CM: Hey everyone! Sorry for the long wait. Things have been really hectic what with college and all that. I'll try to be quicker next time. So please, whatever you do, don't stop reading.
Surprise-The Sudden Abduction
The next day went with more fights and Yuzuna nearly pummeled Sanzo because he tried to sneak out of bed to get himself some smokes. Fortunately Hakkai managed to talk Sanzo into staying in bed and wait for a little longer. Ran went into the room for a bit to change Gojyo's bandages again and to help with the food…and each time she entered Gojyo had some comment that nearly made her lose her cool. By the time lunch rolled around Yuzuna went into the room to check on them and decided that the poison was gone so she let them leave.
"Considering that we seem to have lost all of our bearings when we were attacked, it might be best to stock up on supplies while we're here," Hakkai noted to the group as they walked through the town.
"Is it me, or do people seem a little… tense around this place?" Gojyo said noting the glares they were getting. "And not a young female in sight. How boring."
"Well don't forget there were those two girls who helped us out," Hakkai reminded him.
"Yeah…but it's more fun if there are more of them," Gojyo said glancing around.
"Say where did they say that other girl lived…I never got the chance to say thank her," Goku shouted looking around quickly.
"If I remember right Karin said that Ran was the blacksmith's daughter," Hakkai recalled happily.
"Can we get some food while we walk there?" Goku asked.
"We just ate not five seconds ago you stupid monkey!"
"Yeah, but we've been out for days so I gotta make up for lost time."
"You little pig. Are you trying to see if you can eat the whole town out of its resources?"
"I actually would find that hard to believe," Hakkai stated. "Despite the size of this village, it seems to be flourishing quite well here. Either they have excellent trade, or they live in a very successful area. Though considering how hard it was just to get in here, I'd have to go with the former."
"Something doesn't seem right about this town," Sanzo stated harshly.
"True something does seem a bit strange but what is bothering you Sanzo?" Hakkai asked.
"This area doesn't seem like it should be very good for farming or anything….its as if something is making it happen unnaturally." With that statement hanging over their head the group made their way to the edge of town where black smoke rose from a large building.
"Is that it?" Goku asked curiously.
"It's the only blacksmith shop I've seen so far, so might as well check it out," Gojyo stated before walking in ahead of the rest.
"Let's make this quick, we have more important things to do than stand around exchanging pleasantries," Sanzo remarked dryly.
"Hey Ran! You in here!" Goku called out. "Whoa! Check this out guys! This is the first time I've ever actually been inside a place like this!"
Sanzo hit him with a paper fan. "You're so damn noisy."
"Someone here? I'll be right there so just make yourselves at home," a voice called out that seemed familiar but a little too deep. A few minutes later a girl with strawberry blond hair, deep green eyes, a dark headband around her head and clothes that had holes and soot all over stepped around the corner to greet them. "Welcome to the blacksmith shop, sorry my dad's not here but I'm almost as good as he is. So if there's anything you need done just let me know," she said with a cocky grin. Then she took a good look around at the bunch and realized who they were. "Oh you're the guys Karin took in…sorry I figured you'd still be in bed…but I guess you heal faster than most people. Well in that case what brings you boys out here?"
"Do you know where Ran is?" Goku asked her.
"Ran?" The girl said with a laugh. "that's me, silly."
Both Goku's and Gojyo's mouth dropped to the ground while Hakai merely chuckled. "I would have thought it was rather obvious. I mean she DOES work in a blacksmith's shop."
"Sorry if there was any confusion but this is how I usually dress. Yuzuna just makes sure that I'm cleaned up when working in her place. So what does bring you guys out here?" Ran replied with a small chuckle.
"We just came to thank you once more for helping us yesterday," Hakkai said smiling.
"It was no big deal," Ran said waving his thanks out the door.
"So do you actually help make weapons?" Goku asked in fascination.
Ran nodded. "Yep, I'm usually busy hammering away all day making these things."
"How I'd love to hammer you all day," Gojyo said coming up from behind her and whispering in her ear.
Ran closed her eyes for a few seconds and took a deep breath then all at once she grabbed the hammer on her belt and smashed it into his head the same time another hammer landed on the other side of his head. "OUCH…What was that for?" Gojyo shouted jumping backward in pain.
"Say that again to my daughter and I'll make sure that you lose something more important," a big burly man threatened. He stood at almost 7 feet and seemed to fill the whole room.
"Thanks dad but I think I can handle this perv," Ran said smiling.
"Wow, a real blacksmith," Goku said staring up at the man with wide eyes.
"Guys, this is my dad, Sato Tetsuo," Ran introduced.
"It's good to see you four are back on your feet," Tetsuo said gruffly. "It's lucky that Karin found you when she did. That young woman is a miracle worker when it comes to illnesses."
"I can't argue with that," Hakkai agreed smiling.
"So what is it with this town, old man?" Gojyo asked, rubbing one of the sore spots on his head.
Tetsuo frowned. "This town has not seen travelers for many days. It would be best if you finished your business here and left."
"Is there something going on here that would make it necessary for us to leave?" Hakkai asked knowingly.
"Naw, things are fine here. We can take care of ourselves and have quite easily for the past few generations," Ran told them with a shrug.
"It's just that it'll become rather difficult to leave if you wait for too long." Tetsuo placed a hand on Ran's shoulder and gave her a look that said she was saying too much.
"Well it was nice meeting the two of you. I guess we'll be going then," Hakkai said as Sanzo's eyes narrowed and both Gojyo and Goku were trying to figure out why those two wanted them out so badly.
"I don't think those two are going to tell us anything anytime soon," Gojyo sighed as they walked down the street earning more wary looks and cold shoulders from the villagers.
"I'm sure they have their reasons," Sanzo said. "It's none of our business if they don't want to say."
"Hey look guys, it's Karin!" Goku exclaimed before running towards a shop where, sure enough, Karin was tending to some flower displays in front.
"That damned monkey," Sanzo muttered before following him to make sure he didn't cause any trouble.
Hakkai stared as Karin looked up from her work to see Goku running towards her and she received him with a genuine smile. The first and only that Hakkai had seen in the entire village. "You alright there, Hakkai?" Goyjo's voice called to him.
"Yep I'm just fine," Hakkai replied before following them over to the flower shop.
"Hey Karin what are you doing here?" Goku asked looking at all the flowers.
"Isn't it obvious, she works here, you stupid monkey," Sanzo said smacking Goku over the head with his fan.
"Wow so you work both at the inn and a flower shop? Sounds like you get a lot of stress, how about I help relieve some of it?" Gojyo offered stepping up close to her.
"No worries, I have plenty of aroma therapy working here," Karin said with a small laugh.
"Didn't you say you also worked at a tavern?" Hakkai asked her.
"Yes, that's right," Karin said nodding. "This shop used to belong to my mother, so I'm trying to keep it alive. It's gets hard running it on my own sometimes, but I manage."
"I don't suppose you sell tobacco here, do you?"
"Really, Sanzo," Hakkai admonished.
Karin, on the other hand, smiled. "The best you'll ever find. Come on in."
The group was surprised by her answer but followed her in all the same…Sanzo and Gojyo a little more excited about it. Inside they found flowers of almost every kind engulfing the entire room and filling it with their sweet aroma. They saw Karin move into a side room and once entering it they saw that this room was filled with all sorts of herbs.
"This place is quite amazing…how do you manage to keep it a float way out here?" Hakkai asked quizzically.
"Well, we have a very broad selection of greenery outside our village," Karin explained as she went to one of the shelves and retrieved the tobacco and some paper and began to roll them herself. "Business has been up and down though, sadly."
"Why's that? A cute little tart like yourself should have no problem reeling customers in," Gojyo said suavely.
"Well, men and women used to come in here and buy flowers for their loved ones all the time, but that doesn't happen too often anymore," Karin divulged.
The group exchanged glances. "Why's that?" Goku asked confused.
"It wouldn't by any chance be related to the low female count, would it?" Gojyo pried.
Karin hesitated. "Please, we're just curious," Hakkai encouraged gently. Karin looked as if she just might tell them, when a high pitched scream erupted from outside.
"What was that?" Gojyo voiced the party's thoughts.
"Choso!" Karin cried before running past the group and heading outside the shop. The party of four exchanged glances before following her.
The weren't the only ones, Ran had come charging out of her shop with a hammer in her hand and a determined look on her face. Outside they saw a very pretty looking man holding onto a very pretty woman of about 20. "I won't let you do it again," Ran shouted charging at the man.
He looked over at her and grinned before easily shoving her roughly in the opposite direction and she landed heavily on the ground. As she stood up for another attack, vines sprung up from the ground and bound her tightly.
"Now now, my pet, you must wait your turn. I can only take one at a time," The man said in a honey smooth voice.
"Please, let me go!" Choso cried.
"Hey!" He turned to see Karin and the four men.
Gojyo stepped forward. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing buddy?"
"Why, taking my payment, of course," he replied smiling.
"I don't think the woman has any desire to leave with you."
"You're right, I suppose I'll just have to fix that," he said. He held his hand out and some pink dust began to form in his hand.
"You lowlife," Sanzo said pulling out his gun and shooting, but a plant sprang up from the ground, blocking the shot.
The man blew the dust into the struggling girl's face and she almost immediately ceased struggling. "Master," she whispered.
"What the hell kind of guy brain washes a chick?" Gojyo demanded angrily.
"Brainwash? Hardly," he chuckled. "I merely helped rid her of her insecurities. And now I shall take my leave of you. I'll deal with you four once I am finished with my own business." He began to float in the air and smiled down at the group below him. "Don't worry, my dear," he told Ran. "I'll be back for you next."
His eyes shifted to Karin and Hakkai did not like what he saw in the demon's eyes. "And then I'll come for you, my sweet Karin." Karin stared up at him, unable to break away from his gaze.
"That will not happen," Hakkai said suddenly stepping in front of her, breaking the trance.
The man shook his head. "There is nothing you can do about this…unless you wish for this entire town to be destroyed," he threatened. "As for you, Ran, it would be best if you didn't try that again…I wouldn't want to lose a future payment."
At his words the vines around Ran tightened and she grimaced in pain but glared up at him all the same. "Oh and Sanzo party thanks for the extra cash," he added holding up Sanzo's gold card. With that he left without a trace.
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CM: Bum bum bum! Oh noes! What will the Sanzo party do? Find out in the next chapter as soon as I get it up!