Author's note: Some people wanted a sequel and so, nearly 2 years later, I deliver.
Note: italics indicate thoughts.
A Twist on an Epic
Chapter One
Kurama almost groaned out loud as the teacher droned on and on about Lagrange multipliers. Normally, he would have listened intently at the lectures, but today, he could not hide his boredom and disinterest in the subject. Summer break was here and everyone was getting restless, including Kurama. The reincarnated youko ached for some excitement in his life again but so far, his summer plans included an internship at his step-father's company.
What I wouldn't give for a small youkai invasion right now, Kurama thought, only half-joking.
The bell for the last class rang just in time and everyone in the room quickly packed up their things. Kurama had chalkboard duties so he stayed behind while everyone left. When he finally walked out of the building, the schoolyard was practically empty, which was why it only took him about two seconds to pick out Botan's signature blue hair.
As soon as the ferrygirl spotted Kurama, she bounced over to him. After a cheery greeting, she delivered her message. "Koenma-sama needs to see you right away."
"Lead the way," the redhead replied, almost happy to hear what impending doom was to befall the human realm.
After a roller coaster ride on the back of Botan's oar – something that Kurama will never get used to – they stood in Koenma's office, waiting for his appearance. The petit god stepped in moments later, waved a small apology for being late and went directly to explaining why he called upon Kurama.
"What do you know about the Founding Scriptures of Heaven and Earth?" asked Koenma, without preamble.
Kurama smirked at the question. "Since you have all my information, I assume you already know that I have history with one of the scriptures," he answered, "Other than that, I only know vague details. Why does it matter? I heard that all five of the scriptures disappeared decades ago."
"Because it's going to be your mission to find all of them," Koenma said.
"You're kidding me, right? I don't even though where to start! For all I know, they could all be destroyed."
Koenma did not seem to hear all the complaints. "Regardless, you still owe some time to the Reikai and this is the task we're giving you."
Kurama scoffed at the remark. "And you couldn't give me something simpler, say defeating an entire youkai army?"
"Not only are you one of the most knowledgeable detectives we have, but you were especially requested for this task," the god replied.
"Requested?" the redhead asked, "By whom?"
"Me," a raspy male voice answered.
Kurama was very surprised to see four familiar faces at the entrance of Koenma's office when he turned around. Genjo Sanzo stood in the middle of the doorway and next to him was Son Goku, Sanzo's ever-present shadow. Behind the two of them stood Sha Gojyo and Cho Hakkai, completing the infamous Sanzo-ikkou.
After the initial shock of seeing them, Kurama noticed the changes in all of them since they last parted. The ones that changed the most were Sanzo and Goku. Sanzo had hair that reached his waist and was in a braid. He looked as pissed off at the world as ever. He still wore the white robes of a Sanzo priest, but he no longer had the Maten Scripture draped across his shoulders and he did not bother to put on the bamboo chest plate or the headpiece. Goku was much taller, just above Sanzo's height, and more mature-looking. His hair was longer, too, but it was left untied. Kurama noticed that Goku no longer wore his power limiter. The monkey's golden eyes also had a more demonic look but they held a glitter of childishness left in them, especially when he saw Kurama. Gojyo's hair was actually shorter than the youko remembered, reaching only his chin and partially tied back. The kappa's smug grin, however, had not changed in the slightest. And Hakkai seemed almost entirely unchanged except for the absence of his ear cuffs and monocle. Kurama could see his piercing green eyes easily.
"I'll leave the explanations to Sanzo," Koenma said, "I have other work to get to so you may use the empty office next to mine to discuss the mission."
Seeing no point in arguing any further, Kurama followed the Sanzo-ikkou out of the office and into the empty room next door. As soon as the redhead closed the door to give them some privacy to talk, he was pounced on by a very energetic Goku. Though the monkey looked all grown-up, he still refused to act his age.
"Kurama! I never thought I'd see you again," Goku said in an excited voice, "I'm surprised you're still alive."
"And you've got a new look," Gojyo teased, "Joining the redheads?"
"Well, the look wasn't so much a preference as a necessity," Kurama explained, "Although, I have grown rather attached to this persona."
"Whatever happened to 'humans are boring'?" Goku asked.
"And who said that he wouldn't want to be in the Ningenkai longer than absolutely necessary?" Gojyo added.
Kurama laughed sheepishly. "Well, I can change my mind, can't I?" he joked. "Sanzo also said that he'd shoot me if he ever saw me again but he didn't, now did he?"
Sanzo answered his teasing question by pointing a familiar gun to Kurama's head. He smirked and asked, "I can still carry through with that promise."
"That's quite alright," the redhead answered easily.
The monk retracted the gun and put it back into his sleeve.
"You say that you're surprised to see me alive," Kurama stated, "but I'm more curious as to why all of you are still living. Goku and Hakkai, I can somewhat understand but not Gojyo, and definitely not Sanzo."
Hakkai decided to explain as Sanzo could not be bothered and the other two did not understand the reason much more than Kurama. He started by telling Kurama of their past lives and the crimes they committed that led to their exile from Heaven. Then Hakkai explained how their journey to the west and their quest to prevent Gyoumao's resurrection was meant to be their pardon. After they successfully completed the journey, all of their previous sins were erased and they were allowed back inside Heaven's gates. Hakkai added that the four of them were deified, as he pointed at the red chakras on all their heads, and given back their original positions. During the last few centuries, the memories from their past lives slowly returned and melded with their current memories, until there were no distinctions between their past and present selves.
"And now you're looking for the Founding Scriptures?" Kurama inquired, a bit confused. "I thought the scriptures were gifts from the gods to mankind to guide and protect them."
"They were," Hakkai agreed, "but over time, the scriptures were lost and then forgotten. However, it seems not everyone forgot about them. Both our gods and yours noticed a sudden influx of demons into the human world, far more than normal."
"The Jade Emperor dispatched some soldiers to find out the reason for it," Gojyo continued, "They found out that someone has been spreading information about the scriptures. Where they've been, where they could be and how powerful they can be."
"So the Emperor and the other gods sent us to go bring the scriptures back to Heaven before the demons find them," Goku said, "They said that we were probably the best people for the job."
Kurama nodded. "That makes sense, but what I don't understand is why you need my help? Don't you know where all the scriptures are?"
"That's just it," Gojyo laughed, "We don't. No one does. Not even the Jade Emperor himself. We've just always assumed that they were destroyed somewhere along the line."
"Heaven lost track of them a long time ago," Sanzo explained, "About three hundred years after all the five of the scriptures were reunited again and handed to the monks in Chang'An."
"So you want me to find something that not even the gods can?" Kurama asked disbelievingly. "You're all insane," he said as he started to walk towards the door, "Good luck in your hopeless search."
"You're running away from a challenge?"
It was not so much as Sanzo's question as the tone in which he asked it that stopped Kurama from walking out of the office. He turned to face the monk-turned-god who wore a small, mocking leer.
"We requested for your help because we heard that you were the best thief in the Makai," Hakkai interjected before an argument could start between Sanzo and Kurama, "We figured that someone with as much knowledge and experience as you would be best suited to track down rare lost and stolen objects. Were we wrong to assume this?" "Yeah, yeah," Kurama smiled and shrugged, "You don't have to kiss up to me. I'll help you but don't expect too much from me. We will more than likely come up empty-handed."
"We understand," Sanzo answered.
"Well," exclaimed Kurama, "let's get this crazy epic started."
Comments: I haven't written anything in about 2 years so I'm a bit rusty. Sorry. This is also the first story that I've started without a complete and detailed outline of what's going to happen, so things may be changed or get weird as I progress. Do tell me if I should bother continuing this story, please.