Senko-san: Hi again, minna san! (everyone!) This is the GRAND FINALE of "Searching For A Bloodred Lotus". Hontoni arigato (Thank you very much) for bearing with me this far. I know I suck at keeping up with at steady uploads of the chapters… once again, forgive me!

Riyo-san: You're lucky no one flamed you…

Senko-san: Hahaha! Yeah, I guess that's true…

Riyo-san: (Twitched uncomfortably) Huh? Are you… REALLY agreeing with me??

Senko-san: Uh… yeah?

Riyo-san: WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO WITH SENKO??

Senko-san: (--;) Um… I think you better go lie down… (Watched Riyo heading into a room like an obedient zombie then turned back to readers)Btw, I suddenly realized that I named many of my characters using the same names over and over from my other stories… I guess I liked these names a lot so… subconsciously I kept using them! (Sorry again!) But I'll try to get new names for my characters in the future!

Chapter 15

The warm sunlight touched my face, making me stop what I was doing and look out of the window. Everything I saw, the people, the cars, the trees, the dogs and cats were continuing with their own business… like nothing happened.

Well, nothing concerning them happened, anyway…

Peace and tranquil filled my heart as I continued to look around the room. From the chair where he used to sit, watching me as I slept, my eyes wandered to the bed in front of me and finally stopped at the half-packed bag on top of it.

I exhaled a soft sigh and continued to pack.

Just as I zipped the bag up, I heard someone calling me. I looked at the door and saw Zhan smiling at me.

"Scarlet, are you done?" he asked.

I smiled back at him and nodded.

"Here, let me help you with that…" He picked the bag before I could protest.

"A…rigato… (Thank you…)" I said, since I knew there was no point arguing with him.

After that incident, I slowly regained my ability to talk again. I still find myself stammering as I talk because my lips were still not used to it, but I know I need to practice…

"No problem. C'mon…" He led the way.

With one last glance inside the room, I closed the door with a nostalgic smile and followed him.

Outside, Hakkai was already waiting inside his jeep. His smile was gentle, like always.

Zhan placed my bag with the other things I packed at the back while I lock up. Zhan sat in front while I took the back seat.

"Okay, let's get going then…" Hakkai announced as he shifted into the reverse gear.

"Oh… um, H-Hakkai-san?" I voiced out as we were about to reach the main road.

"Hai? (Yes?)"

I requested to go somewhere before we headed for our original destination.

"…Are you sure?" he asked.

I looked at the worried expression in his eyes from the mirror. Then, I looked at Zhan's.

"…Hai.(Yes.)"I nodded.

"Alright…" He headed to the place I requested.

When we arrived, none of us spoke. But slowly, I got out of the jeep as the two watched me. They quickly understood I wanted to be alone hence, remained in the jeep while I walked ahead.

I looked around. The once beautiful secret garden… was now nothing but an empty, scorched piece of land filled with ashes and burnt plants… Only the lake seemed untouched…

Yet, when I sat beside it, looking at the lotuses, I noticed they seemed to slowly wither away, as if mourning over their friends' deaths…

My heart began to fill with sorrow. I tried to swallow the lump in my throat while I closed my eyes and recalled what happened a month ago…

I can still remember how tight he held me… … while his body shielded mine from gun-point.

I remembered not wanting him to do so, but he didn't budge… I remembered feeling the dread of losing him once again…

This isn't fair! This is not how I wanted everything to end! I finally got to meet him and now I was going to lose him again! No!!

…If his heart stopped beating… so would mine…

Suddenly, he whispered something to my ear;

"…Scarlet… I love you. I always have…"

Tears rolled down my cheeks again. I tried to say something but before my voice came out, a loud bang could be heard…

I held him tighter… my eyes refused to look any longer. Yet, I continued to feel his heart thumping against mine…

We heard Yumei gasped in pain. We opened our eyes to find her crouched on the ground, her hand which held the gun was bleeding while the other tried to ease its pain.

"Nice shot, Sanzo!"

"Urusei! (Shut up!)"

"Yare yare! That was really too close for comfort!"

A warm feeling of relief suddenly surged inside me.

"Heh! Those busy-bodies…" I heard Gojyo mutter but I knew he was relieved as well.

"Looks like Yue was right. You were behind all this…" Hakkai said looking at Yumei.

"How did you find this place?? It's impossible for any of you to know about it!" Yumei demanded.

"Yeah! We DID have a hard time looking for you guys…" Goku grumbled. "But you helped us out!" he suddenly grinned.

"Nani? (What?)"

"Gunshots followed by fire are all the clues we need…" Hakkai explained calmly.

"Ch! Are you done babbling? We gotta get out of here!" Sanzo responded.

"No one's going anywhere!" Yumei laughed hysterically. "Let's all go to hell!"

"No way, lady! The only good thing in a fire is a roasted turkey! And I'm no turkey!" Goku exclaimed, still looking for an exit.

"Still thinking of your stomach, eh saru (monkey)?" Gojyo teased.

"Yare, yare… (Oh dear…)" Hakkai chuckled.

"Once a bakasaru, always a bakasaru… (stupid monkey…)" Sanzo muterred.

"I'm NOT A MONKEY!!"

I still couldn't understand how they could be so calm in this state… maybe they weren't calm… they just didn't want to show their fear to me…

"Why you…!! Are you making fun of me? Fools!! Don't you realize that you're all going to die?? Why did all of you come? Why would you place a death sentence on your head??" she stared at the three.

"Who are YOU to decide who to die or live?" Sanzo replied, annoyance printed all over his face.

His statement startled her, making her speechless.

"We're not planning on DYING just yet…" Goku agreed.

"Actually, we came because we promised to pick up a very irresponsible 'boy' and his 'babysitter'…" Hakkai said casually. "And a promise is a promise."

"Temme…(Damn you…)" I heard Gojyo mumble under his breath, making me smile.

My fear was gone now. Even as the fire grew vicious, somehow, I felt relieved…

"Oh my! You need to go to the hospital immediately!" Hakkai examined my wounds.

"And what am I? Wood??" Gojyo grumbled.

"Now, now. I didn't know you were such a baby, Gojyo." Hakkai seemed to enjoy himself teasing him.

While the three fussed over Scarlet and Gojyo, Yumei continued to watch.

So… once again I'm like a shadow… is it? What is it that bonded them together? Why am I always the one looking from one side? Why can't I have what they have??

…Why am I always alone?

From them, she looked at the gun few steps away from her. Her emotions were churning together but soon only one emotion remained… Sorrow…

Slowly, she picked the gun and took aim…

The gunshot caught everyone's attention. They saw her lifeless body fall to the ground… but no one saw the tears of sadness that trickled down her cheeks since half of her face have scattered to a million places…

The five managed to get out of there just before Zhan came with the ambulance and fire brigade.

The firemen were still trying to put out the fire while Scarlet and Gojyo were carried to the hospital.

When Scarlet opened her eyes, she was already on the hospital bed. Her wounds treated and a needle was inserted in her wrist.

…I really didn't want it to end that way… Yumei…

"Scarlet?" a voice startled me.

Zhan slowly approached me. I stood up and smiled.

"Gome ne…(Sorry…) but it's getting late…" he began.

"It's al…right… Let's go…" I walked to his side and both of us climbed back into the jeep.

As Hakkai continued to drive, a thought lingered in my mind.

On that day… they came to our rescue… they willingly risked their lives to save us…

I closed my eyes, the feeling of gratitude emerged in me once more…

We continued towards our initial destination, which was about a few minutes away now. I took out the things we brought, with some help from Hakkai and Zhan.

As we got out of the elevator and passed an empty room, another flashback came to mind…

"Do you remember you name?" A man in a white coat asked gently.

My name? What's my name?? Why can't I remember anything?? My voice…! I… I can't speak!! What's wrong with me??

"How are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere?" he asked again.

I shook my head viciously.

No! Who am I? Where am I?? What happened to me??

"Whoa! Okay, calm down! It's alright! There, there…" the man and a young lady held me down.

"Doctor, I think she has lost her figure of speech…as well as her memory…" the young lady said.

"Ah, that's what I feared…" The doctor sighed as he gazed at my hair and eyes.

Confused, I looked back at him as he stroked my hair gently.

"Very well. We'll call you 'Scarlet'…" he smiled.

I blinked and the flashback was gone.

… So that's how I got my name… 'Scarlet'… But, my memories as 'Rika' are also slowly seeping back into my mind… Slowly… I'm beginning to recall…

We finally came to a door and Hakkai turned the doorknob to reveal Goku arguing with Gojyo. Sanzo was yelling at them to shut up as we enter the room.

Gojyo's wounds were more severe than mine, so he was still under the care of the hospital. Since that incident, we were placed at different rooms so, it was hard for us to meet…

"Lively as usual, I see." Hakkai chuckled.

"Yo, boss! You're still alive?" Zhan teased.

"Oi, what is that suppose to mean??" Gojyo demanded.

"Just kidding!" he chuckled a reply.

"H-how are you feeling?" I asked.

"Much better… Some of the wounds still sting, but I'm fine…" His eyes were warm. "How about you?"

"I'm… fine." I smiled.

As the two spoke, Hakkai smiled a secret at Sanzo and Zhan. A secret plan only the three of them knew…

"Ne, Scarlet? Kore… (Here…)" Hakkai handed her a thermos filled with porridge.

Just as she took the thermos, the three immediately excused themselves.

"I need some coffee…" Sanzo muttered, heading for the door.

"Me too!" Hakkai agreed, dragging a struggling Goku with him.

"O-oi! Hakkai! I don't want coffee!! What are you doing??" Goku yelped.

"I know a good café!" Zhan suggested, trying to shut the youth up. "With lots of delicious dishes too!"

"Eh?? Hontoni?? (Really??)" Goku's eyes sparkled.

"Yep! Coming?" Zhan chuckled, knowing Goku had taken the bait.

"Yayy!! Let's go!!" the youth ran out the door.

"O-oi!! What are y-…!" Gojyo began to feel uneasy.

"We'll be back soon… Take care of him, ne? Scarlet?" Hakkai told Scarlet as he closed the door, leaving the two speechless.

Gojyo's POV

Damn! That Hakkai!! I bet he's the mastermind behind this!! How dare they plan to leave us alone!!

I could feel my cheeks burning. I knew what Hakkai's intentions were…

Slowly, I gazed at Scarlet. She was still staring at the closed door, stunned. I looked down at my blanket. I could hear my heart thumping fast. I gulped hard. I don't think I'm ready to face her…

C'mon Gojyo! Get a hold of yourself!!

I gazed up at Scarlet again. This time our gazes met, making me feel as if my heart was at my throat.

We quickly tore away and looked at different directions. She quickly busied herself with the thermos.

"Are… you hungry?" she began as she unscrewed the thermos.

"…A little… I guess…" I muttered.

I hear her pouring out the porridge. Then, she paused. Guessing what was in her mind, I spoke;

"…I think I can manage…" I smiled.

She smiled in return and placed the porridge in front of me.

I can't keep troubling her… I should be able to feed myself by now!!

"Gojyo…?" She sat beside me.

"Em?"

"Gome ne… (I'm sorry…)"

"Huh? Why are you apologizing?"

"…For everything that happened… For getting you hurt…"

"It wasn't your fault!"

"Demo… (But…)"

"I'm the one who's supposed to apologize! I shouldn't have acted the way I did… You didn't deserve it!" I blurted out.

Our eyes met. At that moment, the guilt I felt was overwhelming. I have to do this… I know I have to…

"…Please forgive me…" my voice was hoarse.

The silence between us seemed infinite.

"…There… is nothing to forgive…" I heard her say. "…You still came for me… You protected me…"

She never blamed me for what had happened… and still, I hurt her...

But then her smile melted away my guilt. Her eyes gazed comfortingly at me.

"Ne, Scarlet?"

"…Yes?"

"…Do you still remember the promise I made you? About looking for a red lotus?"

"…Em." she nodded.

"I found it."

"Eh? Where?"

"…Come here… It's a secret…" I gestured that I'll whisper in her ear.

Obediently she came closer. I quickly pulled her closer and planted a kiss on her lips. I could feel she was surprised, so I wrapped my arms around her so that she wouldn't pull away. Then, gently I loosened my grip and looked at her.

"You're the lotus, Scarlet… the only lotus that I'll love…"

Her face blushed uncontrollably. I hugged her again.

"I love you, Scarlet..."

"I… love you too… Gojyo… Always…" She whispered in my ear.

Nothing is going to seperate us again...

Meanwhile…

"Looks like everything went smoothly…" Zhan whispered; his ear still glued at the door.

"Hai… Yukatta ne… (Yes… That's good…)" Hakkai replied; also in the same manner.

"Okay… can we go eat now? Haraheta… (I'm hungry…)" Goku grumbled again, but his ear was also still stuck at the door.

"All of you look like a bunch of idiots…" Sanzo muttered, looking at them impatiently.

"Ha! Ha! I guess we do…" Hakkai stood up. "Alright, let's go meet up with Yue and Rye now..."

"Yeah, since it's 'mission accomplished' over here…" Zhan smirked to himself. "...let's go meet the girls now..."

"Yayy!! And get something to eat!" Goku ran down the hallway only to get scolded by the nurse.

"Heh! Baka… (Idiot…)" Sanzo muttered again, as he walked on towards the parking lot with the two behind him.

THE END