--Chapter 3: Adveniat regnum tuum--

The sky was clouded over, a mix of the weather and the smog that was blanketing the equally dingy station. Luckily, it wasn't raining, merely an overcast day and for that Sanzo was thankful. That was the last thing he needed on this already troublesome assignment. "So, where exactly is this village we're supposed to be going to?" he asked his companion, peeking open an eye to see the man poring over what appeared to be a tour book. He sighed audibly, rolling his eyes as he propped his chin against his cupped palm.

"It's off the coast…it appears to be some sort of small fishing village. Very small, according to this book," Hakkai informed him, thoroughly absorbed in the text. It wasn't an unusual sight to see the green-eyed man with a book in his hand, but this was pushing it a bit too far, in the blonde's opinion. But then again, Hakkai did often act as the church's resident librarian, when he wasn't preoccupied with missions and such.

"Might I ask where you got that book? How in the fuck did you manage to get a book on sightseeing so quickly?" the blonde asked, masking his curiosity with irritation. He lit a cigarette, relishing in the instant calming effect that the nicotine had on his nerves as he let it out in a steady stream. Private berths were a godsend, he decided.

At first, the green-eyed man didn't answer him, eyes still lost somewhere on a random page as his lips moved to form the unspoken words. A less than gentle nudge in his ribs roused his attention, offering his equally irritable companion a deep frown. "I had it from when I first came to the Church. You honestly think that I would move somewhere and not have any information about it and the surrounding area? I thought you knew me better than that," he replied, his voice tapering off into amusement towards the end of his reply. That earned him a snort, bringing a smile to his face as he went back to his book.

The blonde turned back to the window, using his sleeve to wipe off some of the grime so he could see the countryside rolling by. Something about the sight made him sad, though he wouldn't dare admit that aloud. He was used to heading off to unfamiliar places, but there was still that nagging voice in the back of his head about this whole mission. The lack of details and instructions, as well as only being given the name of the local church in the village, The Church of Infinite Mercy. Apparently he was supposed to meet with the priest there, who would then give him the necessary details. It still wasn't making any sense in his mind. "So…what do you think about this?" he asked, feeling the sudden need for conversation. The idea of watching the sprawling landscape suddenly bored him.

"Think about what, Sanzo?" the other man asked confusedly, blinking above the book as though phasing back into this reality. Another bad habit that Hakkai often had, getting involved in something so thoroughly that nothing short of a solid shove could bring his attention back. After a moment, when the blonde didn't elaborate, he seemed to digest the still unanswered question. "Well, it is strange. Homura never sends us on missions without a full briefing, knowing how much trouble all of us could get into with the Vatican," he offered with an elegant shrug of his shoulders.

"That's the part I don't like. He's never vague like this. It pisses me off," Sanzo answered, taking another long drag on his cigarette that he had forgotten about.

"And has you worried," Hakkai finished, smiling a bit despite the very poisonous glare that he received for his addition. "Don't worry about it. I'm worried too. I especially don't approve of the vagueness of what will happen to this individual if they do indeed have the Stigmata. I sense there is an ulterior motive."

Sanzo couldn't dispute that, giving a nod as his reply. He let the subject drop then, allowing the green-eyed man to return to his book as he returned to staring out the window. This was going to be an interesting few weeks, he could tell already.

-----

A loud train whistle caused the blonde to start violently, making him aware that he had been sleeping. "Shut up already!" he called out rather audibly, swatting at some invisible pest near his ear. At the brunette's questioning look, the blonde cleared his throat and shot him a look that very clearly stated to simply let the subject drop. "Where are we?" the blonde asked, feeling stupid for having to do so as he wiped the remnants of sleep from his eyes. He should have been more alert and more aware, but the rest was needed and well-deserved. Of course, it would have been more restful if he hadn't heard the sound of that damned voice calling him in his dreams. It was soft and mournful…and probably just his imagination.

Hakkai dipped lower to look out the window, noticing the bustling station and catching the sight of a young nun waiting on the platform. "It would appear that we have reached our destination," he replied simply, getting to his feet and allowing himself a stretch. Sanzo followed his lead, and soon the both of them were grabbing their luggage to exit the train.

Once outside, Sanzo immediately noticed the change in the air; instead of thick and smoggy, the air here was brisk and clear. A calm breeze swirled around them, punctuated by the fading sunlight as it dipped below the horizon in a myriad of oranges and crimsons. The blonde listened as his companion drew in a deep lungful of clean air, equally glad that he could no longer taste the soot and ash of the city in his mouth.

"You must be Father Hakkai and Father Sanzo! Hello! Over here!" an energetic voice called, accompanied by an equally enthusiastic hand waving for their attention. The same young nun that Hakkai had noticed standing on the platform wove through the crowd, smiling brightly. Bright sunset hair peeked out from under the nun habit, shimmering, childishly wide verdant eyes that were filled with awe and respect accenting the brilliant smile on her face. "It's nice to meet you both." She held out a slender tanned hand in a greeting.

Hakkai took the offered hand first and replied politely, "Indeed we are. It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss-?"

"You can call me Sister Lirin. My older brother is the priest at the church, where I'm supposed to take you. Unfortunately, we'll have to walk because there aren't very many cars or taxis around here," she said hurriedly, grabbing for Sanzo's hand when the green-eyed man let go. The blonde flinched and tried to move away from the touch less than subtly.

"Don't touch me. I don't know you," he griped, wiping his hand on his robes. He hated being touched, especially by strangers. This little girl was no different. "Just bring us to the Church. We have other business here besides making friends."

Lirin looked hurt for a moment, the expression flashing momentarily through her eyes before she masked it with a smile. "O-Of course. Forgive me, Father. It's just this way," she offered, looking away from the blonde as she led the way through the crowd.

The village itself was bustling with activity, much like the train station had been. For such a small place, the vast amount of people who were moving about the on the street was mind-boggling. Everywhere there were people buying and selling things, people talking in hurried voices spiced with a dialect that neither man was familiar with. "What strange speech…I don't know if I have heard it before," Hakkai commented, thoroughly fascinated. He was also from a small village where such a phenomenon was prominent, though living the Capital had watered down his own accent.

"It's rougher than most. Must be due to the fishing industry," Sanzo answered disinterestedly, again rolling his eyes at the typical Hakkai behavior. As long as he had known the man, it never ceased to amaze him how he so often reverted back to his old, bookish tendencies.

Lirin only shrugged, occasionally nodding to and greeting people that they encountered. Despite seeming in a hurry, the people were generally rather friendly and polite. 'Must be the small town influence,' Sanzo thought to himself, looking up to see the moon beginning to blossom in the sky, dots of stars beginning to shine through the still vividly-hued sky.

Hakkai smiled warmly, his eyes distant. This village, with all its bustle and liveliness, reminded him easily of his own village in the mountains where he had grown up. 'What you would think of a village like this, my love? Would you be pleased?' he thought to himself, a ghost pain rippling through the scar that cut clear across his abdomen. He had to stave off the flood of memories that threatened to drown him. Only the quick hand and a stoic expression managed to snap him from it before the young girl noticed. "So…I'm sure you know why we're here," he queried, his voice slightly shaky as he regained his composure.

A shadow passed through those green eyes, coloring them a dark jade as the smile fell away from her face. "Of course. I was there when the phone call was made," was all she said in reply to the question, turning back around. They were well out of the village now, heading up what appeared to the coastline. In the distance, the outline of a building began to take shape as they neared it, tiny pinpricks that had to be candlelight flickering in the windows. "There's the church. If you have any questions, you can ask my older brother, Father Kougaiji."

The two men met glances, a silent conversation and understanding passed between the two of them at her words. Neither one said anything for the rest of the walk, choosing instead to ponder their own thoughts alone in silence.

-----

The Church of Infinite Mercy itself was nothing spectacular, unlike the Sanctity of Innocent Heart where Sanzo and Hakkai served as priests. In comparison, this building was plain and simple-looking, exactly how one would expect a small-town church to look. There were a multitude of children playing in the yard, giggling and squealing as they chased one another. The sight made Hakkai's heart ache, reminiscing about the students that he taught all those years ago.

"Sister Lirin? Is that you?" a woman called from the steps, clutching a squirming child in her arms before letting the small boy down to play with the others. Her violet eyes widened in surprise at the appearance of guests, long lavender tresses falling against a pale face that smiled warmly at them. Slender hands rested on a swollen belly, clad in a simple white shift with a gray overdress and a starched apron adorning her front.

"Yes, Yaone. It's me. Kou told me to go fetch Father Sanzo and Father Hakkai from their train," she replied, bowing respectfully to the woman. When she was close enough, she rested her hand on the woman's belly and smiled. "How are you doing? No baby today, huh?"

Yaone smiled hopefully, patting her own stomach fondly. "No, not today. The Lord decided it wasn't time yet," she spoke softly, lifting her head to regard the two men. "You must be tired. It's an honor to meet both of you. I am Yaone, Father Kougaiji's wife," she posed pleasantly, bowing as much as her condition would allow.

"Likewise, Mrs. Yaone. I am Father Hakkai, and this is Father Sanzo. Thank you for allowing us to stay with you for the time being," the green-eyed man offered in turn, bowing as well. When he noticed that the blonde was still standing, he elbowed him hard in the side as a clear warning.

Of course, the blonde glared hard at him, keeping his arms folded across his chest in blatant disregard for his companion's 'request'. "Likewise. Now, we need to speak with your husband," he said after a moment, nearly choking on the word. It was a well-known fact that Catholic priests were forbidden to marry, wondering quietly to himself how they managed to get around a rule that the Church was so strict about. He posed the question to his companion in a whisper, curious to see what the other man would say.

"It is a strange thing. There have been men who received special permission from the Vatican to marry, and perhaps he is one of them," Hakkai responded, his tone sounding unsure. "Of course, it could also be that, being a leader of such a small church, it never really caught any attention."

"Are you two going to stand out there all night? C'mon!" Lirin called teasingly, following the pregnant woman inside the building, as well as the rush of children that followed behind them. Again, Hakkai was reminded strongly of times in the past, a glimpse of someone else flashing through his mind as he watched Yaone. "The Church acts as an orphanage as well," Lirin informed them, a masked apology for the children that were darting around them like miniature hurricanes.

Suddenly, two more voices could be heard in the room they were walking into, clearly involved in a heated argument. "Doku, I told you before, you can't bring her there when he's still weak! She only manages to upset his condition even more. I know you mean well, but you have to understand. If you want to see him, you need to leave her at home," one said, words accompanied by a sigh. He turned when he saw them enter, his face serious and determined.

The other man turned as well, chocolate eyes saddened as a large hand combed through equally dark locks of hair that stood perpetually on end. "You're right, Kou. I know you are. I thought…I don't know what I thought. Thanks again," the man said mournfully, offering a hint of a smile as he turned to leave the way that they had just entered. "Let me know when that baby finally gets here."

"Of course," the other man intoned, smiling a bit as his wife and sister made their way into what appeared to be a large dining area before turning to his two guests. His indigo eyes were intense and questioning, his terse appearance more evident by the long garnet hair that was tied into a severe ponytail down his back. "You must be the two priests that the Vatican sent in regards to Aria Shizuka's request," he regarded, his tone holding a clear undercurrent of disdain.

Just what Sanzo needed, a priest who was afraid that his territory was being threatened. "Yes, that would be us. I am Father Genjyo Sanzo, and this is my assistant Father Cho Hakkai," the blonde replied just as disdainfully, making clear his lack of enthusiasm. "And you must be the head priest, Father Kougaiji, that His Eminence Cardinal Homura Taisho told us about."

At the mention of their superior's name, an obvious twitch formed near Kougaiji's left eye. "Yes. Of course. Well, it is much to late for me to introduce you to the patient in question, so I would suggest you retire for the night and I will escort you to the hospital in the morning," Kougaiji stated flatly, more command than a suggestion. His already slanted eyes narrowed further, giving the distinct impression that he was not happy with their staying in his church. "I will have Lirin bring food up for you later…the children can get quite noisy and rambunctious."

Both men nodded in reply, listening as the other man summoned another nun to take them to their rooms. They weren't at all hard to find, and neither man spoke on the way there. "Each room has its own bathroom to maintain privacy," the nun informed them sweetly, using her hand as a guide when they finally reached the offered rooms. They were across the hall from one another, mostly out of convenience. The nun bowed respectfully, leaving them to their own devices.

It was then that they spoke, with Hakkai breaking the silence first. "This is certainly an interesting place…and what do you think of that Kougaiji character? Everyone else seems to be nice enough," he asked interestedly, removing his glasses and tucking them into their case from the luggage that had been brought up already.

"I don't know, and I don't care. Right now, I just want to get some sleep. I'll deal with this shit in the morning," Sanzo growled tiredly, scrubbing his eye with the heel of his palm. He suppressed a yawn, not even giving the other a chance to answer before entering his room and slamming the door.

Hakkai sighed audibly, closing his own door. "Of course, Sanzo. Good night."

(Translation: Thy kingdom come)