Chance
Chapter Three - "Sato"
Disclaimer: I don't own Saiyuki nor any of its characters. If i did, Gojyo wouldn't have red feelers growing on top of his head. They would vibrate and light up neon, so they catch more attention
Enjoy
The house that the two kids lived in was on the outskirts of town. It was old and torn, but all of the children lived happily without grief nor worry. It was an oasis in a desert of lonelyness.
"Thank you so much for everything, Ayako-san." Hakkai touched Hakuryuu gently on the head. The woman smiled at Hakkai, shaking her head slightly. "I only did what had to be done. In the mean time, why don't you four stay for the night- its getting quite dark out."
"That's very kind of you... Sanzo?" The blond man who was leaning by the windowsill exhaled slowly, emitting a long trail of smoke into the air. He took out another pack of cigarettes from his back jean pockets, and proceeded to light one. "Tch... Do whatever you want." Ayako smiled gently, turning to walk out the door. "I'll bring over some extra blankets and mats-children, come help me please." The two younger children, Kirii and Mechi, who were surrounding the door, curiously glancing in at their guests, ran over to help their sister and guardian.
A few minutes later they were well set up, and Hakuryuu was fast asleep. "Thank you again, Ayako-san." Hakkai began, being the ever polite and well-composed one. "Well. By the looks of it, Hakuryuu will be ready to go by tomorrow morning," Hakkai said, turning back to the other three men, as the door swung shut.
"Oy, bakazaru, hit the lights. I'm beat." Gojyo flopped down on his mat, which was squeezed between Goku's own and Sanzo's bed. "Why does the bald monk get the bed anyways? I mean Hakuryuu and Hakkai are acceptable, but-"
"Shut the hell up."
"Hai, hai, your majesty."
The lights flicked shut, and for about five minutes a peaceful silence filled the air. But just five minutes. Gruuurrr... "I'm hungry..." Goku groaned, getting up from his resting place. "There's no way I'll be able to fall asleep if I'm this hungry...Ne, Sanzo... I'm hungry!!" The golden haired priest twitched a bit, feigning sleep.
"Sanzo...ne sanzo...sanzo...sanzosanzosanzosanzosanzosanz-"
"SHUT UP, BAKAZARU!!"
Grruuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrr... "But-but-but!! Sanzoooo!!!" Goku whined. That was it. That was the last straw. Sanzo shot up, abandoning the 'dead act', and made a grab for the paper fan at his side, preparing to launch into a frenzy of yelling. "I'LL KILL Y-W-what the hell...?! Why the hell is there an animal on me?!" Before he could finish the first sentence of his composition however, a small mass had crawled quite sneakily up ontop of him. A long period of silence followed suit, and Sanzo, despite his proud personality, had to take it that nobody was going to willingly help him. "Hakkai...!!"
"Oy, be more considerate and keep it down, baldy! Hakuryuu's asleep, not to mention the other residents of this place..." Came Gojyo's mumbled and half unconscious complaint followed by a snore from the monkey. Sanzo felt the weight ontop of him to be about the size of a slightly overweight house cat. He froze up, realizing his intimate dislike for the criters. And any other type of animal. "H-hakkai!! Get this thing off me!!" Sanzo hissed, as the 'thing' on top of him snuggled more.
The brunette dispute settler and self proclaimed nursery school teacher sighed mentally, forgetting his plan of looking foreward to a fresh night's rest and an early start tomorrow morning. Shivering slightly as he got up from his warm blankets and bed, he crossed the floor, careful as not to wake the other two who were just slipping into their dream state of mind. "They're asleep, so we probably shouldn't open the lights." Whispered Hakkai hoarsely, and reached around in the darkness, accidently bumping the thing on top of Sanzo. "Ah..." Sanzo didn't dare move a muscle as the healer took the thing off his rigid body. Just as Hakkai's eyes widened as he realized what exactly he was holding, a light knock sounded at their door.
The door creaked open, and Ayako shyly popped her head in. "I'm so sorry to disturb you, but one of the children are missing..." Ayako's quiet voice sounded anxious and worried. Hakkai looked to the child in his hands, and walked toward the door, with sanzo following with a low growl. When they were outside, the three of them finally got a look at the thing that had been both missing and found. It was but a child, about three years old or so. She was curled up in Hakkai's arms, and the two men found themselves enchanted by the way she seemed so worried, yet so peaceful. It was Ayako who first broke the silence. "We found her by the river side, with nothing to indicate where she was from. Of course, we had to take her back in. Since she cannot talk properly just yet, we've named her Sato." There was another period of silence after these words, which seemed to be a bit burdened.
Sanzo, who had been leaning on the doorway looked slightly lower than eye level, recalling the similiar incident that brought him to his most adored companion and master for most of his childhood. Hakkai, smiling, handed the child to Ayako. But was surprised when she shifted her eyes to the corner, unable to meet his eye. His smile immediately vanished. "Ayako-san...?" A small chilly wind seeped its way around the frail building.
When she finally spoke, it was in a small, pleading voice. "Hakkai-san. I-i'm not sure I can provide for Sato, with the other kids here." Her voice cracked a bit, but she steadied herself. "As you can see, we can barely get by with the three of us. But we are not willing to move away. This... this has always been our home, and we will continue to supply for each other. But Sato... it's just too much... You men are on a journey, i understand. Maybe... maybe somewhere along your journey you will be able to find a permanent and caring home thats able to provide fully for her... give her a warm family. Please... until then..."
She didn't have to say anymore. Hakkai nodded gently, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "...You're very brave, Ayako-san. I will take care of her. Even if I have to do it myself-" Hakkai smiled sadly at her, and looked back to Sanzo who was looking into the room. Hakkai knew that Sanzo had been an orphan, lost in a river, when his master had rescued him. So there was no way he could not feel for the child in his arms right now.
Sato frowned slightly in her sleep, almost understanding what was going on in the real world.
Thank you for reading.