Forest Adventure
Chapter Four

As it reached the two o'clock hour, and the moon was retreating from its zenith, all four men were sleeping peacefully. Outside, all was not well though.

Two black snakes slithered under the door to the Sanzo-Ikkou's room. They made their way to the window, and working together opened the latch. The window slowly creaked open as a black figure climbed inside. He watched the four men sleep, and a wicked smiled crossed his face, his white teeth visible through the darkness. "So, they have survived my poison," he spoke to himself. "That's all right," he said deviously. "I will enjoy killing them ALL this time, not just the two loud mouthed ones." He lifted his arm. "Now, do my bidding," he called out as two more snakes joined the two all ready at his side. "Kill them. Kill them all, my comrades." He commanded as the four snakes slithered to each of the four men.

Suddenly, four shots blazed through the night, killing all silence and peace, not to mention all four snakes. Sanzo stood from his chair and stared at the man, "You interrupted my sleep, Snake Boy." He stared menacingly at the snake demon.

Kurohebi stared at the four corpses of his snakes. He clenched his hands tight, "How. . .How dare you! How dare you kill my snakes!" he screamed at Sanzo and rushed towards him.

Sanzo pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. Sanzo hit the hilt of the gun in his hand and fired again, but nothing happened. 'Damn! It chooses now of all times to freeze up!' he thought to himself as Kurohebi got ever closer to him. He put away his gun and made a hand sign. "Guess I have no choice. I have to use my Maten Sutra." He said to himself.

Kurohebi closed the gab between him and Sanzo quickly. He reached out his long fingernails towards Sanzo, "Die Monk!" However, before his deadly claws could reach Sanzo, Hakkai used his chi powers to throw the demon back against the wall, almost throwing him out the window.

"Sanzo?! Are you all right?" Hakkai asked, as he stood next to the Monk.

"Fine." He replied annoyed.

"You know Sanzo, firing your gun in here probably wasn't the best of ideas." Hakkai informed him, with a slightly lighter tone of voice.

Sanzo huffed and crossed his arms without a word. He was relieved that Hakkai had awakened. It saved him from having to use his Sutra unnecessarily.

Kurohebi pulled himself off the ground and in and instant had Goku and Hakuryu in his clutches. "Just stay right there," he commanded them as he held them both by their necks, Hakuryu chirping and struggling to get free.

"Goku! Hakuryu!" Hakkai stepped forward, but thought better of it and held his ground.

Sanzo sighed, "Not again." He ran his hand down his face. "I'm so sick of this."

Kurohebi laughed nervously. "Now what are you going to do, eh? I can kill both of them in an instant. How much are they worth to you?" Kurohebi tried to sound confident, but he was very desperate.

Before Hakkai or Sanzo could react, a chain wrapped itself around Kurohebi forcing him to drop the demon boy and dragon. "What the?!" Kurohebi struggled to get free. "What is this?!"

"Do. . .you mind," came a voice to their left. "Some people. . .are trying to sleep around here." Gojyo was on his feet and holding the demon with his Jakujou.

"C. . .Curse you!" Kurohebi screams as he struggled harder and harder to get free.

Sanzo casually walked up to Kurohebi with the gun in his hand; spinning the barrel, and loading in new bullets. "I'm tired, I ran out of cigarettes, and I was just saved by that idiot over there," Sanzo said clicking the barrel of his gun back into place, motioning to Gojyo with it.

Gojyo scowled at the Monk, "This is the kind of treatment I get for saving your unholy ass!" Gojyo screams at Sanzo. "If Hakkai wasn't near you, I would have let this guy have his way with you."

"Now. Now. Let's not get me involved in this." Hakkai chimed in from his position near the table.

Sanzo snickered and looked at the demon. He stared him down for a long moment, watching the demon squirm with each passing moment. He lifted his gun and aimed it point blank between Kurohebi's eyes.

"M. . .Matte!" Kurohebi squeaked out.

"No more waiting. You're annoying, and an eye sore. Just go away all ready." Sanzo pulled the trigger and Kurohebi disintegrated. Gojyo's chain clattered to the floor.

Sanzo put his weapon away and leaned down to check on Goku.

"What an eventful night," Hakkai said walking closer to Gojyo. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

Gojyo blinked his eyes a few times. "Yea. I'm fine," he said and flicked his wrist to call his weapon back. As his staff joined back into one piece, Gojyo's eyes rolled back into his head. His weapon clattered to the floor as he fell into Hakkai.

Hakkai caught Gojyo and lowered him to the bed, which wasn't far behind him. "Yea, you'll be fine after some more rest." He retorted back as he pulled the covers over Gojyo once more.

Sanzo picked up Goku and placed him back on the bed. Sanzo pulled the covers back over him. He stood over the boy for a moment, just staring at him.

"He'll be all right, Sanzo." Hakkai said, still standing next to Gojyo. "I'm sure he'll get so hungry that he'll wake up no matter if the venom is gone or not." He chuckled slightly.

Sanzo looked back at Hakkai and dropped the rest of the covers on the small boy. "Whoever said l was worried," he said simply and took his place at the table, lighting another cigarette.

Hakkai sighed, 'You didn't have to. It's written all over your face.' He thought to himself.

Hakuryu, who was sitting on the windowsill, now landed on Hakkai's shoulder. He nudged his master with his nose.

Hakkai snapped to and looked to his companion. He smiled and petted the dragon, sweeping down its wings. "Are you all right, Hakuryu?" He asked, and the dragon chirped in response.

Sanzo yawned, "Let's get some sleep. I'm sure we won't be bothered anymore." He pushed his chair so it leaned against the wall once more.

He was just getting comfortable, when the door burst open. Gen and Riri walked into the room. "Is everything all right here? We heard gun shots." Gen asked looking around the room.

"Ah, yes. We're sorry for waking you. We just had some unexpected company." Hakkai explained casually and with a slight smile.

Sanzo took a long drag from his cigarette. "We told him to come back later though. So, there's nothing to worry about."

Gen and Riri looked around the room, and seeing that everything was pretty much in order bowed and left the room.

Hakkai looked over to Sanzo, he still had a smile on his face, "You have such a way with people, Sanzo."

Sanzo closed his eyes and rested his head on the wall, "Whatever. Just go to sleep."

Hakkai checked on his friends once more. He dragged a chair over to Gojyo's bed side, but quickly fell asleep.

So. . .what do you think?

PS. I own nothing. This is purely fanmade! Thank you.