Saiyuki One-Shots

Into The Night (OC insert)

Time goes by so slow when you're upset. Funny how that works, huh? The quicker you just want the day to end the slower the clock ticks. It's one of the things I ponder over as I sit at the bar sipping tea with my pet dragon Hakuryuu, who is as jolly as ever. Not so long ago Sanzo had kept me company, though we sat in silence most of the time it's preferable to being all alone with my thoughts. Moments before he left, Goku and Goijo were loudly arguing about their food, but even they have retired to bed and would be silent for a while--well, one of them at least, Goku tends to saw logs during the night loud enough to be heard over the music that is playing.
Soon, even my dragon's eyes grow heavy and after saying good night in the form of a weary chirp he flies up the stairs to get some shut eye in our room. My crestfallen expression lands on the empty, white cup in my hands as a heavy sigh passes my lips. More and more guests leave the tavern, some with company for the night, others drunk and a handful occupy some rooms in the establishment. From the five people left, which includes me, there were three men and two women.
Two of the males are contently talking to their female friend, laughing in glee at inside jokes. The second woman is sitting by herself, a leather bound book resting in her delicate hands and a steaming cup of fresh tea rests on top of her table. Something about the latter intrigued me, part of me even wanted to talk to her, but I can't find the motivation to do so, much less even get up from my seat. No, today is not going to be a day where I start a conversation. Tonight will be unproductive and boring. I will enjoy one more beverage and then head to the comfort of my warm and dry bed, a privilege we don't receive often during our constant traveling.
That is another thing resting heavy on my soul, but today it isn't my main concern, nor is the uprising of bloodthirsty demons or the resurrection of the demon lord. In fact, what is on my mind has no place in our important journey, it's foolish to let me get me down even after all these years. My wife Kenad killed herself with the very blade I had used to slaughter the demons that took her from me. Their leader impregnated her and she took her own life right before my eyes. I've stopped thinking about it a lot these days; however, this afternoon I stumbled upon a shopkeeper in town who reminded me so much of my late wife.
She had long, voluminous brown hair, braided and just like Kenad, the lady had it laying to the front across her shoulder. She had the same beautiful glow in her eyes, the same smile, almost like her twin sister with nothing more but a few minor differences. It reminded me of that horrible night, stirring up vivid memories of terror and blood as the rain pounded against the windows of the demon tower. It's because of what happened that I also don't like heavy rain, it always dampens my mood.
I shake my head to dismiss the negative thoughts and let the barkeeper know I wish to order one more drink for the night. As he refills my cup, my eyes repeatedly wander back to the woman sitting in the corner of the room. I wonder what she's reading about, what kind of tea she's drinking, what she's doing here all alone.
'Hakkai, what is wrong with you?' I scold myself mentally. 'She's just a random girl, you don't even know her... Why is she so interesting?'
Not long after I begin to argue with myself I see her standing up, emptying her cup and leaving the building. I am not sure why, but I have the insane urge to follow her. The need to see where she is going is gradually growing more intense, even making me shift uncomfortably in my seat. I'm convinced my mind won't let me rest until I give in, so I do and after paying my tab I stalk the woman through the darkness of the empty streets.
She seems completely unaware of me walking less than fifteen feet behind her, my hands buried in the pockets of my pants and my eyes fixed on her form. It makes me wonder if she's so calm because she truly hasn't noticed my presence or because she has and doesn't see me as a threat, either option would not end well for her if I were anyone with harmful intentions.
I stop as she approaches a house, taking out a key from her bag she has hanging loosely against her hips and walks inside, humming a tune. The moment she is safely within the comfort of her home I can hear her singing, the woman's voice filling the air around me with... Comfort. Getting lost in the words of the song breaking the forlorn silence of the evening, I actually feel calm and relaxed. For the first time since I saw that stall keeper, my heart has begun beating rapidly, as if it's mimicking the rhythm of that woman's melody.
I inch closer to her property, peeking in through the window from a safe distance and a soft smile crawls across my previously saddened visage. The moment she moves back into view I can see her faintly shaking her pelvis from side to side and her feet moving more elegantly than before, as she removes some of her clothing and replaces them with a comfortable baggy shirt. The woman seems lost in her own actions as she closes her eyes and increases the volume of her singing and the intensity of her wild and seductive gyrating.
My body is frozen in place like a statue, but my heart is racing, my head is spinning and my soul is dancing along with her. It's not right to watch a woman from the shadows like a creeper, I'm usually more of a gentleman, but she captives me so much that my own mind forces me to act against my nature. I want to knock on the door and talk to her, find out her name, maybe even ask to be invited inside; however, all of that will have to wait. If I make my move now, she will most certainly freak out and if I want to get closer to her I would need to be patient until morning.
I'll also have to convince the rest of our group to remain here longer, but all in due time. For now I need to get some rest and after whispering a goodnight to my unknown angel, I slunk further into the darkness like the demon that I am and headed back to the tavern.