CALM BEFORE THE STORM
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" Sanzo , you and your party are on this world for a reason . "
Sanzo could barely believe what the Merciful Goddess was saying .
" What reason , may I ask? "
" Yang . "
" That so-called sorceror ? " Sanzo asked .
" All I can tell you at this point ," the Merciful Goddess replied , " is that he could prove to
be a threat not only to this world that you 're on , but also to all existence as we know it . "
" What are you talking about ? "
" The fact that you and the others are in this world isn't enough? "
" Hello , we're here by accident , " Sanzo replied , then the Goddess said , "Accident
or not , if Yang can transport people to other worlds , who knows what else he 's capable of ? "
After several seconds of silence , Sanzo then said , " I suppose you want us to deal with
this somehow ? "
"Only after stopping Yang can all of you return to your proper world , Sanzo . "
Sanzo then asked , " What of the plan to revive Gyumao ? That 's what you
wanted us to stop , remember ? " The Goddess reply was , " For some reason ,
that plan has come to a standstill . "
"How convienient , " Sanzo answered with a hint of derision .
Another pause .
" What choice do we have ? "
" What choice indeed ?"
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Hakkai was walking around when he noticed Cherry with a piece of paper in her
hand .
" Excuse me , Miss Cherry , I couldn't help but notice you seem in a hurry . "
" Ah , Mr . Hakkai , I have plans to make a very special meal tonight but getting all
the ingridients on this list would take hours by myself . "
After a pause , Hakkai then said , " I have an idea . I could gather half of the stuff on
this list , leaving you free to gather the other half ."
"That 's a great idea ! " Cherry replied . She then tore the paper she carried in half ,
giving one of the halves to Hakkai . She then said , " You can tell the grocers that I sent
you for these items . "
Hakkai then said , " Well then , wish me luck ."
With that , the two of them dashed off . Not far away , Yaone , who was walking
nearby , looked on with a puzzled look on her face .
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Two figures stood on a field not far from Japoness .
" What you are saying is , " Faust said , " you and your lot are here because a so-called
wizard caused you to be here . Sounds hard to believe ."
"Whether you believe it or not , " Kougaiji replied , " it's the truth . "
While Kougaiji did not normally associate with humans , he felt that he had no choice
whatsoever .
" We should be finding anything unusual . "
For some reason , Faust began to believe Kougaiji .
"Agreed . "
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For the next few hours , Cherry and Hakkai were seen dashing at every grocery store all
over Japoness . At one such grocery store , Hakkai gave his half of the list to a grocer
and said , "Miss Cherry sent me . "
"Ah yes , she's one of my best customers . "
The grocer then handed Hakkai some of the items on the list to him . Cherry , for her part ,
had no trouble obtaining her items from the stores she went to . Hakkai had two or three
items to obtain when he ran into Yaone , who said ," Mr . Hakkai , You seem to be rather
busy , I see . "
" Well , miss Yaone , " Hakkai replied , " I'm helping Miss Cherry prepare a feast for tonight .
You and your friends may come if you like . Now , if you ' ll excuse me . . . "
With that , he zoomed away leaving Yaone scratching her head .
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Baiko and Tamasaburo , the two sabers who served as imperial guards , stood on top of
Castle Japoness .
" Tamasaburo , what is it ? " Asked the marionette with the greenish-blue hair.
" There 's an uneasy feeling in the air , Baiko ," replied her lavender - haired companion .
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" We've been walking for hours , Faust , and so far , we ' ve found nothing , " Kougaiji
said . " I ' m beginning to think - - - "
Suddenly Faust interrupted him . " Hold it ! What ' s that in the distance ? "
The two began to take notice of an ominous looking structure miles ahead of them .
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What will happen next ?