This was all a mistake. How could he have thought she was different than any other woman? So stupid of him, really. Sanzo continued the hike uphill, taking the lead and keeping Goku's voice in the back of his mind. That damned monkey got himself into a tight situation alright. The only real thoughts he was getting were Kougaiji was there, they were fighting... and a very strong confidence in his own abilities. Usually, Goku's confidence wasn't this pronounced. Obviously the little bastard stumbled onto something.
Damn it! What the hell was her problem anyway? She was all kinds of pissy at the camp, right before that Zakuro moron showed up, and two seconds before he put in his appearance she was all nice again. And what was with Hakkai going off with her? He trusted the green-eyed man not to do anything intentionally... except Hakkai didn't know about them, and he'd always suspected he had feelings for Yaone. There was just something about those two together...
Stop it right now! Nothing COULD have happened, you moron. They weren't gone long enough for any of that. And Hakkai is far too much a gentleman to throw himself at her in the middle of a fucking forest with the rest of them sitting not even ten feet away. He probably just went to see what was wrong.
True, but... he wanted to be the one to do that. He would never say it outloud, and practically choked on it saying it to himself, but it bothered him to see her so angry. He didn't like it for a few reasons. First, it was directed at him and he had no idea why. Second, it didn't bode well for future sexual encounters if she was pissed at him. Third... he just didn't like it. And if she WAS upset, he wanted to be the one she came to. Not Hakkai, not Kougaiji, HIM! Unfortunately, their situation made it very difficult for him to be able to do that. After all, they were enemies and he wasn't the nice guy Hakkai was. Hakkai could get away with it and not have questions asked. Sanzo couldn't.
He glanced over as Yaone came up just slightly to his side. Dokugakuji and Gojyo were arguing (couldn't the kappa go one day without being a whiny bitch?) and Hakkai was... fueling the fight? First he would support one, then turn around and support the otehr brother. What the hell was going on with everyone? Sanzo glanced back and met a certain green gaze that told him more clearly than words he at least guessed about their relationship. Hakkai was fueling the arguement to give them a chance to talk. Shit, was he a clever bastard!
"Very quickly," Yaone whispered, drawing his attention back to the path while he snuck glances at her out of the corner of his eye. "I'm sorry about what happened there. It was a misunderstanding."
"I'll say. What the hell was going on?" he whispered back, trying to keep the anger from coming out. Until he heard what had happened, he wouldn't get mad at her. Or at least that's what he told himself.
"It's... complicated, but believe me, I'll explain it all. I just wanted you to know I was sorry."
Sanzo fished out his cigarettes and lit one up, carefully blowing the smoke away from her. "Whatever. We'll talk more later."
He knew she was smiling a little as she backed off. Well, that made him feel a little better! At least she wasn't mad at him anymore, and she said she was going to explain everything soon. He and Hakkai would have to check the map tonight, figure out where they were going, and try to find some way to get the message to her without anyone noticing. Difficult task, but not impossible.
"Does he have any idea where we're going?" Dokugakuji demanded.
"That's actually what I just asked him, and he does, Doku," Yaone answered quickly. Smart woman.
"Oh... so where are we going?"
Sanzo pointed straight ahead. "This way."
"Real cute," Dokugakuji shot back.
Sanzo smirked at the other man's annoyance and picked up the pace a little. He could hear Goku now without using their link, could tell from here the boy was pretty hurt.
"Doku, can you hear-,"
"Yeah. Come on, Yaone!"
Sanzo was practically shoved aside by Dokugakuji as he and Yaone ran ahead to their lord. Fine, let them run. It wasn't going to change anything.
"Is the monkey there?" Gojyo asked, coming up on his other side.
"Yeah."
"Good, 'cause I'm gonna kill the little bastard for making me hike this goddamn hill to find his ass!"
>>>>>>>>>>
Duck, crouch, kick low, punch high... Goku threw himself into the fight with Kougaiji, knowing he was the only one standing between those villagers the prince's anger. Sanzo was okay, he had Gojyo and Hakkai with him. He knew the kappa wouldn't allow himself to die by Kougaiji's hand, and Hakkai was scary powerful without his limiters. Not to mention, Sanzo had the sutra and his gun. They'd be okay, but these villagers wouldn't.
Kougaiji's punch went wide, claws just barely raking his cloak as he scrunched himself up before exploding upward, fist catching the other man in the jaw and sending him through the air to smash into the rock wall and slide down, limp. He shook his hand out, ignoring the painful sting of cracked knuckles and grinned through the blood pouring into his eyes. "See, easy?" And it was, too, once he figured out he needed to stop relying on the others and fight his own fights.
"LORD KOUGAIJI!"
"Holy shit... HANG ON, KOU!"
Goku was starting to see grey spots. That wasn't good. And he was wondering where those two went. Usually they were plastered to Kougaiji's ass. He picked his head up when he smelled the familiar cigarettes, one weak the other so strong it almost burned his nose to smell. It was about damn time.
"Nice work, monkey," Gojyo drawled, slapping the hand Goku held up for a high-five.
That was right before the grey spots took over and he fell down, sinking into blessed darkness. The very last thing that came to his mind was a slight wave of relief and...
It's a good thing you're alive. I wouldn't have forgiven you for dying like a weakling.
Thanks a lot, Sanzo, he tried to say back, but he wasn't sure if it got through or not as he passed out completely.
>>>>>>>>>>
So, Goku was out. Kougaiji was hurt, and pretty badly too, but he was still fighting his way up. Gojyo and Hakkai fanned out slightly from Sanzo's sides, Gojyo unhefting the shakujo from his shoulder, grinding his cigarette out into the dirt, Hakkai cracking his neck and keeping his hands loose and ready.
Yaone was trying to keep Kougaiji from getting up, trying to take a look at the wounds covering him, but he slapped her aside roughly, eyes completely focused on the sutra. Sanzo gritted his teeth, hand tightening on the gun angrily. The bastard hit her. He didn't really care if Kougaiji was being controled by some quack doctor (Yaone and Dokugakuji had spilled that much information as they'd gotten ready to leave) the fact remained that he'd hit his girlfriend. And that was something he wouldn't tolerate, crazy or not.
"Genjyo Sanzo, hand over the Maten-,"
"Eat me," he interupted. He was getting sick of this litany. Gojyo chuckled from his left, adjusting his footing slightly for the fight that was about to come. The tension was thick in the air, so heavy it was hard to breathe without it crushing on the lungs. This fight was a long time coming, and with Kougaiji's new found killer instincts, it was going to be one hell of a show.
"Fine. Then I'll take it by force."
"Try it, you bastard."
Kougaiji struggled to his feet, one arm hanging a little oddly at the shoulder. Not broken, but definately dislocated. Yaone reached for him, eyes wide with fear. "My lord, you shouldn't-,"
"Shut up! Get in my way, and I'll kill you, too."
Yaone and Dokugakuji weren't the only ones surprised by that statement. "Daaaamn," Gojyo drawled. "Never woulda thought to hear him spew that."
"Doesn't he remind you of someone?" Hakkai asked with a nervous laugh.
"I can't kill you now, but if you keep talking, I'll make sure to do it later," Sanzo shot back at them.
The chain rattling free told him Gojyo was ready. A light forming to his right said Hakkai was as well. Fine, maybe if they were quick about kicking Kougaiji's ass they could still catch some dinner in the next town.
"You wanna play, bring it! THIS IS FOR KILLING THE MONKEY!" Gojyo shouted before swinging the shakujo's blade around in an elagant arc.
Sanzo didn't bother to correct Gojyo by telling him Goku was still very much alive. Why bother explaining something to the incompetant?
>>>>>>>>>>
Oh, mother fucker! Gojyo plastered himself to the ground as Hakkai threw a chi shield up, blocking the roaring flames Kougaiji sent their way. Shit, Doku wasn't kidding about Kougaiji being a killing machine! He'd sliced him up good a couple times and... nothing. It didn't even slow his ass down!
"STAY DOWN!"
Gojyo did as he was told for a change, glad he did as four rounds shot off from where Sanzo was crouched. At least three hit their mark, none of them lethal because of Kougaiji constantly moving. Blood flowed... and still the bastard was coming! And was it just him or was he DODGING the bullets now?
"SANZO!" Gojyo got to his feet as the monk reloaded, swinging the shakujo over his head and arcing the blade at Kougaiji, who was aiming a kick for Sanzo's head. Kougaiji twisted impossibly midair, the blade just barely scratching his stomach. Holy shit, how did he move like that? Kougaiji was fucking brilliant in battle, but THIS wasn't even possible! Maybe that doctor guy took out a couple ribs on top of the brainwashing.
He could hear Sanzo and Hakkai talking, but he couldn't focus on what they were saying. His shakujo went spinning from his hands as a numbing kick connected with his wrist. He was now busy dodging a flurry of punches that would have done more than shatter his nose. Son of a btich...
"Will you two ladies stop talking and help me?" he shouted as he wove around another fire blast that Hakkai casually blocked while still talking with Sanzo, and did a move he'd picked up in many a bar brawl; he just ran head on into his opponent, dragging his ass to the ground and pinning him face down to the rock below. "Hurry the fuck up and shoot him, Sanzo!" The body beneath him instantly began to buck and fight, trying to throw him off. If there was one thing Sha Gojyo excelled in, it was pinning someone's ass to the ground. But,Kougaiji's struggles were starting to wear on him and his back-up was still chatting. What the fuck...?
Gojyo glanced over his shoulder and noticed why Sanzo wasn't shooting. Dokugakuji was standing in his way. Fuck!
"I don't want to hear it," Sanzo snapped coldly at his brother before shifting his attention to Gojyo. "MOVE IT, KAPPA!"
He was only too glad to obey that order! He rolled off and away from Kougaiji quickly...
And was suddenly choking on an explosion of dust, dirt and rock. "What the... ack... hell?" As the smoke began to clear, two figures could be seen standing between them and Kougaiji. Dokugakuji's sword was out, eyebrows drawn down over his eyes. Yaone had several small bombs between her fingers, something very close to a resigned smile on her lips. Oh, shit...
>>>>>>>>>>
Yaone met wide violet eyes through the clearing smoke, saw the momentary shock before the coldness settled back in. She felt sick to her stomach, close to tears with what she was doing. She loved him, yes, but she couldn't stand by and watch the man who saved her get executed like a rabid dog. Since Dokugakuji and Gojyo were the only two with real weapons, it had been decided silently that they would fight each other. This left her to take care of Hakkai and Sanzo.
Please, forgive me, Sanzo. I'm so sorry.
The next round of explosives were flung as Sanzo leveled the gun in her direction. The earth shook and rock shards blasted everywhere. A sharp bang rang out through the rumbling and Yaone gasped as a bullet grazed her shoulder. She wondered briefly if he'd aimed high on purpose before she was flinging more bombs at Hakkai, forcing him into a defensive position. The deadly chi blasts couldn't be used if he was maintaining a constant barrier.
"What the fuck is your problem?" Gojyo demanded, straining as he fought his brother off.
"Sorry, guys, but this is our side, no matter what," Dokugakuji explained, backing off enough to let Gojyo regroup.
"I never asked for your help," Kougaiji snarled, still struggling to stand.
"I don't think either of us really cares," Yaone answered back, still watching her two opponents closely. For now, the gun was pointed at the ground and there was no ball of chi waiting to be let loose. "I hated it. I hated being apart from you, Lord Kougaiji. This may not be what you wish, but we don't really give a damn."
"We're here for you, Kou. No one else. Not Gyokumen Koushu's orders, not Nii's games... not even your mom. We're here for you," Dokugakuji added, adjusting his grip on his sword.
"Well, whaddya know, their boss is popular," Gojyo commented lazily, giving Sanzo a taunting little smile. "See, if you weren't so damn unfriendly, we could get ourselves some hot bodyguards like Yaone."
"I can always add you to the body count, kappa," Sanzo sneered.
"Ha, maybe later, monk!"
"It's three on three now, let's get this over with," Dokugakuji interupted before surging forward.
"Not quite," Hakkai commented before Yaone threw herself out of the way of the chi he let loose. He was getting better at that technique. There wasn't as much of a build up anymore, which meant tracking his movements was more difficult.
Yaone yelped as Goku leaped clean over their heads, bringing his staff down between Gojyo and Dokugakuji in an almost perfectly rehearsed maneuver. Dokugakuji quickly had his hands full with an enraged monkey, barely blocking the stinging fast blows. Something wasn't right here. Gojyo and Goku were ganging up on Dokugakuji, Hakkai was firing not at her but near her, driving her away...
She saw the danger when she located the last member of their party. "LORD KOUGAIJI!" Without thinking, she threw three bombs in Sanzo's direction, only realizing after they'd exploded that she very well could have killed her lover. Oh, God...
And, unfortunately, the wind kicked in just then, blowing the smoke and dust into the air and creating a screen for their enemies. She heard a chain rattling free and turned in a tight circle, trying to find that crescent blade in all the confusion. She could hear Hakkai shouting for Gojyo, hear footsteps as someone ran...
Someone tackled her around the waist, slamming her hard into the ground mere seconds before the crescent blade swept where her neck would have been. Yaone blinked, turning enough to meet Sanzo's cold glare briefly before he was off her and running for the fight again. The only thing that registered in her head at that time was the almost naked worry in his eyes before it disappeared again behind the cold arrogant mask. He'd been worried she was going to get hit by the shakujo. With all that was going on, them fighting and trying to kill each other... and he still saved her life.
Yaone got to her feet again in time to witness Kougaiji throw himself between Dokugakuji and the end of Goku's nyoi-bo. She watched in horror as her lord fell to the ground, bouncing a couple times before lying still.
"Gods, KOU!" Dokugakuji ran to him, and she was right behind him.
>>>>>>>>>>
This was all wrong. Not Kougaiji sacrificing himself, that was within character for the prince. But that blow from Goku hadn't been a stunning one. He shouldn't have hit the ground so hard, especially since he'd withstood the attacks right until then. Sanzo watched with narrowed eyes as Dokugakuji and Yaone both knelt beside their fallen lord. Damned tart... almost got herself killed by the stupid fucking pervert. She could die any way she chose, but he refused to let anyone he was sleeping with get killed by that asshole. It just wasn't right.
"Whoa... did you just see that?" Gojyo muttered, relaxing his shakujo just a bit.
"He just... he risked his life for Dokugakuji," Hakkai answered softly, staring at the scene in shock.
That wasn't surprising at all. Even brainwashed, Kougaiji was an honorable person. He tensed up when Yaone and Dokugakuji both rose slowly. Why the fuck did she choose to use the explosives? The spear would have been so much easier to avoid.
No one was prepared for the sudden aggression in Dokugakuji's next attacks. Goku just barely managed to hold his ground, while the rest of them were forced right up to the embankment ledge by explosions hitting just in front of them. She was forcing them into a corner, the damned minx! Once again, that nagging feeling that something wasn't right gnawed at his gut.
Sanzo waved a hand in front of his face, coughing as the smoke and dust began to clear. He caught a clear view of Kougaiji, noticed the other man crouched low, lips moving. MUTHERFUCKER! Everything clicked into place just as the fiend rose above Kougaiji's head.
"Holy... shit," Gojyo choked out before screaming as the thing came racing toward them.
"DAMN IT!" Hakkai threw a shield up... and then the ground gave way and they were falling again.
Sanzo hit the water hard, pushing to the surface of the turbulent waves and shaking his hair out of his eyes. Fucking, FUCKING hell! They were back in the goddamn river for the second time that goddamn day! He quickly started treading water, struggling against the tugging currents. He glared up at the three standing above him, the glare going darker when he saw Yaone trying not to smile. If she so much as twitched a lip...
Kougaiji stood over them, smiling smugly. The bastard! "We'll call it quits for today, but the next time we meet, that sutra is mine."
"WHAT? YOU'RE LEAVIN' ALREADY?" Goku shouted, momentarily stopping the treading motion and sinking down again. He quickly resurfaced, coughing water from his lungs. "GET BACK HERE AND FIGHT!"
"I don't suppose you would mind leaving some rope behind?" Hakkai called up pleasantly. A length of rope was thrown over the side in response, coiling into the water and floating away. "Oh... Thank you anyway!"
"You fucking pussies! YOU'RE the ones getting off easy," Gojyo roared, wiping long tendrils of crimson from his face.
Sanzo managed to find his gun and squeezed the trigger for good measure, even though he knew the bullets were nowhere near their mark. Snarling, he hit the water angrily, glaring up at the cliff. First, that bastard Zakuro. Then, Yaone nearly blowing him to pieces. And now this indignity. This was just not his day!
>>>>>>>>>>
Kougaiji marched passed the guards outside the lab, fists clenched and head lowered. It all seemed like a bad dream now. Every last bit of it, right down to the battle. All the awful things he'd done... all the people he'd killed. And for what, so that crazy bitch could laugh as he wandered around like a good little toy? This had gone far enough! He was still Prince Kougaiji, son to the Lord Gyumaoh, and he was NO ONE'S toy, least of all hers!
He entered the lab, the bar code tattooed on his arm itching a little as the lasers scanned it. The very first thing he was going to do after this was get that damned mark of slavery off his body. Yaone and Dokugakuji were already taking care of part of the plan. Now to ensure that these people would NEVER hurt his family or himself again. And that included his sister. Nii was directly in front of him, playing chess and smoking, the stuffed rabbit tucked under his arm. The human looked up at him with an almost bored expression.
"So... how was the fight? Oh, never mind, I don't need the details. You know, I DID say you could kill them. Maybe you need a few minoradjustments. Come take your clothes off for daddy..."
Kougaiji kicked the table over, startling Nii and Wang to no end. The cigarette very nearly fell from those frowning lips. It was the first time he could recall not seeing that arrogant smirk on the scientist's face. Hwan backed away with a gasp, hand covering her mouth. Her eyes drifted over to Dokugakuji carrying Lirin, soaking wet, naked, and unconscious. Yaone was right beside him and had the coldest glare he'd ever seen in her eyes. She would protect Lirin for as long as she could draw breath, he knew that beyond a doubt.
"Hey, you can't just do that! We need the princess back-,"
"Silence," Kougaiji snarled at her, causing the woman to stop dead in her tracks.
Nii was watching him, all amusement gone from his face and slowly being replaced by a seething anger. "We need to chat, you and I. I'm curious... how you managed to return to normal." His voice was very controled and low, as if he was trying very hard not to scream. Served him right.
"You listen to me," he said, almost surprised by how controled his own voice was. "I have nothing to say to you. You will NEVER use me again, is that clear? I'm not your toy, and I never will be!"
"My, my... sounds almost traitorous. Are you really joining their side then?"
"This isn't me switching over, this is me fighting the Sanzo party on my own terms, and of my own free will. I will NOT be your pawn again, is that clear?"
A smile finally twitched Nii's lips, his arrogance reasserting itself. "Perfectly."
Kougaiji turned at Yaone's small gasp, saw Lirin's eyes cracking open slowly. Green eyes, like looking up into new leaves, sparkled as a weak smile came to her lips. "Big... brother," she whispered, reaching for him.
He took her hand, felt the aching in his chest ease out at the assurance that she was unharmed. Thank the gods... if he'd lost her, he didn't know what he would do. "Weren't you the one who told me to hold on to what was dear to me? Getting separated won't change that. If I stumble, I know I have people there to back me up. But, I guess someone like you couldn't possibly understand that."
He left the laboratory with his friends behind him and took a small pleasure in the frustrated growl followed by things being thrown around. Giving Nii a migraine was an oddly pleasant sensation.
"Hey... brother? Did you REALLY kick Baldy-head's ass?" Lirin asked from Dokugakuji's arms.
"Lady Lirin! That language isn't appropriate for someone your age," Yaone admonished quickly.
Kougaiji smiled, chuckling under his breath. "It's alright for today, Yaone. Lirin's been through a lot recently."
"As you wish, my lord," she mumbled disapprovingly.
"And, yeah, we tarred them," Dokugakuji whispered loudly to Lirin.
"Aw... man! You guys couldn't just wait for me? I wanted to beat up bald Sanzo!"
Kougaiji's smile widened further as he turned to glance over his shoulder, brow arching. "Don't worry, there'll be plenty of other times."
Lirin grinned full out, hair already drying in tight waves. "Better be," she answered.
Later that evening, Kougaiji walked down the now silent halls of Houtu Castle, wearing nothing but light pants and his mother's earrings. On top of having to cut the bar code from his arm (Yaone had been apalled by it, but had sewn him up as neatly as she could), he'd also repierced his ears. Yaone had held on to the precious jewelry for him, and had given it back after she'd fixed him. His shoulder still hurt terribly from when Dokugakuji had popped it back into place, not to mention the myriad of nicks, bruises and aches that covered his entire body.
Stopping outside Lirin's door, he hesitated before pushing it open. He didn't like the idea of her being alone after what had happened. If Koushu was crazy enough to use her own daughter in the revival project, the gods only knew what she'd do now that she was pissed off. Everyone had heard the enraged screaming from the throne room, and oddly enough, all the usual servants found themselves busy at the other end of the castle all day.
He pushed the door open softly, shutting it before moving closer to the bed. He could hear Lirin's soft little breaths... and someone else's as well. Moving a little more quickly across the floor, he relaxed when he saw it was Yaone, holding Lirin almost protectively. The faint moonlight hit her skin, casting it silvery against her dark hair. She looked perfect there with Lirin, and once again he felt his stomach clench at the mere sight of her. Why couldn't he do something about this? He was her lord, after all. It was within his rights to request her to his bed.
It just wouldn't be the same, he thought. He wanted her, yes, but he wanted her to come willingly. There was a time where he knew she'd loved him... but did that still exist? Kougaiji sighed wearily and allowed himself to do something he would never have done if she were awake. He trailed his claws lightly down her arm, jumping back when she stirred, waking with a start.
"Oh... Lord Kougaiji. Forgive me, I didn't know-," Yaone started to sit up, yawning and pushing her long hair back over her shoulders.
"It's alright, Yaone. I was just checking on Lirin," he answered softly. He didn't want to wake Lirin up.
Yaone offered him a warm smile before snuggling back into the pillows. "I didn't want her alone tonight, my lord," she explained, closing her eyes again.
Kougaiji smiled as he stared down at her a moment longer. "Would you mind... if I joined you?" he asked.
Eyes opening again, Yaone shook her head, motioning to the other side if Lirin. "There's more space over there, Lord Kougaiji. And you don't need to ask my permission."
"I didn't mean it like... what I meant was... I didn't want to disturb you." Gods, why did he always feel so awkward when trying to talk to her as an equal, not a subject?
She laughed sleepily. "You could never disturb me, my lord."
Kougaiji smiled at that before stretching out on the bed, facing both Yaone and Lirin. Lirin muttered something about meatbuns before resettling between them. A few minutes later, and Yaone was back asleep. He didn't sleep at all for the rest of the night, though his body was weary to the point of collapsing.
>>>>>>>>>>
Sanzo paced back and forth in his room, robes folded neatly and sutra tucked away under his pillow. An ash tray full of cigarette butts was on the table, one burning between his lips. Goku had long ago fallen asleep, snoring away blissfully with his head hanging over the side of the bed. Must be nice, sleeping like the dead. Too bad he couldn't sleep at all. Every time he'd tried to lie down and close his eyes, the whole day just played itself out over and over again.
He'd be lying if he said it didn't bother him that Yaone tried to kill him. He wasn't mad about it, that would have been hypocritical of him seeing as he'd been trying to kill her, too. And therein was the problem. How the hell could they expect this to work when both of them would kill the other at a drop of the hat? He hadn't wanted to kill her, but if it was a choice between living another day or dying at her hand, of course he'd pick to live!
Damn it, what a mess! Why did this have to be so complicated? This was only supposed to have been two people conversing! Why did he have to end up liking her company? Why did he miss her when she wasn't around? Why did he have to care for her like this? This whole relationship thing was a goddamn hassle!
The logical course of action would be to end this now. Today was a perfect example of why it would never work. They both had their responsibilities. His to the mission, hers to her lord. How could they have thought this would work out? Gods, he was so STUPID to even hope that it would! It was an easy thing to fix. The next time he saw her, he just had to explain why he was backing out. It wasn't good for either of them, especially her. He didn't want her living with the possible guilt of having killed him. She didn't deserve that.
Sanzo stopped pacing when a soft knock came to the door before it was opened quietly. Hakkai poked his head through, smiling at Sanzo. It was one of his real smiles, the ones tinged with a sorrow that never seemed to leave, no matter how many years passed. "Sorry, but I heard you pacing," he whispered.
"No reason to be all hushed. Goku's dead to the world," he replied in a normal tone.
"Ah." Hakkai glanced at the boy, smile lightening a little. "Actually, I was wondering if you'd like to have a drink with me. I can't seem to sleep myself."
Sanzo blew out a stream of smoke, eyes narrowing briefly before he shrugged. He knew Hakkai well enough to understand this invitation for a drink was really his way of asking questions, but he couldn't sleep and a couple rounds of booze might help solve that problem. He grabbed the sutra out from under his pillow, stuck his gun at his back, tucked the lighter in with his cigarettes and followed Hakkai out the door.
"Where's Gojyo?" he asked. Not that he really cared where the waste of flesh was at, but Hakkai was in one of his moods and usually Gojyo stuck around on those nights. It wasn't raining yet, but there was a definate dampness in the air, as well as that cold rain smell. Hakkai always got a little somber before the rain started
"He's still at the bar across the street. I think. Someone mentioned something about a poker tournament."
"Hmph." Typical Gojyo right there. Sanzo took a seat at the now empty (and closed) bar of the inn while Hakkai went behind the counter, searching through shelves.
"What are we having tonight?" Hakkai asked, rummaging through the shelves.
"Whatever. Vodka, if it's there." Something strong that worked quickly was in order. It was almost three in the morning and he wanted a little sleep before starting off again.
"Mmm... nope. How about rice sake?"
"What's the label?"
Hakkai laughed, pulling the bottle up and setting it on the bar top. "I've never known someone to be picky over the type of sake they're served."
"If you're going to drink, it might as well be the good stuff. I'm not getting a hangover off of cheap booze," Sanzo replied, lighting a cigarette.
Laughing again, the green-eyed man asked, "Does this one meet your standards?"
He shrugged. "It'll do." It actually wasn't a bad label at all. Not as rough as some of the local swill the little villages liked to serve, but not so soft that it wouldn't kick him in the ass.
Hakkai came back around the counter with two sake glasses and placed enough money and then some to cover the bottle they took. The lights from the surrounding buildings was enough for them to see by, so there was no need to turn on the lights in the bar. Both downed their first shots, Hakkai shuddering as the burning after taste kicked in. "Oh... my. That's strong!"
"I thought you could handle your liquor," Sanzo commented as his cup was refilled.
"No, it's not that. This is really good! It's so difficult to find good sake nowadays. Do you think I left enough money?"
"You left enough for the bottle and his first born daughter, Hakkai. Keep your wallet in your pocket." Another shot went down, burning a path down his throat and warming his belly. Shit... this was exactly what he needed.
"Sanzo?"
Sanzo glanced over at Hakkai, who was filling their cups up for round three. Great, the inquiries were starting already. He couldn't have waited for at least three more shots before asking questions? "What?"
Hakkai hesitated, staring into his sake before saying, "Today was extremely bizarre, wasn't it? The water youkai was expected, but all the rest of it..." He flicked his fingers, indicating he didn't know really how to describe the events. "I think the most unusual was that last fight we had."
"Kougaiji was brainwashed. He didn't know what the hell he was doing." Maybe if he played dumb...
Sighing, Hakkai turned and gave him an almost fierce glare. "Listen to me, Sanzo. Crazy shit happens. That's just how things are. But don't let it take away what's important to you. Fight for it. If you just let it go... you'll regret it. You may tell yourself that you won't, but deep down there'll always be that nagging little voice."
Sanzo remained silent to that little speech. He had two options here; one, he could pretend he had no fucking clue what Hakkai was talking about, two he could just fess up and get it over with. The first was a little too close for lying, and Hakkai already knew (or had a pretty damn good guess) about the second. Leaning back in his chair, he pushed his glass over with one finger. Sake splashed into it and he downed it without waiting for Hakkai.
"So, you're saying to ignore what happened today?" he asked. He didn't have to say it outloud to Hakkai. And Hakkai wouldn't ever ask him to.
Smiling bitterly, Hakkai said, "Well, which bothers you more, what happened today or losing what's important?"
Trust him to put it so bluntly. He'd already asked himself this very question, and the answer was easy, "I'm not losing shit, not over something so stupid as a fight."
The smile brightened just slightly. "Then there's your answer. You can't ignore it, but don't let it eat away at what you have. Every couple has issues. You're no different in that regard."
"Most couples don't try and kill each other either."
Chuckling, Hakkai poured one more round, finishing off the bottle. "Then you don't know too many married people! Did you know that almost seventy-five percent of murders are commited because of a lovers quarrel?"
"Did you know that eighty-three percent of all statistics are made up?" he shot back.
That earned him a full out laugh. Hakkai shook his head, rubbing his eyes. "May I ask you something, Sanzo? And you can answer as you see fit."
"You've already pryed this far. It depends on the question, though."
"How long has this been going on?"
Shit... how long had it been going on? Sometimes it felt like years, other times it felt like the few months it really was. Sanzo shrugged and opted for an obtuse answer. "A while."
"Ah. I'm actually rather surprised."
"Why?" That sounded a bit insulting. Was it really so surprising for him to be interested in a woman? Hakkai knew Yaone, and he knew him. He should have guessed Yaone met his criteria, human or not. As he'd said before, he didn't have a problem with the youkai unless they brought the problem to him.
"I thought it had been a more recent developement. Sudden lust and all that."
Sanzo snorted, arching a brow. "Sudden lust? Shit, Hakkai, who the hell do you think you're talking to? I'm not that goddamn pervert you share a room with!"
Hakkai laughed softly, running his fingers through his hair. "I apologize. You're right, it was a foolish assumption."
"I'll say." Sudden lust his ass! This had taken a lot of work, a lot of patience... It was worth it in the end, though, to have someone. He had Goku, yes, but this was much different. In many areas (not all of them sexual), she understood better than Goku what he needed. Goku tried to make things better. Yaone accepted that things were shitty and left it like that.
Sighing, Hakkai stood up, stretching a little. "Don't let it go, Sanzo. If it's worth it, you'll put all you have into keeping it."
"Not all I have. A good portion, though." There was only one person he would have done anything for, and that person was dead. Never again would he live for someone like that.
"Fair enough. Good night."
"Whatever. Hakkai."
Hakkai paused in the doorway as Sanzo stood up, draining off the very last of his sake.
"Thanks for the drinks."
Smiling again, he said, "You're welcome," before heading upstairs.
Sanzo waited a few seconds before following him up. Hakkai knew, and he was fine with that. He knew the other man wouldn't dare breathe a word of this to anyone. One of the good things about Hakkai was that he did trust him to do what was necessary. The sake was starting to make his entire body warm as he trudged back to his room, shooting a look at the new (and very uncomfortable) position Goku had flung himself in. At least the brat had stopped snoring. Sanzo put his cigarettes and gun on the table by the bed, wrapped his hand around the sutra and hid it under the pillow.
Hakkai did have a point though. His relationship with Yaone was fucked up, but it would be an even bigger mistake to just walk away from it. Besides, since when had he ever backed down from a challenge? He was hellbent and determined to make this work, if only because anyone else would have quit by now, claiming it was impossible. The stubborness inside him refused to let go simply over a few ill-placed explosives. The next time he saw her, they'd probably have to talk about it, but he'd make damned sure she knew he wasn't leaving anytime soon. He was in this, come hell or high water. Hopefully hell over high water. He'd gotten quite enough of that for one day!