Memories of a Life Gone By pt. 13 Secrets and Surprises Revealed
They stood outside in the dark staring down a the limp forms hidden within a set of sheets. Grudgingly, Sanzo chanted as he kept up a false solemn facade. Hakkai looked around the crowds.
"Sumimasen," he whispered to a man near him. "But may I ask what happened?"
"A set of rapes and murders that's what!" he whispered in a bitter reply. "Disintended anuses. It's just sick."
"It's the work of a kappa!" a woman cried angrily. "I say we find the little bastard and kill him!"
Hakkai blinked in surprise as the other villagers roared with agreement. Well... Hakkai thought. I must tell Gojyo to be a little careful around here then... Eh... Where is Gojyo? Hakkai stared around the crowds as he watched a long mass of red hair walking away. The thoughts in Sanzo's head ran wild.
"Gojyo!" he called out as he pushed through the crowds. "Hey, Gojyo! Wait!"
He stepped out into the empty street. He stared around as a thought came to his mind. Quickly, he brushed the thought aside. Nah... He thought as he scratched the back of his head. He wouldn't. . .
Miyuki rushed out beside him.
"Have you seen Gojyo?" she asked with a slight worried tone in her voice. "I thought I saw him come this way... But he disappeared..."
Hakkai turned to her with a shrugging smile. She sighed.
"You know," she began with a sigh. "He's been acting funny since we came here... Hakkai... Do you think... That he's.. You know... About the baby..."
Hakkai continued to smile.
"Nah," he smiled letting out a light laugh. "He might have been a little upset, but I think it will only prove to be more incentive to keep trying."
She smiled nodding at his reply.
"Yea," she conceded. "You're right. He will only keep trying won't he?"
Hakkai nodded as she smiled. She turned and began walking off. I've got to wonder though... Hakkai thought as he looked around the crowd. Why has Gojyo been missing a lot lately?... Especially with all the murders going around... A voice broke through his thoughts. He turned.
"Pardon me, Sanzo?" He asked.
Sanzo lit his cigarette.
"Find Gojyo, and bring him back here," he commanded sternly. "I'd like to make sure of a few things..."
Hakkai smiled a small smile as a sweat drop ran down his head.
"Hai..." he replied. "I hope this doesn't mean what I think it means, Sanzo."
Sanzo shot him a glare.
"I've always had this thought when I first took up this stupid mission, Hakkai," he began coldly. "As long as there is demon blood running in you, Goku, and Gojyo's veins, along with that stupid fox's, I will always be on guard for when you might turn on me. Now go find him before I kill you."
Hakkai continued to smile as he twitched. Well... You can't blame him.. He is only human after all... He thought as he walked off with a sigh.
Gojyo grinned at the piles of money rising around him. The girls quickly crowded around the table cooing and grinning.
"Ne... Oniisan," a girl with bouncing blonde curls cooed. "Why don't you buy me and my friends a few drinks? We'll make it worth your while..."
He chuckled. Looks like you still got it... He grinned to himself as he gathered the money in his pockets.
"No thanks girls," He grinned standing and sauntering for the door. "But I've got someone much better waiting for me."
He winked and walked out into the cool night air. The jingling coins danced in his pocket. He grinned letting out a light chuckle. A sudden hand rested on his shoulder. He jumped turning and pulling out his shakujo. Hakkai blinked. He sighed.
"Hakkai!" he said strained. "How many times do I have to tell you, STOP DOING THAT!"
Hakkai sweat dropped. He laughed.
"Sorry," he began. "But Sanzo and Miyuki-san are looking for you."
He sighed
"Yes mother," he grumbled as they started walking towards the inn.
Hakkai continued to smile.
"So..." Hakkai began idly with his usual smile. "You weren't around much to fondle Miyuki-san today..."
He grinned.
"Are you and the others complaining?" he beamed. "Because I can easily fix that problem..."
Hakkai twitched and shuddered. Gojyo laughed as he clutched his sides. The other man let out another sigh.
"But on a serious note, Gojyo," Hakkai continued as he looked around suspiciously. "You must have noticed the recent deaths in the town. The townsfolk believe it's a kappa, and you have been disappearing a lot lately..."
Gojyo shot him a strange look. Pulling out a cigarette, he breathed a long sigh.
"Hakkai..." he began. "Can you keep a secret?"
Hakkai turned to him worriedly.
"Of course Gojyo," he replied shoving his hands in his pockets. "... What is it?"
Gojyo watched as the orange red flame sparked in the night as the light breeze blew.
Hakkai walked towards the door leading to the inn hallway with a large grin on his face as he stepped outside. As he walked behind him, Gojyo planted his hand on his shoulder.
"If you, the monkey, or that snotty monk do anything to ruin my plans I will never forgive you," He threatened quietly.
Hakkai laughed.
"Now, Gojyo," Hakkai muttered in reply. "I would never let the process of love be stopped. After all I haven't been your roommate prior to this trip for a good three years for almost nothing. I know how you work."
Gojyo squeezed his shoulder with a grin.
"Good," he grinned as he trotted past him on the stairs. "I'm glad we have an understanding."
Miyuki stared into the tea cup filled with tea. The steam swirled around her fingers as she circled them around the rim. She sighed. A set of hands suddenly passionately gripped her shoulders.
"Now what have I told you about that pretty face of yours not smiling?" Gojyo grinned as he plopped down in the chair beside her.
She turned to him with a small smile. He smirked quickly downing a large cup of coffee as the waitress set down the mugs on the table.
"Gotta run!" he grinned as he stood. "Things to do.. People to see."
Miyuki perked.
"Wait!" she called out as he stopped his walking to the door. "Want me to come with you?"
He winked.
"Nah," he grinned as he walked out the door. "This is something I have to do on my own."
She blew out another sigh. Ch... He's probably just getting tired of you old girl. She thought. After all, you've been with these boys for how long? Hakkai shot her a comforting smile from his seat.
"Well I hope your friend will be back before sunset," the waitress suddenly commented breaking the silence. "We're imposing a curfew as of tonight, and anyone who stays out is an easy suspect for all these recent murders."
Miyuki nodded. She swallowed a hard lump down into her throat.
Another hard lump coerced its way down her throat as Miyuki watched the sun sinking in the horizon. Gojyo hasn't been back all day. She fretted. Gojyo... Hayaku (Hurry) Hakkai watched smiling a smalled worried smile. Ah.. He thought. Gojyo really knows how to keep them hanging on I suppose...
"Ne! Miyuki-chan!" Goku cried as he pulled her away from the window. "You know what cheers me up? Food! Come on! Lets go eat! After all, Sanzo's paying!"
The paper fan went flying.
"Don't use that excuse to get food you stupid monkey!" he sneered as he rested the fan on his shoulder. "Get your own damn food with your own damn money."
"Ow..." Goku winced as he curled into a ball on the ground.
Miyuki smiled as she knelt down beside him.
"I think it's a very good idea," she started. "Why don't we inquire with the inn? My treat."
Goku stared up to her with a set of eyes shining with joyous tears. She laughed.
"Oh thank you, Miyuki-chan!" he cried as he bounded out the room screaming at the top of his lungs. "Hey, room service! Bring up some fried noodles and fried dumplings and fried wontons and some lo mein and some chow mein and some beef ho fun!"
Miyuki continued to laugh. The worried voice in the back of her head continued to nag and pull at her nerves.
Gojyo stared out the bar window and turned back to his hand. He sighed. Bah.. He thought. Here's another night where I probably won't get back until late... The man across from him smirked as he placed the large glass mug of beer onto the table with a loud clunk.
"Is it getting past your bedtime kid?" He grinned derisively.
"Nah," Gojyo bantered. "The night is young, and so am I along with the pretty little lady I have waiting for me in my bed."
The man blew out a long cloud of smoke smirking.
"Now if some of us were that lucky," he laughed. "But then again, being a bachelor is much more fun... Watch it, we recently got curfew set up with that murdering rapist on the loose."
Gojyo chuckled nodding. Well... He thought as he took a drag for his cigarette. The later I stay the more I make..
"Call," he grinned as he laid down a flush of cards.
The man's eyes grew wide as he pounded the table and screamed. Gojyo continued to grin as he scooped the money over to his side of the table.
Miyuki continued to stare out the window. Her nails grated along the windowsill scratching on the old splintery wood. She stood.
"That's it!" she suddenly burst out making the others look up from their amusements. "I'm going out to find him!"
She stormed out of the room. Hakkai started after her. Sanzo let out an annoyed sigh as he stood.
"Come on, monkey," he commanded as he walked out the door. "I have to kill the kappa for making the fox so annoying."
"Ooh!" Goku cried running to follow Sanzo through the door. "Let me help!"
"Oi! Miyuki-san!" he cried as he followed her down the inn stairs. "There is no need to be so rash!"
Hakkai watched as his words fell on her deaf ears as she stormed out the inn door. Quickly, he and the others followed.
A silhouetted figure stalked through the dark alleyways and the dense forest just lining the city streets. He licked his lips hungrily as he ran his claws through his long red locks. A figure stepped into the dim moonlight. His fangs glistened as his lips twisted in a sneer. The woman panted and collapsed to the ground with a soft frump.
"Gojyo..." she seemed to moan and pant tiredly from her lips.
The figure crept through the dark alleys quickly making his way behind her. She continued to sit and pant on the ground. Quietly, he stood behind her and leaned close to her ear.
"Gojyo where are you?" she sighed sadly as she swayed tiredly.
"I'm right here," the figure whispered in a quiet voice.
She gasped spinning quickly around meeting his large black pupil-less eyes. He grinned as her gold eyes widened turning into a fearing silver. Quickly, he lifted in her into his arms as the voices in the nearby distance grew closer.
Her claws scratched at his face as her fangs lashed at his arms. Her legs kicked valiantly at his sides. Spurts of the cold water in the deep cavity on his head splashed on her dress. He grinned as he threw her hard against the tree. Her wounded shoulder throbbed. She winced as the numbing pain coursed through her body. He threw her to the ground as she whimpered clinging to her shoulder. She shot him a cold glare as she shivered with pain and adrenaline.
"I always did like it when they fought back," he sneered with a grin as she took her face his hand. "It was always a good sign of health and virility in my book. This Gojyo must be a very happy man."
"You're not even half the man he is," she glared as she spat in his face. "Now who are you!"
He wiped the spit away chuckling. As she continued to struggle against his weight, he dragged her towards the glistening and quiet river.
"Your master!" he cried as he sent a hard backhand to her face quickly managing to pin her to the ground. "Now be a good bitch, and stop resisting!"
"Iie! (No!)" she cried as she reached up and continued to claw and kick.
You may be stronger. She thought as she rammed her foot into his hips. But I don't intend to go down without a fight!
"Miyuki-chan!" a familiar voice cried as she watched a long silver chain flying around the dark figure's form and pull him away growling.
A grin quickly grew on her face.
"Gojyo!" Hakkai called out as he and the others ran up.
"Hey guys!" He grinned as he kicked the kappa hard in the head with his boot making the remainder of water inside spill to the ground. "I was just going out for a little fresh air, and look what I found! Thing's ugly, but I've got to admit it's got good taste in women..."
"What is it?" Goku asked as he arched an eyebrow.
Hakkai smiled as he raised his finger in response.
"Why that is a kappa, Goku," He answered in an educated tone.
Goku's eyes grew wide as they flickered quickly between Gojyo and the grumbling creature in Gojyo's chain. Goku's jaw dropped to the ground.
"B-b-but!" he stuttered.
"But why does it look so much more ugly than Gojyo?" Hakkai finished for him. "Well, Goku, this is what a kappa really looks like. Usually, it is very strong, but it doesn't like metal objects, loud noises, and when you knock out all the water from the top of its head, it becomes rather weak."
Gojyo twitched. Miyuki continued smiling a tired smile.
"I'm gonna ignore that ugly comment, Hakkai..." He grumbled through gritted teeth.
"Ch," Sanzo snorted as he lit his cigarette. "Just when I thought I had the chance to finally kill you..."
"Watch it monk..." Gojyo threatened glaring as Sanzo turned away arrogantly.
"You mean..." Goku twitched as he pointed to the bound creature. "That thing spawned Gojyo!"
Hakkai's smile suddenly faded as he turned to Gojyo and the creature and back to Gojyo.
"Well not that one in particular, Goku," he began shocked. "But I suppose that is what Gojyo's father could have possibly looked like..."
Goku snickered.
"Too bad you didn't your father's 'handsome, good looks' Gojyo!" Goku laughed.
Sighing, Gojyo sighed as he walked over and placed Goku in a headlock.
"Better watch it monkey!" he glared as he choked him.
Sanzo let out another sigh as he walked over cocking his pistol. He aimed.
"Why do I always have to be the one to clean up after you nuisances?" he grumbled as he pulled the trigger.
A loud gunshot rang through the night mingling with a loud screeching.
"Oh Sanzo-sama!" various parts of the crowd cheered. "We can't thank you enough!"
Sanzo sighed an grumbled.
"Please," the inn keeper humbly asked. "Stay for one more night. We will provide you with everything you could ever need!"
Hakkai and the others smiled.
"Then, I'll need lots of booze and a room with thick walls!" Gojyo burst out grinning.
Sanzo shook as he resisted pulling out his pistol.
"I want lots and lots of food!" Goku cried.
"Well, some fresh supplies for the road would be nice," Hakkai smiled. "And there is some laundry to be done, and Hakuryu needs to be fed and bathed.."
The white dragon in his arms kyued with delight. Sanzo twitched and growled under his breath. Miyuki smiled.
She stared out past the large window as she sat on the roomy cushioned windowsill. She turned toward the large and empty room filled with shimmering and expensive silks and heavy lacquered wood furniture. She sighed walking over as she flopped onto the bed. Gojyo's disappeared again... She thought idly. Of course... As it seems these past two days or so... A soft rapping broke her thoughts. She quickly stood and headed for the door.
"Who is it?" she called out quietly as she opened the door ajar.
A young girl stood outside the door. She stared up at Miyuki with curious eyes. Miyuki blinked as her ears twitched and tail wagged.
"Anou..." she began as she held out a large white silk wrapped parcel. "My father wanted to give this to you... As a thank you for saving the town... It's the best we've got."
Miyuki smiled.
"Thank you," she replied as she handed the girl a few copper coins and closed the door.
She sat on the bed and slowly unwound the silk. She blinked and stared at what she saw. A folded black silk cheongsam rested amidst the white silk. Pink and green embroidered flowers fell down the long dress as she unfolded it and held it up for inspection. She arched her eyebrow in confusion. But I didn't save the town... She thought. Gojyo, Hakkai, Sanzo, and Goku did... I was just an almost victim... She turned to the remnants of the parcel finding a pair of hair sticks and a small folded paper. Picking up the paper as she placed the dress aside, she read.
Meet me outside...
Gojyo.
She let out a light laugh.
"Leave it to you Gojyo to try and sound romantic," she thought as she began to prepare herself.
The black silk rustled against her ankles as she tapped down the quiet hall in her black heels. Nervous goosebumps prickled her sleeveless arms and along her bare legs. Snap out of it, old girl! She thought as she slowly made her way down the stairs spying a familiar form dressed in a simple blue suit. This is only Gojyo!... And only part of Homura's mission...
Gojyo pressed the wrinkles out of his suit with his hands casually. He chuckle as he pulled his long red locks into a low pony tail. His long bangs hung loose. He left the partially unbuttoned white shirt undone. He quickly lit a cigarette.
"You keep forgetting that..." She muttered. "You have to remember that..."
"Remember what?" He replied muffled as the cigarette bobbed up and down in the lighter's flame as he spoke.
Her eyes lingered on his appearance.
"... Uh..." She bantered with a convincing smile and start of a lie. "I have to remember to make sure that no other woman will take you away while we're out."
He chuckled.
"As long as you make sure I remember to keep all the other men away from you," he bantered back to her.
She laughed. As he took her hand and placed in the crook of his elbow, she followed him out of the inn. She stared at the tree lined road as the questions ran through her head.
"So..." she began as she broke the comfortable silence. "If you weren't the murder... Then why did you keep sneaking out and not take me?"
He grinned.
"You'll see," he answered.
He led her down a narrow alley as vines crept on the walls of the buildings. The small black wrought iron gate creaked as he pushed it open. He turned to her grinning at her bewildered expression.
A large garden bloomed around them as they entered. Birds of paradise lined the wall along with bushes of thick brightly colored flowers. A weeping willow's branches waded in a small man made stream.
"Well..." he began. "I was going to use the money I earned late night gambling for the usual candlelit dinner and seduction, but I figured we needed something a little different... Well at least for the seduction part..."
She turned to him and smiled letting out a light laugh.
"All right," she smirked as she stared around the large garden. "Now what's so different about this place for a candlelit dinner and seduction other than the fact it's not inside like the rest of them."
Gojyo shrugged.
"Don't know," he replied as he lit a cigarette. "This place almost gave me a familiar feeling when I first saw it."
Miyuki stared around the garden as her eyes stopped on the weeping willow by the stream. Small flickers of the past flashed before her eyes.
"The Ama No Gawa..." She whispered as Gojyo perked at the sound of the name. "It was the river filled with so much foam and milky white stones it had practically turned white... And there was always a weeping willow dipping its branches into the water... You think we visited it 500 years ago?"
Gojyo chuckled as he took a long drag of his cigarette. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Well I wouldn't know," he grinned as he sat down and pulled her into his lap. "But there's nothing in the past worrying about. We just need to focus on the present."
She smiled and nodded as she turned to watch the small stream. Her smile grew as she savored the familiar situation.
Author's Note:
The things written about the Kappa: All true, MINUS the fact that in real life a kappa would be the size of a 6 year old child, NOT the size of an actual human. Ironic considering if Gojyo were to take a true demon form he would be A LOT shorter than Goku.
Ama no Gawa- translates to (approximately) "Heaven's River" or in English: "The Milky Way." Hence the line of "river filled with so much foam and milky white stones it had practically turned white" by Miyuki. Also taken from the story of the Tanabata Festival. I needed the name of a heaven-sounding river, and it was all that I could come up with at the moment.
Memories of a Life Gone By Side Story: Romancing the Memories pt. 12 Promises of the 7th Month and 7th Day
Megumi sat on the edge of her bed staring blankly at her hands as the tears streamed down her face. My Hoshi no Tama... She thought despairingly. ... Kenren... She looked up to the ceiling in her pitch black room and sniffed. Quietly, her mind counted the days and months.
"Shichigatsu Nanoka..." She whispered. "The seventh month and the seventh day..."
Slowly, she stood and felt her way to her drawers rummaging around until she found papers, a calligraphy brush, and ink. This will be totally useless. She thought bitterly. But I just want a little something to hope for... I'm sure you wanted to do the same thing.. Ne Orihime?
"Kenren ni aitai desu (I want to see Kenren...)..." she whispered as she carefully maneuvered the brush and ink around the paper. "I want to see Kenren.."
She slumped to the floor with a crying laugh escaping her lips.
"Kawai sou na Megumi (Pathetic Megumi..).." She whispered as she smiled while her tears fell down her face. "You're really, really pathetic..."
"So why are we all dressed in black again?" Konzen grumbled as he fasted the black fingerless gloves to his hands and adjusted the black leather shirt around his shoulders leaving it partially unbuttoned. "And why did you all have to drag me into this?"
"Because, Blondie!" Kenren grinned as he wrapped am around his shoulders playfully. "This is the part where the handsome hero, me, saves the damsel in distress, Megumi, and gets to have his way with her all night long.. You and the others are my loyal sidekicks!"
"I should kill you..." he glared.
Tenpou laughed.
"Now, now, Konzen," Tenpou began as he adjusted his black military uniform. "It's not that hard. You and I will get Megumi-san's Hoshi no Tama, and Kenren will break into Megumi's room and get her out of here for a while."
"And Goku?" he asked skeptically pointing to Goku as he bounced around excitedly in his black flowing tunic.
"The distraction," Tenpou replied smiling.
Konzen twitched.
"Then why are we all dressed in black?" he asked again. "What's the point?"
"Because it makes us all look incredibly bad ass," Kenren answered as he smoked. "Why do you think I always wear it? Have you no sense of style?"
Tenpou nodded.
"Yea.." he agreed smiling as he tossed his cigarette aside. "That was really the only reason..."
"Let's just get this over with..." Konzen glared through gritted teeth as he headed for the door with the others in tow.
A loud booming and crashing resounded in Li Touten's wing as Goku ran from the guards laughing wildly. The guards ran after him.
"Get back here!" they cried as they tripped over the debris of broken fine vases and stone pillars and statues.
"Why is that boy here!" Li Touten cried as he followed his guards.
Kenren and Tenpou watched amusedly from behind a corner. Konzen gritted his teeth. I'm gonna be hearing about this later. He thought bitterly. Stupid monkey...
"Well," Tenpou smiled. "Looks like Goku is doing a good job. Everyone know what to do?"
Kenren nodded as he gave a thumbs up. Quickly, he ran off. Konzen lazily nodded shoving his hands into the pocket of his black pants.
"Lead the way," he said bored. "I just want this over with as soon as possible."
Tenpou smiled as he and Konzen hurriedly made their way to Li Touten's office and crept inside.
She lay in bed sighing as her door suddenly burst open. She turned confused as the dark figure in the doorway whisked her off her bed and into his arms.
"Hey!" she cried startled. "Wha--! Kenren!"
He grinned down on her.
"Happy to see me?" he asked coolly.
She nodded smiling.
"But.." she began. "What's going on?"
"Your grant escape," he winked as he began trotting down the hall. "We're gonna rendezvous with the others and that little trinket of yours in 0-5 minutes."
Smiling widely, she planted a large kiss on his cheek and let herself down from his arms taking his hand.
"I can walk," she smiled. "You just lead the way."
He smirked and began running down the hall as she quickly followed behind.
The papers in Li Touten's office flew as Tenpou and Konzen rummaged through the desk drawers and the closets.
"Damn it! I can't find it!" Konzen cried out frustrated. "What about you?"
Tenpou sighed as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Nope," he replied the sweat drops running down his head. "This is not a good sign..."
"Looking for this?" a familiar and cold voice asked from the doorway. "And may I ask what, the Field Marshall of the Western Army, and Kanzeon Bosatsu's nephew are doing in my wing and in my office?"
Turning, Konzen and Tenpou glared at Li Touten as he stood arrogantly in the doorway. Idly, he tossed the glowing gold ball in his hands.
"You know," he began as he tossed the ball higher and higher watching it as Konzen and Tenpou watch it get dangerously close to the high ceilings. "I wonder what might happen if this should break? Do you think I should try?"
The ball landed in his hand. He faked a drop.
"Oops.." he grinned. "I almost dropped it."
Konzen and Tenpou slowly moved.
"You come any closer to me, and I will break it," he threatened. "After all, from my sources, this holds a fox spirit's power... Now I wonder what that would do to poor Miss Megumi."
"I love how the sarcasm is just dripping from your voice, Li Touten," Konzen bantered as he glared.
"So what would you like for it?" Tenpou ventured. "I'm sure you can easily make a reasonable trade."
"Well..." Li Touten smirked. "Now you're talking... I wou---"
A loud childish cry erupted from the hall as Li Touten suddenly toppled over with Goku's sudden weight.
"Here you are!" Goku cried as he bounced on Li Touten's back. "TAG! You're it!"
Tenpou smiled as the glowing ball rolled to his feet. Konzen smirked as he walked out stepping over Li Touten as he went. Tenpou followed as he faked a trip over Li Touten's face. Li growled with pain as Tenpou's shoe landed hard on his nose.
"Come on, Goku," Konzen muttered. "We're leaving."
Goku laughed as he bounded off with the others. Li Touten let out a loud angry scream that echoed through the hallway.
In Tenpou's library, she looked up from her spot on the windowsill as Konzen, Tenpou, and Goku walked into the room. Kenren grinned as Tenpou pulled out the glowing ball from his pocket.
"I believe this is rightfully yours," he smiled handing it to her.
Megumi's smile grew.
"What now?" Konzen asked as he crossed his arms and leaned on one of his legs. "Li Touten will be out looking for our heads."
Kenren lit a cigarette.
"I say we all get some sake and go down to the Lower World," he suggested. "I hear it's awfully nice this time of year."
Megumi nodded in agreement.
"Tonight is the night of the Tanabata Festival as well," she smiled.
"Well then," Tenpou added. "Lets go.."
Bright lanterns lighted a long bamboo path filled with fluttering strips of paper in the warm breeze. Murmurs and laughter bounced off the bamboo trees as the crowds and children rushed by. Tenpou chuckled as he hung a strip of paper on an empty spot amongst the bamboo. Goku hungrily ate a set of dumplings on a skewer. Quickly, he rushed off stopping at a stand selling paper and ink.
"Are you all not hanging up a wish?" Tenpou questioned with a wide smile.
"Ch," Konzen snorted. "I'm not one who's willing to believe that wasting a piece of paper will make anything happen just because it spawned from some old fairy tale."
"And you, Megumi-san?" Tenpou continued.
Megumi turned to him smiling. Her eyes wandered around the paper covered bamboo and to Kenren's arm resting on her shoulder. She shook her head. Kenren shot her a look from the corner of his eye.
"Nah..." she began as she started off staring into the bamboo trees and up to the night sky. "I think... Right now... I've got all that I could ever want..."
Kenren smirked following her. He looked up stopping at her side. His smirk grew as he took her hand. The large Milky Way glittered with stars.
Author's Note:
The Tanabata Festival is a festival based off the tale of Orihime and Hikoboshi. The story in a nutshell is, Orihime's father, God Or Kami-sama, arranged for Hikoboshi to marry his hardworking and diligent daughter, Orihime. Thus, they were married. Eventually, the two of them fell in love, but as their love grew, the efforts on their various responsibilities wained. God grew angry and sent Hikoboshi all the way across the Ama no Gawa (literally Heaven's River, or the Milky Way). Orihime was heartbroken. She spent several days constantly crying. God did not like this idea and told Orihime she could see Hikoboshi once a year on the night of July 7 (7/7), but she must return by morning. So, ever since then, Orihime travels across the Ama no Gawa to see Hikoboshi for one night to "make their wish of seeing each other" come true. Thus, on the night of the seventh month and seventh day, one writes a wish on a "Tanzaku" or a strip of fancy paper. And when one does this, anything they wish for will come true. The night of the seventh month and seventh day is a day when all wishes will be realized...