Sweet Child of Mine

Written by Crim

Disclaimer: Gojyo, Hakkai, Sanzo, Goku, Kanzeon Bosatsu and the Saiyuki series belong to Kazuya Minekura. Sha-Cho Saki, Sha-Cho Gokai, and Son Koumyou are original characters that belong to Yomigaere, Hadisia, and myself. This story is based on our AU/MPreg storyline. For more info, visit our LJ community: Don't like AU, MPreg/Yaoi, and original characters? Then don't bother reading this fic.

"She's got a smile that it seems to me

Reminds me of childhood memories.

Where everything

Was as fresh as the bright blue sky.

Now and then when I see her face,

She takes me away to that

Special place

And if I stared too long

I'd probably break down and cry."

- "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N Roses

The spring afternoon brought about a sense of peacefulness and tranquility. That took some getting used to for Hakkai and Gojyo. It would only be a temporary hiatus, for their children were outside the house playing with the other kids their age. They had taken a respite from their journey West for their kids' sake. The twins needed more interaction since their nomadic lifestyle only brings about brief introductions and nominal acquaintances. Raising kids is a journey of its own, so a sojourn was long overdue for the Sanzo-ikkou. They had picked out a small-knit community without any threats of demon invasions. Sudden attacks are bound to happen no matter where they go, but in the meanwhile the travelers might as well enjoy their vacation.

"She's so much like you." Hakkai was gazing out the window as he washed the dishes from lunchtime. His daughter's facial expressions and attitude caught his attention. Gojyo was preoccupied with smoking his cigarette, something he's actually cutting down by only using it when the kids weren't around. The kappa looked back at his lover completely perplexed and unaware of what Hakkai was talking about. "Saki-chan is growing up to be like you, Gojyo," Hakkai clarified. Gojyo dragged himself to look out the window. There she was— a mischievous brunette striking caution with those emerald, cat-like eyes.

"There's no way I'm playing that stupid game! Pick something else!" The young girl confronted the apparent leader of the group of kids, unaware of her on-looking parents from inside the house.

Saki was a blatant resemblance to Hakkai, but her witty, straightforward, and stubborn attitude was undoubtedly derived from her half-demon father. Saki spoke her mind and since she was usually the only girl in the groups, she developed a tomboy personality and used her short fuse to stand up for herself.

"Onee-chan, calm down. I'm sure we can all think of something to play together." Gokai stepped in. Saki may be the older twin, but Gokai was needed to knock some reason into her.

"Heh. And Gokai's like you," Gojyo smirked with his cigarette hanging loosely from his mouth. Gokai was more timid and levelheaded, seeking reason before striking. He was reluctant to join the other kids in the beginning because he wanted to finish the military novels he's so fixed up on. No one knew where he picked up that hobby from.

Gokai shared the same green eyes as his twin, but possessed the crimson hair of a half-breed. Amongst their genetic makeup are remnants of a demon half-breed. They were 75 demon. How would others react to that? Half demons were shunned from society and demons are feared amongst humans. Where would these children fit? It shouldn't be something to be ashamed of. You can't help what you are.

Along with Sanzo and Goku's daughter, Koumyou, the kids were on the most part happy and lived a life free from any emotional scars. Hakkai and Gojyo watched as their toddlers engage in game that looked like tag. Little Koumyou was added onto the merriment as well.

"Whatever it is they're playing, they're really having fun with it," Gojyo pointed out.

Hakkai smiled in agreement. "Although... it looks like those skies aren't going to remain clear for long. It might rain soon."

"Saki and Gokai will be fine, right? There's no need for us to be watching them the whole time. So... why don't we go off and have a little fun on our own." Gojyo nudged Hakkai with his elbow and winked at him with those crimson eyes.

Hakkai chuckled at Gojyo's desperate plea. "But the kids are just outside. What if they suddenly come back inside?"

"Ah... come on, Hakkai. Saki can't stay still for a second. She and Gokai will be out there for quite some time. Don't you think we deserve some play time too?" the redhead persistently coaxed due to the fact that being a parent took away precious one-on-one time with your spouse.

Hakkai knew he needed some action too. There was no use in arguing so he gave in. "Alright... just be alert."

"You worry too much. Let's go and don't rush me. It's not fun that way." Gojyo shoved Hakkai towards their bedroom and closed the door behind them.

Outside, the kids were screaming and laughing as they chased each other around the open field. A few were making roaring sounds and pretended to slash at the others with their imaginary claws. Saki played as one of the intimidating beasts, but still felt unmoved about the game. "This is so boring," she crossed her arms and pouted.

"Hey! You voted for this game too!" one kid replied.

"Well, it was either this or tag. I thought playing 'Demon Slayer' would be more interesting than that. Was I ever wrong! This is nothing compared to the real deal." Saki boasted. Gokai crept behind his older twin and tugged on her shirt, trying to signal her to stop talking. It was such a feeble attempt since Saki is too stubborn to listen.

"Oh yeah? What makes you the expert?" the same kid rudely asked.

"Ha! My family faces demons on a daily basis so I experience the real thing. Real demons don't stand a chance."

"Not really... onee-chan..." Gokai said reluctantly. They would usually wait in the jeep or somewhere safe while their parents fought battles.

"Hey, isn't your dad the one with the red hair and eyes? I heard that those are the colors of a half demon!" One of the kids from the crowd pointed out.

"Yeah! And my mom said that the other one was wearing power limiters!" another boy added.

"So, you're a demon too then! What makes you think that you're so good when you're the same as them?!" The group of kids grew restless and continued criticizing Saki for her mixed blood. The words were mild only because they came from the mouth of little kids, but they were strong enough to strike a nerve in Saki.

The bickering calmed down as soon as the apparent leader of the group decided to speak. "Alright then! I hear that there's a threat of demons lurking around in the outskirts of the village. If you're some 'demon exterminator', then you should go out there and pulverize them before they get here... demon mutt!"

Saki was completely enraged by the boy's insulting words. She clenched her fist and prevented herself from punching the lights out of him and the rest of his stupid followers. She thought about the boy's dare and agreed without hesitation. Gokai remembered what his parents told them about staying out of trouble, especially when it involved demons. He stepped up towards his sister to try and stop her, but Koumyou grabbed onto Gokai from behind. "You know she won't listen..." she whispered. Koumyou was right about that. Gokai wasn't sure what to do so he decided to follow Saki in case she needed him around.

The group of kids led Saki and Gokai to the demon tribe's lair in the deep woods, miles away from the village. The gray clouds were starting to patch up and they have been hiking for a long time now. Gokai glanced up at Saki. She didn't look weary or afraid at all. Her eyes were compelled to show the others what she's capable of. "What is she thinking? How can she even go against a band of demons without a weapon? She barely knows how to control her chi orbs," Gokai thought to himself

A loud roar descended from the skies above. Tiny droplets of rain came pouring down gradually. "Looks like we got more than we bargained for," Koumyou tried to cover her head from getting soaked.

"The demons should be right over there, Saki." The pompous brat smirked at her, just anticipating her embarrassing defeat. They all took cover behind the bushes. Saki laid low too so she could survey her adversaries, then darted towards the unsuspecting demons. Saki made her presence known by her shrill battle cry. The birds scattered from atop the forest trees and a devastating blow had been struck shortly afterwards.

"ONEE-SAN!" Gokai's terrified yell echoed throughout the dense forest, tainted with fear of what he had just witnessed.