Nothing Much

by egyptian lullaby

Quinn Bond is outspoken, antisocial, and… in a load of trouble. When someone appears in the artists apartment, she wakes up in a strange place at a bad time. What purpose could she possibly serve? OriginalC. Match not determined... not yaoi, M for lang.

2. Can't Get A Break or One That Counts

DC: Nope. No owners over here. ...Except for Quinn Bond. She's mine.

Nothing Much
By: egyptian lullaby

Summary: Quinn Bond is outspoken, antisocial, and… in a load of trouble. When someone appears in the artists apartment, she wakes up in a strange place at a bad time. What purpose could she possibly serve? Original Character. Match not determined... not yaoi, Rated M for language.

Quick Authors Note: Ok, So apparently has something against me previous dividers and literally wiped them out of existence leaving chapter one in some kind of, I can admit, confusion. However, I have faith that I have fixed the problem. The new dividers are these:

123egyptian lullaby321 (For bigger more prominent scene changes.)

&

123321 (For smaller changes ex: talking in the background or a jump to a few hours later.)

Now that we have that clear let the fun begin!

Chapter Two: Can't Get A Break…Or One That Counts

The world came back in bits and pieces, and a lot of different colors. Quinn liked colors, this was true... but these were a bit obnoxious. She grit her teeth as a headache exploded in her brain, forcing more colors to fly behind her closed lids. Tears pricked her eyes as she groaned and tried to roll over; only to feel something sharp in her ribs.

"Liza," She ground out through her clamped teeth. "You're going to be midget mush if you don't. Quit." She heard a harsh chuckle that was obviously male.. and not nice. She froze as previous events slammed into her migraine like a car motor falling off a five story building. Why a car motor was up there to begin with she didn't know... but it hurt... and scared her to death. -That.. little bastard.- She cursed the kid that was in her apartment mentally. And the one in the woods…just because he tried to reach her on HER plane of existence. Creepy fucking kids.

"Wake up." A command flew from above her and another sharp pain in her ribs registered in her pounding head. She slowly opened her eyes. After a second of blinding light she saw stars and blinked, the haze began to fade; along with her headache. She felt nauseous as she realized above her stood a very large... mean man with a tan, elf ears.. and strange face paint. Oh... did she mention the claws and very pointy teeth? -All the better to eat you with, my dear.- She frowned at that thought. It didn't help her already mounting fear. She watched as the strange man, who looked like he could snap her like a twig, grin in a rather twisted manner.

"They'll be here soon. Cooperate... and I won't kill you right away." He stated with an utter sense of having the upper hand. Quinn glared, attempting to sit up, only to find that... yes.. she was tied up in true Natasha and Boris fashion: rope from collar bone to belly-button. -Okaaay. And I'm going somewhere how?- She moved her knees closer to her, attempting the fetal position, which failed as she realized her ankles were tied and connected to the binds on her wrist. -Lovely... I can't even find comfort in the most basic of human defenses.- God her muscles burned. She looked around to see four more men looking at her hungrily and looking remarkably as pointy as the first. Another leaned against a door frame looking quit bored with the whole episode. She looked at the doorway with a kind of wonder… a way out that she couldn't possibly reach in her current predicament. A tingle shot down her spine and her eyes opened considerably and darted around. They landed back on the doorway. Right behind the door-gurus leg, she saw that kid again. That same little boy. She was about to say something to him when she noticed something strange.

Door freak didn't even notice the boy.

Meaning if she said something to him now she would more than likely destroy whatever case she had going in the last few minutes for her favor.

Though feeling like a light brunch to Rocky here was telling her that she didn't have much of a case to begin with. Except her choice in what to be flayed alive in.

The little boy looked at her then on down the hallway to the left and mouthed something that looked like: 'Heloop Seer!" And then he pointed to the ground. She tilted her head to the side in confusion. She glanced back up to the Doorway sucker only to see him staring at her intently. He slowly turned his head down toward his legs. In a panic she tried to lean forward and say something only to see the little boy gone.

Doorway meanie looks back at her with a questioning quirk of the brow.

Quinn giggled a little and looked away as nonchalantly as one could all tied up and trapped on the floor.

She decided that she was stuck and even though she was scared shitless... they didn't have to know that. She took as deep of a breath as her bindings allowed and steadied herself, calm her nerves. Whatever that kid said made no difference now, She was about to die… and she was going to at least get some clues as to what the FUCK was going on. She brushed it off and looked directly at the Jerk in front of her.

"Where am I?" Quinn managed to pull out of the million questions flying through her brain. The one standing over her smirked.

"Does it matter?" He sounded funny. She decided. There was something about the way he spoke…her thoughts died down as she managed to chew on his answer through her whirling mind then spit out a new question.

"Why are you going to kill me? I'm sure there's some other artist out there... just begging for.. a..." She quieted as the one by the door sent her a warning glare but spoke none the less. Never moving more than he had to. It was almost like it took just too much of his energy to face her decently. But then again… when talking to a tied up girl on the floor who thinks much of niceties when they know death is coming.

"You have been out for two days. We're using you as bait for the Sanzo party. Now shut up. And you. Stop speaking to it." He turned his head back away from her and she realized he sounded funny too. The big guy in front of her looked like he just had his wrist slapped with a ruler for mooning the lunch lady. He settled for glaring at her with the unspoken promise that she WAS going to be his dinner. -Great. It's the Incredible Sulk. 'Don't make me sad... you wouldn't like me when I'm sad.'- Was it cramped in here or what? She glared and shut her jaw. No reason to tempt an earlier death. -Then again...- A few seconds passed until she finally asked.

"Sanzo? What's a Sanzo? Why am I bait? Two days?! How did I get here in the first place? Just because I'm bait, did you really have to tie me up like this? Who are you calling an it? No wait… that's not what I wanted to ask." Her brow creased with the effort of extra thinking through her verbal diarrhea. That headache was starting to come back again. -O.o I'm now lost. Who are these funny sounding goons? Sanzo sounds like a Chinese dish...-

"Who are you guys?" The looks she received for that one made her feel like she really needed to shut up. The door frame parasite gave her the most harsh look, and had opened his mouth to say something nasty, she assumed. Suddenly there was an explosion...-Below? There're floors below?- She thought interest. It wasn't like she had any windows to look out of and start judging distances. However… earlier she did have a little boy with his Heloop Seer's. -Heloop seer… hel oop se er… helps…here? THAT'S IT! THAT'S so TOTALLY IT! Helps here! Alright! Bring it on heloops! Though, with the fight sounding closer and closer with every second, Quinn began to get a little panicky as she inched away from her insane kidnappers, the jerky movement throwing her glasses almost to the edge of her nose. Teetering on the brink of a horribly stepped-on fate.

A chorus of grunts and battle cries motivated her to squirm away from the circus in front of her. She got to the furthest corner, much to her entire bodies displeasure but her minds relief, and huddled as good as an awkwardly tied artist could. It was easy with every ones attention diverted to the obvious disturbance a level or two down as they tried to huddle around the door to see what was happening and yet at the same time, keep from crowding the one man that looked like he could slaughter them all with a smile. -I've been awake for five minutes and now a moving explosive is making it's way towards me from below. Oh hell, what if the floor collapses?! I'll never get another cup of hot chocolate! EVER!- It was then that she started desperately trying to untie herself and balance her glasses at the same time.

"Hey! That was a cheap shot!"

"Shut up and get in there, I'll take care of these punks."

"Now now... Why can't we ever play nice?"

"Do I smell a lady, boys?"

-Eh... Did I just hear gun shots?? Oh shit.. these guys are really with the MOB!- She thought hysterically, managing to loosen her ties a fraction. The voices were a little too close for comfort.

"Quick, grab the human! Make sure they don't get it!" Mr. Capi-tan yelled from the doorway. There was a moment of confusion as they realized that Quinn wasn't where they left her. Thing One spotted her and made a move for her only to have shock and pain register on his face as he disintegrated. Quinn's eyes went as wide as saucers. -Um... I thought bodies.. went thud??- She looked up to see two more turn to dust, and some kid wearing a crappy costume with a big staff launched himself in front of her and then took off again at the last of the minor goonies with a laugh. She saw some brunette guy with a monocle and a creature on his shoulder standing off with the doorway leech.

"Alrighty then. Shall we fight now? I sure hope you haven't hurt him." The Brunette spoke kindly. As if he really wasn't about to get into a big gory battle. -Him O.o... him who? Is there someone else in here?- Quinn looked around for a fellow captive. She hadn't seen one earlier. Or maybe he was kept in a separate room?

"Shut up. You won't get through me." The brunette thoughtfully smiled then held up a hand.

"Okay.. If you think I can't..." A ball of light shot from his hand and disintegrated the last of her close contact captors. Quinn let out a small scream as she witnessed the act, however, her scream of the dying baddie was lost in the 'Hell Yeah!'s and the 'They never stood a chance!' to the others ears. Two more entered the room as the dust settled and she tried to be invisible. They didn't give off the bad vibe... but who was she to say? These people could vaporize other people! It's like a Twilight-zone/Star Trek, they can poof without the tasers! Where's the damned TASERS?!?!

"I'm telling you, I smell a woman." Someone said just out of the door way.

"If you weren't so worried about getting laid maybe we could get this finished up faster." Another spoke. He sounded young and still ragged from the fight trying to catch his breath. Though, in there somewhere, you could hear the smile on his face through his voice.

There was a pissed-off looking blond wearing a dress... -No, a robe.. like a priest or something.- Who said the travel channel didn't pay? Following the blond was a red-head with crappy taste in pants.
-Geh... think nothing.. think invisibility cloak from Harry Potter. Think... the nerd that sits in the back of the classroom! Damnit, I think I got people dust up my nose! Oh my god... if it was a toe that's up my nose, I'll freak. I'll fuckin' freak.- Quinn effectively distracted herself by trying to wiggle the itch away and yet balance her glasses at the same time.

"Why do you have to be such a show off?" Asked the blond in a none-to-pleased tone. Then Quinn decided to try the 'If I can't see you then you can't see me.' tactic. Hey, it sort of works when you're two! ….Or.. you know… not.. work.

"I wasn't! Honest! Just doing what I do." Quinn recognized the brunette, he responded just as nicely as before.

"Ok, so where's this dude?" Asked someone else. They all sounded funny after she listened for a second. There was something really off with the way they sounded as well. She just couldn't quite put her finger on it. -Just don't open your eyes...- It got a little too quite as she stopped trying to wiggle away the itch. -Don't open.. must resist.. the urge.. to peek...-

She peeked.

Only to see all four of them staring at her. "Shit..." She stated breathy, stirring up a bit of dust. They all seemed to be looking at her like they didn't know whether to accept her into the pack or just eat her. Which was more option than the last batch she had to confess. -AH! These don't look like my heloop seer's! Please don't kill me.. don't sneeze don't sneeze.. My god don't kill me.- She begged the heavens silently as she just stared back and desperately tried ignoring the itch in her nose that was slowly shortening her breath. "..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Well untie him you ass!" The blond hit the red-head over the head with a fist. Quinn winced. -What the.. are these people... stupid?- Quinn quirked an eyebrow as the red-head fussed. The shock of the blonds anger accompanied by such sudden movements she guessed, had scared the sneeze right out of her.

"Damnit Sanzo, I'm goin'!" The red-head closed in on her. Quinn instantly tensed. -Why does Sanzo sound familiar?? Um.. um.. say something you dope!- She smacked herself mentally as the red-head with bug antenna bangs sticking out of a navy blue head-band bent down to untie her. In her haste to say anything, the dust stirred up by… -And I dub the RED!- Red's movement was the last straw to a valiantly fought battle. However... Mario will always die by missing that last moving platform and fall off a cliff into 2-D oblivion.

"Um... aa...ACCCHHAAAAAH!" Quinn sneezed hard and shot her glasses away from her face. She sniffled quite vulgarly and tried to ascertain what was happening through her crappy vision. Suddenly she felt the rope fall away and she sat up massaging her wrists. The room was quiet until the tall brunette guy came up.

"Bless you! Here... let me help you up. My name is Cho Hakkai." He held out a hand and offered a smile and something else Quinn could recognize even if she were blind... Which.. She kind of was, so it was a good thing she could recognize them in THAT situation!

-Yaay Glasses!- Quinn replaced and adjusted her glasses while looking at the still offered appendage skeptically Deciding she could get up herself, she ignoring the burning in her muscles she stood leaning on the wall the whole way. Putting a hand to her head, she felt her muscles cramp spasmodically from being in the same position for god knows how long; she looked up as another spoke.

-Damn it's hot in here...-

"Hi, I'm Sha Gojyo. Thanks for sneezing on me by the way. Pissy britches over there is Genjo Sanzo, that dragon is Hakuryu, and that's-"

"He's a SHE!" Blurted the kid as he got up close in her face from no where. Quinn squawked and moved away. She had been in the process of removing her big sweater and he startled her with her arms above her head and her face just coming out of the neck.

"Y-yeah. What the hell did you think I was?" She gave him an odd look and finished removing the article of clothing, tying her sweater about her waist. For some reason, it didn't feel as cold as it should. In fact.. it felt like summer and frankly she was burning up. The kid backed up and put his hands behind his head laughing.

"We thought the person vital to our journey was a guy. Sorry." Quinns face went red. She knew she didn't have the most flattering figure... but to be mistaken for a man until she stood up was absolutely uncalled for! The one called Sha Gojyo got closer.

"Hey now Goku.. that's no way to treat a lady! Told you I smelled a woman! My humblest apologies my fair maiden. You aren't hurt are you?" Said the red-head, fully appreciating her white tank-top. -Is he hitting on me?- She watched how her neck to nasal got a once-over, when he wiggled an eyebrow at her, her suspicions had concrete evidence. She shot him with a look of 'touch me and die pervert'.

"You thought she was a he too." Goku grumbled.

"Gojyo, touch her and get a bullet in the ass." Dead-panned Sanzo.

"Ok Sanzo.. let's not be too trigger happy in front of our new friend." Butted in...-Hakkai.. yeah, that's right.- She informed her brain. Questions. Questions were flying through the space between her ears. They needed answers. Or she was going to get very angry, very fast.

"Um... sorry to interrupt but, where am I?" They all sort of looked at her. "And what do you mean 'vital'? What journey? Who was the kid in my apartment... and why was I kidnapped by people who were going to eat me? Why did they have fangs... and claws.. and give me the feeling that it's them that lurk in my closet at night? And what the hell was with that kid in the park-… well you guys wouldn't know about that one anyway.." -Ugh... where's a Chuck Norris when you need one? Heh... Chuck Norris... heh heh. Chuck Norris is so good... He can slam a revolving door.- She mentally smiled. Feeling a lot better with her stupid joke floating around in her mind. She missed the scrutinizing look Sanzo held with the other three. His gaze fell back on her.

"What can you do?"

"Huh?" -That was unexpected.- "Do?" She was now as confused as a kitten looking at it's own reflection in the mirror.

"Yes.. do. You're obviously not a demon by lack of power limiter. Do you have any skills?" He asked in the same monotonous voice. -Yeesh, this guy needs to take a pill. Maybe it really is a dress... and he's a she who's really P.M.S.ing...- She thought as an eyebrow quirked.

"Yeah. I can paint." Pointedly ignoring a few of the words he spoke... trying to keep the conversation on sane grounds, she glared feeling as if her pride were at stake, she crossed her arms. -Demons? They were... demons? NO! Just don't think. It'll only make things worse.- "Now what about my questions?" She asked a little angrily. SHE was the one that needed answers! Did THEY get kidnapped? Did THEY get threatened to be dinner while tied up? Was THEIR furniture floating when they got home and some freaky-ass kid told them they had no choice but to go with him? -I THINK NOT!- She unfolded her arms and let them settle on her hips. Sanzo snorted.

"You've got to be kidding me. You Paint. Let's just get them high off paint fumes ok?! I think we got the wrong village. Let's try another." He turned to leave. -That inconsiderate sonofa.. strike one Goldie-Locks.- The others just sort of.. watched him, then looked back to Quinn.

"Umm... Miss..." Started Goku.

"Quinn...Quinn Bond." She supplied shortly. She was busy glaring at the back of the retreating cross-dresser. She even forgot to do her cheesy James Bond impression that she did for her little niece. A rarity in of it's own.. but it still amused her.

"Quinn.." He tried out the name. "Why did these demons have you?" He asked innocently.

"Demons... that would be the second time I've heard that preposterous word." She took in a deep breath. "Please don't fuck with me... I've had a really bad day." She closed her eyes tightly and pinched the bridge of her nose, putting her glasses askew momentarily. She reached into her pocket only to find -YES! MY SMOKES! There IS a GOD! No no... there has to be more than one for me to still have these!- She praised those above and pulled one out with the lighter she kept in the pack and lit it. Ahh... feel that poison. Hakkai decided a different approach.

"How long did these... miscreants.. hold you captive?" He asked gently. Watching the strange girl inhale deeply on her cigarette. He didn't quite know what to make of her. Except that she wasn't a bad person. Even if she wasn't the one they were looking for.. she still obviously needed saving. So a good deed had been done none-the-less. Granted Sanzo HATED playing the hero... he'd get over it.

"Um.. they said I had been out for two days... And that I was bait. That's really all I know. I've been awake for like.. ten..fifteen minutes?" Quinn's face scrunched up in thought, it was all still a little blurry. More smoke wafted through the air as she waved her hand in front of her in an attempt to brush the confusion away, then took another draw, speaking as she exhaled.

"However with all that's happened so far, I don't think that's too little a time to constitute it already as a bad day. Long enough for me anyway." She thought back. Feeling safe in her veil of familiar smoke. Sanzo looked back uninterestedly.

"They said that the vital companion would arrive two days ago near the ancient springs right?" Asked Gojyo.

"Yes.. we had already established that somebody took them. We got there just a little too late." Hakkai turned at the last part to Quinn with an apologetic smile. She felt strangely calmed.. but she was still pissed. She took a nice long draw off her cigarette.

"All the clues led here." Piped up Goku. Another long draw from Quinn...

"Apparently the clues we got were a little too obvious. She might be a decoy, while those assholes make off with the real guy. She just said that she was bait! Are you deaf?" Sanzo added. His gaze falling even heavier on her he removed his gun and pointed it at her. "Where's the real valued comrade?" He asked angrily, pulling the hammer on the gun and readying his trigger finger. Quinn's face drained of color while Gojyo moved between them holding his hands up in a 'Don't shoot you dick-face!' manner. Quinn huddled behind him attempting to take a draw off of her forgotten cigarette; only to find it already to the filter. -Damnit.- She threw it on the ground and snuffed it out with her shoe.

-I'm going to get shot without nicotine in my hand?! What's wrong with this picture?!-

"Chill out Sanzo. Even if your conspiracy theory were correct, she wouldn't know anything. She's an innocent, I know even you can tell that." Gojyo stated quite admirably. -Thank GOD for red-heads!- She mentally cheered for her new human bullet shield as she seemed to shrink in on herself to have more cover area from the wall of muscle in front of her. Hakkai moved next to Sanzo and folded his arms.

"For once Gojyo made a valid point." Hakkai informed.

"Maybe you should point a gun at him more often Sanzo!" Goku chimed in with a cackle.

"Shut the hell up before I shove my foot up your ass!" Gojyo balled up a fist in Goku's general direction as the little monkey smirked.

"W-who said that this someone would show up?" Quinn asked curiously.. and cautiously over Gojyo's shoulder, when she finally heard the hammer snap back into place and the rustle of robes. Sanzo looked at her and sniffed.

"I don't think that concerns you." -Oh no he didn't!-

This was Quinns anger level before: five dollar ass-kicking
This is Quinns anger level now: thousand dollar assassination with an AK-47 where absolutely every mother-fucker in the room has to die.
Quinns face at Sanzo's statement: Priceless.
For everything else (If you can live long enough)... There's MasterCard.

"Okay. Thanks, you're a life saver. I'm out." She bit out harshly, waving it off rather violently, not really feeling like decking him. Number one... he had a gun. Number two... he had a.. loaded..gun. That was enough for her, no bullet holes for Quinn today. She didn't quite feel like whistling from odd places while she walked.

Quinn side stepped her six foot shield and settled for shoulder bashing him on her way out. She adjusted her glasses and mumbled, "Arrogant bastard." as she entered a hallway. Deciding to follow the thick trails of...

"Dust... we'll just call it that." dust, off to her left and on down the hall. She stomped down two flights of stairs meaning she had been on the third floor of this Godforsaken falling apart, rundown.. Inn, she guessed, judging by all the rooms. She stepped outside into..

"Eh... Forest? Forest... I'm in a forest?" She looked around as her anger drained away. There was no parking lot, no cars, no... human life.

"Damnit! I never found out where the hell I was." She turned a little and glared behind her at her former cage, stomping her foot in defiance.

"I'll be damned if I ask them." She turned back around and started forward only to remember... -Fucking forest. I wouldn't mind knowing at least the direction of a town... I'm sure, towns people.. THEY'D help me. Instead of feeding me tall tales about demons.-

Quinns current state of mind: Deny, deny, deny.

She turned around once more towards the building in her indecision only to see the four strange guys stepping outside the doorway. For a second the thought of just turning right back around and heading off to her doom by bear claw. Though somehow her survival instinct irritatingly kicked in before her stubborn had a chance to take hold and she simply wiped her face clean of surprise and replaced it with a look of 'Oh… It's you four.' as she crossed her arms.

Hakkai was the first to approached her.

"I see that we may have gotten off on the wrong foot. I-" The wind began to blow strangely through the trees. Hakkai paused in the middle of his sentence as he lifted his head in full alert mode. Quinn looked at him oddly... waiting for him to continue, then it swept across her heart like a warm breeze. Almost a balm to the soul, if there was any real way to describe it.

"You poor boys. Always over analyzing." Said a very womanly voice. Quinn suddenly felt something heavy on her shoulder and looked to her right only to see a scantily-clad woman appear from nowhere.

"WAAA! HOLY SHITWHERE'DYOUCOMEFROM?!" She jumped away in her surprise falling on her ass and scooting away, but she took the time from her new position to look at the new comer. She had a strange mark on her forehead. -What's up with these people and having some kind of paint on them? Toto.. we're not in Kansas anymore. Jesus, that hair.- Quinn pouted a little and brought a bit of her own stringy hair to her face. -Damn... I need a bath.- She wasn't one to envy others. She was perfectly comfortable with herself... but this woman was obnoxiously perfect. The woman giggled a little, appearing to be quite entertained.

"Don't worry hunny... I'll make sure you're taken care of." The Goddess assured Quinn who blankly looked at her. -Did she just... no... there's no way...- Quinn dismissed the comment in disbelief as Sanzo stepped up.

"What are you doing here oh 'Merciful' Goddess?" He asked with as much enthusiasm as a dead cockroach.

"Ah Konzen, as pleasant as ever. How very nice to see you again." She greeted him with a touch under the chin. "I've just come to congratulate you on finding your valued comrade before she was killed. It was a close call you know." She kneeled down and whispered in Quinns ear.
"He almost ate you anyway. Lucky they showed up when they did, ne?" She stood back up straight.

If Sanzo were a lesser man he might have leaned back and smacked a hand to his head as he stomped the ground. He may not have done it physically but by god it had Quinn kept to her distance.

"Well take good care of her! She just may come in handy." With a wink she turned to leave. Hakkai stepped up next... but Quinn beat him to it.

-Just go with the flow. She knows a lot already... maybe she knows more. Maybe she knows who brought me here and why.- Her mind panicked as the woman began to fade.

"WAIT! Umm.. Miss Merciful.." She asked in an odd voice. The Goddess stopped and turned slightly.

"Yes?"

"Why am I... who brought me here? Where am I? What am I supposed to do? I mean.. yeah, it's great these four saved me... thanks by the way." She glanced at them and continued while fidgeting with her hands. "But I'm so lost right now. And Everyone keeps dodging my god damned questions!" She glared at Sanzo only to see him snort and look away. "And one more thing… Why can I barely understand everyone? Why do they all sound funny?"

"Would you like a little cheese with that whine, bait?" Sanzo stabbed, still not looking at her ...

"I'm, NOT whining! I'm just trying to get honest answers... hell.. ANY answer!" She turned back to the Goddess with a determined look in her eyes. "Please... anything you can tell me..."

"Not really.. I'll let the boys fill you in. I must return now, I'll be watching you though. Oh but dear… why everything sounds…. Funny as you put it. It's because you're speaking Chinese. A little present to make things a little easier on you. Tata!" Quinn looked crest-fallen as the Merciful Goddess smiled and turned once again to leave. -I'M SPEAKING WHAT?- The goddess sighed as she heard Hakkai halt her once more.

"I just don't understand one thing. What could Miss Quinn bring to the journey?" He asked with the utmost respect towards the hot-headed woman next to the Goddess. The Goddess looked to Hakkai and smiled.

"Why... amusement ." And with that she was gone, leaving behind the faint sound of something akin to wind chimes. Quinns eyes were about to come out of her head as her ears were burning.

"Was she rea-really a Goddess? How can I speak Chinese? Wait... AMUSEMENT?! WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN? WHAT I JUST WENT THROUGH WAS AMUSING?!" Never mind... NOW she was pissed. Sanzo was pissed, Goku was pleased, Hakkai was... he didn't know what and Gojyo was drooling.

"I'm so sick of not having a say in what these fruitcakes from heaven do with us." Sanzo growled.

"I can't believe the audacity of EVERYONE HERE!" Quinn growled as her eyes darted over the stiffening forms of the boys. Now most of the male population knows that in times like this, is when you inconspicuously disappear, or try to hide in plain sight if you know what I mean. All except One. Who just really didn't care. "For every question I ask, I have to answer TWO only to have my ONE blown off by someone who thinks that their agenda is more important than MINE!" She stood from her tantrum on the ground and glared at Sanzo in particular. "I'm sorry to ruin your day buddy, but have I done one thing wrong to you? Besides maybe being a GIRL? I apologize.. But not everyone gets to pick that chromosome!"
Quinns cheeks were hot, and her eyes stung. She wanted to go home. "What the hell am I supposed to do now?" She asked in defeat ignoring the priests sarcastic glare as she laid on the thick grass, catching patches of sky here and there. Her rhetorical question was smashed as Goku bounced up to her with the most infectious grin she'd ever seen.

"You come with us!" He belted out. "Welcome aboard! Man I'm hungry... are you hungry? Hey... HEY Sanzo.. When's dinner?" He mindlessly caressed his stomach with an almost pained look. Quinn looked at the kid like he was nuts. -I am kind hungr-- Damnit! Focus!-

"Go with you guys... you're CRAZY!!" She stated loudly as she stood up pointing at the four, taking a step back from them all and pulling a little on her hair. -They're pretty... but they're not that... what the hell, they're NOT pretty at all! Get it together girl! They're gay pretty, GAY PRETTY!- Feeling sick at her train of thought, Mr. Monocle walked up to her once again.

"It's not as bad as it seems. Apparently you have a purpose to fulfill here with us. Pay no mind to the Merciful Goddess' last words. I'm sure you are not mere entertainment for the Gods. We're actually on our way to India." Hakkai supplied with a smile. "You're currently in the land of Togenkyo, China. It's the year 745 AD."

-CHINA? 745 AD??- Her hair poofed as her brain exploded. Gojyo snorted.

"Of course we're entertainment for the Gods. All five of them have nothing better to do but make our lives hell." He stood off to the side and hit Goku up-side the head.

"OW! You H2O intolerant ass-hat! What the hell was THAT for?" He whined grasping his head and glaring.

"I'm frustrated.. what else are monkeys good for?" Gojyo asked nonchalantly.

"This is stupid. I'm dreaming! One big, fat, hairy dream. No, I know. You guys are actors! How much did Liza pay you? She may be a housewife... but I know she has dough stashed somewhere." Her eyes darted around suspiciously.

-If this is an elaborate set-up to get me laid.. I'm killing her. That's it. She'll die by my hand and my hand alone. Everyone else that has a beef with her get to stab her rigor mortis corpse at my feet.- She thought with enough volatility to choke the ego of a self-proclaimed king. Her hair was frizzing at the slightest chance of that being what this was. Sanzo sighed and put two fingers to his temple, massaging it.

"Look, you're not in a dream, and if we were getting paid I would have quit the instant I met you. We're wasting time here, let's get moving. The towns not too far away, we can foot it." He turned without another word and started walking down a well hidden foot path beginning at the tree line. Everything around Quinn looked so old. The crappy inn behind her... the foliage trying to eat the main path to the crappy inn. She watched as Goku caught up to Sanzo energetically begging for food while Hakkai's animal flew after them.

It was all so surreal. She felt a warm weight on her right shoulder and looked over. A sadness hung in her eyes. -I'm not.. dreaming? What's happening?- She felt like she was five again and just lost her mom in the grocery store; and she inwardly wanted to act accordingly. Plop down on the ground and cry. However she refused to act with such immaturity at a time like this. She focused back in on the pair of brilliant ruby eyes peering into her chocolate framed ones. Gojyo smiled and moved his hand between her shoulder blades lightly, and gently pushed her along next to him as they followed the path Sanzo had started.

"Don't you worry about him ok? He's just got a bug up his ass because we lost five days on a wild goose chase to find you." He stated in a lowered voice. Hakkai appeared on her left side.

"Yes, he's never really in the best of moods... but we all have our reasons, you know? Just go with the flow. You're going to have to if you're going to be in this group." She hadn't realized how tall these boys were before now. The only one she dwarfed was Goku. And that was by only a few inches-not counting his hair. She sighed and looked up into eyes as green as the nature that surrounded them.

"Who were those goons back there?" She asked quietly while adverting her gaze to the dirt path her feet padded softly on. Maybe if she kept her cool... she'd get another answer. Hakkai and Gojyo shared a look over her head and Gojyo decided to counter her question.

"I'll tell you doll, if you tell me... where you're from." He smiled down at her. -Mrrf. Fine. but just this once. I'll let you win this time.- Quinn looked back over to her right and shrugged.

"Sounds fair. I'm from a small town in Kentucky." She saw the confusion register on his face. -Well... I AM in China.- "It's a state in the United States Of America. You know... The most powerful country in the world? Nukes? Huge financial debt? Right below Canada... above Mexico? The worlds cultural melting pot? Land of the friggen FREE?? No?" It was her turn to look confused at him. Who didn't know about the United States?

"Ahhh crap, I forgot... 7whatever hundred AD. Goody. My apologies. My brain can only handle so much at a time."

"Never heard of it. But I believe you." Gojyo winked and looked ahead. Her shoulders sagged in utter smashing defeat. "They were demons sent by the dude that's messin' with the spiritual balance. Demons that chose to remove their power limiters permanently." She squinted at him. -Deny, deny, deny.- Her mental chant raged on.

"No really... who were they?" She asked as she heard Hakkai clear his throat. She looked up at him expecting that sweet smile only to find a straight face.

"They really were. If anything, believe that 'I' wouldn't lie to you." His smile slipped back into place and she felt a shiver tumble down her spine. She faintly heard Gojyo's bitching in the background of 'What the hell does THAT mean Hakkai?' She cut off his rant as she strung a few things together.

"Ok... I suppose that's why they looked like they were going to eat me. They.. they do eat humans right?" She asked uncertainly, winging it off old fairy tales. Hakkai nodded. She grimaced. "Lovely. Um... ok.. here's another. What's a 'Power Limiter'?"

"It's a certain magical device that demons wear to limit their power. To make them equal with humans. We used to live in peace, but then this disturbance arrived in the west. Thus we were called forth by the Merciful Goddess to rectify the situation and stop the resurrection of Gyumaoh, and the rogue demons that are terrorizing the lands." -Yeah, sure.. that sums it up.- Quinns mind supplied to Hakkai's explanation.

"What's a power limiter look like?" She asked innocently. Hakkai glanced down at her.

"Well that varies. They can be bracelets, earrings, head bands, rings, necklaces. Anything really, normally accessories or something they keep on their person at all times. See.. mine are ear cuffs." He crooked his neck so she could see. -Oh.. well aren't those just prett-...wait a sec...- Her eyes grew wide as she unconsciously smooshed herself against Gojyo, her eyes darting from Hakkai's eyes to his ear cuffs.

"Y-you're a d-demon?!" Gojyo steadied her with his hands on her upper arms. Quite pleased with the close proximity.

"Chill out doll! Has he done anything that suggested you were lunch?" He asked sensibly. As he felt her relax he let his hold on her relax, frowning a little as she moved closer to Hakkai. Quinn stopped and bowed, -I guess that's what you're supposed to do...- uncertainty flew over her face as she spoke.

"I'm very sorry. It's just-" Hakkai cut her off with a kind hand on her shoulder. He nudged her back into a standing position.

"Please don't bow... there's no need for that with me, it's okay. We're used to such reactions. I'm just glad that you're open minded enough to not scream and try to do me bodily harm...eh-heh or run away, very commendable. Especially after what you just went through. Now please... let's hurry. Sanzo's already in a painfully disgruntled mood." Hakkai swished an arm ahead of him, allowing Quinn to go first. She walked ahead feeling like crap. -Used to reactions of fear? But he's not bad. He didn't do anything that has even resembled what I saw back in the inn. I just acted like he was just as terrible...great. Now I feel guilty. I hate feeling guilty. Wait... did he say...-

" 'We're', used to such reactions? Who's we?" She asked slowly. Hakkai laughed a little nervously while Gojyo scratched the back of his head, she caught his eye and he sighed. Apparently they doubted her powers of hearing.

"Doll.. the only human in this group is the only one who has a constant stick crammed where the sun don't shine."

"How eloquent." Hakkai looked blankly at Gojyo. "For someone who claims to have so much tact.. you sure blew it there."

"Woah, woah, woah, wait. You, and you, and the kid.. you three are demons? And yet you fight demons. I thought... well... ok... never mind." She put a hand to her head, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "Ok.. just let me think. I just gotta... yeah...No.. You know what..I don't even wanna know." She sped up her pace a little and scrunched her eye-brows together. Gojyo punched Hakkai's arm.

"Good goin' Hakkai." He grumbled and quickened his step up to where he was walking just behind Quinn.. for reasons.. Oh yeah.. she wanted to think. So he was giving her space . yup. That was it... lovely view though.
Hakkai shook his head and kept his steady pace. They'd be arriving at the town soon anyway. Why rush?

123egyptian lullaby321

Second chapter down!
Reviews would be wonderful!
One thing you guys should know. I'm releasing a chapter a day for three chapters, so you guys can see where the story is headed and if it's something you want to stick with. After the third chapter… I'll do my best to post a chapter a week. Just so you all understand what's going on! What kind of author would I be if I left my readers clueless. My job is to have you on the edge of your seat… or at least lead you by your lust for plot development.

egyptian lullaby