WEIß KREUZ - GENSOMADEN SAIYUKI FANFICTION
Part 2 - Anger and Allergies
Ayan happily gulped down the meat and vegetable chunks on his feeder bowl.
"Is it right for him to be eating vegetables?" The Hyper Teenager, Son Goku, asked. Ayan had to watch himself around that one. The kid had already stepped on his tails at least once.
"Yeah, aren't foxes supposed to be meat eaters?" Long Red Locks added. He smelled of tobacco and sex rather like Youji. His name was Sha Gojyo.
"Baka! You can see that they also eat vegetables!" Grumpy Purple Eyed Blondie, Genjo Sanzo, exclaimed as he bopped both noisemakers with his fan.
Ayan had finally straightened the names of his companions. He also knew more or less their usual behavior.
Wait there's someone missing...
He craned his neck to see Hakuryu, the Disgruntled White Dragon, staring at him.
Staring at me? Uh...oh.
There was nothing to do for it. Ayan continued to eat though the savor was gone from his meal.
"What got into him? Ayan got to his sutras?" Gojyo asked.
Ah and that was Gentle Green Eyes cue. Hakkai just gave the redhead a mild smile. Ayan noticed that he did that very often. It made him look very wise but Ayan thought it was just a cop out.
I guess he doesn't know either… Hell, it could be just lack of sleep or the guy's generally grumpy...
Ayan was jolted out of his thoughts when he felt a weight hit him at the back of the head. It pushed him face first into his food.
Hakuryu!
Ayan gave the little dragon an evil glare. It seemed that the white dragon was taking the ruckus caused by the Gojyo and Goku moving to quarrel over their breakfast to push Ayan.
"Ayan, you seem to be a messy eater." Hakkai said, taking time to wipe Ayan's face. The attention didn't allow Ayan any leeway for vengeance.
Just you wait...every fox has its day...[3]
***
Sanzo's extremely irritable today I wonder why...
Hakkai worried. It wasn't like the blond monk at all to be this irritable. It usually took more noise from Goku and Gojyo than this to set Sanzo off.
Is he coming down with something?
Of the three of his companions, Sanzo concerned Hakkai the most. He was the only human in their midst, therefore the most fragile. He also seemed to have the knack to get into the line of fire the most often, as proven with the incident with Rikudo. Hakkai worried constantly that someday they're going to come against an enemy tough enough to go through the rest of the group to the fragile monk. He never expressed this concern since he knew that the blond would probably bop him with the Fan of Discipline and call him an idiot for it.
He could still remember that horrible moment when he saw the blond crumple under the deranged monk's attack.
***
Hakkai and Gojyo froze in place as Rikudo attacked Goku. They couldn't have done much to avert so it had been better for them to conserve their energy and wait out the insane human. He was bound to make a mistake sooner or later. Goku managed to make a dent on the man but Hakkai saw that he hesitated a bit. Sanzo saw it too and took Goku to task.
" Hey. Quit this stupid loyalty stuff. There's only one way to set him free from that talisman." Sanzo shouted.
He sounds pissed, but it was understandable, Goku's still idealistic...
"No!" Goku had yelled back.
"Goku?" Sanzo had asked, he was really asking why.
Yes, why spare an enemy who would not do the same...well, Sanzo has that thing about Goku obeying orders...
"He's like that right now, but he used to be your friend, didn't he? Just cut it out, okay!" Goku argued.
Sanzo just gave his usual glare.
"What?" Goku asked back, unfazed.
"Disgusting..."
"Huh? Sanzo..."[4]
Hakkai felt something like a vise around his heart as he saw the blond monk fall, stabbed through the chest by Rukudo's staff. It was almost a nightmare. Sanzo who seemed tougher than any human...
"Sanzo!" Hakkai's ears barely registered his own voice echo the voice of his companions. In the nightmarish rush that followed, he didn't know why but he took charge.
***
It was only through that goddess' help that we managed to save him...Sanzo...
Hakkai came to understand that he took charge at that point in time instinctively, hoping...
Hoping that Sanzo was still alive...that he could still be saved...
There was only one reason for such feeling. He had cared enough for his friend to show that much initiative. After Kana had died, he had only shown feeling only when Gojyo had been in danger from Sanzo and Goku, and the feeling then hadn't been that strong.
I'm just concerned that's all...he is the weakest of us...or at least the theoretical weakest...
The excuse sounded weak even to Hakkai.
But what else could it be...
***
Ayan sat on the front seat as he plotted his vengeance on the white dragon. It wasn't very wise but there was no other place for him to do so.
I'm going to wait until we stop then I'm going to take a piss on one of his wheel…and another stop and another wheel…
He was so busy planning his revenge that he hardly noticed that Sanzo had lit a cigarette. When he did, it was too late. His guardian was happily puffing away on a stinky weed.
I need to get away that from him…
Ayan's eyes were starting to water. He sniffled.
I definitely need to get that away from him…
He stood up on his hind legs and put swatted at the cigarette.
"You idiotic fur muff!" Sanzo exclaimed.
Ayan continued to swat at Sanzo's cigarette.
"I think he doesn't like the smell of cigarettes, Sanzo." Hakkai said, his eyes barely strayed from the road.
"Well, he'll just have to live with it."
Several minutes later, Ayan was still jumping up and down to get rid of his guardian's cigarette with miserable look on his furry face. Unnoticed, his eyes were watering worse than before and he sniffed every moment. He even forgot his anger at Hakuryu from the sheer misery of it all. His guardian and the Gojyo were smoking cigarettes, now and it was getting hard to breathe…
***
Hakkai took his eyes off the road when he heard a strange 'flomp'. He saw that Ayan had fainted on Sanzo. The blond monk was ignoring the little fox in favor of lighting another cigarette.
"I think we need to stop Sanzo." Hakkai needed both his hands to examine the little fox. Ayan was breathing very irregularly.
"Hn." Sanzo replied.
Hakkai took it for a yes and pulled over, in any case there was no time. He got out of his car and brought the fox on the ground to examine. He noted the watery eyes and runny nose and remembered the little fox trying desperately to get the cigarette away from Sanzo.
He must be really allergic to tobacco, the poor thing…
Hakkai thought guiltily.
"Give Ayan some air. Sanzo, Gojyo, please take your smoke elsewhere."
***
"So we need to stop smoking, is that it?" Gojyo demanded. He looked very annoyed to say the least and Sanzo didn't blame him.
Why should we accommodate the little furry brat? He's not necessary…
Sanzo resentment of the little nuisance doubled.
Not only does he try to cuddle up to me, he also takes Hakkai's attention away from me--I mean--from the group…
No, I didn't just think that…I didn't…
"No, that is out of the question." Sanzo added with a distracted air. The argument in his head still took most of his attention.
"No but you have to stop--"
"Why not let Sanzo stop smoking? He's the mama, not me. Mamas are not supposed to smoke, it affects their children's health." Gojyo drawled.
That does it! How can he can still find something funny in this situation…
Sanzo lost his train of thought and…
"Ero-Kappa no Baka!" Sanzo whacked Gojyo on the head.
"Ano…I don't mean to deprive you of the pleasure of polluting the air, minna-san. I only mean that you should not smoke in the jeep or anywhere near Ayan's vicinity."
"Hn."
"Oh! That's fine by me. Uncle Gojyo is willing to do that much for cute lil' Ayan-chan." Gojyo said, he fondled the ears of the useless creature as it revived. The little thing butted his head on the ero-kappa's hand.
Great now even he's on that creature's side! They sure fit together a useless ero-kappa and a useless fur muff…
Sanzo was going to object but the determined look in Hakkai's eyes stopped him.
"Hn."
***
Except for a few Hakuryu-Ayan snipping incidents, there were no more major explosions after the cigarette incident until they located a town with some milk for sale…
"Are you sure he's a kit, Sanzo?" Hakkai said, trying to coax Ayan into drinking the milk. The little fox had gone under the bed at the mention of the liquid and hadn't come out since. He had been hunched for a good quarter hour trying to make the little fox drink.
Sanzo wondered exasperatedly what it was about the little fox that was worth the effort.
It's not as if he could fight himself out of a paper sack… He does nothing but look cute but you dote on him like he was the best thing in the world…
The blond monk almost snorted to himself.
Why shouldn't we just leave him under there when we leave is beyond me…
"That's what Kanzeon said." Sanzo said when Hakkai was plainly waiting for his answer.
With those bright green eyes that I can't resist…
"Ah well. Maybe you could plead with him? He seems feel closer to you than to any of us." Hakkai asked the monk.
"All right, but this is against my better judgment. We could just leave him you know." Sanzo said as he crouched down to look under the bed.
Purple eyes stared back at him. Sanzo made a jerky come hither motion with his hand grudgingly.
***
Ayan wondered if he should go out from under the bed. He really didn't like the milk he was being offered but such good behavior on the side of his guardian should be rewarded [1].
That's right, I will...
Ayan stuck out his head cautiously.
***
A tiny head popped out from under the bed.
He finally got out of the bed... I thought we'd never get him out without Hakuryu. If nothing else, Hakuryu would probably get him out…
Hakkai sighed. He wasn't blind to the glares the white dragon was giving with the little fox. He didn't want to use that as a threat to get the little one to come out but he would as a last resort. The battle wasn't won yet though, Ayan was still under the bed.
Small ears rose to alert position. Ayan sniffed the air carefully. He swiveled his head slowly about.
Come on little one, there's nothing to fear...
Hakkai urged silently, but before the kit could take another tiny step. Sanzo used Ayan's protruding head to yank the little fox from under the bed.
"YIP!" Ayan yelped his pain and ire.
"Ayan!" Sanzo shouted involuntary as the kit latched on to him with a fury.
Really, what did he expect the kit to do? Stay still after what he did?
"Sanzo!" Hakkai said. Nothing that happened surprised the green-eyed youkai, well, almost nothing. He was surprised by Ayan's grip.
So strong for something so small...
"You shouldn't have done that..." Hakkai said as he tried to loosen Ayan's jaws from where they were clamped on Sanzo's ear.
The little fox gave his pitiful growl and plain refused to let go. His tiny claws seemed attracted to Sanzo's leather arm warmer. His hind paws stuck to the monk's arm and the forepaws stuck to the blond man's shoulder with Sanzo trying to shake him off. Hakkai would have worried if it weren't for the fact that no blood was flowing from Sanzo's ear. [2]
It's as if Ayan is just playing with Sanzo and was so careful not to injure his playmate even if he was irritated with him…
Now that he knew there was no danger, Hakkai couldn't help but admit that the tiny thing looked funny all stretched up like that over Sanzo and growling "ferociously" at that.
If he was larger we could probably send him to fight the youkai and we'll be out of a job...and he's like a cat, takes up more space than what you'd think was possible for such a small creature…
Sanzo wasn't helping matters any. Hakkai glared at the blond when he saw the man's hand stray towards the inside of the white robes.
Really now, there's no need for that… Ayan's just horsing around…and no one's really getting hurt…
The blond monk responded to the glare by giving up getting his gun or fan out in favor of trying to pry Ayan away.
Hakkai couldn't help but crack a smile of approval and amusement. He'll let them play a bit more. If nothing else, they should have time to relax, now and then.
There's so much of this journey that's serious or dangerous…
***
Sanzo looked surreptitiously at Hakkai as he moved his hand slowly in his robes to get his fan.
My gun is definitely out of the question…
The rest of his teammates would not forgive him if he killed the useless creature. They seemed to have grown fond of the thing overnight.
Hakkai in particular…
Sanzo had no desire to explain to the green-eyed youkai that he'd hurt the small thing.
As useless as it is…
It was of no use; Hakkai saw his furtive movement and glared at him. Sanzo resigned himself to pushing and pulling at the stupid fox.
Why do I have to do that? It's not as if Hakkai is in command here…his disapproval means nothing to me…
The disquiet in his thoughts disappeared by the quiet approval in the small smile he received from Hakkai.
***
Fun is fun but I think they shouldn't tire themselves out like this…we still have a long day…
Hakkai had watched Sanzo and Ayan play for a while and it was becoming boring. Besides, Sanzo looked agitated enough to make something truly drastic and harmful to the little kit.
"Now, Ayan…Sanzo…" Hakkai made soothing noises as he tried to separate the two. Sanzo was not to be placated however. The blond made a final sweeping motion. Ayan had been clinging on for a half an hour. The little fox must have been holding out with all its strength, sparing very little reserve. The strong motion threw the fox into a wall.
"Sanzo!" Hakkai said. He rushed to the little fox to feel it for injuries, giving Sanzo a reproachful glance.
How can he do that to a child?
Hakkai sighed in relief as he felt the tiny heart beat faintly but regularly through the small chest. Ayan was also breathing normally.
"You realize that you could have seriously injured Ayan-chan, don't you?" Hakkai said, rather annoyed with the blond monk as he sent a little jolt of healing energy at the bump he felt on the little fox's head.
It was just playing…
***
"You realize that you could have seriously injured Ayan-chan, don't you?" Hakkai said in that deceptively mild voice of his. The invisible steel in the velvet stung nonetheless.
Why am I feeling guilty? I wasn't at fault. That the furry idiot decided to cling to me…
"What would you have me do? He was stuck to me like a burr." Sanzo snapped defensively.
"A little patience would be nice. He is a child, after all." Hakkai said back calmly, making Sanzo feel, in turn, like a child. That made him more upset.
Why do I feel this way?
"Humph!" Sanzo exclaimed, knowing that he couldn't win an argument with the green-eyed youkai. Hakkai was too unflappable to erupt into a fit of temper like Goku or Gojyo.
Hakkai never responded with hurt or anger. Sanzo always felt childish picking on him.
He makes me feel like my master…in some ways…
His master, Komyo Sanzo, had always been a serene person. It could be the reason for his attraction to the green-eyed youkai. [4]
Attraction…no, it's just nostalgia, nothing more…must be…
***
Hakkai knew he'd won when he heard Sanzo grunt. His satisfaction at the victory was blunted by guilt. Truth to tell, he always felt a bit guilty about pressing issues on Sanzo. It seemed too much like taking advantage of someone's weakness since all he had to do was persist and the man would give way like Goku in the sight of food. The blond monk never did the same with the rest of the group.
Even Goku could never get the concessions I have gotten without pain and more persistence but… What I suppose to do? I can't let him bully such a tiny thing…
Hakkai lifted up the red fox onto the table where he could further examine the little thing for other injuries.
I'll know better when he's conscious…
A few moments later, Ayan wiggled feebly to get on his paws to sit up on the table and put his forepaws on Hakkai's outstretched arm shakily.
Hopefully, Hakuryu wouldn't be up to his old tricks… I doubt if Ayan could defend himself in this condition…
***
Ayan finished his food easily and begged for more from Hakkai. He put his big kit eyes to good use and stared at the man in question until he got a second serving. He was famished. He hadn't been able to eat lunch much when the Sanzo-ikkou had stopped for that meal. His head still spun and his vision doubled. Hakuryu hadn't been able to play any tricks on him since Hakkai kept a close eye on him. The protection he knew was going to cost him, he could still feel the beady red eyes glare a hole at the back of his head, but something that he was very glad of. Even now, he still had a bit of a headache and looked forward to sleeping on a nice soft bed.
I'll take it as it comes…
***
In the wee hours of the morning, small white bat wings flapped hard with effort to lift something equally small and dark colored to a space in between the cabinet and the ceiling…
~TBC~
Author's Notes:
[1] Anyone for an Ayan's "Training Your Humans to Behave" Manual? It's guaranteed to be effective in training hard case assassins. Let's see if it works on blond monks, ne?
[2] Try doing the above action to your average cat, you'll see what I mean. This is inspired by the long succession of stubborn cats we had, especially by Schaeffer and Garfield (the Knot Tailed). The only one who had never done this to me is my Joanie-bundat-baby cat, the true Ayan-kitsune of my life. *Joanie sneezes*
[3] Every dog has its day...adaptation
[4] DFT Alert - as in Disturbing Freudian Tendencies!
Very Sorry to Ayan-chan fans! I really tortured Ayan this time. Anyone want to join the "Ayan Protection Brigade"? I've had a web friend or two say that they're going to shoot Sanzo if he shoots Ayan. I think they'll be adding that they'll shoot Sanzo if he bashes Ayan around or be a general meanie to Ayan! And while they're at it, probably protect Ayan from Hakuryu. *silrayn pictures Sanzo and Hakuryu being mobbed by hordes and hordes of fan girls*
NEXT: This Means War (yes, the chapter got delayed by this sudden inspiration…)
Progress Report:
Sorry for not updating, but my life just got busy(see user profile for details) I am going to update at least 3 fics this week. ^^ Why(with me being busy)? This week is kind of special to me since my birthday is on it. The third fic is still being decided...
Next Update: Echoes in the Soul Chapter 3
Hopefully, updates will be faster afterwards since I am getting use to my new schedule...^^;;;