Oh….he really is in some serious trouble. He knew Sanzo would not hesitate to shoot him and drag him by his hair to the Temple of Setting Sun if he makes the wrong move. But in face of such danger, he couldn't help but chuckle.

"You think I'm shitting with you?" The chuckled apparently didn't sit well with Sanzo, the amethyst eyes narrowed dangerously as the barrel of the banishing gun turned with a warning sound.

Trying to fight down the chuckle and raising both hands in a sign of peace, Hakkai somehow felt calmer at the thought that Sanzo hasn't changed at all. While Gojyo and Goku keeps him anchored to every day's life and helps him stay sane, Sanzo is the person he relies spiritually on. Despite having seen Gods more than once, he never believed in them, Sanzo is the only person he believes and follows.

That is why he has to do what he is about to do.

He slowly stood up with both of his hands still raised, his smile still in place but his eyes were firm. "No, I apologize for my rudeness. But…I cannot go with you."

Because Hakkai is not who Sanzo is looking for.

"You're asking for it, then." Sanzo's eyes grew colder as Hakkai hold his position ready to fight.

"My apologies." Hakkai gave him his best apologetic smile before dropping it. Knowing Sanzo doesn't trust that smile, he let his seriousness show as a sign of respect.

He had never dreamed of having to fight Sanzo when they were both perfectly sane, but he has to fight if he wants to go back. He had seen worse and even had to fight Seiten Taise twice, so he just braced himself the best he could.

They both bolt into action when the first gunshot rang out. Not daring to let his guard down even the slightest, Hakkai charge forwards, barely managing to dodge the deadly bullets as he launched attacks altering between hand-to-hand combats and chi blasts.

Though Sanzo is only human, no one in their little crew had ever questioned the monk's ability to fight. The man is a dead shot and a strong combater despite his scrowny looks.

After one of the energy blasts burned a bush of shrub, another voice joined in the fight.

"Sanzo, this guy is pretty good!" Hakkai didn't need to turn his head to see who was speaking. He knew Goku was there even before the battle began, but his words brought memories back. He remember Goku saying the same words during their first fight in front of Gojyo's house, and the excitement in that voice brought a small smile to his lips.

Sanzo apparently didn't share the same gleefulness, he was panting hard from the fight and is clearly irritated that defeating his prey was taking too long and using too much of his energy. Hakkai felt a twig of guilt seeing Sanzo so tired but quickly smothered it.

"Need help?" Goku's offered and received a "Shut up!" from Sanzo. Hakkai smiled inwardly, knowing Sanzo's pride would not allow himself to call for help unless necessary.

Sanzo would likely go straight to the sutra if the fight drags too long, so he had to come up with an escape plan quickly or his chance to escape would get slimmer each second.

His peripheral view caught Goku and the shining diadem finally gave him an idea.

Hakkai fired a few chi blast forcing Sanzo to dodge, tilting his head to avoid a bullet, then he bent low, the muscles on his legs tighten as he focus his strength on them. Then he lunged forwards like an arrow.

For a split second, Hakkai seemed to disappear from sight. But to the surprise of the other two, he reappeared behind Goku. With a swift movement, he grabbed Goku's diadem and pulled it upwards.

Clearly not expecting this, Goku was stunned for about half a second before kicking out at him while grabbing the diadem with one hand to prevent it from coming off. Sanzo's bullet also whizzed dangerously close by, but Hakkai had backed off as he lunged once again.

Goku's frantic voice was Sanzo's only warning when Hakkai reappeared behind him, Hakkai knew Sanzo had already sensed his presence but was a millisecond too slow, Hakkai had raised his hand and with one swift and precise movement, hit the acupuncture point behind his neck.

Sanzo's body went limp as he cursed and fell, Goku's eyes widen as he charged forwards to help, but Hakkai had took hold of Sanzo's body before it hit the ground with one hand, wrench the gun from his hand and pointed it at Sanzo's temple with the other hand. Goku stopped dead on his foot.

Hakkai was sure his death is going to get even more painful and gruesome when Sanzo gets his hand on him after this mess, he sincerely hoped Sanzo would give him enough time to explain himself before his "execution". But he cannot afford to think about that right now, he still has things to do.

It took him a few seconds to hear soft muttering coming from Sanzo, Hakkai's eyes widen and quickly began to feel his neck. He pressed on Sanzo's carotid arteries with measured strength when he found it. Not able to finish activating the sutra, Sanzo lost his conscious with a teeth-grinding weak "Damn it…"

Hakkai quickly withdrew his hand on Sanzo's carotid arteries after he was sure Sanzo had lost conscious. It was a dangerous move and he only did it because he is a healer and knew how much pressure to use. He had no intention to seriously harm the monk.

"Please don't move and hear me out" Memories came back as he spoke to a frozen Goku who looked ready tear him apart. "He's fine, just unconscious." He reassured Goku first, as he had no intention to deal with Seiten Taise now. "I know you're here to arrest me, but I have my reasons not to get caught now. Please back off, or I'll really have no choice but to harm him."

The anger and hatred in Goku's golden eyes sent a pang to Hakkai's heart. Goku had always been nice and friendly to him even before he became Hakkai, his smiles and innocence has always been an oasis of happiness for him and reminds him the brighter side of the world. But now seeing the anger, Hakkai realized that he may have ruined the chance to befriend him forever, and the thought really saddens him.

Goku backed off as he was told. Hakkai thought he must have imagined it when he saw Goku no longer looked furious, but rather angry and confused. Having no time to dwell, he dragged Sanzo's limp body with him towards the wood. After using some chi to ease the pain Sanzo would feel on the back of his neck when he wakes up and double checking to make sure Sanzo was absolutely fine, he carefully laid Sanzo's body on the floor. Holding the banishing gun to give Goku a last warning, he turned and quickly ran off into the woods with Sanzo's banishing gun in hand.

After putting enough distance to make sure he was safe, he was relieved that Goku had not came after him. As he had guessed, Goku would prioritize Sanzo's safety before anything.

Just like Goku's safety is the only thing that would really rattle Sanzo. Back then, he had no intention to take Goku's diadem off and set a raging Seiten Taise on him. It was just an act to distract Sanzo and give him the opening he was looking for.

Heaving a great sigh, Hakkai knew he had really got Sanzo worked up this time and would be sure to pay for it later on, but he didn't think Sanzo would believe him if he told him he's not Gonou. The true reason he could not allow Sanzo to take him, however, it that he is running out of time. If he let's Sanzo take him back to the Temple of the Setting Sun, Gonou would have left Gojyo's house by then and walked straight to his demise. "Hakkai" wouldn't even get the chance to be born.

It pains him to live in a world without Kanan, but his companions gave him hope and courage to live a bit longer for himself. He now enjoys and cherishes the days he spends with them, and he's too selfish to let that bond go.

-tbc-