CM: I'd like to take this moment to give a special shout out to Patriot16 for supporting this fanfic and giving such encouraging reviews. From now on, this fic is for you, our number one reader for this story! Thanks a million! :D

Coincidence- Or is it Fate?

The next day was a day for bad coincidences. Ran traveled to the inn to go see Gojyo and apologize for standing him up the previous night but ended up running into Hakkai instead. "Hey Hakkai, is Gojyo around?"

"He left some time ago, I'm afraid," Hakkai told her apologetically.

"Bummer, I was hoping to catch him here," Ran mumbled looking around. "Any idea where he went?"

"Sorry but no," Hakkai replied kindly.

"Well thanks anyway," Ran said turning around suddenly she spotted a jeep sitting in front of the inn and she realized that somehow…it was theirs. "Hey Hakkai?" Ran began.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering….could you…could you teach me how to drive?"

Hakkai let out a chuckle. "This is rather sudden. May I ask why?"

"Well, I've heard about cars before but I've never really seen one before, and I've always wanted to drive one."

"Well, you did help us when we were in need," Hakkai reasoned. "I don't see why not."

Ran grinned, "Thanks." She hopped into the drivers seat and waited for Hakkai to get in as well. "Okay so now what?"

"Well first it would be best if you put the seat belt on."

"Um…what's a seat belt?"

"If that doesn't inspire confidence, nothing will," Hakkai said with a small sweat drop.

"Hey, gimme a break. I've never been in one of these things," Ran grumbled.

"The seat belts are those straps on either side of you there," Hakkai pointed.

Ran looked down and grabbed the belts pulling them together. "Okay, check. Now what?"

"Well down by your feet you have three pedals: the gas, which makes it go…"

"Oh you mean this one?" she asked stepping on the first pedal and making the jeep jerk forward.

"Kyou!"

"Please be careful, it's extremely sensitive," Hakkai said patiently. "You need to use the clutch first, then gently touch the gas pedal while easing off the clutch. Understand?"

"I think so…alright here it goes," Ran said holding down the pedal farthest to her left, moving the little metal bar to the spot Hakkai showed her and then easing off the clutch while pressing the gas. At first it seemed like she had gotten it right but then in her excitement she let off the clutch too fast causing the jeep to jerk forward again and then continue going. "Wow this is awesome," she called out as the wind whipped her face.

"You certainly seem to be enjoying yourself," Hakkai noted as she drove to the edges of town.

"Well, yeah," Ran said as if it should be only too obvious. "I never thought I'd get the chance to try one of these things. Plus, this speed is amazing. I've never gone this fast before…oh man Karin would totally love this." She grinned and he noticed that for the first time…it was real. "Say Hakkai, you should give her a ride sometime. She doesn't get very many breaks but every once in awhile she does and that would be the perfect time."

"I'll keep that in mind," he promised with a smile. Then returning his eyes back onto the road, they suddenly became concerned. "Look out for that root!"

Ran spotted the root just in time to slam on the brakes. "Well at least I know how to use the break," she muttered sheepishly. "Sorry about that…maybe it would be better if I kept my eyes in front of me more…huh."

"Yes that would be preferable," Hakkai replied with a smile.

"Kyou!"

"Huh…what was that?"

"That was Hakuryuu."

"Wait a minute… isn't Hakuryuu the name of that dragon you have?"

"That's right."

"You mean this jeep IS Hakuryuu?" Ran asked in amazement.

"You sound so surprised," Hakkai said in light amusement.

"Well I've never actually seen a dragon turn into a jeep before so….yeah I'm surprised," Ran said shaking her head. Just then a vine came out of nowhere and wrapped itself around her throat lifting her into the air. "Gack, let…go of me…you stupid…plant," she gasped. Then a large carnivorous plant appeared its jaws opened wide as the vines slowly brought her closer.

Hakkai quickly leapt into action, focusing his chi and firing it at the plants. It disappeared, dropping Ran onto the ground. "Whew, thanks for that. Stupid plants. They never attack Karin like that."

This gave Hakkai pause. "Why is that?"

"Don't really know," Ran said getting up and brushing herself off. "It's kind of cool but… kind of disturbing at the same time."

"That is a little unsettling," Hakkai said gravely.

Ran rubbed her neck a little bit feeling for any puncture wounds or anything. "Well I guess everything's in check," Ran muttered. "I hope Karin's having more fun today than I am."

"What's making you worry?" Hakkai asked.

"Well, she hasn't really been herself lately and with that last visit from Kusuma she's really been down."

"She likes to hide behind a smile, doesn't she?" Hakkai asked softly.

"Yeah, kind of like you." Ran's comment hit home. "Anyway, we better get out of here before something else attacks," Ran told him, heading back to the jeep.

"Do you know what could be bothering her?" Hakkai asked stopping Ran in her tracks.

"Why do you want to know?" she shot back hopping into the jeep.

"Pardon, I'm just curious, that's all."

Ran inspected his face for a few moments before giving herself the go ahead. "Not completely sure but what I do know is not something I can tell you," Ran replied. "If you really want to know though you should really go talk to her about it. I'm sure she'd appreciate your company…"

"You think so, huh?" It was more of a rhetorical question than anything, but Ran decided to answer it anyway.

"Yeah, I do."

He got into the jeep with her. "Once more, I'll keep that in mind."

"Alright now back to town," Ran said putting her hand on the wheel. Before she could do anything though Hakuryuu started up himself and drove off on his own. "I guess he doesn't like my driving…sorry Hakuryuu."

"Kyou!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Man, this sucks," Gojyo muttered as he wandered through town. He had gone to Ran's house and to the blacksmith shop, but couldn't find her anywhere. "Geez, is she avoiding me now?" Something caught his eye and he glanced down. It was a cherry blossom. He looked up and saw not too far away a large, cherry blossom tree. He smirked when he saw who was sitting beneath it. "Well, looks like I might have some fun after all." He tossed his cigarette away and headed over.

"Hey there Karin, mind if I join you?" Gojyo asked with a smirk.

Karin glanced up from the book she was reading and smiled. "No, I don't mind."

"You on break or something?" Gojyo asked her as he sat down, leaning against the tree trunk.

Karin nodded. "Yes, I don't get many breaks during the day so I like to relax every now and then."

"That's good, it's always good to get a break every once in a while," Gojyo said smiling. "So…I noticed that you were hanging out with Hakkai for a bit. How are you two getting along? I mean is there anything there?"

"That's a rather peculiar question to ask," Karin said looking away.

"Well, I'm a peculiar guy," he replied grinning.

"There's nothing," she told him simply.

"Really…is that why you blush every time he looks at you?" Gojyo asked glancing at her face. He smiled when he saw her face burn red. "Look if you like the guy then you should go after him already…it's only obvious he feels the same about you."

"What does it matter?" Karin asked, her voice hushed as she fought back tears. "And why would you care anyway?"

Before she realized it, Gojyo was over her with his hands resting on either side of her. "Cause I don't like seeing a pretty girl cry." He watched as her cheeks tinged pink from the unfamiliar closeness in proximity. "You're lonely, aren't you?" He asked her softly. She had no idea how often he had to see that same exact look in his friend's eyes. "Seeing you like that makes me want to sweet talk you and make you forget about that loneliness. But something tells me that I'm not the one you want to make that happen."

He pulled back some giving her some room. "If you're lonely then you should be with someone," he said. "So if you don't want to feel that way then at least talk to Hakkai and then if you don't like him…you've still got me."

Karin stared at him before letting out a fit of giggles. "Thank you. I feel so reassured now."

"No problem, sweetheart," he winked before standing up.

Karin got up as well. "I should probably get back to work."

"Don't work yourself too hard now," Gojyo told her. "Cause I might want to work you later."

She let out another laugh. "Hehe, you're a really good friend, Mr. Goyjo."

"Just a friend huh…" Gojyo thought disappointed.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Later that night Hakkai woke up from one of his nightmares to hear a soft song on the wind. "Ame ni nureta hoho wa namida no nioi gashita. Yasashii manazashino tabibito."

"Who's singing?" Hakkai asked himself getting up and following the sound of the voice.

As he got closer he thought he recognized the voice but wasn't sure. "Yume wa tobidatsu no chiisana tsubasa de omoi ni kienai basho made futaride tooi umio sora o koete."

Then as he reached a clearing in the forest he saw a large field of bright blue flowers and at the center was Karin singing her song. As he got closer she stopped, noticing his presence. "Oh no don't stop on my account…that was very beautiful," Hakkai told her truthfully.

Karin couldn't help but flush appreciatively at his comment but she still regarded him thoughtfully. "What are you doing out here?"

"I should be asking you that," Hakkai said. "It's very late. Aren't you afraid of being attacked?"

Karin shook her head. "The forest is… a sanctuary for me. When I come here, I feel at peace with myself, being surrounded by such beauty. I also come here to train myself to fight."

"So you're not worried that Kusuma might come while you're out here?" Hakkai asked in wonder.

"No…he only comes once a month so I won't have to worry for at least a few weeks," Karin answered.

"Why does he only come then?"

"We don't really know…but that's what he's done every time so far and I really don't think he's going to change just like that."

"I see. What was that song you were singing? It was very beautiful."

Karin smiled sadly. "A requiem for the dead, I guess you could say."

"…I'm sorry," he said after several moments.

"It's nothing to apologize for," Karin told him. "You were just asking…"

"I meant for the other night."

Karin was a little surprised. "If I remember right, I'm fairly sure you've already apologized for that."

"Yes, but the apology I gave then didn't feel like enough," Hakkai explained. "You've been rather distant with us these past few days and I wanted to make sure it wasn't because of me, because of what I said that night."

"I said some rather harsh words myself," Karin admitted. "And so I'd like to apologize as well. But my recent conduct is not something you should blame yourself for. You can't help being who you are."

"I'm afraid I'm lost," Hakkai said apologetically.

Karin knelt down next to the flowers, brushing the back of her fingers gently against their glowing petals. "A few years back, there was this boy. We grew up together and we were really close. Everything was wonderful. Life was perfect. And then… my seventeenth birthday came around. I had traveled to the mountain pass on the far reaches of the forest edge to meet with the traders. But I met with something else instead."

*Flashback*

"Well, looky here, a little girl for us to play with."

"Let me go!"

A group of bandits had grabbed a hold of Karin and were liking what they saw. "We haven't seen a woman out here in some time," one of them said laughing.

"Yeah but this one sure is a looker," another one added getting a closer look by holding her chin.

"We're going to have a lot of fun with this one…aren't we," the one holding her said taking in the scent of her hair.

"Let go!" Karin screamed struggling to get loose but her thin muscles were no match for the mens' burly ones.

Suddenly one of the bandits let loose a cry as someone broke through them. "You came…" Karin whispered, staring up at a boy a little older than her.

"Come! We must hurry!" he said taking her by the hand and leading her away from the bandits.

"Get back here you little punk," the bandits shouted chasing after the pair.

The young boy ignored them and continued to run keeping a firm grasp on Karin's hand. The bandits chased them right into a thick fog that made it difficult to move in safely. "Stay close Karin, I don't want to lose you in this fog."

"I'm scared," she panted as they ran.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you," he promised, not loosening his hold on her hand. He stopped when they suddenly found themselves at the edge of a cliff.

They turned around hearing that the bandits had caught up with them. "Decide to give up?"

"Hardly," the boy spat. "Your I.Q.s must be lower than I first hypothesized if you really think I'd give up to you."

That really ticked of the bandits and they all decided to attack at once. The boy waited until the last possible moment before dropping to his knees and pulling Karin down with him. He went down fast enough to where the bandits couldn't stop and tripped over the couple falling of the cliff. As the group went down, the ground underneath the two crumpled and they two began to fall.

As they slid down the Cliffside, Karin desperately grabbed for something, anything that would stop them from falling to their deaths. By some stroke of luck, she managed to grab a hold of a branch growing on the cliff side.

The two of them hung there precariously, Karin's muscles were put under strain from holding the branch with one hand while holding her love in the other. But she did not loosen her grip on him for even a second. "Are you alright?" He asked her.

"I'm fine," she panted heavily, ignoring the fire in her arms.

Suddenly there was a loud crack and the branch drooped a little from their combined weight. "Karin that branch isn't going to hold the both of us," he said staring up at her.

"No don't even think about it," Karin demanded gritting her teeth.

"I want you to live Karin…live and be happy." Karin pleaded with him not to do it, tears streaming down her cheeks, but he gave her one last reassuring squeeze before letting go and falling down through the fog below.

*End Flashback*

Several teardrops landed on the flower's petals, glistening in its glow. "Because he was protecting me, he ended up losing his life. His blood is on my hands. Hands that weren't strong enough to stop him from falling."

Hakkai stepped forward and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "Please don't cry, a smile is more becoming of you," he whispered comfortingly. "I'm truly sorry for your loss and if you wish I won't bother you any longer."

Karin shook her head hurriedly. "No, you're not a bother to me. You just… remind me of him."

"Believe it or not, I feel the same way whenever I look at you," he whispered more to himself.

"Huh?"

"Nothing," Hakkai said quickly. "So earlier you were saying that you were training yourself how to fight…I would like to see how you're doing," he requested smiling.

Karin blushed. "You don't really… I mean, I'm probably no where near as good as you."

"Probably not," Hakkai said in blunt honesty. "But now I must admit you got me curious."

He straightened up, gently pulling her up with him before stepping back a couple paces. "Come at me with everything you have," Hakkai told her.

"Okay," Karin said uncertainly, raising her fists in front of her. She leapt forward, throwing a punch at him. He easily dodged it. So she tried again… and again… but every time he just dodge until she punched so hard she lost her balance, tripped, and fell over.

"Please don't take offense," Hakkai said as he helped her up. "But you're a terrible teacher."

"That's surprisingly mean of you," Karin mumbled but she couldn't help but smile sheepishly knowing what he said was true.

"You're not going to get anywhere at the rate you're going," Hakkai said smiling. "I think you'll do a lot better if you have a proper instructor. I'm pretty good at teaching so I should be able to show you a thing or two."

Karin stared up at him hopefully. "You really mean it?"

He nodded. "Yes, I think you should be fine."

"Thank you!" She cried before impulsively giving him a hug.

In that moment, Hakkai felt a small warmth ignite in him that he hadn't felt in years. He had been worried about teaching her to fight. Because those with power inevitably would have others come to challenge their strength. And he looked upon her kind-heartedness and didn't want her to be lost in that. But after hearing what she had already withstood, he had a feeling that it would be better for her if he granted her wish so that she could see for herself.

Karin suddenly realized what she had done and let go quickly her face burning a bright red. "I'm sorry that was wrong of me to do," she murmured embarrassedly.

"That's quite alright, now I think it would be best if you went back to bed for tonight."

"I'm not tired," she insisted.

"It's not good for you to push yourself like this," Hakkai told her, noting the slightly visible rings under her eyes. "After a long day's work, you need rest."

"I'm just fine," Karin declared.

Hakkai grabbed her arm firmly but gently, "You really should get some sleep, that way you'll be able to keep up with the training tomorrow."

"….Alright," Karin gave in.

"Tomorrow, would you like some assistance at your shop?" Hakkai offered. "I'm not sure how much help I'll be, but at least that way you don't have so much of a work load."

"That would be very helpful, thank you," Karin said smiling as the two walked back to the inn together.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

CM: Yay! Progress! Next chapter, Gojy might ACTUALLY catch some time with Ran. Stay tuned!