Title: Deals with a God
Theme: Set #2, Theme # 37: Food
Genre: General
Pairings: None
Word Count: 548
Rating: G
Summary: Gods get hungry just like anyone else…

Notes: The monkey referenced in this is a younger version of the one in episode 88 that is the Sarugami-sama (Monkey God).

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Sitting down on the smooth rock, the young boy gazed at his reward. In his lap sat three plump onigiri, a payment from a local lady for chasing off the small lizard youkai that was destroying her garden.

Most people seemed a bit surprised to see a young boy, about eight or nine, so skillfully fighting with the fancy katana he carried on his back. His yukata was dotted with beautiful pink flowers, something else they found odd- but still, many of the villagers had taken a liking to him.

When asked where his parents were, he would simply say they'd died- leaving any gory details up to the imagination of the person who asked. But if he was feeling particularly talkative or trying to hold the attention of an attractive boy his own age, Jakotsu would go on to tell them about how his father was a swords smith and that his own blade was one of the best his father had ever made.

This afternoon though, he sat alone away from the village in hopes that he could enjoy his meal in silence. The way the women would pinch his cheeks and fawn over him like some spectacle drove him nuts, so he'd avoid dining with them when he could.

But despite how he'd so wished to be alone, another strange visitor was in the village that day. Sneaking up alongside the rock, two beady black eyes peered up at the onigiri sitting on Jakotsu's lap.

The little thief began to reach out, only to have his wrist quickly snatched in Jakotsu's grasp.

"Hey! That's mine!"

Glancing down, the young boy was surprised to see exactly who the thief was.

"Hey monkey,. Leave my food alone!"

Pouting, the small white monkey withdrew his hand.

"You know, one day I'm going to become the Monkey God. You should pay your homage to me!"

Jakotsu laughed, "Prove it. Tell me something only a god would know."

The monkey sat down and crossed his arms, obviously deep in thought over the matter. Then- jumping up- he pounded his fist into his hand.

"I've got it. You have another sword than the one on your back but you aren't strong enough to use it yet. So- you've hidden it in a small hut in the forest."

Blinking, the dark-haired boy gaped.

"How did you know that?"

"I told you," The monkey replied as he smugly turned up his nose, "I'm a god."

Handing over an onigiri, Jakotsu sighed.

"Mou okay, but just one. And you owe me for this- I had to work really hard to earn that."

The monkey quickly ate the onigiri, licking all the stray pieces of rice from his fingers. As he turned to scamper away, he made a promise to Jakotsu.

"Thanks boy. I'll keep a watch on that sword for you until you come to get it. Consider that repayment."

As suddenly as he'd appeared, the white creature disappeared back into the thick forest. Jakotsu shrugged and stuffed the last onigiri into his mouth.

"So that's the monkey I saw that lives in that hut. No wonder he knew about Jakotsutou."

Wiping his mouth off, he stood and looked towards the forest.

"Well, god or not- thanks for keeping my sword safe little friend."

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