Sun and Rain-Confessions in the Rain
About a week later Goku decided to run into the flower shop because he was bored and wanted to see all the flowers and of course say hi to Karin. "Hey Karin what cha doin'," he asked going up to the desk where she was fiddling with one of her plants.
"Giving this plant a little pruning," Karin told him smiling.
"What for?" He asked curiously.
"Well, it's kind of like a haircut for plants. It keeps them healthy."
"I'm not sure I get it, but it sounds like you really like flowers."
Karin took the plant and put it on the window sill. "I do. I think my passion was fueled by my desire to keep my mom's shop open."
"This shop was your mom's? Where did she go and why did she leave her shop here?" Goku asked innocently.
"My mother passed away several years ago," Karin explained.
"Oh…" Goku said, the face drooping slightly. "So it's just you and your aunt then?"
Karin nodded. "That's right."
"Why does she get all coughy sometimes?" He asked overflowing with curiosity.
"She… has a sickness in her lungs," Karin clarified.
"What does that mean?" Goku asked confused.
"It means that…she's sick and that if she get's excited she coughs like she did during the Mahjong game," Karin told him trying not to think about what could happen.
"Oh, well I hope she gets better." *ching* The sound of the store door opening alerted Karin.
"Karin, have you seen Yaori?" a little boy asked running into the shop completely out of breath.
"No, I haven't," Karin told him. "Is she missing?"
"I can't find her anywhere," the boy said looking panicked.
"Where did you last see her?"
"Well, we were playing at the south side of the village near the forest," The boy said hesitantly. Karin's eyes widened. "Please, you gotta help me find her. If mom and dad find out we'll get in trouble. And I'm scared that something might have happened to her."
"Don't worry, we'll help you find her," Goku said before looking to Karin. "Right Karin?"
Karin smiled. "You took the words right from my mouth. Give me a moment to close the shop."
"Thank you," the little boy exclaimed relieved at their willingness to help.
In no time at all the shop was closed and Karin was telling the boy to stay there and wait for them. "Don't worry, we'll find her and bring her back soon," she said giving him a reassuring hug. Then she and Goku headed off for the south side of the village before going through the forest.
They didn't have any troubles as far as plants attacking much to Karin's and Goku's relief. Goku was careful not to touch any of the plants, not wanting repeat what happened the last time he did. "Yaori!" Karin called.
"Whoa, what is that?" Goku asked as the trees began to thin out.
They reached an area where there was grass and then a dome of thick trees and vines twisted over one another. "This is where the lake used to be," Karin said. "But after Kusuma appeared this is what has become of it."
"There used to be a lake here? Cool," Goku exclaimed in awe.
"Yaori!" Karin called again.
"Karin is that you?" a little frightened voice called out. It was distant and faint but both Goku and Karin heard it.
"Yaori, where are you?"
"I don't know…but I'm stuck," she called back scared to tears.
"Just hang on," Karin said.
"I think it's coming from over there," Goku pointed in the direction he heard the voice come from.
The two walked a ways speaking back and forth to the little girl, getting closer to her voice with each step. "We shouldn't be too far- wah!" Goku slipped as he fell into a hole that had been well hidden by the ground's consistency. There was a splashing sound not a few seconds afterwards.
"Goku!" Karin yelled, kneeling next to the hole.
"I found her!" he yelled up, obviously unharmed. "Wow! Karin you should see it down here!"
"What is it?" Karin asked surprised.
"I think I found the lake," he called back up. "It's not that big but it's so cool."
"Can you get back up here?" Karin asked worriedly.
"No problem!" Goku said confidently. Karin heard goku say, "Grow Nyoubi!" and after a few moments he rose out of the hole with Yaori clinging to him.
"Thank goodness you're alright," Karin said in relief, hugging the little girl once Goku placed her gently onto the ground.
"I'm sorry, Karin, I know I shouldn't have wandered off like that. Is brother okay?" Yaori asked worried.
"Yes, he's just fine. He's been really worried about you though," Karin told her with kind eyes. "He's waiting for you back at the shop."
"You're not gonna tell our parents are you?" she asked worriedly.
"No, but from now on don't go wandering off on your own again," Karin advised. "Understand?"
Yaori nodded and gave Karin a grateful hug and then she gave Goku a hug. "Thanks for getting me out of there, mister," she said grinning widely.
"Heh, it was nothing really," Goku replied somewhat embarrassed.
"Well, let's get you back to town and into some warm clothes," Karin said taking hold of Yaori's hand. "You both are dripping wet."
"Hey Karin, when we get back, could you make me some of those noodles you served the other day?" Goku asked as they walked through the forest.
"I don't see why not," Karin said with a small laugh. Unbeknownst to Goku, he stepped over a discolored plant, and some of the water dripping off his clothes fell on it. The moment the water touch the plant it gave a shriek and writhed around.
"What was that?" Yaori squealed in fright.
Karin turned to see the cause of the shriek and saw the remains of the dried up plant. "Did the water from the lake do that?" she thought to herself curiously. "It's nothing to be worried about," Karin said turning back to Yaori and together they traveled back to town while thoughts about what could have occurred ran through her mind.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The month was drawing to a close and Hakkai found himself staring out of the empty tavern window one particular evening while Karin was cleaning up. It was raining heavily outside, the rain drumming steadily against the roof and against the glass window.
A small roar of thunder could be heard in the distance. It was nights like these that reminded him of that terrible night. How the rain had kept pouring endlessly, nearly driving him to insanity. "Is something wrong, Hakkai?" Karin's gentle voice broke through his bad memories like a light flooding a dark room.
"No, I'm just fine. Are you ready to go?" he asked turning toward her and smiling. Karin noticed that though his smile was warm it didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Well, it's really coming down outside and around here it's really not a good idea to go outside when it's like this. You never know what could happen," she said slowly.
"In that case, would you like to have a drink with me…at least until this storm ends," Hakkai suggested.
Karin thought about it. "Well, I suppose one drink couldn't hurt," she said before sitting down with him and pouring them both sake. As they sat and enjoyed their drinks, Karin stared out the window. "I'll admit, I'm a little disappointed that it's raining. There's no way we would be able to train in this."
"That may be, but you certainly have improved from when we first began. You can almost hold your own against me now."
"Sometimes I think you exaggerate," Karin said taking a long sip.
"No I'm being serious, you really have been getting better," Hakkai told her encouragingly. "I'm sure that you'll be able to protect yourself against most threats in no time at all."
"Well, I had a really good teacher," Karin said happily. She couldn't help but notice that Hakkai didn't look the slightest bit tipsy despite the fact that he had already had two bottles of sake. The guy must really know how to hold it, she thought. She had about two more glasses, and that's when she started getting a little giggly.
"Are you alright?" Hakkai asked somewhat worried.
"Yeah, I'm just a little tipsy that's all," Karin answered holding nothing back. "Hey Hakkai…do you not like rain?"
Hakkai was taken aback by her question but decided to answer truthfully. "It brings back bad memories…other than that I really don't mind it," he replied keeping the smile on his face.
"You know, back when I was a little girl, weather like this used to really scare me. But then my mother would always sing me a lullaby," Karin told him whimsically.
"Really, did it help?" Hakkai asked curiously.
"Let me show you," Karin said grabbing his hand and leading him outside.
Hakkai allowed himself to be taken out into the rain where Karin proceeded to slowly spin him around. Then she started singing,
"Little child, be not afraid.
Though rain pounds harshly
against the glass,
like an unwanted stranger,
there is no danger.
I am here tonight.
Little child, be not afraid.
Though thunder explodes
and lighting flash,
illuminates your tear-stained face.
I am here tonight.
And someday you'll know,
that nature is so.
The same rain that draws you near me,
falls on rivers and land,
on forests and sand,
makes the beautiful world
that you'll see in the morning."
'It's strange,' Hakkai thought. 'The rain felt so cold earlier. Yet it feels so warm.' Hakkai found that as she spun him around and sang to him, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. It was like the thunder and the rain no longer existed for him. She slipped in the mud a little, and he quickly steadied her. And she continued to sing.
"Little child, be not afraid,
though storm clouds mask
your beloved moon.
And its candle like beams,
still keep pleasant dreams.
I am here tonight.
Little child, be not afraid.
Though wind makes creatures
of our trees,
and their branches to hands.
They're not real, understand?
I am here tonight.
And someday you'll know,
that nature is so.
The same rain that draws you near me,
falls on rivers and land,
on forests and sand,
makes the beautiful world
that you'll see in the morning."
She placed her hands around his neck and slowly began to turn him, and he found himself moving willingly with her.
"For you know,
once even I was a little child,
and I was afraid.
But a gentle someone always came
to dry all my tears,
trade sweet sleep for fears.
And to give a kiss goodnight…"
She continued only to be stopped by Hakkai's face melding with hers.
Hakkai wasn't sure what had caused him to do it. He couldn't blame it on the sake because there was no way he was suffering from that kind of buzz. Maybe it was the simple power of suggestion that her song had influenced. At the moment though, his mind didn't want to rationalize anything, and his body just wanted to hold her there. Karin wasn't sure what was going on. All she knew was that she couldn't remember a time when she had felt so wonderful, and within seconds she was responding to him.
They stayed together like that for a long moment until Hakkai suddenly pulled back. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," Hakkai apologized quickly.
Karin stared up at him breathlessly, feeling rather confused. She wasn't sure what to say. She couldn't help but wonder if she had done something wrong. There was suddenly a strange chattering noise, and she then realized that she was shivering.
Hakkai noticed her shivering and quickly helped her back inside before looking for towels for them to dry off with. Once he located some towels he gave one to Karin and they dried themselves off. Once she was a little dried off, Karin ceased most of her shivering and she settled down into one of the many chairs.
"I'm sorry," she said. "That must have been a little weird of me to pull you out into the rain like that. I just figured… maybe if you could have a happy memory in the rain, then it wouldn't be so bad for you."
Hakkai smiled genially at the sentiment. "I would like to hear the rest of your song…if that's alright," he told her as he sat down next to her.
Karin was only too happy to oblige.
"But now I am grown,
and these years have shown,
that rain is part of how life goes.
But it's dark and it's late,
so I'll hold you and wait,
'till your frightened eyes do close.
And I hope that you'll know,
that nature is so.
The same rain that draws you near me
falls on rivers and land,
on forests and sand,
makes the beautiful world
that you'll see, in the morning."
She leaned her head sleepily against Hakkai's shoulder, but continued to sing, determined to finish the song.
"Everything's fine in the morning,
the rain will be gone in the morning,
but I'll still be here in the morning."
As the last syllable sounded she passed out happily on his shoulder. Hakkai stared at her beautiful face as she slept soundly on his shoulder and he brushed the little bit of hair that had fallen into her face behind her ear. "You were right, that song did make me feel better," Hakkai murmured holding her close.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At the same time Ran was at the door to the inn staring out the window at the storm in frustration. "Of all the times for it to rain like this," she muttered to herself. The storm had started up rather suddenly while she helped Yuzuna out because she started coughing again that morning. "Man I wish I was home right now."
"It's sure coming down, isn't it?" A cool voice said from the stairwell. Ran looked grudgingly over her shoulder to see the red-headed pervert standing there looking all cool with his minutely cigarette.
"What do you want? Did you come down to laugh at my misfortune?" Ran asked irately.
"Naw, I just wanted to keep you company that's all. You do seem rather lonely after all," Gojyo replied taking a seat in one of the chairs. "Why not take a seat and wait for it to end instead of staring at it like a sick puppy?" Ran sighed but knew it would probably be better so she took a seat opposite him leaning against the back.
"It's been nearly a month now," Gojyo said conversationally as he blew a puff of smoke. "You say that guy will show up in a few days, right?"
"Yeah…it's never exactly one month away but he will be coming any day now," Ran answered staring out the window. "When he does I'll be ready for him."
"Maybe, and then again, maybe not," Gojyo said eyeing her.
"What's that supposed to mean? After all this I know I can take him down the next time he comes," Ran declared.
"You are getting better at fighting, I'll give you that, but judging from what I sensed from him, you're still no match for him," Gojyo explained.
"You don't know that. I can take him down this time. I'll make sure he can't take anymore women from this town."
"I can understand you wanting to get your sister back, but that doesn't mean you should charge recklessly in."
"What I do isn't any of your business," Ran said beginning to get irritated. This was the LAST man she wanted a lecture from.
"Something tells me that this is more than just for your sister or for the sake of protecting Karin," Gojyo said putting his cigarette out. Ran's eyes narrowed. "So what is it then?" Gojyo said going for another cigarette. "You have some sort of grudge against men?"
"No, that's not it and quit talking like you know oh so well why I'm doing what I'm doing. Like I said before it's none of your business you stupid perv," Ran growled angrily.
"Oh, so it's just against people like me right?" Gojyo asked remembering what Karin told him.
"It doesn't matter what I have a problem with, but if your so bent on hearing it then maybe you'd care to explain the scratches on your cheek," Ran stated viciously. "Are they from some woman you ticked off?"
Despite her sharp words, Gojyo didn't flinch, or even blink. Though her question did catch him off guard for a moment. He took his time lighting his cigarette before answering in a hollow voice. "Yeah, my mother."
Ran's anger faded in the blink of an eye as she felt like someone had just punched her in the gut. She didn't realize that saying such a thing would have such a sad answer. 'I can't believe it was his mother. Man I was supposed to put him on the spot not the other way around,' she thought to herself deeply sorry about what she said. "Hey Gojyo, I'm sorry I didn't know," she finally managed to get out.
He looked at her and smiled his little smile. "I know you didn't, that's why I told you. So now that I've told you my little story are you going to explain yours?" he asked showing no sign of being hurt by her comment.
"I guess it's only fair huh," Ran answered softly. "I do have a problem with men…not all men…just perverted womanizers really."
"You mean to say, 'guy's like me'," Gojyo said with a shadow of a smile. "Am I right?" Ran flushed at how easily he seemed to read her. "Well, go on, I'm listening."
"Well your right, it is guys like you, not for the reason you're thinking of though. I lost my sister to one when I was little," Ran told him.
"What happened?" Gojyo asked gently.
"He…he ditched her after they dated for three months. My sister was sure that she was going to marry him…that's how serious it had become. Then one day he just up and left with another woman and pretty much told my sister that he never wanted to see her again…the creep."
"You're right," Gojyo said after taking another drag on his cigarette. "His is a creep, for making a pretty girl cry."
"He did more than just that," Ran said gritting her teeth, staring down at her hands on the table. "He killed her. After he left, she couldn't go on anymore. She died of a broken heart." Several minutes of silence passed after that. Ran became lost in her dark thoughts, until a warm hand touching hers brought her back.
She looked up to see Gojyo leaning across the table towards her. "Tell me something," he asked her intently. "Do I really remind you of that guy?"
"Yeah, you do," Ran answered staring at her hands. Then she glanced up and saw the look on his face making her add, "But not all the time. Only because of all the comments you make though. Other than that…you really aren't like him at all. You're actually… an okay guy."
Gojyo let out a small chuckle. Then he reached up and took a lock of her strawberry blonde hair, feeling it between his fingers. Ran didn't move. She could only watch as he brought the strand to his lips and kissed it. "That'll do… for now."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
CM: Ah, isn't mutual understanding wonderful? Next time.... the final battle approaches. How will our heros fair? Stay tuned!