Senko-san: Hi again everyone! I'm so happy for all the reviews and comments you guys gave me for this story of mine. I didn't expect to receive so many! (LOL) After this chapter, I'll be sending in a new story, and I'll dedicate that story to… SCARLETLUST THE SECOND! The next story will be on GOJYO, so, Gojyo fans, I hope you'll be ready for it! (This is gonna be the longest chapter I've written so far…LOL!) Sa, ikimasho! (So, let's begin!)
Chapter 15
My Unforgettable Vacation
Sanzo's POV
I was sitting at my desk, reading the reports that had been sent to me. I was half – way through, when someone knocked at the door.
"Come in." I said, briefly.
I could hear the doorknob turned and someone entered. She closed the door as quietly as possible and walked towards me, with files in her hands.
"Here are the files you wanted, sir."
"A'ah. Just put them on the table. I'll read through them later…" I told her and she obeyed.
I was still reading the reports when she looked at me again.
"Is there anything else you need, sir?"
"Iya. I think I have everything… You can go now."
"Yes sir." She bowed and headed towards the door.
"Oh, by the way, sir…" She was about to close the door, and I looked at her as she went on. "Don't go back later than it already is…" She smiled, and shut the door.
I could hear her walking away, leaving me alone once more. She was right… I glanced at the clock. The office hours were over some time ago. I slowly packed everything into my briefcase, picked up my laptop, and left…
I started the engine of my car, and glanced around me. My eyes stayed at the jewelry store, where I bought the pendant for her… I heaved a heavy sigh and drove off…
It has been months after the incident… and it still stays vividly in my mind…
When I saw her lifeless… I couldn't think… My heart was pounding, my mind racing… I was even afraid to move… I stared at the blood on me… I remembered wishing the blood was mine… instead of hers… Why did she save me? Why would she risk her life to save mine? That damn bullet was for me, not her!
I could hear the others rushing outside, trying to catch those damn bullshit brothers of hers, and Rye calling for the ambulance and police. All I could do was hold her close, never wanting to let her go…
I saw her slowly opening her eyes and smiled weakly at me. I felt her hand against my cheek and I held it tight.
"Sanzo… Are… you hurt…?" She whispered.
"I'm fine…" I forced myself to speak.
"Yukatta…" She smiled, satisfied.
"Why did you do that? You… baka onna…" I felt myself choked between the words… I was fighting back tears…
"It's okay… I'm glad I could protect you… I won't bring you trouble anymore…"
"This is the worst kind of "trouble" you ever made! What were you thinking?" Another tear trickled down my cheek.
"Don't cry, Sanzo…" She wiped the tear away.
"I'm not!"
"Sumimasen…"
"You apologize too much…" I told her.
"Sanzo… promise me… that no matter what happens, you'll continue with your life… okay?"
I realize that I couldn't answer her. When she told me to continue my life… without her… I could feel myself began to panic, I felt my heart stabbed.
"Promise me, Sanzo…" her voice was softer.
"A'ah…" I felt every strength in me left as I said so.
"Arigato, Sanzo…" She smiled warmly, like how she always did. "I… love you…"
I felt an electric jolt went through me as she spoke those words. I couldn't bring myself to reply, but my eyes never left her face. She slowly closed her eyes once more.
…No! Don't close your eyes!
"O-oi! Pull yourself together! Yue! Yue!" My voice trembled.
I held her tighter, and tried my best to wake her. I could hear Rye's footsteps returning, announcing the ambulance and police are on their way. She began to panic as well when she saw her condition. Her tears began to trickle down her cheeks, soaking them.
I hated feeling helpless… I hated this guilt that refuse to go away… I refuse to accept that she was going to leave me… Like how Koumyou-sama did…
Koumyou-sama had bone cancer, and was already at the critical state when we found out… I refused to accept that he will leave me… I was afraid of being alone…
(It's okay to be scared sometimes…)
His voice kept echoing in my mind… as if trying to comfort me…
The three managed to track down her family. Her family was thrown to prison, for the murder of her friend's family, and the attempt of murder that night… and was sentenced to death…
Somehow, I felt she finally avenged her friend's death…
I continued to drive on until I could see the beach spread along the seashore. That was the only area I saw that hasn't a speck of snow on it… I was nearly there… Getting closer to the place where it all began…
I parked my car and carried my briefcase and laptop out. The wind was crisp-cold, touching my skin. I pulled my coat tighter around me, and headed inside the building.
As I entered, I took my time and looked around. Everything was back like how it was suppose to be; clean, tidy… quiet…
I placed my things on the table and headed for the veranda. I looked down towards the sea, the beach …the rock where she sat… where we watched the sunset… together…
Despite the cold air, I decided to stroll by the seashore. I slowly walked on the sand, towards the rock ahead. I touched the rock, imagining her sitting on it; with the wind playing with her hair, her gaze at the sunset, her warm smile… her eyes…
Her image slowly vanished, leaving me looking at the cold, empty rock. The wind blew harder, telling me it will get colder soon. I was about to walk back, when I saw a seashell close to the rock. I picked it up, remembering how we both met… I walked back, with the seashell clasped tight in my hand.
Shortly after I entered, I heard a vehicle approaching. Ch! Looks like they're here… As I predicted, I could hear bickering between Goku and Gojyo, and Hakkai's sighs.
The door burst open, revealing a happy Goku running towards me. He made a leap and was on my shoulders, giving me a hug.
"HI SANZO!" He sang.
"GET OF ME, BAKASARU!" I tried to push him away.
"You're so mean! Aren't you happy to see me?"
"Ch! Who'd be happy to see such an annoying bunch like all of you?"
"Ooh, cranky like always, I see…" Gojyo smirked, with some grocery bags in his hands.
"Urusei kappa!"
"Whatever!" He grunted, heading towards the kitchen.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! You're looking well, Sanzo." Hakkai entered, with another set of groceries in his hands.
"Ch!"
"Hi, y'all!" Another person peeped in; Rye.
"RYE! WHOA! I missed you!" Goku went over and gave her a big hug.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Missed you too!" She ruffled his hair and gave a smile at Hakkai and me.
Smiling at her in return, she helped Hakkai with the groceries. Both of them entered the kitchen with Goku trailing behind. I was left alone once more. I could hear them making a racket, but they don't seem to bother me…
Today was Christmas, so they decided to have a Christmas dinner and celebrate it together. They agreed to have it here, so, whether I agreed to it or not, I knew they were going to do it anyway…
I headed out of the veranda once more, letting myself drift away. I realized I did a lot of thinking lately, perhaps, a little too much… Was it because I missed this place? Or…-
"Reminiscing again, Sanzo-sama?" That familiar, mocking voice spoke from behind.
"Yeah, I was recalling the time when I hit you in the gut…" I told him, annoyed.
"Heh, what? You wanna do it again?" He approached me.
"Ch!"
He was beside me, smoking a cigarette.
"Getting colder, now…" He began.
"A'ah…"
"You don't wanna head in? It's warmer, y'know…"
"And noisier…" I remarked.
"Heh! Thought you'll say that…" He chuckled.
Silence swept between us.
He turned and leaned against the railings, and stared at the sky. It was getting darker already.
"A year's almost over… How time flies…" He puffed a chain of smoke as he said so.
"…So?"
"Lots happened this year, don't you think?" He looked at me, a smile on his face.
"…Guess so…" I simply replied, lighting a cigarette for myself.
"Ch! Looks like you really need another kick in the ass, Mr. Arrogant…" He muttered.
"Are you really that desperate to look for trouble?" I threatened.
"Nah, save it… I don't want to ruin the perfect atmosphere we have now…" He calmly replied, and headed back in.
Damn him!
As the sky darkened, I decided to head back in. It was getting colder anyway… Hakkai served everyone hot drinks and announced dinner will be ready soon.
I placed the mug on the table, beside my laptop. I slumped myself on the chair, and stared out the window. I remembered that rainy night, when I saw her getting drenched and pale… I remembered yelling at her for it, how she looked back at me… She was really troublesome!
Suddenly, all of us heard the door creaked open, and closed. Footsteps approached us. The four looked intently at the corridor, while I still gazed out of the window…
"Tadaima…"
Everyone smiled. I slowly turned to face the person, who was now in the living room, smiling warmly at all of us…
"Okairi nasai, Yue." Hakkai smiled and handed her a mug filled with coffee.
"Arigato, Hakkai." She thanked and glanced at me.
I looked back, but showing no expression. She smiled that warm smile once more, the smile that I missed to see…
They went over to her and gave her warm-welcoming hugs as I sat and watch them.
"So, how was everything?" Rye asked, as they sat down.
"The children were so happy! We thought we had lots of games planned out, but they were much more energetic than we expected!" She chuckled. "You should have seen their faces when they opened their presents… Their happy faces… were the best gift of all…"
I told Yue to stay here, in this chalet. Therefore, she turned her house into an orphanage, and shelter for abused children. She didn't want anyone to feel what she went through… especially children…
"Aww… Looks like I lost to a bunch of kids!" Gojyo said teasingly.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! What do you mean?" she chuckled.
"Well… I got something for you…" He winked.
"Oh?"
"Hey! That's so unfair! What about me?" Rye pouted.
"Of course I do! How could I forget two beautiful ladies-…"
"What about me?" Goku asked excitedly.
"Ch! You bakasaru! Why do you like to interrupt me when I'm trying to make a move?"
"Make that "move" again, Gojyo, and I'll kill you for real…" I threatened.
"Ooh… Someone's jealous, I see…" He grinned.
"Ch! Who's jealous? Baka kappa!"
"Maa, maa… Can we continue this after dinner?" Hakkai intervened.
"That would be great!" Rye chipped in.
"YAYY! FOOD!" Goku leaped with joy.
We had a grand dinner. Varieties of food were on the table, looking delicious as we dig in. The one who enjoyed the most was of course, Goku. I had to whack him several times just to get him to behave! Bakasaru!
After dinner, everyone began to exchange presents. All I gave them is a greeting card each…
"Ch! Mr. Stingy!" Gojyo muttered.
I simply didn't care of what he said. Why should I waste my time to shop for gifts for them anyway?
Yue approached me and gave me a present last. I was surprised, but I didn't show it. She then sat beside me, as Goku excitedly opened his gifts, followed by the others.
"Why don't you open yours?" Rye asked me.
I paused, and started to unwrap her gift first. She gave me a high-quality ball-pen, Hakkai gave me a book on how to improve business managements… Gojyo gave me a new lighter, and Goku… he gave me a paperweight shaped like a plate of sushi… bakasaru! Gojyo laughed like a maniac when he saw it…
"I'll drop this on your head if you don't shut up, kappa!" Veins begin to appear on my head.
He tried to muffle his laughter as I picked the last one; Yue's… I paused before I pulled the ribbon. I could feel their eyes on me… Damn! Would they stop staring? I slowly unwrapped the gift to find… a frame with our picture during the picnic… Everyone was smiling, everyone was happy in that picture… I remembered as they posed for the picture, they "accidentally" pushed Yue towards me, and the camera snapped it just as I caught her…
"I don't know what else to give you… I hope you like it…" She said, nervously.
Everyone waited for my reaction. Still expressionless, I placed the frame on the table next to the one we took last Christmas…
"…I like it… Arigato…"
She smiled relieved. That answer was enough for her.
"Oi, that's it? Geez! You'll never get a girl!" Gojyo remarked.
"Urusei!"
"Hehe… still-…" His expression suddenly changed.
He exchanged glances with the other three, slyly. What's going on? There's something that I don't know of… and I don't like it!
"What's wrong with all of you?" I asked, feeling uncomfortable.
"Well, we had "something" planned for tonight's activity!" He announced.
"What…"activity"?" I don't like the sound of that…
He began to act like the emcee of some kind of show, supported by the others. I could see Yue hadn't a clue either… Are they-… Oh, SHIT!
"As the opening of tonight's activity… We would like Mr. Sanzo-…" He looked slyly at us. "…to give Miss Yue a KISS!"
The others were laughing away, supporting him at the same time. Even Goku seem to enjoy it!
"WHAT THE-…! FORGET IT! DAMN YOU, KAPPA!" I stood up enraged.
I glanced at Yue, she was looking away, slightly blushing.
"I'M NOT DOING IT!"
"Oh, but you can't…" his smirk was still there, as he pointed above me.
Above me, hung a mistletoe, right above me and Yue! How did that damn thing got up there? And when?
"…and you know what that means…" he continued.
Rye and Goku were already yelling excitedly; "KISS HER! KISS HER! KISS HER!"
Hakkai chuckled helplessly watching them… looks like he's enjoying this as well!
"Well, Mr. Sanzo? What will it be?" Gojyo pressed on. "You're blushing…"
I stared at Yue. She looked more embarrassed than before. She didn't even look at me.
That's it! They've really ticked me off! I gave them all a death glare, which seem to caught them off guard.
"BULLSHIT! YOU GUYS WANNA DIE THAT BADLY? DON'T DRAG ME INTO YOUR STUPID ACTIVITIES! DAMN IT!"
Still enraged, I headed towards my room, and slammed the door shut. Everyone unplugged their ears and heaved a sigh of disappointment and relief.
"Told you it's not gonna work…" Rye spoke.
"Ch! He's such a hard nut to crack!" Gojyo muttered, annoyed.
"Well… you guys did try…" Hakkai smiled.
"Uh… it would be funny if they kissed anyway…" Goku suddenly spoke.
"Huh? Why's that?" Rye asked.
"'Cause that's not "Sanzo"…" He simply replied.
They were quiet for a few seconds, and Gojyo burst into laughter. Hakkai chuckled along as well.
"That's right… I guess, that won't be Sanzo after all…" Hakkai agreed.
As they went on with their conversation, Yue looked worryingly at Sanzo's room. Is he really alright?
I better check on him…
She went off, without the others realizing. She nervously knocked on the door but there was no reply…
"Sanzo?" She waited for a reply, but got no response.
She turned the doorknob, surprised to find it unlocked. She peeped inside, the room was only lit with the table-lamp, so it was hard for her to look around.
She slowly opened the door wider, and saw Sanzo sitting on the window sill, his back towards her. She shut the door behind her and approached him.
"Sanzo… don't be mad at them… They were just joking…"
"…Yue…"
"Eh?"
"Do you remember that incident, when you were shot?"
"…Of…course…"
"Honestly, I didn't want you to close your eyes…"
"Sanzo… But I did pull through it, didn't I?"
"…You were in a comma for two months…"
"Still, I'm here now, aren't I?" She chuckled guiltily.
"…I was afraid… That you'll never open your eyes again…" he whispered.
"I'm sorry… Sanzo… I caused you trouble again…" She placed her hand on his shoulder, uncertain of whether he will push her away or not.
"Yue… actually… I wanted to give you this… but not in front of those "busybodies"…" He stood and gently placed a small box in her palm.
She looked at him, puzzled. She carefully opened it, and gasp at what she saw.
"Sanzo-…"
"It's just a simple gift… Don't expect me to give you fancy things, alright?"
"Sanzo… You're always good to me… Arigato… I never expected this…" she looked at the silver ring, with beautiful floral patterns around it. Inside it, there was a carving which wrote:- "From G.S."
Sanzo slowly took it and placed it on her finger. It was perfect… He looked at that happy glow in her eyes, her happy smile…
There is only one more thing that will make this moment more perfect…
"Yue… I love you, too…"
"Hu-…"
Before she could finish her sentence, she felt her lips being pressed by his. Her eyes widened with surprise, but calmed down after a few seconds. She could feel him kissing her passionately, pulling her tighter towards him. She never thought her Christmas night would be more perfect than it already was…
"Those fools hung one in here too… That's why I had to do it…" He whispered at her ear.
Hung what?
She was about to ask when she saw the mistletoe above them… She smiled to herself, knowingly. The others wouldn't have done it, for they never entered his room… He'd "kill" them if they did…
"I see…" she replied.
He slowly planted another kiss again.
"Merry Christmas…Yue…"
"Merry Christmas, Sanzo…"
THE END…