Disclaimer- I do not own Saiyuki, and barely have enough time to get the computer as it is.
Walking through the market had landed them near a forest. Sanzo and Kougaiji were strolling along, with Sanzo making a few queries as to if Kougaiji could see the butterfly over there, or make a few general statements about the butterfly in relation to itself, the universe, and its purpose. The answers allowed him to discern that the only ailments where slight amnesia and gender confusion.
Dear Heavens, why did I set my mind to his task?
Kougaiji whirled around and started screaming at a bush about being a stalker.
Especially since it is to help him?
The innocent bush let Goku storm into the clearing and grab Sanzo, dragging the priest who was doing a 'what-got-into-you-face' along the river bank, away from Kougaiji. Said black tank top and jeans girl was staring at them, before she started shaking.
"Why are you acting like this, Goku? Aunt Yaone said you wanted to help me."
"Yeah, sure, I just don't like the fact that we fight each other because we hafta, and now you're stealing away Sanzo."
"……"
"Wha?! I'm not stealing him! He's nice to me!"
"Well, he shouldn't be. The two of you fight like cats and dogs."
"…Is that all?"
"Huh?" Both turned to Sanzo.
"The two of you enjoy fighting so much you're picking a fight over me. That is lame."
"Well, what other reason is there?" Goku whined, before his stomach loudly suggested an idea.
"Loser pays for lunch?" Kougaiji called, settling into a fighting stance.
"Don't think I'll go easy 'cause you turned into a girl."
The ensuing fight ended with Sanzo getting wet when Goku knocked Kougaiji into him.
"Uh oh."
"Whoops."
A dripping wet Sanzo emerged from the lazy river and toward above the two shorter demons. Although both were over five hundred years old, each in a way still were just children. And yet, they also proved to be more mature than most people Sanzo met.
"We are going back; I'm getting new clothes on, and paying for lunch."
"Why! I was the one who was losing!" Kougaiji glared at Sanzo.
"Well, you certainly have kept your honor intact. Besides, what would you pay with?"
Angry silence met him. Kougaiji never backed down, and (s)he certainly was going to keep his (her) end of the deal.
"Look, I didn't say this, but you and Goku not only go looking for fights, you usually fight each other. I was hoping that the shock of something familiar to you would shock you back……but taking you with us to Houtou Castle is not a good idea."
"Maybe something else will happen so we can go back to fighting and you can save your Mom."
"I….have a mother?"
Great.
Shopping with Yaone was interesting. So far Hakkai had learned how to treat pick pockets to snacks, tell the difference between herbs that will last for ages from proper storage, and taking eyes off of Yaone to see where Jeep went ends with something being blown up. Like the over-bearing demon that just flew by trailing smoke.
Hakkai sighed, and shifted his purchases. "We should head back and see how the others are doing."
"Okay, Hakkai-san. I do believe most of my memories are intact, but please, let's not fight until Kougaiji is cured. We most likely may end up joining your cause if Lirin-sama does not appear soon."
Hakkai mused over the pros and cons, and without money being a problem-"But Kougaiji wants to save his mother."
"Oh. That can be achieved with us allying to you. Rescuing the leader of the demons would handle the void of leadership when Lady Gyokumen Koushu dies. Lord Kougaiji is more than adequate, but having someone familiar would make it easier."
Hakkai had to wonder how Sanzo would deal with helping Kougaiji revert to himself escalating into save the demon empress, stop the minus wave, and kill the ox king.
"I'm not sorry for how this turned out."
"Hrm?"
Gojyo fixed his brother with a look.
"I'm proud of you, just a little torn that we can't be on the same side."
"I'd go ballistic if we had to team up to 'cure' Kougaiji. Putting up with the others is hard enough, like a ….never mind."
"You were going to say 'family'. And that's okay. Just reserve the position of older brother for me, alright?"
Hitting the downstairs bar for some drinks had been a good idea, and just talking with his brother had opened up a truck load of skeletons in the closets. Still, his brother had given Gojyo a basic understanding of what happened to Kougaiji.
"We're back, and we're hungry!"
Speak of the devil…. (No pun intended)
"We'll be downstairs in a minute. Dokugaku remembered something vital; I'll tell ya'll when you can focus on me."
"Sanzo, let's go get tables. We'll need seats for seven."
"Eight if my little sister shows up."
A/N: Sorry it's been so long! One thing piled on top of another, and I originally intended this to be just a few chapters, but now I'm thinking of a whole new plot. At least they can be incorporated.
Review.
