Disclaimer: No, don't own Saiyuki. Wish I did though…
Thanks to people who reviewed!
Chapter 2: The Four Set Out in Ominous Costumes
"Thank you! You've been most helpful!"
With a final wave to the shopkeeper, Hakkai stepped back out on to the street; a heavy bag was clutched under one arm. He'd been lucky – they were the last four costumes in the shop. It was odd that they'd been those four in particular. Almost appropriate, Hakkai thought.
The room was unusually quiet when Hakkai returned. Cautiously he paused outside for a moment, checking for any demonic presence. Nothing except for an intense wave of irritation and boredom. Hakkai pushed door open, wincing at the loud creak it made. A penetrating violet glare welcomed him. If looks could kill, then this one could commit genocide. Gojyo was sprawled across one of the beds, eyes glazed over with boredom. He didn't seem to have realised that his cigarette had almost burned out.
Hakkai's mile wilted just a little under the intensity of Sanzo's stare. I feel like there's a hold being burned through my forehead… He put down the bag and raised his hands in a gesture of peace.
"I'm sorry for misleading you Sanzo, but I thought you might not agree if you knew the whole truth. This is very important…"
"I know that!" The monk did not appreciate being made to feel like a child. "We're going, whatever type of party it is."
"Heh, nothing wrong with a little dress-up, right?" Gojyo leered.
"I'm sure there isn't; until you say it. Then it just sounds like something dirty." Hakkai looked around the room, confused. "Where's Goku?"
"Monkey boy needed a piss." Crimson eyes curious, the kappa sat up. "So what did ya get?" He was slowly inching towards the bag which had been left in the centre of the room like meat in a wolf's den.
"Take a look for yourself," said the demon slayer, who had begun to pour himself tea from the pot on the table. A look of almost childish glee spreading across his face, Gojyo went to snatch it. But just as his fingers touched the handle a bullet shot past his face, almost giving him a rather drastic nose-job. He spun round angrily, not entirely surprised to see Sanzo stood behind him.
"Get away from the bag and I might decide not to shoot you." Although the kappa scowled he did as he was told.
"Crazy monk, coulda' killed me with that thing…"
Ignoring the sullen muttering, Sanzo retrieved the bag. He peered into it cautiously, as thought it might contain a snake. Then he carefully probed its contents with one hand. After a few moments the priest looked up, giving Hakkai a look that was so old-fashioned it predated the dinosaurs.
"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?" The dramatic pause was rudely interrupted by the door banging open. Goku bounced in, eyes brimming with excitement.
"Did someone mention POCKY?" Perhaps he looked just a little too happy, or maybe Sanzo just needed to vent some anger. Whatever it was, all the monkey got for an answer was a paper fan in the face.
"You cretinous chimp! Are you deaf as well as stupid? Apocalypse! I said APOCALYPSE!" Goku frowned.
"Oh … what type of pocky is that?" The dramatic silence was replaced with a dumbfounded one. Even Gojyo looked freaked out.
"Hakkai, is there something wrong with him?"
"Most probably. If there is, I don't think I want to know."
Ignoring the seething priest, Hakkai gently enlightened the puzzled Goku as to what the Horsemen of the Apocalypse actually were and the fact that they weren't edible. Comprehension lit up his face like a light bulb.
"Ohh, now I get it – hey you stinkin' cockroach, I want to choose my clothes first!" The kappa smirked down at him, holding the bag just out of reach.
"Ah-ah, come and take it chibi-chimp!"
BANG!
After a brief interlude spent in the quiet place he went to when he was extremely pissed off, Sanzo had returned. And nothing else needed to be said. Sanzo was choosing first. After a couple of minutes rummaging, the monk finally pulled something out. He examined it critically before giving it a grudging sniff of approval.
"This'll do. Now you morons can fight over the rest."
The next evening…
"Hurry up Gojyo! We're going to be late!" Loud crashing came from inside the room, followed by an abrupt silence. Then came the reply:
"Hakkai, have you seen my comb? I could've sworn I left it on this-eep!" A ghostly apparition stormed into the room, black cloak billowing behind him. He emerged a second later, dragging Gojyo by the ear. Violet eyes glared out from the dark depths of a hood.
"Let's get this over with," Sanzo growled as he dropped Gojyo and stomped off down the stairs. The others followed quickly; ignoring the kappa's muffled whimpers of agony.
Once outside, Hakkai gave his companions a final inspection. Every finishing touch had been added; no one would suspect that these four were anything other than slightly disgruntled party goers.
Sanzo was almost unrecognisable in the outfit of Death (although anyone who knew the priest would have immediately guessed who it was – what else would the homicidal monk choose?), shrouded in the hooded cloak and face covered by a skull mask. The purple orbs glowering through the eye holes were a nice touch. Clutched in one hand was a fold-out scythe.
Next in the line up was War. Gojyo had taken to the leather and chain mail outfit like Goku to a plate of meat buns. He hadn't been so keen on the horned helmet ("But it'll mess up my hair!") and he had flatly refused to put on the false beard ("How will I smoke wearing all that shit?"). Hakkai had thought the kappa might actually cry with disappointment when he told him he couldn't take his shakujou and firmly pressed a plastic battle axe into his hands.
For himself Hakkai had chosen to be Pestilence. Green had always been his favourite colour – even if it was a rather sickly shade like this cloak. The outfit was similar to Sanzo's, except that he was wearing fake warts and, instead of a scythe, he was carrying a staff with a mummified hand on top (a fake, the shopkeeper had assured him).
And so finally they came to Famine – quite possibly the shortest, fattest Famine that ever went to a fancy-dress party. Unfortunately the costumes only came in one size; Goku now resembled a walking potato sack with tentacle sleeves for arms. He was saved from total humiliation by an ominous hat made out of some kind of animal skull.
"Can we go now?" whined Goku. "I wanna get to this damn party so I can eat something!"
Satisfied with his group, Hakkai nodded. They all clambered on to the Jeep with much swearing as they tripped over their new outfits. Finally they set off, Hakuryu cheeping in amusement. Already stressed, Sanzo reached for a cigarette.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you Sanzo."
"Oh really? And why is that?"
"Well, that mask is plastic. I'd really hate to have to try and peel it off your face if it starts to melt."
"GODAMMIT!"
By the time they arrived at the house night had almost fallen. Light from the torches and windows flickered like fireflies, casting a golden glow around the building. The sound of music and buzzing voices drifted through the open door, which was crowded with new arrivals. Goku and Gojyo looked like dogs straining to be let off the leash, eyes glittering excitedly. Needless to say, the party atmosphere was lost on Sanzo. He looked as if he were about to attend his own funeral.
As the others headed towards the door, Hakkai turned to give Hakuryu a friendly pat.
"Please wait here for us my friend – we may be in need of a quick exit." They'd already decided to pack everything and leave the village straight after obtaining the sutra- no one wanted to spend several months in the village jail.
Sanzo had hoped to get through the evening without having to talk to anyone, never mind the religious nutbar who had supposedly found a sutra. It seemed, however, that their host had decided to greet everyone personally.
"Welcome, welcome! So glad you could make it!" The old man, hair springing erratically from his head, beamed and waved them in like close friends. "I am Ranef Reol, the master of this house. And may I compliment you on your magnificent costumes? The Horsemen of the Apocalypse, yes? Which one's which?"
Hmph. Definitely an eccentric. At least he's not that interested in who we really are.
"Death," replied Sanzo, pointing to himself then at each of the others in turn. "War, Pestilence and Fam- oi! Famine, get your ass back here!
It did not take long to figure out where Goku had gone – the buffet table, groaning under the weight of so much food, was just too much temptation. Ranef looked on in awe at the tiny figure shovelling down enough food for ten people.
"That's Famine?"
Gojyo laughed. "Yep. Wherever he goes, famine follows shortly after. I think it's because he eats everything."
Hakkai thanked the man for his hospitality and turned to his friend, only to see the kappa making a bee-line for the nearest attractive woman. Not particularly surprised, he instead joined the anti-social Sanzo. Although his face was hidden, his body posture was enough to let anyone know it was a grimace.
"What are those idiots doing Hakkai? Are they trying to attract attention?" The priest snorted. "Huh, War and Famine? More like Prostitution and Pain-In-My-Ass."
"Let them have some fun Sanzo. We'll give it another hour or so and then we can go and look for-"
The huge front door slammed open. Everyone turned round to stare at it, all noise dying instantly. Four people were framed in the doorway. One of them bowed apologetically.
"Our apologies for the intrusion. I do hope you don't mine latecomers." After a moment's confusion, Ranef replied.
"Of course not… Come in, come in!" They all stepped forward, like actors into a spotlight. And they were all terribly familiar.
"Just my luck. Kougaiji and his travelling circus!" hissed Sanzo.
"Oh, I think it's a bit worse than that. Have you seen what they're wearing?" The priest looked again. His eyes turned to a colour the demon slayer privately referred to as 'pissed-off purple'.
"Now they really are going to die."
"Oh my!" exclaimed Ranef, clapping his hands in childish delight. "Don't tell me you're the famous Sanzo party!"
A/N: This author is eternally grateful to anyone who sees fit to review. So do it! It'll make me happy! : )
