CHAPTER 3

"What? Taboo?"

"What a freak."

"Don't go near her, honey. She'll make you sick."

"I can't believe I let her heal me."

"She doesn't deserve to live in this town."

"Yeah. Let's kick her out."

Their words brought pain to her every time she replayed them in her head. Paige let the tears run down her face; she found it calmed her down. She leaned against a tree in the forest, thinking about what happened yesterday.

"Mama, mama!" The little boy jumped into her arms, "That healing lady is a half-ie."

"Don't go near her, sweetie. She's evil, that one. Let's go before she makes us sick." They left, as did everyone else.

Amori came up to her and rubbed her back, "It's alright; they won't run you out of town, Paige. You've done so much for them."

Yeah right, Amori. She sighed and wiped the tears from her blue eyes. Maybe I should just go with being taboo and not care what anyone thinks. She took out one contact, revealing a crimson eye. Maybe, just maybe…

Paige noticed that Gojyo, Goku, Sanzo and Hakkai were still sleeping. She smiled as the tears came pouring down her cheeks once again. Amori was sitting beside her, humming. Paige had already told her that she didn't want to talk, talking only made goodbyes harder than they already were. Paige was already told by the village Chief to leave before sunset. She just nodded and went to pack.

"Are you mad at me, Pai?" Amori whispered.

"No. I know why you can't come. I know you would, but you can't. You have your boyfriend and a house and a job. I don't expect you to leave all that for me."

Amori had tears in her hazel eyes, "I know. I really would go with you, but I can't. I'm glad you're not mad at me, though." She walked over to Paige and hugged her, "I will miss you. I always will. And maybe one day you can come back to visit, right?" She was choking on her sobs now, "R-right, ri-right?"

"Yes. I will come back to visit. One day. But now, I have to go. It's almost sunset." She grabbed her suitcase, put her wallet in her pocket and left. Amori cried and cried.

Paige sat up and forced herself to stop crying, "This isn't going to get me anywhere." She stood up, dusted herself off and stomped away on a dirt road, "I'll hitch-hike to the next village. Someone is bound to help a poor defenseless little girl like me." She smiled, despite the tears which were already back in her crimson eyes. She had taken out the contacts.

Only a few stars revealed themselves through the clouds. The moon shone dimly upon the earth. Paige had a flashlight and was reading a book. No one had come down that dirt road all day. She was tempted to walk to the next village, but that would take her days and she preferred a ride. Like Kanzeon Botatsu had answered her prayers, a jeep came riding down the road. Paige stuck out her thumb, smiling in side.

Good god. Finally someone's come. Yay. She stopped dead when she saw who was in the jeep. Gojyo, Hakkai, Sanzo and Goku. She frowned, I don't want a ride with them. Ah. I better put my contacts in. She put them in hastily. Her eyes were blue, but stinging when she was done. Paige stuck her thumb out farther, Well, they're my best shot, right?

The jeep came to a stop. Hakkai smiled, "Hello again. What are you doing out here…oh-it seems I have forgotten your name. Sorry."

Paige smiled, "It's Paige and don't worry about it."

Goku stood up in the jeep, "Hey! Paige! That's a nice name. Thnaks for healin' me. You did an awesome job." He smiled.

Gojyo pushed him back down, "Get down, monkey. You're blocking my view of this lovely lady."

"I'm sure she doesn't want you flirting with her, pervert!" He retorted.

"Oh yeah. I bet she does!" Gojyo answered back, whacking him in the head.

Sanzo took out his gun and fired it into the sky, "Shut up, both of you!" They sat down, glaring at eachother.

Hakkai laughed, "Don't mind them, they're just immature."

Paige laughed, "I can see that."

"What do you want? We have to get to the next village be-"

Sanzo was interrupted by Paige, "Really? You're going to the next village? That's great." She exclaimed. Her eyes lit up with something other than tears. Happiness.

"Why?" Hakkai asked, "Do you need a ride?"

"Um-er-sort of." She mumbled.

Gojyo patted the seat beside him, "There's always room for one more, Hakkai."

Sanzo wapped him in the head with his fan, "She does not want to sit beside you."

Gojyo crossed his arms, "Why don't we ask her?"

Gojyo stared at her, "So, do you want to sit beside me? Or monkey-boy?"

She answered quickly, "Goku."

He looked away from her, "Fine."

Hakkai laughed, "You sound like a spoiled kid who didn't get there way, Gojyo." He turned to face Paige, "You can come in. Sit beside Goku."

"Okay. And thank you so much."

"No problem." Goku said cheerfully, "Just avoid Gojyo and you'll be fine."

Paige laughed, "Will do." She climbed in and sat down.

"You guys are making me sound like the villain." Gojyo said.

Goku laughed, "Maybe if you weren't such a perv, then we wouldn't have ta say that stuff. Hakkai, start up the stupid dragon."

"Dragon?" Paige questioned.

Hakkai turned around, "Yeah. Hakurryu can turn into a Jeep." He smiled.

"Oh."

Authoress Notes: Happy Birthday to me! It's my Birthday today (May 8th) It's also on Mother's Day. That's cool. Well, anyways. Thanks for the reviews and I'll update soon. Buh bye.