Chapter 14: A Third Widow
Michiru's eyes widened at the last two words the young lady standing before him spoke. He let out a gasp. Her hair was longer, she was nearly twice as tall, and she had matured and developed into a full-grown woman, but Michiru knew. All he needed to see was her sunny heartwarming smile and her flowery kimono to know whom it was speaking before him.
"R-R-R-Rin…" Michiru gasped, "…so many years of anger and vengeance had caused me to almost forget you…"
"I'm happy they didn't, Big Brother," Rin smiled, "I've never forgotten you and neither has my husband."
She leapt over to embrace Michiru as he went rigid in her strong squeeze.
"Rin!" He protested, "Cut it out! I'm half-naked for Heaven's sake!"
"It doesn't matter," Rin smiled, "I'm so happy to see you after all these years!"
Michiru hesitated for a moment wondering what to do. All these years had hardened his heart and froze it. Yet here Rin embraced him like a sister would an older brother. Then it was as if his stony cold heart had cracked and melted as he wrapped his own strong arms around her as all gasped.
"I'm…happy to see you again too…" Michiru murmured as the two held each other for nearly two minutes. Then Michiru spotted Kagome and frowned.
Rin sensed what was on his mind as his embrace suddenly stiffened in annoyance.
"Big Brother," Rin began, "I understand your anger towards them. I do not condone what they did to you, and neither does my husband, Lord Sesshomaru, and I had nothing to do with that incident, Michiru. I wasn't even there, and if I was, I would've protested on your behalf! I know you're angry about their betrayal, but we could use your help back home." Looking up at Michiru with those innocent eyes, Rin pleaded, "If you won't fight for them, will you fight for me?"
Michiru looked into her eyes again and saw the little girl he knew once upon a time in Naraku's castle. Scared and innocent yet had a spark of courage in them that drove the fear and darkness out of anyone's heart. He then embraced the lovely young lady again as his eyes welled up and a set of tears fell from them.
"Oh Rin…" Michiru murmured with a sob, "…I could never say 'no' to you…never…"
Kagome, Sango, and Shippo all gasped at this. Michiru was going to fight Fushizenna! Jaken was right after all! There was something that Michiru would fight for because he still cared about her.
Then Michiru ceased his embracing of Rin and said, "Give me a moment to get dressed," He then started walking towards the Shrine door when Sango spoke up.
"I wanted the easy way out, Michiru," She called out as Michiru paused then turned around to see her sobbing face. Sango blubbered a bit, a mixture of relief, the joy of seeing Michiru's shell crack, but also shame as she elucidated, "Sometime...shortly before the betrayal happened, I…found myself sobbing myself to sleep at night because my heart was torn in two…I…I…I found myself praying that an easy solution to the problem of choosing between Miroku and you would…come to me out of nowhere…I even wrote my prayers in my diary at the time…"
"Huh…?" Michiru gasped, "S-S-Sango…? What are you…?"
"I didn't even regard those entries when the tragedy happened," Sango spoke sadly, "But the implication of what I wanted was always with me. I wanted an easy way out." Shuddering as she continued crying out of shame, she got out, "Th-Th-Th-That's why I got rid of you, M-M-M-Michiru…it…wasn't so much that I…thought you were guilty…and you're right…there…there were always those voices of conscience within me that…told me what I was doing to you and what I did to you was…wrong…" Falling to her knees in shame, she got out, "But…I ignored them all because it was…easy to do…I…I…I…I made the easy choice when I chose to banish you instead of making the right choice…" Looking up, her eyes red with pain and shame, she grasped Michiru's leg and wept into his bare thigh, "And…and…and…oh, I'm so sorry! I'm sorry, Michiru! I ignored all the points you made regarding a shapeshifting demon being what attacked Miroku, I ignored your alibi, I ignored anything that would paint you as innocent because it made the choice between you and Miroku easy! Oh, Michiru, if not today…please someday…please…forgive me…"
Michiru paused feeling Sango's tears running down his bare leg. He looked around to see Kagome, Shippo, Rin, and all three doctors with various looks in their eyes. Kagome and Shippo looked as ashamed as Sango was because they took the easy way out too. Rin looked at Michiru with pity knowing the burden of anger and pain he carried for nearly seventeen years of being an innocent man condemned. The doctors' expressions looked hopeful. Hopeful that this was the end of Michiru's anger and withdrawl.
But far from it.
"Get off me, Sango," Michiru growled as the sobbing Demon Slayer obliged releasing his leg and looking up, "Look, you found something I still care about and would die to protect, and you came up with an acceptable answer to reason you all ignored the voices in your heads telling you all that what you did to me was wrong, and I accept it. More importantly, I forgive you.
"R-R-Really…?" Sango gasped as I smile appeared on her face as her eyes still gushed with tears. "Th-Th-Thank you! I…I…I don't have to leave my home or children now, and we can-"
"But I'm still very mad and highly disappointed in you all," Michiru said out loud as Sango shut up and frowned. He then turned back to the machine and said, "So I propose we change the stakes of the bet."
"Change the stakes?" Kagome asked, "The bet's off, Michiru! You promised!"
"I promised to help you if you found something I would fight for and/or if Sango found the real reason she got rid of me," Michiru corrected, "I did not agree to stay with you and start over once I was done with Fushizenna!"
The meaning of Michiru's words rang through Shippo's ears he said, "So now the bet's whether you'll renew our friendship or not."
"That's right," Michiru nodded, "I'm proposing an all-new bet. Now, if one of the two people I trust most in this gang, Dutch van der Linde or Hosea Matthews, ever legitimately betrays my ancestor, Arthur Morgan or little Jack Marston, then I'll come back to you all and renew our friendship again. If Dutch stays loyal to Arthur until the day one of them dies, then I'll put the Feudal Era and you all behind me forever."
"Fine," Kagome nodded with a sad smile, "I guess if that's the only way to get you to come back to us, we have no choice but to accept."
"Alright then," Michiru said, "I need to make a phone call."
"Why?" Kagome asked.
"I'm not slaughtering armies near civilian towns with my powers," Michiru explained, "We'll need alternate methods…" With that, he went indoors as everyone followed him. He picked up a smartphone on the table, turned it on, and frowned.
"Damn, low battery," He frowned, "Guess I'll have to make do."
He punched in some gestures on his phone and held it to his face. The dial tone went off for half a minute or so when someone picked up.
"YOU FUCKING SON-OF-A-BITCH!" A loud and hostile voice spoke over the phone in English, "WHAT DO YOU WANT, YOU CELIBATE BASTARD?!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Trev!" Michiru replied into the phone, "After all we've been through in Los Santos, is this how you greet an old friend after nearly eight years?"
"FUCK YEAH, THIS IS HOW I GREET AN OLD FRIEND AFTER NEARLY EIGHT YEARS!" The voice shouted back, "YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW HOW I GREET AN ENEMY!"
"Of that, I'm sure," Michiru chuckled, "How ya been, ya cactus-sucking desert vulture?! Still living in that trailer despite the $16,775,000 that score put in your pocket?"
"I like it here in the desert," The voice called back, "It's solitary, it's peaceful, it's a stone's throw away from the mountains, and best of all little-to-no law enforcement."
"Of that last part, I'm sure," Michiru chuckled, "Listen, I got a favor I need asking, but first get me up to date. How you been, old friend?"
"Me?" The voice spoke back, "Well, I am living in a nicer trailer than I was before with my new wife, Patricia."
"Hi Michiru!" Another voice called out, "Trevor and me finally reunited and settled down."
"Patricia!" Michiru cried, "I remember the good old days when you were falling for Trevor when he held you hostage, but what became of your husband, Martin Madrazo?"
"That cheating bastard got involved in a dog fighting ring whilst with another woman," Trevor explained, "A rival gang leader spotted him there, threw him in the ring, and he ended up getting his balls and dick bit off by a huge mastiff as he bled to death all over the arena."
"Damn!" Michiru gasped, "That's something! But I can't say I feel sorry for him. That son-of-a-bitch had it coming. No offense Patricia."
"None taken, Michiru," The other voice spoke, "Now I can be happy with my shipping entrepreneur, Trevor Phillips."
"Shipping entrepreneur?" Michiru asked.
"Yeah!" Trevor's voice spoke again, "Word got to me you donated the entirety of your $16,775,000 share from that score to the San Andreas Children's Hospital."
"You know I did," Michiru said, "When I heard that bank was holding on to advanced medical equipment to extract gold, silver, platinum, and other precious metals from the equipment's microprocessor chips and was giving the children's hospital that the equipment was meant to go to refurbished equipment from yesteryear in its place, that really pissed me off, you know? I couldn't hold onto dirty gold bars, so I gave it all to the hospital."
"And that inspired me to give up the meth trading business," Trevor explained, "Instead, I used my share to buy up the entire airport near my trailer park, and I refurbished it into a medical supply shipping depot. No one's stealing medical supplies to siphon precious metals from their chips ever again in my territory!"
"Oh, Trevor, that's just swell!" Michiru smiled, "I knew you had it in ya, buddy! Glad to hear you're settling down with a wife, a new clean home, and a respectable business. Speaking of respectable business, is that fat old fuck still making movies in Vinewood?"
"Yeah, Mike's doing okay as far as pathetic traitors you just wanna shoot in the face can be," Trevor answered.
"You two haven't patched things up?"
"Nah, we're cool now," Trevor answered, "I keep to myself, he keeps to himself, and we're all okay with that. Now that I'm a married man and settled down, I can see why he'd do anything to keep his family safe."
"His son still sitting in that chair playing Yell of Obligation all day?"
"No, as a matter of fact, he's working now."
"Him? Get out!"
"No. Apparently, he was called to do an interview on some talk show, and he was asked if he wanted to make movies like his father. He said he was more interested in making video games."
"Let me guess," Michiru began, "When the media learned that the son of a famous movie producer wanted to make games, some company gave him a sponsorship, a scholarship, and a guaranteed good job so long as the kid made good grades in some gaming school, he passed with flying colors, and now makes video games like he always wanted."
"Yep," Trevor said, "Some company called Popstar I think. Oh, Mike wants to know if when you get finished with your business with those Animus guys if you want to see your ancestor's story be made into a movie."
"Fuck no!" Michiru said back, "Get me in touch with his son so it can be made into a game!"
"You think people will pay to play some drunken bandit on a horse moving from town-to-town ducking the law, hunting animals, and robbing people all day?"
"I think they would, fuck yeah!"
"Well, when you get a chance, I'll try to get in touch with him for ya," Trevor said, "I wanna see what you've been up to."
"And how's Frank?" Michiru asked.
"Living up in that home in the hills and doing fine!" Trevor said, "Oh, Tracey goes up to visit him all the time. She gave up that whole reality show schtick and finally decided to find a good man her father could trust."
"That so?" Michiru asked, "I always knew she'd get over me someday."
"She did," Trevor spoke, "So anyway, what brings you to call after all these years."
"Well, I need a favor," Michiru spoke, "A situation arose recently, and it requires pulling Moe, Larry, and Curley out of retirement. You been taking good care of them, I assume?"
"You know it, Michiru," Trevor spoke up.
"Good," Michiru nodded, "I need your piloting and smuggling skills to get them here to Japan as soon as possible."
"Look, buddy, I already told ya," Trevor began, "I've gone straight. I'm trying to be a better man for my wife now, and-"
"Oh! Oh! Oh! Ohhh…no! No! No! No! No!" Michiru spoke up, "Don't you even think of saying 'no,' Shitbag! You owe me! Who was it that went back to Japan then got his ass over to China and got the Godfather of the Los Santos Triads off your fucking ass, Fuck Face?! Hmm? Answer me that, you piece of shit!"
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Gotcha!" Trevor's voice spoke from the other side, "I would've paid to see your face as you said all that, Michiru! I'm just busting your ass! Of course I'll smuggle Moe, Larry, and Curley to ya!"
"Ha! Ya got me!" Michiru smiled, "Well, when should I be expecting you?"
"Well, we're a little packed here at the desert airport right now," Trevor said, "But I think I can get flying over to you sometime tomorrow and should be in your neighborhood in about three or four days."
"Three or four days it is," Michiru agreed, "But you're one second late, you better be at the bottom of the sea! Otherwise, I'll send you back to Patricia with a broken beer bottle up your fucking asshole!"
"I know you will!" Trevor chuckled, "I always liked you, kid. Look forward to seeing you again after all these years."
"Me too, buddy." Michiru smiled, "See you then."
Michiru hung up the phone and turned to the eavesdroppers.
"I know, I know," He sighed, "He's a bit of a loudmouth eccentric, but he means well for the most part. Just don't mention you're the ones who betrayed me. In fact, I'd probably be better if you all went back home and waited to me. He's got a sixth sense, and I don't want to put you in danger with him, trust me."
"We don't want to be on his bad side," Kagome agreed as she saw Inuyasha come downstairs apparently recovered from his neck injury, "What must we do?"
"Find a high spot overlooking Fushizenna's army around the village," Michiru instructed, "Build me a barrier of crates filled with rocks with a two foot wide split in the center on it, and wait for me by the Well."
"Right," Kagome nodded, "Let's go, Inuyasha. You too, Kirara. We'll need your muscles for this."
"As for me," Michiru spoke, "I'm going back in. I'll need to gather my wits before going to battle."
"You do that," Inuyasha nodded, "Sango?"
"I'll stay here with Michiru," Sango said, "Michiru's friend may be hostile and crude, but I'm not afraid."
"You're the best, Sango," Kagome smiled, "Let's go, guys."
As Kagome, Rin, Inuyasha, Shippo, and Kirara turned to leave, Michiru went back outside, walked to the Animus pod, put on the breathing and feeding mask, and watched as it rose from the floor again and filled with the liquid again.
"Wake me up in two and a half days," Michiru instructed, "Remember, I can hear you guys now."
"We will, Michiru," Dr. Garter said, "We will."
Michiru's eyes closed as the program replayed on the screen.
Arthur rode through the night trail back to Horseshoe Overlook. Along the way, he spotted the carcass of the pronghorn he'd slain earlier to see to his delight it hadn't been taken or discovered by some predatory or scavenging animal. He hoisted it to the rear of his horse and rode back to camp. His share of that heist was $82.50. He hitched Sango to a station in camp and took the carcass off his horse's back. He dragged it to Pearson to add to the camp's food supply.
Kieran was near the food wagon.
"You missing your tree yet?" Arthur taunted.
"I feel like chopping it down," He said back.
"We'll be watching you," Arthur warned.
"Hey," Karen's voiced called out.
"How are you?" Arthur began, "You over that business at the hotel?"
"Oh yeah…" Karen said, "So we gonna hit that bank I told you about?"
Arthur didn't answer. Instead he went to Pearson.
"Really need you boys to get out and hunt," Pearson said, "Supplies are getting low."
Arthur donated some venison chops, a pronghorn pelt, and the pronghorn carcass. Then he looked over his to-do list. There was meeting Javier near Blackwater, breaking Micah out of Strawberry, and…seeing Mary Linton regarding a favor.
Arthur looked over the silver emblem ring that woman gave him earlier and sighed. It was time to see the woman he loved after so many years apart. He approached Sango, gave her a good brushing while soothing into her ear, fed her an oatcake, then got onto Sango's back and rode her back to Valentine.
Along the way, a wagon got in his path.
"Lookee what we sagged!" An Irish voice taunted, "Dutch's dogsbody! I told ya he'd show!"
Arthur, recognizing the green scarves of the O'Driscolls even in night, pulled Sango a safe distance, pulled out his repeater, and began running around randomly to take evasive maneuvers as he popped then off one at a time. He then parked Sango and got off to inspect the bodies.
"They're your boys, alright…" Arthur said about Colm O'Driscoll's poor choice in membership.
From the dead bodies of the O'Driscolls, Arthur took bottles of rum, a platinum band, horse medicine, a silver clamp buckle, and $13.56 worth of cash and coins.
He then rode onwards to Valentine.
"Ah, you're alright, girl," Arthur soothed patting Sango's neck as he was on her. No sooner had he done so, he heard a commotion outside the town's lesser liked saloon.
"Hey, hey, let's talk about this!" A familiar voice protested as a familiar figure was thrown out the door by a tough looking man. The figure looked up. It was Uncle. "Arthur! Arthur! Come lend a hand here…"
"Go ahead," The mean looking man hissed out, "Call your momma for all I care!"
"You might wanna quit that," Arthur spoke reaching for his knife, "That drunk's got mean friends, believe me."
"Oh hell," The mean guy scoffed turning away, "Waste of my time, anyway."
"I appreciate it, Arthur," Uncle thanked, "No sense of humor, the fellers around here."
"How drunk were you?"
"Just normal drunk," Uncle said sheepishly, "Anyway, I should probably hit the breeze. I'll be at camp if you need me."
Arthur went back to the bar inside and spotted the tough guy.
"You know, he ain't a bad feller," Arthur began, "All things considering."
"That man's head's going soft in his old age," The tough guy answered, "You better watch out for him."
"Listen," Arthur said, his voice stern, "Fool or not, that drunk's a friend. I see you mess with him again I'll see to it you don't do much after."
"Screw your threats. That piece of shit comes round here again he'll get what's coming to him."
"You were warned," Arthur growled as he grabbed the guy by his shoulder and knocked him to the floor with a huge punch! Then he left the saloon, got on Sango's back, and rode her to a small farm just outside of town. He went to the front door of the farmhouse and knocked on the door taking off his hat.
A stocky middle-aged woman came out and held a revolver to Arthur who put his hands up.
"Yes?" She asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you, ma'am," Arthur said, "Is…Mrs. Linton in?"
"I'll go see," She nodded as she closed the door, "Mrs. Linton. A caller for you."
The door opened again as a lovely woman with a nice tan, long brown hair tied up, gorgeous eyes, a good body, and all dressed in a turquoise blouse with a brown scarf dangling from a ruby and gold brooch was seen. She was wearing a black skirt.
"Hello, Arthur," She said as she walked outside to the porch closing the door.
"Mary…" Arthur began as Sango gasped at the sight. Mary looked like a western equivalent of herself in a way. Sango could now see possibly that Michiru's taste in women ran in his family somehow. "I, erm…"
"I heard you and your friends was around, I…" Mary began.
"Okay," Arthur began, "Where's erm…where's what's his name?"
"Died," Mary answered grimly remembering her ex-husband.
"Well, I'm sorry to hear that," Arthur said not looking Mary in the eyes.
"Yeah, me too…" Mary answered, "Me too…" She looked up at Arthur and said, "Happened awhile ago. Pneumonia."
"Bad business," Arthur said.
"Sure."
"So, uh…well, y-y-you've been made a widow, and…you come here looking for me? Is that it?"
"No, ain't like that, Arthur."
"Oh, okay…" Arthur sadly answered as he turned to leave.
"Listen, Arthur," Mary began, "I…I'm…my family…I need your help."
"You mean the family that always looked down on me?" Arthur asked suddenly getting a bit angry at this, "And you want me to help them?!"
"It's my little brother, Jamie," Mary explained.
Scoffing, Arthur answered, "I always liked Jamie…at least compared to the rest of them."
He turned to put his hands on the railing of the porch looking out at the scenery as Mary stepped up beside him.
"He's broken daddy's heart," Mary explained.
"Daddy has a heart?" Arthur snorted.
"Don't make me beg you, Arthur," Mary pleaded.
"My money, my life, me…" Arthur growled, "…I wasn't good enough."
"I'm sorry," Mary said as she placed her hand on Arthur's. "We need your help real bad. Little Jamie's joined…the Chelonians…that strange religious order."
"Good for him," Arthur shrugged.
"They're quite mad, Arthur. They'll kill him. You're the only person he'd listen to."
"So…" Arthur began anger building up in him, "…I'm too rough to marry into your family…but it's okay to ask me to help in saving your family!"
Sango frowned at this. Another parallel in both the lives of Michiru and Arthur was being shown and it was a parallel she recognized all too well. Someone whom Arthur loved once upon a time with all his heart rejects him, marries another, and then begs for help from him after her husband dies.
It…it took some doing, but…Michiru agreed to help finally. Sango thought to herself. I hope…I hope Arthur agrees to help Mary…if her brother respected him, surely he'll help him out of trouble…
"I'm sorry," Mary apologized again, "I understand if you don't wanna help me, but…but I think of you often."
"And I thought of you often," Sango spoke to the tank, "Although…it was mostly angry thoughts, along with them I…I often thought of the good times we shared together. The sweet words we spoke to each other. The fields of flowers we roamed through. Our first kiss in the moonlight behind the waterfall. The team ups in battle and all the demons we slayed together as we trained. If…if…if Mirok hadn't deceived me…I would've chosen you, Michiru."
Michiru's image in the tank went slack as a flicker of a smile appeared on his face.
"A long time ago now…" Arthur's voice spoke to the side.
"I'm begging you, Arthur," Mary pleaded.
"I say let Jamie live Jamie's life, and not the…" Arthur began trying not to swear, "…nightmare that his daddy dreamed up for him."
"Jamie's so innocent, Arthur…" Mary protested.
Arthur let out a frustrated sigh through his nose as a sigh seemed to bubble in the tank Michiru slept in.
"Please, Arthur…" Mary pleaded, "…will you help me?
"Please, Michiru…" Sango also pleaded.
Arthur sighed on the screen and Michiru sighed in the tank as a moment that felt like an eternity went by.
"Where is he?" Arthur asked.
"Somewhere out near Carmody Dell, I think," Mary answered, "The rancher there said he'd…seen him around the Cumberland Forest. I just want him back, Arthur."
"Like I just wanted Kohaku back," Sango sobbed remembering Kohaku falling prey to someone spewing evil in her brother's mind once upon a time and how it was ultimately Michiru who broke through to him and broke Naraku's hold over him.
She and Mary were like two peas in a pod. Loyal to immediate family, but fools in matters of true love choosing men who seemed like good matches for them while the men who truly love them get betrayed and left in loneliness.
"If you find him, bring him to me at the station," Mary said.
"I'll see what I can do," Arthur nodded putting his hat back on and walking towards Sango.
"I'll owe you," Mary spoke from behind.
"You already owe me," Arthur answered back as he walked up to Sango and got on her saddle. He rode the dark grassy trail across the Cumberland Forest. He passed groves of trees, hills, and bushes along his way.
"Penny for the blind?" A voice called out from his left. He turned to see an elderly man with a big walking stick, a blue robe, and a tin alms cup. He got off Sango and walked up to him. "Penny for the blind. Help a blind man?"
"Okay, sure," Arthur nodded pulling a dollar piece out of his pocket and putting it in the alms cup.
"I sense…great confusion in you, sir," The beggar said, "Great confusion. Not…because you…do not know, but because you are afraid of what you know."
"Okay, I will try to bear that in mind," Arthur awkwardly said as he turned back to his steed and rode back up the trail.
"I wonder if that beggar was speaking to Arthur or Michiru," Sango said to the doctors.
"What do you mean?" Dr. Ericcson asked, "He doesn't know who Michiru is."
"I don't know…" Sango said, "…something about this adventure seems almost…parallel in a way to Michiru's life experiences. If this beggar is a soothsayer, isn't it possible he's not talking to someone in the present, but someone in the future?"
As Arthur rode on, he heard a woman's voice.
"Ahhhhh! Help! Help! Help!"
He spotted a man on a white horse with a hogtied woman on the back of it.
"Stay back!" The rider said, "This here's a private affair!"
Arthur wasn't so sure. He followed the rider a bit.
"I've been kidnapped!" The lady cried out, "Help, help me!"
"Let her go!" Arthur called out reaching for his repeater.
"You just had to get nosy, didn't ya?" The rider spoke pulling out a pistol, "Guess I'm killing today!"
He let out a few random shots, but Arthur took aim at the bastard's heart and blew a hole through his chest. As soon as he fell off, his horse started to take off, but Arthur calmed it down and went to it.
"Get me off this horse!" The lady spoke struggling with her bonds.
Arthur got her off the horse's back and laid her on the ground with her tied up wrists upwards.
"Sir, please help me outta here," The lady asked as Arthur pulled out his knife and cut her bonds on her wrists and ankles. The lady was and older woman dressed in dirty undergarments and a blouse. She rubbed her wrists.
"Ohhhh, oh, thank the Lord you showed up when you did!" She thanked as she sobbed out, "All the things he said he's do to me…"
"It's alright, ma'am. It's over now."
"Thank you, again."
With that, the lady got on her captor's horse and rode off leaving Arthur behind.
"Nice folks around here…" Arthur grumbled going to the dead carcass of the man and looted him for $1.86, some repeater cartridges, and a potent health cure. Then he got on his horse's saddle and continued his journey to find Jamie as night began to become morning.
Finally, the road split to a path that seemed to climb a small mountain. He rode and rode up the trail and spotted a wagon and a camp of tents and firepits. He looked outwards getting off Sango and listening to the speech of what looked like a leader in a band of men.
"Chelonia…Chelonia…" One man spoke.
"And what is Chelonianism?" Another asked, "No less than the recent rediscovery…of theology. One hundred years ago, the great Chelonian master, led Pilgrims across the Lannhechee into the wilderness…to found a great place of safety…"
"Place of safety…" The others repeated. They were all dressed in white, their hairdos all the same, and there was some strange turtle symbol on their white tunics.
"That is where we are heading, Jamie," The leader spoke.
"Yes, Jamie, that is where we are heading," another said.
"Yes, Jamie, we are heading to paradise," Another added.
Having enough of this theological cult-like crap, Arthur called out.
"Gentlemen!"
Looking at their new visitor, the men all gathered in a human wall around a young teenage boy.
"Shell of safety. Shell of safety." They all spoke simultaneously repeating this.
"Can I speak to the boy?" Arthur asked.
"Arthur?" One in the back to the right spoke.
"Hello, son," Arthur nodded. "Your sister is very worried."
"The boy has chosen a path, sir," The leader, who was the only one not completely dressed in white because he had blue pants on while the others had white pants on, "The path to truth."
"Well…" Arthur began, "His sister just wants to speak with him."
"Arthur…" Jamie said moving forward, but the others held up their arms gently pushing him back, "I've chosen a path."
"The boy has chosen a path," The leader repeated, "He's chosen safety. What path have you chosen, sir?"
"I don't know about this nonsense!" Arthur roared, "Let me speak to the boy!"
Jamie tried to walk to him but was stopped again.
"Tut. Tut. Tut." The leader spoke, "Are you always this negative and antagonistic, sir?"
"Only when dealing with idiots!" Arthur growled, "Now let me talk to the boy!"
The group all stood in front of Jamie as Arthur growled.
"I'm starting to lose my patience with you!" He said as he wrapped his strong hands around the cult leader's throat as the rest of them scattered in fear, "You goddamn lunatic!"
"Stop it, Arthur!" Jamie called out as Arthur throttled the man to death watching him fade in his hands as the rain began to fall, "That's enough, Arthur!"
"Now, kid, come on!" Arthur said leaving the carcass to rot in the rain to become wolf chow, "This is crap you're better than this!"
"Better than what?" Jamie asked incredulously backing away from Arthur in fear, "Better than wanting paradise?"
"Better than thinking these fools…" Arthur shot back gesturing to the dead man, "Know a damn thing about paradise! Now let me take you home!"
"You're a sad man, Arthur," Jamie said, "You're a real sad man."
"Sure," Arthur relented, "But come on home."
"No, not a chance!" Jamie cried out taking off into a run. Arthur sighed as he took off after Jamie who leapt onto a horse nearby as Arthur got on his to give chase.
"Leave me alone, Arthur!" Jamie called out, "I didn't ask for your help!"
"Damn it!" Arthur called out as Jamie expertly drove his horse back down the winding mountain trail, "We gotta do this the hard way?"
"This is none of your damn business!" Jamie called back talking off into a full gallop.
Giving chase, Arthur pulled out his lasso and called out, "They're just using you! Telling you what you want to hear!"
"What the hell do you know about it, Arthur?!"
Jamie rode his horse over some complicated rock formation that his smaller horse could traverse with ease. Arthur's larger horse had to stumble a bit which slowed them both down.
"For chissakes, Jamie! Just hold up a minute!"
"I don't have to answer to you!"
Finally, they were at the flatter and easier to traverse meadow as Arthur called out.
"Just stop and let's talk about this!"
"I was doing just fine by myself!"
"Come on, Jamie!" Arthur called out.
"Your sister's worried about you!" Sango and Arthur called out at the same time as Sango gasped.
"Come on, you ain't stupid!" Arthur called out, "You can see this is crazy!"
"You're the crazy one!" Jamie countered, "You pop up out of nowhere!"
Their ride leads them to a farmer's field of wheat that Jamie tramples over with Arthur giving chase.
"Little jackass!" The farmer swore at Jamie.
"Sorry sir!"
"So what are you gonna do, Jamie?" Arthur wondered, "Live the rest of your life in the mountains, with those people?"
"They're my friends!"
Arthur gave chase as Jamie spotted a herder leading some cattle as he rode next to it trying to hide, but Arthur was no fool. He soon spotted Jamie and gave chase just as a train was approaching. Jamie gave a swift heel to his horse and they crossed just before the train intercepted their path separating the two. Jamie got off his horse as Arthur did.
"Please, Arthur!" Jamie pleaded as the train passed between them, "I'm a man now…I've found something…a calling."
"You're just a kid!" Arthur shouted back, "You're making a big mistake!"
"I'm not taking advice from you!" Jamie countered, "You're an outlaw! You leave me alone! They're good people! I'm warning you, Arthur Morgan!"
As Arthur frantically tried to reason with them knowing the train would make catching Jamie impossible if he got on his horse and took off, Arthur then stood as the caboose passed and Jamie held a revolver in his hand and shot up into the air spooking his horse making it run off. Now that the train had passed and Jamie's horse had fled, there was nowhere to run.
"Leave me alone!" Jamie shouted as Arthur held his left hand up in a reasoning manner.
"Please, kid…" Arthur began as a thought occurred to him, "Put that gun down…"
"I warn you, Arthur!" Jamie cried out as tears welled up in his eyes.
Arthur maintained eye-contact with him slowly lowering his right arm to his gunbelt.
"I'm…I'm gonna…" Jamie then looked at the gun in his hand and declared, "…I don't wanna live anymore!"
"Huh?" Sango gasped as panic set in as she realized what was on Jamie's mind, "Oh no! Arthur, don't let Jamie do it! Please don't let Jamie do it!"
Lowering his arm closer to his gun, Arthur pleaded, "Kid, just calm down…"
"Leave…me…alone!" Jamie yelled out as Arthur's hand dropped to his side and he brought his hand to his holster but knew not to rush. He saw Jamie hold the pistol and brought the barrel of it to his own head!
"NO!" Sango cried, "ARTHUR, STOP HIM!"
Then Arthur, with lightning speed, drew his own gun and shot the pistol out of Jamie's surprised hand! Jamie grabbed his hand and arm and held it due to the pain of the recoil.
"Ohhhh…" Sango sighed as relief rushed over her face. Earlier she had seen the parallels between herself and Mary Linton, and she did not want to see Mary's brother die listening to the lies of some turtle cult. "Thank you, Arthur. I…I…I never thought I'd say this, but…I'm glad you're so good with that gun."
"Now calm down!" Arthur shouted rushing over and picking Jamie's gun off the ground and gestured to the trail, "Let's go see your sister."
Jamie stood for a moment looking at his hand and finally seeing that there was a man in his life who cared enough to stop him from shooting himself without using fancy words or promises as he rushed over and hugged Arthur.
"Okay…" He sobbed as Arthur held his arms out unsure of what to do, "…okay." Arthur gave Jamie a nervous pat on the back as he gestured to Sango.
"It's okay kid…" Arthur said.
"Have I been a terrible fool, Arthur?" Jamie sobbed.
Breaking from the embrace, Arthur answered, "I don't know." Leading Jamie to Sango he said, "I don't know enough about it." He emptied Jamie's revolver and handed it back to him, "But one thing I do know, there ain't no shame in looking for a better world."
Chuckling, Sango looked up at Michiru and smiled sadly saying, "Just like you."
"I missed you, Arthur," Jamie admitted, "Are you and Mary sweet on one another again?"
"Oh no," Arthur sighed as he helped Jamie onto Sango's back, "That's all a long time ago, son…"
"So who's the new girl in your life?" Jamie asked patting Sango's rear.
"This is Sango," Arthur said, "She was rescued from a negligent owner who got sick and didn't give her to a proper owner or stable. I got her free of charge so long as I promise to give her a loving caring life. She's not as fast or as strong as Boadicea was, but she suits me. She's certainly a lot more loyal and friendly."
"I like her," Jamie smiled, "She seems peaceful despite living in harsh conditions."
"Well, this wasn't how I thought today was gonna turn out…" Jamie began as they rode down the trail to Valentine's station. Arthur gave Sango a carrot for her hard work in this vital chase as he listened.
"It's been a long time, Jamie Gillis," Arthur answered, "You were a kid last time I saw you, and didn't try to kill yourself."
"You know," Jamie began, "You taught me how to ride a horse."
"Too well, apparently," Arthur grumbled at how expertly Jamie handled that little guy, "Chelonia, though? Really? You'd fall for that?"
"They were really nice to me," Jamie answered, "They're decent."
"I'm sure…" Arthur grumbled, "Please tell me you didn't give them any money."
"Of course I did," Jamie smiled, "They rely on charitable donations."
"Jesus, Jamie. Come on!"
"I just wanted to believe that there might be something good coming my way one day. Guess that's dead in the water."
"With the turtles," Arthur mocked gesturing to the emblem on Jamie's tunic.
"Shut up," Jamie grumbled, "All father kept telling me was, 'You won't amount to anything,' 'You're not enough of a man.' I had to get away. I couldn't take it anymore."
"Forgive me," Arthur began, "But your father's a bully and a coward, don't listen to him."
"Hey, don't talk about him like that."
"What do you want me to say, Jamie?" Arthur wondered, "He's a good father? A nice man?"
"He won't be happy I saw you."
"Please send him my worst regards…"
"Thing is…" Jamie began, "…he's right. I'm not good at anything."
"Come on, that ain't true," Arthur protested, "Tell me something you like."
"Hmmm…errmmm…."
"Don't think too hard…"
"Apples, I guess…"
"Apples?"
"Yeah, I love apples."
"Okay…" Arthur began, "…I was thinking more along the lines of carpentry, or horses, or something, but alright. Go work in an orchard, or something. Or find a baker looking for an apprentice and learn how to make fruit pies and pastries. Maybe open your own bakery one day."
"By that token, you must really like shooting and robbing people," Jamie chuckled.
"I only like shooting young idiots who run away from me when I'm trying to help them!" Arthur growled.
"Father told me what you do."
"I'm sure he did…"
"Are you still with Dutch, and…what was his name…Hester?"
"Hosea. Yep, still the same, sort of."
"And Annebelle and Bessie?"
"I'm afraid they're dead."
"Shit," Jamie gasped, "Maybe Mary did make the right choice."
"No doubt…!" Arthur gritted between his teeth, "But none of it is like anything like the nonsense you read in the newspapers."
"So are you two getting back together?"
"I told you, no." Arthur repeated, "She just asked me for a favor."
"You know Barry Linton's dead?" Jamie asked, "Pneumonia."
"She told me."
"So the door's open, so to speak."
"That's all in the past, we're different people now."
"She's not, and you seem just the same."
"Well, maybe that right there's the problem," Arthur said, "She was always too good for me. Now let's just get you back to your sister. She's waiting at the station for us."
As they spoke, they had arrived at the outskirts of Valentine with the bright yellow station in sight.
"Here we are," Arthur said, "She must be waiting inside." He stopped Sango at the hitching rack near the doors to the station, got off, and went inside the station with Jamie.
"Jamie!" Mary's voice cried out as she ran to her little brother, "Jamie! Come home…please, you've…father's been really sad."
Breaking from the embrace, Jamie spat out, "Father wouldn't know sadness if it died in his bed…" Seeing Mary wince at this declaration, Jamie said, "…but I'll come home…for you."
"My boy…" Jamie smiled, "…my sweet boy…come on." Picking up a suitcase, she led Jamie to the arriving passenger train. "Oh, Arthur…thank you…thank you."
Arthur took Mary's suitcase, ignoring the offer for a handshake, and took them both to the train.
"It's good to see you, Mary…" Arthur mumbled sadly.
"And you, Arthur…" Mary smiled, "…and you."
Jamie got onto the train as Arthur took Mary's hand and helped her onto the train. She looked back at him caught between telling him something and just letting him go.
"I've…" She began, "You're… Oh, you'll never change…I know that."
Nodding sadly, Arthur turned away as Mary got onto the train as it took off heading southeast. Sadness Arthur wanted to vent filled his heart, so he pulled out his journal and started writing as he walked up to Valentine's white church and sat on its steps.
"I feel like…the luckiest man alive, and…" Arthur began, "…I feel like a fool. That woman confuses me and plays me for a fiddle like no one else alive. I trust I will not make a godawful fool of myself once more, but…somehow, I imagine I shall…"
He got off the steps and whistled for Sango to come to him as the real Sango smiled with tears in her eyes. Tears of happiness for Arthur saving Mary's brother, but tears of sadness at them not getting back together as she thought they would as she watched this entire thing unfold.
"I'm convinced now," Sango smiled, "Now I know Arthur Morgan is Michiru's ancestor. So different in morals and yet so much alike in matters of love, beauty, and friendship. Shy at times but bold at others. Loss for words around the fairer sex. Most of all loyalty.
Rising, Sango got up to leave the room as the doctors looked at her.
"Sango?" Dr. Ingles asked, "Where are you going?"
"To ask Michiru's parents where their ancestral shrine is," Sango explained, "I…have a little prayer I need to make."