-A Rival Band of Misfits-

by Meru

Story: Sanzo and his party encounter a band of demon musicians who are close pals of Kougaiji. Blood, romance, and tears will ensue.

A/N: Mrow everyone! So I've decided to revise and re-upload this story. It's been awhile, ne? Haha yeah.. too long, I think. Blah. Anyway, here it is.. again. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Saiyuki as it belongs to Kazuya Minekura. The lucky bitch >. ;

Chapter One

­

"This sucks."

The long, crimson hair of the demon half-breed fluttered in the dry wind, as Hakuryu led the four hellions deeper into the growing regions of nowhere.

"How long has it been now," Gojyo continued his rant, "since I slept in a real bed, with a real woman. . . ?"

"Keep talking and the only bed you'll be getting is six feet under, got it?" Sanzo interrupted, warning Gojyo of his impending doom. Again.

"Eh, bite me, Blondie."

The pistol was brandished. "Push it, you die."

Hakkai chuckled, always finding some sort of amusement (twisted or otherwise) in his comrades' behavior. "Aw c'mon guys, lighten up. It isn't too far now to the next town. Isn't that right, Hakuryu?" The jeep let out a squeal of agreement.

"But Hakkai!" Goku whined. It was the first time he had opened his mouth since Sanzo had whacked him one with his notorious paper fan. "That's what you said three hours ago!"

"Three hours?" Hakkai exclaimed with mock surprise. "Why, I'm sure it was only a couple minutes ago." He laughed at the memory. "Right before Sanzo hit you with the fan, remember?"

Goku pouted in defeat. "Yeah well, it feels like hours. . . ." As if complying with his statement, Goku's stomach growled longingly. "And I'm so hungry. . . ." the little demon sighed.

"Would you quit it with your goddamned food, Monkey Boy? No one cares."

Monkey Boy turned angrily to the redhead. "I'm hungry!" he growled, sounding frighteningly a lot like his stomach.

"Tough shit," Gojyo retorted. "I guess you'll have to wait, just like the rest of us."

"Oh yeah! We wait any longer and maybe I'll eat you!"

Gojyo sprung up to the challenge. "Ya damn right you can eat me, ya little monkey faggot!"

And amidst the screams and flying insults sat the priest and the other demon, one with a painted smile on his face and the other with his teeth and fists clenched tight.

"I swear I'll kill them," Sanzo hissed.

Hakkai's permanent grin remained in place. "Naw, you know you'd miss them."

A pause. More screaming. ". . .How much you willing to bet on that?"

Far above them, upon the precipice overlooking the arid canyon, two figures were startled by the unmistakable crack of a gunshot, followed by a shrill complaint: "Bastard! Watch where the hell you're aiming that thing!"

"I was aiming at you."

"Son of a bitch. . . !"

The jeep scurried off farther into the distance and two more shots were heard. They were too far away at that point for any voices to be made clear. The taller, thinner figure stood back and shook his head.

"Jee-zus Christ," he said, brushing a dark strand of hair away from midnight eyes. "It's a wonder they haven't killed each other."

"It's definitely less convenient," the other confessed with a flicker of annoyance in his tone.

"So, uh. . .you're sure these are the guys that beat you and Doku?"

Kougaiji, prince of demons, felt his pride falter. "I'm sure. You think I wouldn't know my defeaters well enough by now?"

"It's not that, it's just. . ." he paused, "they just seem so. . .so. . . ."

"Moronic?" Kougaiji suggested.

"Eh, I was going for more, 'pathetic'. But I see where you're coming from."

It was Kougaiji's turn to shake his head. "I appreciate the positive attitude, Kai, but just remember I am warning you of these bozos for a reason."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Kai clasped his hands behind his head. "I'll tell the guys to keep clear of them, no prob. But from what you've told me of this redhead. . . ."

"Mitaru's smarter than that. You shouldn't worry about her."

Kai let out a hearty laugh. "Me, worry? About Mitaru? Shit! It's not her I'm worried about - it's the damn half-breed!"

Kougaiji chuckled. "Yeah you're right."

"As always," Kai added with a confident grin.

And he should be confident, Kougaiji thought. It was true that if the Sanzo party did happen to meet the other members of Kai's band of misfits, the damage was far more likely to be worse on the side of the priest and his rogue demon companions.

"Hey, uh, Kou?"

Kai's voice broke through Kougaiji's thoughts. "Yeah?"

"So you're still on orders from that Koushu bitch, huh?"

The prince sighed. "What other choice do I have?"

"Well, you could always kill her."

Kougaiji couldn't help but smile at his friend. "You're not very helpful, you know."

"Being helpful ain't in my contract," Kai snickered.

"I realized."

"But seriously though…" Kai continued, his voice lowering slightly, "if you need us to help you, Kou, just give the word…"

"That won't be necessary!" Kougaiji snapped, sounding angrier than he had intended. "I told you from the beginning that you don't have to be involved. I don't want you to be involved…"

Kougaiji thought bitterly of the good and loyal men that bitch had constantly ordered him to throw at the Sanzo party, wave after wave. It was a waste, and Kougaiji hated wasting anything, especially when it involved demon lives.

Kai kept his eyes on the prince for a moment, then sighed, shrugging in defeat. "Whatever, man. I'm just pissed cause you're gonna miss our gig next week."

Kougaiji appreciated the abrupt change in topic. "Yeah, sorry about that. But you know how things are…"

"Yes I know, Lord Kougaiji. You don't have to remind me."

It was bitter humor, Kougaiji knew, but he smiled broadly nonetheless. "Just don't get into trouble, okay?"

"Trouble?" Kai smirked. "Why, I never get into trouble. Never ever, ever."