A Fools Dream
Disclaimer: I do not own Saiyuki, nor did I have anything to do with its creation, and all content referring to Saiyuki belongs to Minekura Kazuya. Also any characters that do not appear in the original Saiyuki series have nothing to do with the series, and strictly appear for the purpose of this story.
~Chapter: 1~
Clear, golden sunlight filtered in through the canopy of the trees above, the leaves breaking the rays into numerous piercings, and allowing them passage to caress the lush green grass that sprouted from the earth. Birds sang among the trees, their music welcoming and relaxing to those who wandered through, animals, youkai and humans alike. The leaves, grass and numerous other plant-lives glistened with the waters from the early morning rain, the droplets casting the forest with a crystalline sheen, making it appear something close to ethereal – a truly rare and beautiful sight. Day animals, great and small, ventured out from their homes, passing among the trees in search of the day's meal, and other activities to do as the day progressed. All in all, the forest was at peace, harmony portrayed within its atmosphere, as nature itself existed as a simple, congruent balance – the perfect example of the way the world should be.
The serenity of this part of the wider world was broken suddenly, as the quietness of it was overruled by the sounds of a motor-engine, its main body driving by, passing along the plains on which the forest was situated at. The engine appeared to be revved up to its maximum, and so the people within the vehicle were travelling at very high speeds – one can only wonder how the driver could keep control and stay alert behind the wheel.
"Hakkai, man, what's the rush?!" the redhead of the group cried out, while trying to keep a firm hold so as not to end up flying out of the jeep, in which they travelled. The jeep rocked violently and jumped slightly, as they drove over an unsuspecting rock, throwing almost everyone out of their seats, and back down again with a painful 'thud'.
"No rush, just trying to get to the next town in good time," the dark haired driver replied, his tone cheerful as always no matter the situation. The redhead, whose eye and hair colour marked him as a half-breed, let out a frustrated sigh and opened his mouth to say something, when the growling stomach of the youngest member chimed in.
"Go Hakkai! Faster, I'm hungry and I need to eat as quickly as possible!" the young youkai cried, as he held onto the railing above his head, his voice raised with a mixture of excitement and worry at the speed they were going. The jeep rocked again, sending the four travellers bouncing in their seats yet again, but this time the bouncing did not stop, as they drove over what appeared to be steps of rocks set into the ground. Goku let out a 'whoop' of excitement, as he made out the town that was nearing with every passing second, then let out a cry of pain as the jeep jolted violently, sending him up and forwards, his head impacting against the seat in front of him.
"Ha! Maybe that'll shut you up, you idiot ape!" Gojyo exclaimed, laughing lightly as he did so, when another jolt sent him out of his seat and hitting his own head against the railing, crying out in pain as the shock ran through him. Goku laughed out loud, as he witnessed the rare act of Karma.
"What goes around comes around, perverted kappa!" he chimed, as he settled down to think about the delicious foods he would be savouring, once they had entered the town and taken up lodgings. "Oh, and don't call me 'idiot ape'," he added, coming out of his musings just long enough.
"'What goes around comes around,' ", the half-breed mimicked in a vulgar tone under his breath, as he rubbed his head where it had hit the railing. He winced, as he accidentally pressed too hard on the tender spot, when the jeep jumped once again.
~*~
"Woohoo! Food!" Goku cried out happily, as he leapt out of the jeep. They had entered the town, the jeep coming to its usual wild and violent stop, as Hakkai had to steer furiously with the way it was skidding, keeping the vehicle under miraculous control.
"Quit drooling idiot, we have to check in first," the redhead reprimanded, as he came out of the jeep, his legs seeming to betray their support after the mind-numbing experience he had gone through. It was something he knew he should be well accustomed to by now, being Hakkai's passenger, but no matter how many times the one-time human drove, the half-breed knew each time would probably be a new experience.
"I know that, and stop calling me an 'idiot', you cockroach kappa!" the golden-eyed youkai exclaimed, turning back to face the older man. Gojyo frowned and was about to say something more, when an audible 'click' of a gun could be heard.
"Shut up, the both of you, or you know what'll follow next," the blond haired monk threatened, as he aimed his weapon on them. The two youkai nodded in silent response, not daring to meet the monk's gaze, which they knew matched his words and backed up his threat. "Now, let's get going," he said, replacing the gun, as he walked off and towards the Inn. Hakkai turned and gave the two an amused look, and smiled as he turned back and followed in the blond's footsteps, the jeep having turned into Hakuryuu, who was now perched upon his shoulder. Goku and Gojyo looked at each other, and glared before moving off in their wake, following them to the Inn that was located just outside the rows of shops, which dotted the area before the houses of those who inhabited the town.
Their walk to the Inn was very short, and they entered filing in one-by-one, as they pushed the door open for each other. Gojyo let it swing shut behind him, as a satisfied smirk touched his lips at the sound of Goku's cry of pain and surprise. 'Heh, stupid ape got what was coming, he knows he shouldn't rely on people,' He followed Sanzo and Hakkai to the counter, where he turned about and leaned against it in a leisurely manner, his smirk growing into a smile as he saw the young youkai rubbing his nose and head, his eyes close to watering. The golden-eyed teen caught the look, and scowled in return, thinking up some way to get his revenge, as he didn't want to disturb the business going between Sanzo and the innkeeper. Unbeknownst to them, Sanzo cast a quick glance their way, and sighed inwardly, he was going to be due another headache this night during dinner, and so he planned on what he was going to do to shut them up this time.
"Yes…we'd like some lodgings for the night, if it is possible," the monk said, his tone gruff and practical as always. The innkeeper blinked, then let his eyes glide over the company Sanzo was keeping, "Is there a problem?" the blond asked, his tone rising as it hinted to some degree of danger, if his request wasn't processed fast enough.
"W-what? No, there isn't a problem, Sanzo…" the innkeeper stuttered quickly as he was taken by surprise, and bowed quickly, only to look up and meet the dark look sent his way by the robed man. "Your rooms shall be prepared for, please wait a moment and I will send for someone to guide you," he said, and then dismissed himself from their presence, to go and check on any suitable rooms.
"Nice man," Hakkai commented, "a little jumpy, but nice," he said, fixing the violet-eyed monk with an amused look, at which Sanzo just snorted and turned his attention to the other two youkai. Gojyo was still leaning against the counter, blowing at Goku's mop of brown hair, the young youkai trying his hardest not to lose his temper. The monk caught the slight twitch pass over the youth's face, and then groaned mentally as he guessed what was coming next, and prepared for it.
"Will you stop that, you fucking kappa?!" Goku exclaimed, turning about to fix an angered gaze on the redhead. His hands were balled into tight fists, which were bound to become tighter if he didn't calm down. A ghost of a smirk passed over the half-breeds face, as he simply shrugged.
"Stop what?" he asked innocently, flashing a child-like and equally innocent gaze towards the angered youth. He fought the urge to break into laughter, and to hide any trace of a smile, as he continued to look at Goku's rapidly reddening face.
"You know what I mean! I want you to stop blowing on my hair, you asshole!" he cried, his body shaking with the anger he felt rising within him. The redhead raised an eyebrow, and pursed his lips, blowing on the youth's hair once more, and smirked.
"Make me, dumbass ape," he taunted, and prepared himself as he foresaw Goku's reaction, which would have come, if the two hadn't been taken by surprise by the sudden appearance of Sanzo's paper fan, which he used to smack their heads with. The two cried out in pain, and shot angered glares at the source, only to find their anger diminishing immediately as they caught Sanzo's unspoken death-threat.
"Shut up, both of you! Do you have to piss me off so soon after that crazy ride?!" he growled dangerously, as he tried to keep his own rising anger in check. The two youkai just pouted and rubbed their heads, trying to ease the pain, as the monk turned back to the counter as he replaced his paper weapon. Hakkai shook his head, trying to keep himself from saying something, when the blessed sounds of approaching feet caught his attention. The four men looked up to see a young girl stepping out of the halls that led to the Inns rooms. She was dressed in traditional clothes, the shades of which were blue, trimmed with white, her dark brown hair tied up in a neat bun. She bowed in greeting, and rose up to meet their gazes.
"The Sanzo group?" she queried, her soft voice echoing gently within the now quiet area. The group nodded, and she smiled, "please follow me," she said, then turned about and walked back down the hall, leading them to their individual rooms.
~*~*~*~
A/N: Right, I'm sorry…this is the first chapter of the story, and the following chapters may not appear straight away, the latest a possible early update can take place is by this Friday (19th Dec), while the latest date for an update would be some time early next January, since I'll be on holiday…I apologise again.
