"Look at what I found!" smirked the bald demon, pushing Jasmine ahead of her. She tried not to wince from the painful grip the demon had on her arms.
"Ooh… Pretty!" commented the silver haired demon, mentally undressing Jasmine in his mind. The other four demons laughed.
"I'll have her first, then you guys can have your turns!" he smirked nastily walking towards Jasmine. He ignored the bald demon's claim on having found her first.
"But" the demon paused in front of the frightened girl. "First thing first. Is Sanzo in the village?"
"No!" She replied too quickly. " He left yesterday!"
Jasmine fought back tears as the demon slapped her across the face. The impact caused her to fall to the ground.
"Don't lie!" He snarled.
"My, My" a new voice joined in. "Didn't your mother teach you any manners?"
Hakkai walked into the clearing.
"Yeah! That is no way to treat a lady!" agreed Gojyo walking up next to Hakkai. Sanzo was close behind.
"Especially my lady! Niyoyi extend!" Yelled Goku as his staff hit the silver haired demon knocking him out cold.
"Goku-san, minna-san!" Jasmine called out relieved. The other demons stood shock-still. Jasmine used this chance to run to Goku's open arms.
"You ok?" he asked as he caught her.
She nodded her head buried in his neck. Her arms wound tightly around his waist.
"I hate to break this up" Coughed Hakkai. "But…." He nodded to where the demons were preparing to attack.
"Hai!" Goku pulled her away from him. "Jasmine, wait here. This will only take a minute!" He walked away, after giving her a peck on her forehead.
"Ano…" began Jasmine. The gang turned to look at her. "Please hurry. I haven't finished picking enough mushrooms yet!"
Pause.
"Hai, Hai" laughed Hakkai, turning away.
"You know," Gojyo slung an arm around his friend. "She kind of reminds me of you."
Goku gave her thumbs up." I'll be double quick!"
Sanzo just muttered, " Stuck with…..mutter mutter…couple of morons…mutter…girl caught..Mutter stupidity...mutter mutter…from Goku….need to get damn….mutter…priorities straight!…mutter.."
The fight was well underway and needless to say Sanzo-ikkou was having the upper hand. Jasmine sat on a tree stump watching in awe.
"They make it seem so easy!" she thought.
Her eyes flickered to Goku as he gave a flying kick to the bald demon. Even though she was not an expert on fighting, it was obvious to her that he was playing with the demon. She shook her head smiling to herself wishing he would hurry up. She realized that occasionally Goku would sneak a look at Sanzo to make sure he was all right.
"He is my sun…" she remembered his words.
Just then a movement to her left caught her eye. The silver-haired demon had woken up and was making his way quietly towards Sanzo who was unaware. He has a sword in his hand.
"Sanzo –sama" Screamed Jasmine. Sanzo turned just in time as the demon swung his sword, missing his head by mere inches. But he lost his grip on his gun, which clattered away in the bushes nearby.
"Shit!" Someone swore.
Sanzo looked up as the demon raised his sword once more. Though Sanzo knew he did not have a chance, there was no way in hell he was going down without a fight. He got ready to punch the demon just as the demon plunged the sword down
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
"Sanzo-sama!"Goku turned his head at Jasmine's voice after finishing off the bald demon. He saw Sanzo's gun fall to the ground out of his reach.
"Shit!" He heard Gojyo swear.
He looked at his other two companions. He knew they won't reach Sanzo in time…neither can he, he realized with dread.
"Sanzo! "Goku yelled racing towards him.
Hoping somehow a miracle will happen. Goku closed his eyes as he heard the sword piercing flesh. He heard a soft cry of pain. He opened his eyes and stood staring at the sight confronting him. Jasmine was standing in front of a shocked Sanzo. The sword had plunged right through her chest to emerge on the other side. He watched as a small trickle of blood ran down her chin. She fell backwards into Sanzo's arms when the frustrated demon pulled his sword out callously. That was the last thing he ever did before he got sliced up by Gojyo's weapon.
"You idiot…why the hell did you do that for?" yelled Sanzo angrily.
She looked up at him gasping slightly. " I did this for …for Goku. You're…You're his sun…."
Sanzo started.
"G…oku would be lost wit…..without you."
"You stupid girl." Sanzo said softly. "How do you think he'll be without you?"
Her smile tore his heart. "He'll be fine as long as he has you"
"Jasmine…" She looked as Hakkai knelt beside her "Let me take a look ok?"
Her hand stopped him when he started to unbutton her shirt.
"I'm doing this for Goku too!" he gave her a sad smile.
Gojyo flinched when he saw her injury. He had been in enough fights to know a fatal wound when he saw one. There was no way Jasmine was going to live through this. It was obvious the sword had plunged through her heart. There was nothing Hakkai could do.
"Damn it! Damn it all!" He clenched his fists, crumpling the unlit cigarette in his hand.
He heard footsteps nearing them.
"Goku…I….she…" Gojyo placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
Goku patted it absentmindedly. He knelt down beside Hakkai.
"How long?" he asked.
"Goku…"
"How much time does she have, Hakkai?" Goku didn't look at him. His eyes were on Jasmine as he reached out to stroke her hair.
"Ten minutes…at most" replied Hakkai dejectedly.
Goku nodded, his jaws clenched. He took her from Sanzo's arms avoiding Sanzo's gaze.
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"Hey…" He called to her softly.
Jasmine opened her eyes.
"H…Hey"
Goku gave a small laugh. Jasmine looked up at him puzzled.
"You know… Everybody else has a one-night stand…but us…ours was a one morning stand! Humph! Go figure!"
Jasmine gave him a small smile as she laid her head back on his chest.
"Go figure" she repeated. "Goku…"
"Hm?"
"Do you remember what we were ta…talking about when we were walking back home today?" She asked.
It was getting harder and harder for her to speak. The pain though seemed bearable as long as she could hear Goku's voice. Goku rocked her gently as he thought back to the timeframe she mentioned. They had walked back arms around each other talking about the future, their future together.
"After I complete the mission," began Goku "I'll come back here. I'm going to ask your father for your hand in marriage. If he refuses…"
"We'll elope" Jasmine completed the sentence.
Goku kissed the top of her head.
"We'll ask Sanzo to marry us, Gojyo will be my best man. And Hakkai will give you away on behalf of your dad."
Jasmine gave a feeble nod.
"We'll find a small place near Chang-en. I'll get a job…"
"As a lumber-jack" interrupted Jasmine.
"Yup," agreed Goku "I'm strong and it doesn't require much thinking."
Jasmine gave small giggle.
"Don't laugh!" Goku chided her gently. "Now where was I? …Ah, yes. And we'll have three children."
Jasmine nuzzled her head against his chest. " One boy and twin girls."
Goku nodded smiling, a tear sliding down his cheek thinking about the kids he will never have with Jasmine. "They'll look like you." He said softly.
"No, Go..ku…"she gasped pulling away from him slightly. "Don't you remember…they have your eyes…" She coughed.
"And your smile" Goku completed the sentence hurriedly and clasped her close.
"And …and" Jasmine pulled away again so that she could look at him. "Sanzo, Hakkai and Gojyo will be their godfathers."
She couldn't see Goku clearly anymore. It was getting harder and harder to stay awake. All she wanted was to close her eyes and sleep…it was hurting so much whenever she took a breath. She started taking shallower breaths to ease the pain.
"On our wedding anniversary…" Goku's voice went on.
Where Goku's voice had previously kept her awake, now it became a soothing lullaby. She fought to stay awake.
"On our wedding anniversary…"Continued Goku, well aware that Jasmine was slipping away.
"We'll leave the kids with their godfathers and sneak away…to some place…"He choked back his tears.
Jasmine used her last ounce of strength to push herself up to hug him. He felt her ragged breath on his neck, her arms around his neck. He held her tightly willing death to stay away a little while longer.
"To some place" He continued "Where we can see the clear sky…and we'll declare our love to each other all over again."
"I love you Goku-san." He heard her say as she drew one last breath.
"I love you more." He declared softly. He rocked her gently back and forth until he felt her arms go limp slowly. They fell lifelessly to the ground when he pulled her away so that he could see her face. Her eyes were closed and she had a small smile. It was as if she was dreaming about all the things Goku had said. Goku wiped away her tears. He let his fingers trail down her face to her lips. He smudged away the small trickle of blood. Reaching down he kissed her lips. Pressing his cheek against hers, he finally allowed his tears to flow. Sanzo stood up and turned his face away. His own loss flashing before his eyes…and he felt guilty that Goku was suffering now because of him. Gojyo was at a loss for words. He looked down at Hakkai who was still kneeling down and started at the tears coursing down his friend's face. It was obvious to him that Hakkai was thinking of his last minutes with Kannan. Gojyo knelt beside him slinging one hand over Hakkai's shoulder. He reached out his other hand to grip Goku's shoulder. Gojyo's touch seemed to release something in Goku. He looked up at the sky and gave a heart-wrenching cry as he cradled the lifeless body of his one true love.
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Hakkai blinked. For a moment it he thought it was Sanzo who was sitting on the windowsill. He gave a sad sigh when he realized it was Goku. It had been a week since Jasmine's death. The older members of Sanzo-ikkou had decided to stay a while longer…out of respect for Goku as well as Jasmine.
Goku had not cried since that day in the woods. He hardly spoke either. Where he once had a huge appetite, he now just picked at his food. Hakkai watched as Goku blew out a smoke ring. That was another thing, Goku had started smoking. He had walked into the room the day after Jasmine's funeral and picked up Gojyo's cigarette pack and lighter. They had watched shocked as he lit one before walking away to sit on the bed. Gojyo has raved and ranted at Goku .He stopped when Goku just gave him a vacant smile.
"Is this how it feels like?" Goku had asked softly
"Eh?" Gojyo looked up.
"To lose someone you love. To watch helplessly as they slip away?"
Gojyo had no answer to that. That had been the last time any of them had him speak.
"Goku," Hakkai called him.
Goku didn't seem to have heard him.
"I brought you some lunch. Please have some."
Goku gave a small nod of acknowledgement without turning to look at him. Hakkai closed the door behind him. He leaned against the door pressing the bridge of his nose with his fingers.
"How is he?"
"Mr. Song!" Hakkai looked up startled. "He…I really don't know." He shook his head sadly.
"I never thought, …" Mr. Song wiped away a tear. "I never thought that there could be someone who could love my child more than me!"
He stared at the door for minute longer before walking away. Hakkai watched as the man disappeared down the stairs. Then he walked back to the opposite room. Sanzo sat reading the paper, while Gojyo was shuffling the cards glumly. They both looked up when Hakkai walked in.
"Did he eat?" asked Gojyo.
Hakkai shook his head. Gojyo went back to his cards.
"Sanzo?"
"Leave him alone."
"Hai."
Goku sat in the room watching the setting sun. He stubbed out the cigarette. Leaning back against the wall, he gave a small smile. He had finally reached a decision.
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"Hey guys!" Goku greeted his friends quietly.
"Goku!" Hakkai smiled relieved, walking up to him. "How are you feeling?"
Goku gave bitter laugh. "Depressed!" he replied honestly.
Hakkai's smile dropped. "Oh…"
Goku patted Hakkai on his arm. " I'm sorry. I …that is the honest truth, Hakkai."
"I know"
Sanzo watched as Goku walked over to the window. He seemed so much older now.
"Sanzo?"
He looked up at Goku, startled.
"What?"
"Shouldn't the journey continue?"
Gojyo stopped fiddling with his cards.
"Of course!"
"When do we start off?"
Sanzo stared at the boy a moment longer before going back to his papers.
"When I feel like it!" he replied.
"Goku," Hakkai stepped forward. "With the way things are….Do you need more time to cope?"
Goku shook his head. "There's nothing here to hold me down any more."
"Goku…"
"Right!" They both turned to look at Gojyo as he gave a lazy yawn. "Why don't we head on out tomorrow?"
"Gojyo!"
Hakkai looked into his friend's eyes and saw nothing but worry there. Among all of them it was Gojyo who was most worried about Goku doing 'something stupid' as he had called it. He had tried his darnest best to keep Goku within his sight.
"We need to get away from here as soon as possible…. try to get Goku's mind off her…"
Hakkai remembered Gojyo telling him just yesterday.
"No wonder he jumped at this chance!" thought Hakkai.
"Good idea!"
Hakkai turned back to Goku.
"Are you sure, Goku?" He watched the young boy carefully.
"No…"
Hakkai 's heart lurched with pity. Goku looked so lost and in so much pain.
"Fine…."Sanzo turned over a page of his newspaper. "We leave tomorrow."
Goku nodded. He stood a while longer at the window unaware that a pair of violet eyes were studying him with concern.
"I' m going for a walk." Goku said suddenly.
Abruptly turning to leave.
"Goku!" called out Hakkai.
Goku stopped at the door.
"I need to say my final goodbyes."
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Goku climbed up the tree. The tiny bird nest was empty now. Sighing, he leaned against the trunk. This place was sacred to him. Here was where he first became truly aware of his feelings for Jasmine. Where they shared their first kiss.
"And here is where it's going to end." thought Goku. He pulled something out of his pocket. He watched it glint in the light of the setting sun. Goku had stolen it from the kitchen on the day of Jasmine's funeral. In all the confusion no one noticed one knife missing. He would have used it earlier, except he was well aware that Gojyo was watching his every move. So he waited. He really thought he could get over it…over her. He thought smoking might ease it. Goku would have turned to alcohol except he was sure that while Sanzo was willing overlook his smoking, he would surely draw the line at drinking.
Sanzo.
He would have followed that man to hell and back. But right now the way things were Goku felt he was more a liability to the man than an asset.
"It's better this way." reasoned Goku.
Experimentally, Goku pushed the tip of the knife into a point on his wrist. He pushed harder and harder until he saw tiny prick of blood.
"So that is how much pressure I need to use.," he thought clinically as if he was conducting some sort of scientific test.
He placed the edge of the knife firmly on his wrist and took a deep breath. Closing his eyes he prepared to slit his wrist….
"I wondered when it would come to that!"
Goku dropped the knife startled. He looked down to where the voice came from.
His eyes widened when he realized who it was.
"You…You're…" He stammered.
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Note: The story is nearing its end. I swear! I am going to do my best to finish it in the next chapter. It may take a little while longer than usual though…Cos it is technically a very difficult chapter. If I don't do it right, you guys will end up confused!
I'll post the next chapter ASAP. You have my word. (Salute!)
To Ninja chic: Thanks for reviewing again. Glad you liked it.
To Lover of Angelus " Sorry to make you wait. Thanks for reviewing.
To Saiyukisexy: Thanks for your support.
To Zeraphic Triomis : Phew! I'm glad you liked the previous chapter! I m sorry about your pillow though! Hee! Hee! Thanks for your support. Hope you like this edited chapter.
Please look forward to it!
Bye!
