Sai Orlianna:  So, after long last, here is the next chapter.  Sorry it took forever, but I am currently suffering writer's block.  Thanks to all who reviewed, makes me feel loved. Hope you enjoy this next one, please R/R.

Disclaimer:  I do not own Saiyuki; I just borrow the characters for my little game of What if…

Fate Plays Her Hand

Ch. 9

Strong Hands, Bound Hearts

Roxanne awoke as the birds began their song to signal the arrival of a new day.  The sun felt warm on her face as she stretched her tired, sore muscles.  Rolling over, she felt a pair of strong arms tighten around her waste as sleepy mumbles made there way to her ears.  She smiled at the man sleeping next to her.  Goyjo had pulled her away the night before for a little of what he called 'payback'.  A slight blush crossed her cheeks at the memory of his 'payback'.  Planting a light kiss on his lips, she snaked out of his grasp.  Goyjo had enacted his revenge on the bank of a quiet stream, lucky for her.  Taking a few tentative steps forward, she felt the water with her toe.  It was nice and cool, perfect for a morning swim. 

"Where do you think you're going?"  A rough voice asked as strong arms wrapped around her slim waist, pulling her in possessively.

"Oh, just going for a morning swim." Roxanne said as she leaned into Goyjo's strong frame.

"Without me?  I'm hurt."  Goyjo smirked as he saw her nod.  "Well, that will soon be rectified!"  Roxanne let out a yelp as Goyjo picked her up and slung her over his shoulder.  "This will teach not to leave me alone like that."  Roxanne giggled than screamed as Goyjo ran and jumped, dunking them both successfully in the middle of the cool stream.  Coming up for air, she felt Goyjo's arms around her once more.  "Well, that will certainly wake you up in the morning."

"What?  Does the water bother you?"  Roxanne snickered as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling close to him.  "I thought Water Sprites loved the water."

Goyjo smirked, inching his face closer to hers, his breath tickling her lips.  "Want me to show you just how much?"  Roxanne smiled as his lips covered hers in a kiss that was reminiscent of the ones she felt last night.

Emma awoke with the dawn.  Sleep had eluded her for most of the night as thoughts of her patient refused to let her mind rest.  Sitting by the fire, she waited as the others slept.  Her thoughts drifted back to the day when Nara told them.  It wasn't too long after Sephira had returned that Nara sat them down and revealed to them her secret.  Since then, they had been running from these gods.  Moving from town to town, never staying too long in one.  It was only a matter of time before they would be unable to run any more.  Sighing, Emma scanned the room, gazing in envy at the sleeping forms of her comrades.  Her eyes landed on an empty spot.  Roxanne was gone and she knew exactly why.  She rolled her eyes in frustrated jealousy.  'At least somebody is enjoying themselves.'

Her thoughts trailed back to a few nights ago when Roxanne came in with a smug grin on her face and a fist full of money.  It didn't take the others long to figure out how she had gotten it and who.  They all knew Rox was good, but she never came back looking that smug unless she had beaten someone equally as smug at there own game.  Sephira's face dropped when she heard exactly who it was that Rox had gotten the money from.  Needless to say, they were on there way soon afterward.  Emma was puzzled as to why Sephira was so insistent on leaving that quickly.  Now, here they were again.  On the run with the people some had thought they would never see again. 

"Good morning." Emma jumped as a pleasant voice broke her from her thoughts.  Turning, she met the bright green eyes of Hakkai. 

"Oh, good morning."  Hakkai smiled as Emma turned back to the fire.  "Did I wake you?" 

"Oh no, you didn't.  I usually wake up before they do."  Hakkai said as he sat next to her.  "I guess you're an early bird as well."

Hakkai tried to catch her tired eyes as she answered. "No, Sephira is.  I just couldn't sleep."

"Ah-huh." He said as he observed her.  Her face showed signs of worry and fatigue.  Her eyes were fixed on the fire but her focus was somewhere else.  Hakkai wondered where her mind could be.  "How is she doing?"

"Better."  Emma said, not taking her eyes from the fire.  "The fever hasn't broken completely, but, knowing Sephira, she won't let a petty thing like this stop her." 

"I'll bet." Hakkai said in an attempt to lighten the mood.  Silence reigned as the two sat by the small fire.  Hakkai watched the firelight as it danced across Emma's face noticing that there was something weighing her down.  Something far more than the stress related to the recent events.  Acting as if on its own, Hakkai's hand reached out and gently turned Emma's face toward him.  He caught her eyes as his hand cupped her cheek.  His heart broke at what he saw in the depths of her green eyes— concern, exhaustion, confusion, and pain.  The pain was deep, lodged in the hopelessness he sensed.  His heart cried out to hold her, to try and rid her of the pain she felt.  Hakkai's mind was confused as to what brought these new feelings to light but he had no time to ponder this as he felt a hot tear splash on his hand. 

Tears filled Emma's eyes as she gazed into his soft eyes.  In his eyes, she saw a place were she could rest her worries, if only for a moment.  Her entire being was tired; she could not hold back the tears that began to fall.  The pain, stress, and anger she had felt since that day now came pouring out of her soul.  Throwing her arms around him, she cried into his shoulder. 

Shock enveloped Hakkai as she cried.  Each time a sob escaped her lips, a piece of his heart bled.  He hated seeing her go through something like this.  Wrapping his arms around her, he held her small frame to his as she let out her frustration.  Soon the sobs subsided as the tears lightened.  Emma began to relax in the comfort Hakkai offered her.  A part of her wanted to stay in his warm embrace forever.  In that same part of his heart that broke only moments before now became protective of this small creature who relaxed in his grasp.  Hakkai tried to ignore his heart as an old promise came back to his mind.  He tried his best to block off his heart once more to the familiar feelings but this time, it was harder than ever.  His mind shot back to the woman in his arms as her small voice caught his ear.  "How do you do it?"

"Do what?"  Hakkai answered, trying to focus on what she was saying instead of the joy his heart felt by having her in his arms.  

"Live knowing you could easily lose control and kill all those closest to you."  Emma raised her eyes to meet Hakkai's once more.  "I'm scared, Hakkai.  Whenever I see one of my friends hurt in battle, all I can think about is what if I was the one to do that to them.  What if I lose control and they aren't able to stop me.  What if I'm the one who kills them…"

Hakkai watched as Emma lowered her head to his shoulder once more.  The question had puzzled him but he knew what had spurned it.  She was going through the same thing he had when he had learned to deal with his newly acquired demon side.  Hakkai sighed as he thought of what he had to say.  "How do I live?  Well, it's not easy.  Knowing that I have this power deep within me was a hard fact to grasp at first, but you have something that I didn't have when I went through this."

Emma looked at him with the questioning eyes of a child.  "What?"

"You have your friends."  Hakkai sighed as he prepared himself for what he was about to reveal.  "When I became a demon, I had just lost the only person I had ever loved.  I lost all control…killing out of vengeance.  In the end, I was alone.  I wanted to die alone with my sins, but Fate had another plan.  It was because of my sins that I met Goyjo, Goku, and Sanzo.  Because of them, I found a new life and a new strength."  Emma listened as what Hakkai just told her sunk in.  "You… you already have people there for you.  You have to believe in their strength and your own."

Emma sat up, part of her not wanting to leave the warmth Hakkai had given her.  "I'm not that strong."

"Yes you are."  Hakkai said as he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.  "You have strength deep down.  Strength to support and to heal."  Emma watched him as he slid his hand from her shoulder and took her hand in his.  "Your hands hold your strength."

Emma smiled.  "You have strength too…"  She said as she turned his hands over, palms up.  "…in your hands."  Her bright eyes met his.  Hakkai became lost in her words as they sat in a renewed silence.

"Am I interrupting?"  Hakkai and Emma jumped apart both looking up in surprise to see a giggling Nara and a smirking Goku.  "No really, if you prefer to be left alone, we can leave." Goku said stifling a laugh.  Hakkai just rolled his eyes as Emma stood and quickly walked back to her patient.

 Doing his best to change the subject, Hakkai said the first thing he could come up with.  "Um…are the others up yet?" 'Nice cover smart one.'  He thought berating himself.

"Yeah, pretty much.  Sanzo's awake, but he's still pretending to be asleep and Goyjo hasn't returned yet."  Goku said as he sat down, still grinning to himself as he handed a blushing Hakkai some water.

"Yeah, I guess Roxanne wore him out last night."  Nara commented slyly.  Goku began to laugh as Hakkai sat in shock, not at the comment itself but at the fact that it was Nara who said it.  Nara just went about her business making breakfast oblivious, or just ignoring, the reactions she caused.  Goku was still laughing as a very grumpy Sanzo joined the group waiting for their breakfast.  "It's going to be long day" Hakkai commented silently.

Kanzeon Bosatsu stood and walked away from her viewing pool.  "You have strength too in your hands."  She grinned as she draped herself across her thrown.  "Tenpo Gensui, does she still hold the key to your strength as she did then?"

…547 years ago…

The sky was clear as the sun shone down on the streets of heaven.  In her usual corner, Madame Amelia sat watching the people as they passed by.  Though her eyes were watchful, her focus was elsewhere.  A creeping sense of dread filled her as she knew the time was fast approaching when another flower would fall.  A flower that could not be saved.  This weighed heavily on her mind.  She knew well the price her gift held.  Though she could see what may and will come, she could never change the set fates of those she saw.  The pain this knowledge brought her tore at her heart everyday.  She found herself wishing more and more to just be rid of the Sight, but she knew deep down that she never would be.

"I knew it.  Slacking off on the job." Amelia's focus returned to the present as she recognized the smooth voice that hit her ears.  "What are we going to do with you, Madame Seer."

 She sighed as she moved her eyes to meet the cool, confident ones of Kenren Taisho.  "You can't do a thing, general.  My condition is incurable." 

"And what condition is that, oh Great Seer?" Kenren asked in his indifferent voice.

Amelia let out a sad laugh as she replied.  "Nothing more than what I have always had.  The Sight I have comes with a great price that is becoming increasingly difficult to bear."

"Hmm…you're right, I can't do anything, but I just might have something that will help."  Kenren said as he sat next to Amelia.

"And what might that be?" she asked as she leaned her tired head against his shoulder.

He pulled a jug from his belt and held it out so she could see it.  "Got it fresh this morning from Sheban."  Pulling the cork from the top he handed the jug to her.  Amelia accepted gratefully and took a sip of the bittersweet liquid.

"Mmm…good batch."  She said as she took another sip and handed the jug back to Kenren, who took a long swig himself.

"I'm so tired of this, Kenren."  Amelia complained silently.

"I know, my dear."  Kenren said as he put an arm around her.  "I can't say I know how you feel, but I like to think I can relate.  I'm so tired of pretending to kiss up to these old geezers.  It's annoying really."

"Why can't we just live our lives the way we want to and not have to worry what other people think."  Amelia said, taking the jug from him again.

"If only, indeed."  Kenren replied, resting his chin on her head.  They sat in silence for awhile, enjoying each others company.  Amelia relaxed in his strong arms, listening to his steady breathing.  She envied him.  He was able to live in ways she could never know.  In his world, nothing seemed to matter outside of a good drink.  She felt her mood begin to lighten.  When he came to see her, he had a way of making her troubles vanish.

"Don't you think you should be on your way?  If anymore people see us like this they will think we were lovers or something."  Amelia said as she straitened up.

"You want me to leave so soon?"  Kenren said, looking up at her with puppy dog eyes.  "Amelia, I'm hurt."

"You?  Hurt?  I doubt that.  Nothing fazes you, my friend."  Amelia said with a smile.  Kenren smiled back at her as if he had just done something great.  Amelia looked at him, a bit puzzled.  "What?"

"You smiled."  Kenren said with a grin.  "You've seemed down the last few days, so I snuck away to come and cheer my favorite drinking partner up."

Amelia's smile vanished as realization struck her.  "You skipped out on the Western Lord's garden party?  Do you know how much trouble you could get into?"  

"Last I checked, they weren't punishing soldiers for visiting you."  Before Amelia could retort to his cheek, something caught her eye.  She watched as a young woman ran by with a small package in her arms.  The sadness she felt only moments before filled

her once more.  "Hey, what's wrong?"

Amelia let out a sad sigh as she reached for the jug of wine one last time.  "Another flower shall soon fall." she whispered as she took her last taste of the burning drink.  Kenren didn't need to guess the meaning behind her words.  Another fire would burn out and another heart would break.  He understood now why her smile was fading.

Standing outside the door, she waited; her green eyes never leaving it.  "Tenpo-san, I'm coming in!"  Opening the door slightly, she stepped into a dusty old room.  She scanned the room quickly.  It was packed wall to wall with old books and scrolls that seemed quite disorganized.  The only light for the room came from a lone window on the far wall.  She took a few tentative steps.  "Tenpo-san?"

She jumped as the door slammed behind her and a pair of strong arms grabbed her.  A small shriek escaped her lips but was cut off as her lips were covered by a pair of warm, familiar ones.  She leaned into the kiss, wrapping her arms around the man who now held her tightly against him.  After several minutes the kiss was broken.  She smiled at her lover.  "Hello, Ten-chan."

"You're late, Kalys."  Tenpo said, tucking a strand of her thick, brown hair behind her ear.

"Gomen, gomen.  I got held up.  Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?" she pouted as she put on the best puppy dog eyes she could muster. 

Tenpo smiled and kissed her lightly on the nose.  "Don't I always, K-chan."    

Kalys smiled at the sound of his pet name for her.  "Always, Ten-chan."  She kissed him again before slipping out of his arms and hopping onto the nearest table.  "I bought you something."

"Really?"  Tenpo raised his eyebrow inquiringly as he made his way to her.  He placed his hands on either side of her, trapping her on the table.  Kalys giggled as she opened the small package and pulled out a long piece of black silk.  Tenpo looked at the gift as an idea of how to use it came to mind.  "Oh, a new toy?" he said seductively, his mouth forming a very evil smirk. "Are we going to play?" 

Kalys blushed slightly catching the full meaning of his words.  "No…well not right now.  It's a tie."  Tenpo's face dropped slightly at her comment but he kept in mind that she did say 'not right now'.  "I noticed you didn't have one so I thought I would get you one."  Kalys said as she looped the tie around his neck and kissed him quickly on the nose.  "So, is this the room you wanted me to help you clean?"

"Yes, but, we can do that later."  Tenpo said suggestively as he took her hand in his keeping her from tying the tie properly.  "I've missed you." He said as he trailed soft kisses over her figure tips.

  A chill ran down her spine as he slowly moved from her figures to her palm.  "I've missed you too."

"They keep you at that awful place too much."  Tenpo said as he moved from her hand to her neck, pleased to hear a moan escape her lips.

"Not…not like I have much of a choice."  Kalys said between shuddered breaths.  She could feel the familiar heat rising in her body as Tenpo continued his caresses.

Moving his arms around her waist, he pulled her closer to him.  Her scent filled his every being.  He hated her being away from him, even for a second.  Slowly, he moved from her neck to her lips making sure not to miss a chance to taste her.  Gently, he pushed her down, lying them both fully on the table.  He loved how her body fit perfectly against his.  He looked down into her deep emerald eyes.  "I love you…K-chan."

Kalys smiled up, meeting his loving eyes.  Her heart leaped at those words no matter how many times she heard them.  "I love you too, Ten-chan."

Tenpo never got tired of hearing her say that to him.  Slowly, he lowered his lips down to hers in a kiss that heated both their bodies as the secret of night fell around them.

"TENPO!! OIY, TENPO!!!"  Kenren stood banging on the door of his superior officer.  He couldn't believe his luck.  Tenpo was the one who had asked to see him today and he wasn't even answering the door.  Kenren banged on the door again.  "Tenpo, if you don't answer this door, I'll break it down."  Slowly the door opened.  Kenren stood in surprise as a woman came out instead of Tenpo.  The girl smiled, bowed, then left. 

"Ah, Kenren. Won't you come in."  Kenren, watching the form of the retreating woman, turned to face a tired, yet pleased looking Tenpo.

"Rough night?"  Kenren asked, stepping into the room. 

"No.  Long morning."  Tenpo stammered as he closed the door behind them.

Kenren scanned the room.  It was cleaner than the last time he had been there. 'Seems Tenpo finally got around to cleaning this place. Must have taken him awhile, unless...'  A smirk crossed his lips as a new and tantalizing idea crossed his mind.  Leaning against the nearby table, Kenren eyes his friend suspiciously.  "So?"

"So…what?"  Tenpo said, walking past his friend.

"Something is going on here, Tenpo.  So what is it?"  Kenren said as he took out his signature sake jug.

"And what makes you say that?" Tenpo asked as he tried to straighten up an already clean table.

Kenren smirked.  "Well, that bruise on your neck didn't come from organizing in here, or did it?"  He laughed at Tenpo's shocked expression as he tried to cover his neck.  "So, who is she?"

Conceding, Tenpo turned to face his friend, a slight blush on his cheeks.  "Her name is Kalys.  She's one of the few healers the army uses when going to battle.  We met on one of the missions I led a while ago."

"And?" Kenren pressed.

"And…we've been secret lovers for most of that time."  Tenpo replied smiling.

"Secret?  Isn't that a little extreme?"  Kenren asked raising an eyebrow.

"No, it's necessary.  Officers, like myself, are not supposed to…you know…fraternize with the civilian workers."

"Ah, I see.  So you and this girl have been…meeting…secretly?" 

"Uhuh."  Tenpo's eyes became serious.  "Please, promise me you won't…"

"Don't worry.  Your secret's safe with me, pal."  Kenren answered with a wink.

"Thank you."  Tenpo said as he slouched into a nearby chair.

"So…is she good?"  Tenpo looked up with a grin, his face telling Kenren all he needed to know.

"Kalys, did you hear, we might be going on a mission to the mortal realm soon."  Kalys looked up at her friend in interest.

"Really?"

"Yeah.  There is some sort of rebellion or something that the troops are going to quell.  I think only you and I are going along."

"But I thought the general said they weren't getting involved in such a petty revolt."

"I thought so to, but it seems someone wants them to get involved.  Kinda fishy if you ask me."

"I guess so.  Do you know when we will have to go?"

"No, but I would think it would be soon."

Kalys sat silently as the news sunk in.  'Another mission, so soon?  I don't want to leave Tenpo so soon…we just got back…'

"So soon?"

"We got the order today.  We depart first thing in the morning."   Tenpo stared at Kalys.  He hated it when she went on missions.

"But you just got back you just got back a few days ago.  You're not supposed to go on another mission for at least two weeks.  Regulation says so."  Tenpo stated hurriedly.

"I know, but it seems are unit was requested.  There's nothing we can do about it."  Kalys replied quietly.

"I can't believe they would over look protocol for something like this."  Tenpo sighed in defeat.  "When do you think you will be back?"  He asked, his eyes betraying him.  

"I'm not sure.  The general opinion is that it shouldn't take too long.  A week maybe." Kalys said trying to lighten the mood. 

Tenpo walked to her, pulling her into a tight hug.  "Don't go."

"I have to, you know that."  Kalys said into his shoulder.  "It is my duty and I cannot change that."

Tenpo's arms tightened around his love, not wanting to release her.  A foreboding came over him that he could not shake off.  Something deep within him told him not to let her go.  In vain, he pleaded once more.  "Please…please don't go.  I have a really bad feeling about this one.  I can pull some strings and have you replaced with someone else and…"

"No."  Kalys' strong voice interrupted the desperate plea of her lover.  "If you did that than they would know something was going on."  Kalys leaned back and met Tenpo's intense gaze, smiling in reassurance.  "It's going to be alright.  Nothing can hurt me as long as I have you.  You're my strength, remember?  "

"As you are mine, but still…"  His eyes pleaded with her, but he knew it was a losing battle.  Pulling her once more into his embrace, he breathed her in.  "Stay with me tonight."

"What?"  Kalys was taken aback by the desperation she heard in his usually calm voice. 

"Stay with me tonight.  Let me hold you until our time is spent.  Please."  Tenpo's voice held such need.  Her heart tightened with the love she had for him.  Silently, she agreed, letting herself be engulfed in a breathtaking kiss.  Her last logical thought was that this was all she wanted.  She would die in his arms if she could.

Tenpo stood in his study pacing.  It had been two weeks since he had to say farewell to his love.  His thoughts returned to that night once more.  He had made love to her until she couldn't anymore, allowing a blissful sleep to overtake them both.  He remembered the feel of her in his arms as he awoke.  She looked as if she belonged there; as if it would be a mortal sin to move her.  He also remembered the pain he felt in his heart as she left.  Since that day, he had been anxiously awaiting her return.  He wanted her back in his arms; to know she was safe again.  The foreboding in his heart had only increased since that day.  'It's going to be alright…you're my strength, remember?'  Her words echoed in his mind as he tried to convince his heart that she would return.  Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small box.  He had decided soon after she left that he would make her his for eternity.  Then he would never have to say goodbye to her in such a way.  A knock on the door broke his thoughts.  A nervous hope rose in him as he struggled to keep from racing to the door.  Trying to keep his cool, he opened the door…

"Did you hear what happened in the mortal realm?"

"Yes.  The troops who went to stop that revolt were ambushed.  But didn't they defeat the ambushers?"

"Yes they did.  An interesting battle it was too.  Not one of our soldiers was killed."

"But I heard that there were some casualties."

"Oh, right.  I had forgotten.  Well, anyway, it was no one important, just one of the healers.  They found her dead outside the camp.  No one really cares though."

"Well, I still think the troops did not even need to bother with such a petty rebellion.  It puzzles me why they even sent them."

"I agree.  Strange thing is, no one really knows who gave the order to go."

'…No one really cares…'

Sitting in her usual place, Madame Amelia watched as the Sakura blossoms bloomed.  'Blue…'  To the surprise of many, the Sakura blossoms were blue.  She sat, not paying attention to those around her as her eyes clouded.  This time, she only saw a glimpse of what had already begun.  Her eyes stung with tears as she saw Tenpo slumped on the floor.  His eyes stared out in a lifeless, detached manner from the shock that over ran him.  Pain, an endless pain was festering away at the few remaining pieces of his heart.  Clenched in his hand was the success report from the recent operation, reporting only one casualty…Healer Kalys Emeraude…  Amelia blinked away the tears trying to clear the vision from her mind, but it was etched there for eternity. 

Another flower crushed…The tears fell freely as a new pain filled her heart.  Will there be no end to this?

"Oiy, Hakkai, wake up."  Hakkai jumped from his thoughts as Goyjo stood over him.  "Where were you just now?"

"I should be asking you that, Goyjo."  Hakkai replied with a smirk. 

"Yeah, what took you so long, Kappa?"  Goku shot from his place next to Hakkai.

"We were just getting some exercise."  Roxanne said as she stood draped over Goyjo.  Nara stifled a laugh as the two joined the others around the fire.

    Sanzo rolled his eyes as he did his best to ignore them.  He was having enough trouble as is trying to keep his thoughts on the situation at hand.  He had tried countless times to figure out what was going on but his mind kept wandering  back to the baka onna in the back.  His mind continually went back to the last night he saw her, outside the inn.  That night, standing there in the moonlight, she glowed.  Her damnable pride had returned.  She was sure they would never meet again; he was sure they would never meet again…ever.  Why now?  Why here?  These questions still had no answer.  He was beginning to think they never would.  His pondering was thrown off, though, as a delighted cry came from the back of the cave.

"Sephira?  She's awake!"

End of ch. 9

Sai Orlianna:  There you have it.  Not as good as the last one, I know, but I try.  Please R/R.  I will try my hardest to get the next chapter up sooner than this one. Ja for now!