled, walking quickly to her father's room. She reached the large door and pushed it open. She peaked in, Homura, Shien and Zenon looked at her. The two guards straighted up and bowed to the Princess.
" What is it Yaone?" Homura asked.
" Um, how did it go?" Yaone said uneasily.
" How do you think it went?" Homura growled. He turned his attention to Shien and Zenon. " Leave." They both nodded and left the room.
" I had a great day though." Yaone smiled.
" What happened?" Homura said, not really interested, but he didn't want to make his daughter worry.
" Gojyo confessed his love for Hakkai." Yaone said happily.
" WHAT!?" Homura boomed. Yaone cowered and giggled.
" I-I was just kidding, father." Yaone lied.
" I was about to say, I'd have to execute him." Homura said, a gentle tone in his voice.
" No, no, no. Don't do that, I was only kidding." Yaone stuttered. " Well, I told Goku to get a bath ready for me. I'd better be going." Yaone rushed out of the room, breathing heavily. " That's not good." She whispered.
A/N: Whoo-hoo. I rock or what? dances like a crazed mad woman. Keep reviewing! They make me happy!!