Disclaimer: I don't own Saiyuki, ya evil panda researcher.
AN: So… I plan this story to be quite short. Simple and to the point. So expect only like… hrm… 4-5 chapters?
A Chorus of the Heart
. Nekida
Chapter 2: Playback
We had arrived to a fairly large town.
As we walked through, we saw many interesting people, animals . . . and FOOD. Gods, was I hungry. Every food stand we came to in the marketplace I approached with such enthusiasm.
"Ne ne ne, Sanzo! Can I get a meatbun?" I asked, putting on a pout.
"No," Sanzo replied almost instantly as if it were his default answer. I stomped my foot, hoping my stomach would stop growling as I started to verbally attack the monk with a long string of "haraheta"'s that I was well aware that he hated. The very familiar (and much loathed) paper fan came crashing down on my head.
"Baka, we're going to get food at a restaurant soon, no use getting anything here." Sanzo explained, continuing to walk deeper into the crowd of people in the marketplace. I watched him walk away, still rubbing at the sore spot on my head. Sighing, I decided to follow; there was no use in fighting it. Sanzo was Sanzo. That will never change.
"Heyyyy, saru? What's up with you today? You seem so. . . unannoying. . ." Gojyo said, placing his arm on my shoulder like I was his personal arm rest. I paid no attention. 'Just tired. . .' I replied in my mind, not bothering to say it aloud. "Is our little saru having love problems?" He snickered.
"What?" I snapped my head towards him. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Come on, it's obvious that you're out of it because of Sanzo. Am I right?" The kappa leaned closer to me as if he were analyzing my every skin cell. His tobacco-tainted breath tickled my skin. I pushed him away, a blush creeping up on my cheeks. Damn Gojyo and his butting in. Sometimes I wish I could stab the living hell outta him.
"That's not the reason, you perverted kappa!" I shout, not realizing that I'm making the situation worse by denying so quickly.
"I was only kidding, bakasaru!" Gojyo lightly punched my arm. I made a face at him, wanting to end the "conversation". Stupid kappa, what does he know? I wasn't out of it, I was just. . . out of it. Yeah, that makes no sense. Actually, my "tired" state was the result of barely any sleep the night before. I stayed up all night to watch over Sanzo. Even though he had a cold, I was still worried about my sun.
"Ano, I think we lost Sanzo." Hakkai finally spoke, magically appearing between me and Gojyo. I snapped back to reality, and looked around. He was right. Sanzo was nowhere to be found. I had become slightly disturbed, but I knew that Sanzo could take care of himself. Of course he could, what with the fact that he carries the Shoreijuu around with him. One shot and he could instantly kill any youkai that crosses his path. Except for gods, but what are the chances of running into one of them in this massive town?
"Don't worry Hakkai," I flashed a smile to him, "Sanzo's okay without us. We'll find him eventually." Wow, had I been hypocritical, telling Hakkai not to worry, when I was worrying quite a bit myself. I bit my lip, hoping that maybe the crowd could just magically part itself so I could see him right then. Unfortunately, hoping sometimes is just hoping. It's not doing, it's just sitting there (or in this case, standing) and hoping. Oh well.
"You're absolutely right, Goku." Hakkai's worried expression faded into another grin. Motioning to Hakuryuu, who had occupied himself with a nearby child that had pulled on his tail, Hakkai began to walk forward. Gojyo then followed him, with me trailing behind slowly. I really needed some sleep.
-
We found Sanzo purchasing a few packs of cigarettes from a general store a few blocks away from the bustling marketplace. We all, except Hakkai, got a whack in the head from his fan for not following. Later, we had found ourselves in the most wonderful smelling inn I'd ever eaten at. The aroma of beef had permeated to my delicate nose, and my legs – nor my stomach – could resist in the slightest.
As we walked in to the inn with the fish-shaped sign in the front, I caught my breath as we were greeted by the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen.
We both shared the same height and we were most likely the same age, give or take a few hundred years. Her long, dark brown hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail and her eyes were the color of the sky. Her form was petite but fit, and her curves were. . . ack! Why am I thinking of such things? Anyway, long story short, she was so magnificent. I could feel my heart pound in my chest as I watched her lead us to our table with cautious – and hopefully not lust-filled – eyes. Even so, once every long period of seconds, my eyes would snap to a specific place lower on her body. Dammit, Goku! Get your mind out of the gutter!
"Oi, bakasaru!" I heard Sanzo's voice pierce through the orchestra of angelic music playing in my head.
"WHAT?" I exclaimed, totally caught off guard. He glared at me for a moment, his eyes with a look of anger and disgust.
"What do you want to eat?"
Damn, did he see me staring at the pretty waitress? I sat upright, quickly scanning the menu that had been placed in front of me. Must think about food, not the waitress. Food, not waitress; I repeated this mantra over and over in my head. Of course, things like that never work and I couldn't get my mind off of her. Placing the menu back on the table, I ordered two of everything.
Of course Sanzo was pretty mad at me. . . not for spacing out but for ordering everything on the menu -- twice -- when the menu was two times as big as the ones at the other restaurants that we've been to. Because of that, I was given another concussion from the monk's stupid fan.
As I watched the waitress walk to the kitchen, I wondered what her name was. Tons of possibilities flashed in my mind; my thoughts were interrupted by Gojyo's idiotic comments.
"Aww, it looks like our little bakasaru has a crush!" The kappa snickered, lighting a cigarette that was carefully and delicately placed between his lips..
"Yeah, right! I'm surprised you haven't tried to get her in bed with you!" I reply with a growl rising from my chest. The hair on my arms had turned up, and embarrassment was quick on its way to my no longer tan cheeks.
"So you think she's so pretty that even I would fall for her?"
Damn. I misjudged the kappa's stupidity.."T-That's not what I meant! You're so perverted and desperate that you'd chase every girl we see, despite their looks!"
"Bakasaru! You know I only go for the pretty ones!"
"They're ogres to me, erokappa!"
"WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP?" The sound of a gunshot echoed through -- and probably shook the restaurant. All the other diners looked at us, frightened and confused. Yeah, we shut up.
"Please Sanzo, try to refrain from shooting anything. This restaurant seems to be smaller than the ones we've been to lately. You can easily hurt someone." Hakkai requested with a fake smile.
"Ch."
Minutes upon minutes passed. It takes a long time to cook everything on the menu -- twice. The four of us were caught in conversation to pass the time. As we waited, I scanned the room every few minutes or so to see what table the sepia-haired angel was waiting on next. Thankfully, no one noticed my strange behavior, or so I thought. To cover up my "operation", I added in a "haraheta" every now and then.
Only half of the food came. The chefs refused to make us the whole menu twice, but that's okay, I still got my fill. We decided to stay in the restaurant for a while longer for a drink since we didn't have anything else to do to kill an hour or so. Most of the people dining had left already, leaving only another table to eat in peace.
"Excuse me,"
I looked up, recognizing the voice. My angel with the sky in her eyes stood before our table, holding a bottle of wine. My heart started thumping again. My mind went blank, and I couldn't keep my eyes off her. Her no longer pulled back hair had entranced me with the way it bobbed down to her elbows in cute little curls at the tips. I kept imagining what it would feel like to run my fingers through the soft, apple-scented threads.
"I wonder if it'll be alright. . . if I join you four in a drink?" She said timidly. My thumping heart leaped in joy.
"It's perfectly fine with us," Hakkai started, "but are you sure it's okay to leave the other table?"
"I just brought them the bill, my father will pick it up. Besides, after they leave we'll be closing. You guys are staying in the inn right? My father says that you guys can stay down here until midnight, then you'll have to go to your rooms." The waitress explained matter-of-factly.
"Then take a seat, we'll be glad to have your company." Hakkai took the words right out of my mouth. Though, I wasn't glad that she was here with us, I was. . . let's see. . . ecstatic? Overjoyed? On cloud 9? Then it hit me. What about Sanzo? Confusion suddenly took me, drowning me. I've been in love with Sanzo for a long time, and suddenly I start falling for this girl that I just met. I take quick glance at Sanzo then back to the girl -- who had materialized from her place by the table to a seat right next to me.
"So, you guys have names, right?" She asked, a smile spreading across her face as she placed the wine on the table. Heat was rising to my cheeks faster and faster as I examined her form. She was very well shaped. It showed that she was the kind of girl who makes health a priority with her slim arms; her build was somewhat muscular as well. She didn't seem like a delicate person. She was confident. . . in charge.
"Cho Hakkai, nice to meet you."
"Gojyo, Sha Gojyo." The kappa lifted up a hand in a waving gesture.
"Ch,"
"And the always angry monk, we call him Sanzo." Gojyo added. I noticed the girl flush.
"Oh my gosh! You're a Sanzo! I'm so glad to meet you, Sanzo-sama!" She rushed her sentence, rising and taking a quick bow. She was very polite, that's for sure.
"Ch,"
As she sat down with an "I'm-confused-but-that's-okay-I-won't-ask" look on her face, our eyes locked. "And you?" She asked. Was it just me, or did I see her face redden slightly? Or maybe that was me. . .? It took me a minute to compose myself.
"Uh. . G-goku." I answered, a timid smile etching my features.
"Goku? I like that name." My angel grinned. Damn, that girl really knows how to embarrass a guy. I caught my breath once more.
"And what is your name, Miss?" Hakkai quizzed, giving the white dragon on his shoulder some of the leftover food that he kept for the creature. Hakuryuu purred happily.
"My name is Mitsuko, I'm very glad to meet you all." Mitsuko gave another bow. She had a pretty name. Foreign, but pretty. It really suited her in my opinion.
"Well then, Mitsuko, shall we indulge?" Hakkai motioned to the bottle of wine on the table. She blinked, quickly nodded in reply, and took hold of the bottle. Hakkai shook his head.
"A lady should never be the one to serve wine. Please. Allow me."
Mitsuko shyly handed over the bottle of wine to him; Hakuryuu had crawled down Hakkai's arm and began to sniff at her hand as she let go of the bottle. I had simply watched her apologetic and simple movements. They were classic, yet elegant. It seemed as if every move she made was entirely out of instinct, yet thoroughly thought out. I then frowned. She was so perfect that she contradicted herself!
"That's very kind of you," her voice trailed off, "oh, is that you're dragon? What's his name?" She had asked him, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"His name is Hakuryuu." Hakkai answered simply. The ivory dragon leapt off of his arm and onto the table, minding the leftover dishes, and strut his way over to the girl, giving her a cute little kiss on the nose. She giggled. Stupid dragon. . . lucky dragon. "Ah, I see he's quite fond of you." Mitsuko stoked the dragon's neck which aroused a purr from his throat. Damn dragon.
Gojyo then piped, "So, how long have you been working here?" He smirked as if he had a hidden agenda. My face flushed, and I bet it was pretty obvious under the overhead lighting of the restaurant. I had hoped Gojyo would have a mind to leave this one alone, but it was obvious that I was wrong. A rival. Great.
"Well, ever since I was ten, I guess."
"And how old are you now?" Typical of Gojyo to ask that. He never goes for women that are less than 4 years ahead or behind him. Even though I always claim that he's a pedophile, I know it's not true.
"I'm eighteen," Gojyo's eyes lit up with gusto. Damn, I then knew for sure that he was aiming to get in bed with her. By some strange whim, I looked at Sanzo (who was busy staring off into space), maybe to try to calm my. . . how shall I put it, jealousy? Jealousy that she was paying more attention to the others than me. Big mistake. My heart leaped in my chest, for probably the umpteenth time today. I then remembered. . . I love Sanzo. So very much. My mind raced. I could feel sweat forming on the back of my neck. Why was I getting so nervous?
Then he spoke.
"Gojyo, I imagine you know where your boundaries lie? Hmm?" His voice was tainted with annoyance. And I knew. I had to live with that always-exasperated priest 24/7. I took a drink of the wine that Sanzo surprisingly let me have. It was too much, this confusion. Everything was going too fast. The room, it spun. It was all a blur, I could only make out two things. Sanzo and Mitsuko.
I couldn't take it. I sat up, my bangs hiding my dimmed eyes and I left the table in silence. That wine was a bad idea. Too much alcohol. Messing with my mind, it was. My breathing quickened and I quickly made my way outside, onto the porch where the stars barely shined. Taking a seat a few feet from the door, I watched the fireflies float around the image of the moon. A few times, they had doubled, but it was just the booze.
What was wrong with me? I rested my head on my hand that was mounted upon my knee. Never in my long, long life had I been this confused. People who are in love with other people don't fall in love with different people. It's just too complicated.
I wanted to run away from her. No matter how perfect she seemed, I wanted her to just disappear. . . so that I may be with Sanzo, and there would be no trouble. But then again, every time I thought of her, it become so much harder to think of such a thing.
"Why. . . am I such an idiot?"
"You're not an idiot, at least I hope you're not." A vaguely familiar voice chimed within my ears. Great, now I was even hearing her, too. I must've been cracked.
Yet, I wasn't. I felt warmth tickle my side. It was her. . . the girl with the sun in her hair and the sky in her eyes. She looked at me with those eyes, a little hint of concern clouding them. It sent my heart through my chest. Why was she here? I wanted to just run away, so I could let my body just sink into the earth. I wouldn't have to worry about fighting demons, love, anything. I could just be the earth. I could exist without a care.
I didn't say anything in response.
"Well anyway. I've been wanting to talk to you." She explained, nervously running her hand through her hair. "But with being occupied with the others, I never had time." She looked at me with deep concern. "Even so. . . what's the matter? You seem quite down."
I gave her a pathetic look, one that tried so desperately to say "I can't explain."
"I'm just really tired today. . ." I lied.
"Are you sure? You seem sad,"
"It's really. . . nothing."
She pouted. Crossing her arms she looked up in the sky too. I hated this, yet, I loved it so much. Being able to look up at the stars with her, it was so romantic. I wanted so badly to tell her what was wrong, but I couldn't muster up the courage.
"Ya know, those friends of yours, they're not very nice to you, are they?" She had asked without averting her gaze.
"They are at times. . . always calling me a stupid monkey and blaming everything on me. . . not Hakkai though, he's a real gentleman. . . the cockroach – uh, I mean Gojyo – he's always picking on me. S-Sanzo," She looked toward me, noticing my sudden pause when I had formed the name upon my lips. "Sanzo, he's been mean to me ever since we met. . . he's got this fan he hits me and Gojyo with whenever we piss him off, and he yells at me half the time. . . but. . . I've learned to deal with it. I could never hate Sanzo, 'cause he saved me from imprisonment a long time ago, and I couldn't be more grateful."
There was a second long pause. No movement, only the sound of breathing.
"Ya know, you may be stupid, but you are cute!" I didn't notice the blush that was arising upon Mitsuko's cheeks. My heart skipped a beat and I switched my gaze to hers. In the moonlight, her hair shone so brilliantly, illuminating her face in all the right places.
"W-what do you mean by that?" I managed to say.
"Isn't it obvious?" She put her hands on my cheeks. "You've got a cute face, and I love your personality. A bakasaru without a care in the world."
My mind was lost within the sound of her voice, but at the last sentence, I jumped. "Hey!" Giggling, she stood up. She towered over me, her face darkened, a smile upon her face.
"Well, I've gotta go to bed. Gotta work early tomorrow." Mitsuko managed a small goodbye wave and stepped into the door. I silently said my farewells and looked back up to the moon that was only half full. Never in my life had I been so confused. I was scared to go up to my room. . . because I was sharing with Sanzo that night. . .