The Curse Within The Human
-Chapter 3-
To West
(Flashback…)
The day Sanzo was summoned to the Temple of the Setting Sun, the Northern god revealed himself to Sanzo, along with the other two. As Sanzo was given information about journey west, and sickened that he had to work with youkais, he couldn't stand to listen to them much longer.
"Sire…please tell me again why I have to work with these youkais…" Sanzo asked politely.
"They may be youkais, but they have a human heart. If you journey with them, you'll find new enemies, new tasks, and know them better," the Northern god replied.
Sanzo nodded and slowly stood up. "I understand, Sire. I shall take my leave." He bowed again, and started to head for the door.
"Wait, Sanzo." Said the goddess.
Sanzo stopped in his tracks and turned around to face the three of them. "What is it?"
"On your journey, I sense a disturbance…No, I see a disturbance. You'll run into someone you have met once before. This person has a superior heart, this person will be of assistance to you on your journey west." She explained to him.
He blinked and said, "Help me with what?"
"Help you with you."
(End of flashback…)
"Dammit," Sanzo said as the memory of the visit to the Temple of the Setting Sun squirmed in his head.
"Did you say something, Sanzo?" Hakkai asked curiously.
"It's nothing, go do whatever you have to do, I'll go find a hotel and get a room for…" He looked at Michelle and sighed. "…for the five of us."
"Alright, we'll be back in an hour or so." They started to head off into the town, and Sanzo was left to check in the hotel. He grumbled as he registered for rooms for five people, wasting money on another person.
As soon as he was done registering, he went straight up to his room. Opening the door and closing it behind him, sitting at a table and pulling out his cigarettes and lighter. The weekly paper was in there already, so he picked it up, took out his reading glasses, and started to read. He had nothing better to do anyway. It was starting to get musty in there so he opened the door, enjoying little of the gentle breeze blowing in his face and through his hair.
He muttered a curse and sat back in the chair, trying to relax and continued to read the newspaper. But his mind kept going back to that flashback he had earlier. Why did it come to him now? A disturbance…could it be that girl? Was she the disturbance? Not a chance, she's not staying with them long. She has no reason to. If she wants to find who gave her that curse she can do it herself. On her own, by herself. Hell, he should've done that, gone to India by himself, but no, the northern gods wanted him to take the three stooges with him.
He sighed, and continued to read the paper again.
(Where the other group is.)
"Excuse me, ma'am? I left a pair of clothes here about a few weeks ago, and I was wondering if you still have them," Michelle asked politely.
The owner of the store gazes upon Michelle, as if trying to remember her from somewhere. She put a hand over her mouth as she gasped and place her hand down, as she appeared a smile upon her face. "Ah, yes. I remember. We do have your clothes. Just a moment, please."
Michelle nodded as the owner went to the back to search out for her clothes, tapping her foot on the floor impatiently. She was vexing Gojyo a little, so he decided to shatter the silence. "Impatient, are you?" He asked with a grin on his face.
"Very." She answered quickly.
He laughed. "Yeah, me too." He lifted his hand to his head and scratched as he said, "I like women like that."
"Excuse me?"
He turned to face her, bending his back so he can see eye to eye with her, his lips almost close to hers. "Yup, that's what I mean. So what do you say?"
Her eyes were filled with shock. She sighed and closed them, putting on a pleased smile, and leaned closer, they're list almost touching. "You want to know what I say?"
He grinned again. "Yes, I do."
She smirked, then she thrashed a punch in his stomach, and he couldn't move. "That's what I say." She smiled joyfully.
"Here are your clothes." The owner came back with a brown paper bag and handed them to Michelle. She thanked the owner and she asked if there was a place for her to change at, or at least buy a few clothes. The owner gave her permission, and then she went into the store to find some. Her eyes later landed on the wounded Gojyo on the floor. "Is the young man alright?"
Hakkai giggled and kneeled down to help Gojyo up. "Oh, he's fine. Just had a bit of thrashing," he replied.
"Are you sure? Do you want me to get a medical doctor?"
"I'm fine," Claimed Gojyo. 'Damn bitch…I'll make sure I'll get you and your ass…heh heh…that really nice ass…'
Back to where Michelle was at, she was picking out clothes her size. Small…since she's short, but she thinks she has a big ass to go with the shortness. She looked through the dark color section, since it was her favorite color. She scans through the shirts first, spotting a nice black shirt with a dragon on the back. She took it from the shelf and looked into the mirror, placing the shirt in front of her to see how good it will look. The black shirt she was wearing was way too big on her.
'Good…just my size too…' She held onto the shirt and went into the pants section. She hated black pants on her, so she wanted to look for pants that have a little light color to it. Blue, or light blue or…oh, white! Well…it wasn't really white, in her opinion. It's a little darker then white, more like light gray. She found the pants satisfying and went into the dressing room.
"Hey, Hakkai. Is it ok if we could buy a couple of snacks before we leave?" Goku asked with a growling stomach.
"As long as Sanzo doesn't kick our ass, it's fine with me," Hakkai responded.
"Geez, what is taking her so long?" Gojyo said angrily.
"She's a woman, Gojyo. You're going to have to get use to it…" When Hakkai realized he said, "She's a woman", memories of Kanan started to fill his head. Memories of them shopping together, getting groceries from the market place. Kanan always took her time to shop for new clothes or the right food to eat. Hakkai didn't mind, he liked the fact that Kanan isn't fast; she took her time at things. So why…
"Hey, I'm back. So what do you guys think?" Hakkai brushed his thoughts to the back of his head and took a glance at Michelle. The black shirt she was wearing was loose around her belly and her chest, the shirt ending a few inches below the belt. The white pants on her weren't baggy, nor was it tight, just the right size that it doesn't make her ass look so round and big. He saw her turn around, revealing a dragon on the back of the shirt.
Goku and Gojyo awed when they saw her in the clothes. Looking so different in just a few minutes.
"Does the clothes suit you?" The owner asked her as she got done examining the clothes on her.
"Yes, it very well does." She stepped over to the counter where Hakkai was standing, and he paid for the clothes. Michelle left with her new clothes on and the bag with her miko clothes in it. "So, what's next?"
"Well…Goku wanted to get a few snacks before we leave," said Gojyo as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Fine with me. Actually, I do have a few errands to run, if you'll excuse me." She bowed to them and turn to start to run with the bag in her hand. Gojyo and Hakkai both found that quite odd for her to run an errand so quickly, of course, Goku was as dense as always.
"What was that about?" Asked Gojyo.
"Dunno, maybe she'll tell us later," Hakkai answered.
"Hey…is she coming to west with us?" Hakkai and Gojyo stared at Goku, thinking about that for a moment.
"I don't think so. I mean…she does have her own journey to go on too. She needs to seek for the person who gave her that curse. Plus, Sanzo wouldn't allow it," Hakkai clarified him.
Goku sighed heavily. "Man…Sanzo always ruins the fun."
(A different hotel)
'I'm pretty sure this is the room from last night…' Michelle thought. She gulped at the sight she might see. She was afraid she killed another innocent person. When her hand reached for the doorknob, she froze. A tear almost escaped and ran down her cheek, but she pushed her fear aside, and quickly turned the knob, thrusting the door open.
"Dammit…"
The room was just an ordinary hotel room. Michelle sighed in relief, and closed the door. She started to walk her way out of the hotel, when she started to think about Canon. 'Maybe they got rid of the blood and the body somehow…' She shook her head furiously. 'No…if they did I would've heard rumors about it by now. It's probably in the next town where Sanzo and the others are heading…if it is…'
(The hotel they're staying at…)
"Sanzo! We're back." Goku barged into the room and ran to the table, dumping the food they bought from the store. But instead, he dumped it all over Sanzo's newspaper.
"Stupid monkey…couldn't you see that I was reading!" Sanzo growled.
"Geez, what's up with the pissy mood?"
"Why, you little!"
"Hey guys! Whoa…looks like I came just in time," Michelle smiled at the door as soon as she saw a fan in Sanzo's hand, about to smack Goku. Sanzo calmed down and sat in his chair, staring over at Michelle's new wardrobe. A black shirt and light gray pants…she went simple? Usually women would just by really fancy clothes. Hell, who cares? He doesn't.
"Well, I'm off to bed, it has been a long day." She turned for a second but forgot to ask Sanzo something. "Which one is my room?"
Sanzo just glared at her. Who does she think she is?
He closed his eyes with his arms crossed over his chest. "Two doors down from your right," he replied.
She nodded and headed to her room. Sanzo waited until he heard the footsteps stop and hearing the door open, and closing again. When he knew she was in her room, he wanted to say something that's off the subject. "This place is stupid…they even put balcony's that connect five rooms."
"And your point is?" Gojyo questioned.
"All of our rooms are attached. Why would I wish for a balcony with a bunch of blokes?"
Hakkai laughed uneasily. "Well, maybe each of us should take turns on using the balcony. I'm sure the sky will be crystal clear tonight, I know I would love to see the moon and the stars tonight."
"Ooooh…I would like to see some too. I haven't seen some in a long time!" said Goku with delight.
"I don't care, JUST GET OUT OF MY ROOM!" Sanzo screamed at the top of his lungs.
(Late at night)
Gojyo sat on the ledge of the balcony; smoking in his cigarette and blowing the smoke back out, relaxing to the night sky with his hair tied back in a ponytail. Hakkai was right, it's a crystal clear sky, and the moon is out tonight. Looking at the moon relaxes him; at least he can know he's going to sleep well tonight.
"Having fun, Gojyo?"
Gojyo turned his head slowly and saw Hakkai smiling at him a few feet away in his pajamas. Gojyo gave him a smile and faced the moon once more. "Yeah, I am." He put out his cigarette. "Question…did you smell any blood on her?"
Hakkai walked up to the balcony, resting his arms on the ledge and looked up at the moon with Gojyo. "Yeah, I also found some blood on Hakuryu when we went into that house. I cleaned it off him though," he replied.
Gojyo looked down. "Do you think…she killed…"
"A human? Possible…but we don't know. She probably doesn't remember anything when she transformed." He added, "You can't blame her though, it sounds like she's been through a lot. I can sense that…she had a teary and bloodshed past. But, I think it's best is she told us this on her own."
"Who said she's even coming with us to India?"
They both turned around and found the owner of the voice, the Ill-Tempered and Agitated Sanzo.
"Why the hell are you up so late?" Sanzo questioned them both.
"I should ask you the same question, monk," said Gojyo.
Hakkai stood in between them to make sure there are no violent fireworks. "Now, now. It's late, there's no need to fight at this hour." Hakkai turned to Gojyo. "Gojyo, it's late, go to bed. I'm sure you need it to fantasize about the ladies."
"Hey, why do I have to…" Gojyo shut his mouth and figured why Hakkai wanted him to go to bed. He muttered a curse and jumped off the ledge and walked to his room. After it was closed shut, Hakkai faced Sanzo.
"I'm sorry about that, Sanzo. I guess we got a little caught up in the situation," he smiled at him.
"Hmph." He walked to the ledge and took his pack of cigarettes out, and lit up his cigarette. Inhaling for a few seconds and exhaled through his nose and rest his arm on the ledge. "If it's what you're thinking, she's not coming with us. I don't need anything else slowing us down when we get to India. We already have enough weight on our shoulders."
"I didn't really ask if she could come with us," said Hakkai, a little uneasy.
"You want her to come though," he took the cigarette into his mouth again.
"I just think she can be a great use to us, even Goku and Gojyo say the same thing too," said Hakkai. "She's a miko."
"And I don't care if she's a miko or not."
Hakkai got a little angry now. "Is it because of the first miko you met? You had a bad experience with her that you decided to hate all mikos now?"
"No, it's not that. I don't trust her," Sanzo reassured Hakkai.
"You don't trust anyone. She may be dangerous but-!"
"Who is dangerous?"
Hakkai closed his mouth when he heard Michelle's voice and greeted her with a smile. Tonight, she was wearing a short pants that covered partially of her thighs, and a gray spandex for her top. What the hell was she thinking into wearing that tonight?
"It's nothing. I'll be heading off to bed now. Goodnight." He gave her a small wave as he left, and she waved back as he walked into his room, and heard the door closed shut.
Michelle walked to the balcony, looking up at the starry sky. She sighed in relief, stretching her arms up in the air. "Ahh…I'm so tired…"
"Then go to bed," said Sanzo as he put out his cigarette.
"Not yet, I want to enjoy the night sky first," she said as an excuse for herself.
"I thought you hate the night." Michelle clenched her fists when she heard Sanzo say that to her. "Since you turn into a youkai at night. You're lucky it's not in the day; otherwise you would never see the day of light again." Michelle struck her hand at him, but Sanzo caught her wrist in time, she wasn't shocked, she knew he was going to stop her, but what's so bad in trying to smack him?
"Asshole, let go of me," she growled at him.
Sanzo studied her face, concentrating hard at his memory. Why the hell he can't remember things? 'I guess it's a habit, when people piss me off, I tend to make myself forget it.' He answered himself. When he studied the figure of her face, he started on the eyes. Her eyes were clouded with mysteries, dark mysteries. But he can't seem to remember where he saw her.
When he was done examining her, he let go of her wrist and said, "I see…so that's how it's going to be…fine." He turned his back to her and started to walk to his room. Michelle waited until his door was shut and said:
"How dare that asshole touch me, I'll make sure he pays!" She stomped her way angrily to her room and jumped right into bed.
(In the morning)
Hakkai was waiting outside of the hotel, sitting in the jeep form of Hakuryu and saw the rest of the group walking out of the doors of the hotel. As Goku and Gojyo jumped in the back seat, Hakkai looked at Michelle and saw her staring at them.
"Well, where are you heading off too?" He asked her.
"I'm going to continue my journey looking for the person who put this curse on me. I don't' know how long it will take, but it'll be worth it," she said with a smile on her face.
"Wrong," Sanzo said as he sat next to Hakkai in the jeep. "You're going to postpone your journey and come with us to India. Whether if you like it or not, I don't care, I made up my mind."
"Excuse me?" Said Michelle.
"You heard me, get your ass in the car."
She stopped for a second, and closed her eyes to give it some thought. When she figured things out, she opened her eyes. "Fine, I'll come with you. This could be an opportunity to find this person who gave me this curse. But…I'll only leave when my curse is gone, deal?" She climbed into the jeep and sat between Goku and Gojyo.
"That's fine, as long as you help us along the way," said Sanzo.
"What! You're only using me for…"
"Dammit, Sanzo! Now there's hardly any room in the back! You damn blonde!" Gojyo complained.
"Her ass is skinny enough to fit in the back! There should be enough room for the three of you!" Sanzo yelled back.
"Why the hell were you staring at my ass!" Angered Michelle.
"I never stared at your ass!" Sanzo fought back.
"Jeez, Gojyo. If you weren't so damn tall there would be a lot more room back here!" Goku complained.
Gojyo stuck his face to Goku. "Why you little, it's not my fault you eat so damn much and have a big ass to go with it!"
"Will you idiots stop talking about ASSES for God's sake!" Michelle lectured them.
Sanzo stood up and pulled the trigger to his gun in the air, silencing the three idiots in the back. "How about I shoot your bodies and leave it here on the ground!"
Hakkai sighed heavily and shifts the car into reverse and reversed the car back violently. When he did so, Sanzo fell on them and accidentally pull the trigger, but it didn't hit anything…hopefully…
"Hakkai! What the hell was that!" Gojyo yelled at him.
Hakkai then shifted it to drive and started to speed his way out of town.
"Dammit, Hakkai! Can you at least wait until I get back in my seat!" Sanzo asked angrily.
"Nope, you said we don't have time, so we're leaving," he said with a smile.
"You know, I have a feeling Hakkai is going to kill us one day with his driving," said Goku, a little scared of his driving now.
"Yeah…I have the same feeling too…"Gojyo whispered to Goku.
"What was that?" Hakkai turned his head to face them and made a sharp left turn when he did so, making them to freak out even more.
"Shit, Hakkai! At least drive straight to India," said Michelle, scared for her life now.
After about five minutes, everyone was silent in the car and Hakkai continued driving west to India. Michelle didn't like the middle so she sat at the edge and made Goku sit in the middle between her and Gojyo. Another five minutes later, Goku and Gojyo did their usual routine: their stupid little bickering.
"Anyway, Sanzo, I thought you said you didn't want to have her come with us," Hakkai asked curiously.
"I guess I had a little change of heart," said Sanzo, relaxing in his seat.
Hakkai laughed. "I doubt it, but I'll take that answer."
Michelle sighed and tapped Hakkai's shoulder. "Is it usually like this between you guys?"
Hakkai smiled. "Yes, it actually is. Every day, Goku and Gojyo will fight about something pointless, and eventually Sanzo gets tired of it and threatens them with his gun, sometimes even smack them with his paper fan. Me, on the other hand, I just continue driving and try to ignore them," he said with a smile on his face.
Michelle fell silent; did she have to live through this everyday until she has to leave? Who knows when will that be…