Disclaimer: I don't own anybody in Saiyuki! They all belong to Kazuya Minekura! The only one I own is Shiey…
Author's note: Hey guys! It's me and I'm back with chapter seven! So, what did you guys think of chapter six? Well… here's chapter seven! Read and review!
Chapter 7: True feelings
Shiey woke up a few days later. The sun was bright and the birds were singing. It was, nonetheless, a beautiful day. She looked beside her bed and saw Hakkai sitting on a chair, still asleep. She smiled and then she tapped Hakkai on the shoulder. Hakkai woke up and smiled at her. "How're you doing?" he asked. "Better than ever." She replied. He smiled and said, "That's good." Then, Shiey looked outside the window. "You've been asleep for 4 days already." Hakkai said. "It's been 4 days?" Shiey asked as Hakkai nodded. "Sanzo was really worried when he knew that you got hit by poison." Hakkai said. "Hey Hakkai," Shiey said. "Yes?" he asked. "How'd we get out of that cave?" Shiey asked. "Well, after you fell unconscious, I had to wait for the rain to stop. And when it did, I carried you back to the inn. We called a doctor and he said that you had to stay here for at least five days. He says that in five days, the poison will have no effect on your body anymore." Hakkai explained. "What's the effect then?" Shiey asked. "I think there's one part of your body that you won't be able to move." Hakkai said. "Yeah." A voice came. Shiey looked up to see who the owner of the voice was, for it certainly wasn't Hakkai's. "Hey," Gojyo said. "Hi, good morning." Shiey said. "How ya feeling?" Gojyo asked. "Just fine." She replied. "I see you guys are having a talk." Gojyo said, looking at Hakkai. "Well, just wanted to let you know that Sanzo says breakfast is ready." Gojyo said, going out the room. "Thanks, Gojyo." Hakkai replied. "So, shall we go down for breakfast?" Hakkai asked. "Um, sure." Shiey said as she stood up from her bed, but fell down again. "Are you okay?" Hakkai asked. "Yeah, I'm fine." Shiey replied. Thus, she tried to stand up once again, but then, she fell… again. "I think I know the body part that was affected by poison." Shiey said. Hakkai smiled at her. "My feet." She added. "That's okay. I'll just bring you breakfast." Hakkai said as he walked to the door. "Thanks." Shiey said.
A few minutes later, Hakkai came back with a tray full of food. Shiey smiled at him. "Have you eaten your breakfast?" Shiey asked. Hakkai nodded a yes. Then, he walked to the chair beside her bed and sat down there. Then, he gave her the tray and she started eating. As she did, he was looking at her. Shiey felt it though. She looked up at him and said, "What is it? Is there something on my face?" Hakkai was shook out of his thoughts and replied, "Uh, n-no." "So, how're the other guys?" Shiey asked as she finished her breakfast. "They're fine." Hakkai smiled. Shiey smiled back. "Hakkai, thanks for everything." She said. "No problem." He replied. "Shiey, something's been bothering me." Hakkai remarked. "What is it?" Shiey questioned. "No, never mind." He added. "Please tell me. It'll be bothering me the whole time if you don't tell me." Shiey said. "This might sound stupid, but back in the cave, when you were stung by poison, why didn't you even shout or at least react?" Hakkai asked. "Well, I didn't get poisoned when we were in the cave." She informed. "What?" He asked, confused. "I got poisoned when I was in the woods. The demon picked me up and threw me to the ground, then he pierced me right in the stomach with his claws. I'm willing to bet that his claws have poison." Shiey said. "Why didn't you tell me earlier!" Hakkai's tone of voice changed. Shiey looked away. Hakkai regained his composure and said, "I'm sorry, Shiey. I lost myself. I was just worried about you." He said. "No, I'm sorry. You were right, I should've told you." Shiey paused, then continued, "I-I just didn't want to get you worried." Shiey said as tears started forming in her eyes. Hakkai sat beside her on the bed and wiped away the tears. "It's okay, Shiey. At least you're alright." He said, reassuring her. She smiled at him and hugged him… tight. "Thanks, Hakkai." She said. Just then, Gojyo came in. "Sorry to disturb the loving, but Hakkai, I think something's wrong with Hakuryu." He said. "Oh, is that right? Well, I'll be back later Shiey. Gojyo, please watch her for me." Hakkai said as he left the room. "Yes, sir." Gojyo replied as he sat down on the chair beside Shiey's bed. "So, what happened?" Gojyo said, his eyes wide, as if interested to hear something from her. "Didn't Hakkai tell you?" Shiey asked, confused. "Not about what happened to you. What happened between you and Hakkai?" Gojyo asked. Shiey blushed violently. "What do you mean! Nothing happened between us. We just talked." Shiey clarified. "Yeah, right. We all know that you two went there to obviously do something." Gojyo said, raising an eyebrow. "NO! That's not true!" Shiey yelled. "Okay, okay! No need to get all violent!" Gojyo said. "But you started it!" Shiey remarked. "Fine, I'll stop. Calm down." Gojyo said. "He loves you, you know?" Gojyo said. Shiey looked away, wishing it were true. "He can't be. He loves Kanan. And besides, why would he love a girl like me?" Shiey asked. "He just doesn't want to admit it to himself, but he's starting to fall for you." Gojyo said. Shiey didn't reply. "Well, if things don't turn out for the both of you, you can always come to me." Gojyo said, smirking. "No, thanks." Shiey said. "Your choice." Gojyo said, shrugging.
A little while later, after sharing some chitchat, Gojyo left and it was Sanzo's turn to watch over Shiey. Shiey smiled when he entered the room. "I'm only doing this coz they told me to." Sanzo said as he grabbed the chair and placed it by the window, then he sat down and began smoking a cigarette. It was silent. "Don't do that again." Sanzo said, looking at Shiey. "I won't." Shiey answered. "Hey Sanzo," Shiey started. "What?" Sanzo asked, not looking at her. "I found this in my jeans' pocket. It's really weird. After all these years, I didn't know I still had it." Shiey said, handing him a crumpled picture. His eyes grew wide when he saw it. It was a family picture. Their family picture. Kazuma and his mom were there, and so were he and Shiey. He had his hand behind Shiey's back and Shiey had her hand in the same position as well. They were smiling. He was smiling. "You can have it if you want." Shiey offered. Sanzo threw back the picture to her, "I don't want it." He said, looking a little mad. "Sanzo…" Shiey whispered. The awkwardness was broken by Goku who came bursting in, asking Sanzo for money so that he could buy some meat buns. He was answered with a twack on the head with Sanzo's paper fan. Then, Sanzo left the room, leaving Goku with Shiey. "What happened? What's up with him?" Goku asked. Shiey managed a forced smile, "He's not in a good mood right now, Goku." Shiey answered. "Oh. Hey, how are you, Shiey?" he asked. "I'm fine." Shiey replied. "I'm sorry that I didn't look after you when we were in town." Goku said. "It's okay, Goku. It's not your fault. I'm the one who told you I was going on a walk, right?" she said. "You did? Oh! So that's what I forgot to tell the others! Hehehe. Never mind." He said, sweat dropping. "Where's Hakkai?" Shiey asked. "He went to the market to buy some food." Goku replied. "Oh." Shiey said. "So, Shiey, are you sure you're fine?" Goku asked. "Yeah, but my feet are a little stiff." Shiey managed to say. "Oh, is it because of the poison?" Goku asked. "Yeah." Shiey nodded. Goku looked at her. "Can I get you anything?" Goku asked. "No, thanks." Shiey declared, so Goku walked to the door. On his way out, Shiey called him, "Goku," she called. Goku turned around and faced her. "Yeah?" he asked. "Here." She said, extending an open hand to Goku, which contained money. Goku beamed. "Really? Thanks, Shiey!" Goku said, skipping out the room to go to town. Shiey smiled as she looked out the window. The sun was up, but the breeze was cold. She smiled and closed her eyes as she remembered that day in the cave. She remembered Hakkai's warmth, which was the only thing she could feel at that moment. Then, she remembered what she had asked Hakkai in the cave…
"Do you miss Kanan?" she asked.
"… Yes, I do miss her…" he replied.
"That's right, I almost forgot…" Shiey thought as she closed her eyes. Then, she ventured inside her thoughts and stayed there for a while.
Lunch came quickly. Hakkai went upstairs to Shiey's room and knocked. But, he didn't hear a reply from her. So, he came in… and saw that she was asleep. He smiled and walked over to her. Then, he pulled the covers up and walked to the door. Suddenly, he heard a very familiar voice… "Gonou…" the voice called. He looked behind him, but saw nobody else in the room, besides him and Shiey. "It can't be… she's dead…" he thought as he went downstairs and joined the others for lunch.
"What's wrong, Hakkai?" Gojyo asked as he turned and looked at Hakkai, who hadn't touched his food since he came down. "Nothing." Hakkai replied as he faked a smile. Goku who was currently eating, stopped, and looked at Hakkai, "Hey Hakkai," he said. "Are you gonna eat that?" he continued. Hakkai looked at Goku, "Here you go, Goku." Hakkai smiled as he pushed his plate of food to Goku. "Thanks!" Goku replied. "Hakkai…" Sanzo muttered. "I'll be upstairs in Shiey's room." Hakkai declared as he started up the stairs. Gojyo and Sanzo looked at each other.
Hakkai pulled a chair beside Shiey's bed. "It couldn't have possibly been Kanan…" he thought. Just then, Shiey moved uneasily and she woke up. Then, she turned to face Hakkai. "Hey Shiey," he said. "Are you hungry?" he asked. Shiey sat up, "No," she replied. "Do you need anything?" Hakkai asked her. Shiey shook her head. Silence occurred. A long and awkward silence. Just then, Hakkai noticed something on the floor. He bent down and picked it up. Then, he looked at it and smiled. "I believe this might belong to you." He said as he handed the picture to Shiey. Shiey reached out and took it. "Yeah, thanks." Shiey replied as she stuffed the picture inside her pocket. "You look really happy in that picture." Hakkai remarked. Shiey managed a forced smile, "Yeah, I was. That was the time when I was happy, together with my mom and Kouryuu. But, Kazuma came along and ruined that happiness. He ruined everything for me. He took away my mom and Kouryuu. And for that, I can never forgive him. But most of all, I can never forgive myself for being so weak, and not being able top do anything to stop him." She explained. Hakkai looked at her for the sudden outburst that had just happened. "I'm sorry… it just slipped out." Shiey apologized. "Don't worry 'bout it." Hakkai insisted. "I feel somewhat the same." Hakkai confessed. "When Kanan killed herself, I couldn't help but blame myself for not being able to stop what she did. I blamed myself for not being strong. And for that, I admit, I hate myself." He said. Suddenly, Shiey placed her hands on Hakkai's. "It's okay, Hakkai. We can move on now… that's all in the past. I'm sure Kanan would like you to move on as well." Shiey smiled as tears started forming in her eyes and it started to flow down her cheeks. "Shiey…" Hakkai whispered. Her grip on Hakkai's hand tightened. "It's okay…" Hakkai said as he embraced Shiey and Shiey embraced him back. She started crying more… trying to hold back sobs that wouldn't stop. Hakkai embraced her tightly and made sure everything was okay. Outside Shiey's room, somebody was watching… A smirk formed across his face as he ran a hand through his golden hair and he started walking away.
After dinner…
Hakkai made his way to Shiey's room. He knocked on the door a few times. "Come in." Shiey's voice came from the door. Hakkai came in and made his way to sit on the chair beside her bed. "The others went to town to enjoy the festival." Hakkai informed. "Really? What about you?" Shiey asked. "It's okay. I decided to stay here with you." Hakkai convinced. "Thank you." Shiey replied. Hakkai smiled at her. "We'll be on the road again tomorrow, are you sure you're feeling fine?" Hakkai asked. "Yeah, the effect of the poison is fading. I can move my feet a little." Shiey said. "That's good." Hakkai agreed.
"Hakkai…" Shiey's voice came. "Yes?" Hakkai answered. "I was just wondering…" she continued. Hakkai looked at her. "If you wanted to see Kanan again." She finished. Hakkai looked at her in awe. "Well, yes, if I could." He remarked. "Well then, take my hands." Shiey offered as she extended both her hands for Hakkai to take. "Wh-what do you mean?" Hakkai asked. "I can summon Kanan. I will use my powers… as a god and a celestial maiden. I'm pretty sure I can do it." Shiey said. "But Shiey, what if it has a side effect?" Hakkai asked. "No, there's none. Now please, take my hands." Shiey pleaded. Hakkai reached and took her hands. "Now, close your eyes." Shiey instructed. Hakkai slowly closed his eyes. Then, Shiey closed hers as well and started chanting…Just then, a big cloud of smoke appeared and took Shiey with it. "Now open your eyes." A familiar voice said. Hakkai opened his eyes and was surprised to see who was in front of him. "Kanan?" he asked. "Yes Gonou, it's me." Kanan replied. Hakkai looked at her, a look of surprise and confusion.
"It's me, Gonou." Kanan insisted. Hakkai looked at her, then he extended a hand to touch her hand. And when it didn't go through, he was convinced. "Kanan! It's you!" He said, hugging her. "Yes Gonou." Kanan replied, returning his hug. "But—how?" Hakkai said in confusion. "Shiey brought me here. She summoned me. She told me that you wanted to see me." Kanan said as she smiled. "She's a very considerate person, Gonou. She kept on pleading me to come here." Kanan remarked. "Where is she now?" Hakkai asked. "She replaced me for a while. Right now, she's in oblivion." Kanan told him. "Will she be alright?" Hakkai asked. "Yes." Kanan nodded. "Gonou, please don't blame yourself for what happened to me. It was my choice." Kanan convinced. "But, if I was there to protect you, none of this would've happened." Hakkai said. "Yes, but if none of this had happened, then you wouldn't know Shiey, now would you?" she asked. Hakkai stopped. Kanan was right… "Everybody has a past that they regret having. Everybody has a painful past. But, that painful past is sometimes what leads you to where and what you are now." Kanan said. Hakkai looked at her. "You're right, Kanan."
It was a long time since Kanan got to the inn. And she and Hakkai had talked for a long time. "Gonou, I want you to move on. Move on with your life." Kanan advised. Hakkai looked at her. "If you feel like you love someone else then please don't hesitate to love that person back. Especially if that person loves you as well." Kanan said. "And you know what, I'll let you in on a little secret. Shiey loves you, Gonou. By her actions, it shows." Kanan insisted. "Really?" Hakkai asked. Kanan nodded. Just then, a big cloud of smoke started to appear around them, "It's time, Gonou. I have to go." Kanan said. "Okay, good-bye Kanan. And by the way, I changed my name to Hakkai." Hakkai informed. Kanan smile, "Yes, it sounds much better." She said as she disappeared in a cloud of smoke and Shiey appeared once again. Hakkai caught her in his arms. "Shiey…" he said, he looked down at Shiey and found out that she was asleep. Hakkai smiled. He pulled her closer to him, into a tight embrace.
"Shiey…" he started as he looked down at Shiey. "…I love you…" he finished as he closed his eyes and laid her down on her bed. Then, he turned to leave. Little did he know that Shiey was actually awake…
Author's note: Hey! Thanks for all those who reviewed! It means a lot to me! Hope you like chapter 7! Read and review! Thanks!