For those of you wondering this is where the Xover part starts…
"Why must we keep him around?" Suzaku asked for probably the hundredth time since Hiei had returned with a fox demon in tow.
"When you have a legendary thief beholden to you, you don't let him just wander away." Hiei answered, as he dressed.
Suzaku made a vaguely agreeing sound, as he rolled over, yanking the blankets up over his head.
"When you done sulking, we have a monk and his friends to torture and destroy."
"It seems," Yoko observed as he rose naked from the tumble of blankets in the corner of the room that served as his bed. "That there's trouble in paradise, yet again." He yawned and stretched.
Hiei gave Yoko a smile that faded as his eyes fell on the silver bands and chains that decorated the demon's hips and cock. It was, for intents and purposes, a demonic chastity belt. Yoko couldn't have sex, couldn't get aroused without causing himself severe pain. It was Suzaku's idea, and was rapidly becoming the last straw in their relationship.
Turning his eyes, and thoughts, away from the fox demon, Hiei shrugged into his jacket.
"Hurry up and dress, boys. We have to give the new Sheriff and his deputies a proper welcome." He left the room, throwing over his shoulder. "And I want to be back before lunch."
"It's not my usual look." Sanzo said taking one more look in the dusty mirror. "They really take this Western theme to the extreme. Though I'd have preferred the duster coat come in a color that hid the previous blood stains." He was complaining about the violet palomino colored suede jacket that went almost to the floor. Ma had patched up the bullet holes but the stains along with the amount of patching suggested whoever had it last had met a bad and messy end.
"At least yours fit," Goku complained. "I look like I've stolen someone's kid brother's clothes." He stood in front of the mirror, frowning at the skin-tight jeans and green and blue flannel shirt that wouldn't button across his chest. "I mean, I might as well be naked for all this get-up hides!"
"Ah! Now there's a frightening thought." Goyjo added, adjusting his hat. "At least you guys aren't the mariachi." He tried to pull the bolero jacket down more over his ass hugging red pants.
"The guy before you must have been damn small," Sanzo agreed looking over Goku. "Or he went clubbing in his free time. Well line dancing anyway. And you. I'll try really hard not to call "Desperate-ato"." Sanzo sat on his bed and rubbed his feet. "Five minutes in those boots is five minutes too long. Why can't I wear my sandals? I hate these things. Who had them last? I swear it was a girl." He glanced dismally at a pair of high cut, high heeled cowboy boots, they were cream colored with small embroidered purple roses here and there on the side. "And what is the point of these pizza cutters on them anyway? Don't tell me I've got to ride a horse."
Goku frowned, "Oh, I hope not. I can barely sit."
Hakkai appeared, looking sour. He wore an all black, high collar suit, with a grey dress shirt, and a ¾ length jacket and all. "This itches." He muttered fingering the hat, not at all willing to put it on. "And... this all around sucks…"
'Yeah it was so cheap to steal our clothes while we bathed…" Goyjo glared at Hakkai. "And I'm never sharing a bath with you again, you lousy thief. That was so my, outfit."
Hakkai smiled. "You're the one who needed an extra five minutes to condition your hair."
"You guys got to choose. You guys got to take a bath?! They gave me the antidote…" Sanzo was not happy, "but guess what…it is toxic to anyone who doesn't have the poison in their blood…so just to be safe they took my clothes…they burned my robe! Then they hosed me down like a steer and gave me a blanket to wrap up in while they showed me to my room."
"Dude," Goyjo looked ashamed for complaining.
"Oh, man Sanzo. How did you not shoot them?" Hakkai asked.
"Well you see, they took my gun before they brought me to the room with the antidote and as I was about to keel over…my temperature was one hundred and eighteen or something…I'd have done anything to get the medicine. I hate this place. Someone give me a cigarette. Mine were burnt along with my robe."
Goku looked up from the pack he was digging through. "I haven't found the spares yet."
Goyjo patted himself like he was searching for pockets. "Shit! They took mine with my pants."
Hakkai opened a silver case in front of Sanzo. "Go slow. I have to roll them myself."
"Very elegant." Sanzo grabbed one of the four in the case. Smelling the fresh tobacco he set the cigarette in his mouth. "This I could learn to like but you're gonna have to roll faster. Maybe you could show Goku how. Now whose got a light?"
Goyjo handed Sanzo a box of matches. "You're on your own with these, man." He reached for the cigarette in Hakkai's hand, thinking it was meant for him, only to watch Hakkai steal a match, strike it against the table and light it for himself. "Dude." He muttered, reaching for the case on the table.
Hakkai's eyes narrowed, and he gave Goyjo a deadly glare.
Sanzo wasn't terribly worried about Gojyo's lack as he took a match and ran it along the bedpost, besides Hakkai's new attitude could only spring from his annoyance something Sanzo shared with him in spades. On the other hand, he considered when the hard lines in Hakkai's face didn't soften into a smile and a sharing welcome, maybe it was time to start to worry. There were still way too many unanswered questions, like why Hakkai had set them up…and to let them hang in the air like the smoke from his cigarette was more than Sanzo could do. So as he brushed away the sweet heavy smoke with his hand he said, "We are all dead if we aren't all at 100% here. We have never really had to question the way we work together as a team,even if it is unorthodox, it works. So, it's time for everyone to come clean, who did this and what is being held over your head…because I've thought about it all night and that can be the only explanation." It was also the only explanation Sanzo would entertain having decided he wasn't going to be wrong about the true heart of any of the three demons he begrudgingly called companions and secretly called friends.
Goku crawled up onto the bed to sit next to Sanzo. "It wasn't me," he muttered, looking sulky.
Goyjo shrugged, "sure wasn't me either."
Hakkai took a long drag off his cigarette. "Perhaps there are prices none of us can afford to pay for inaction, and when these precious things are threatened, then nothing else is sacred." He stared at the end of the lit cigarette. "But you would not understand what it is that I stand to lose." Hakkai set the cigarette in the ashtray, letting it burn. "I need some air."
Sanzo handed Gojyo what was left of the cigarette and took up Hakkai's. "Well, that solves half the mystery. We really shouldn't waste these. What!?" Gojyo and Goku were both staring at him. "You want me to go after him don't you? If I thought it would do any good I would."
What happened Cho why is there a new wall where several days ago there was an open path. I thought for sure that when I couldn't sleep I'd wake to find you sitting at my side. The voice of reason, the kindness of understanding me, the empty chamber where I swear I put the bullet, all of these and more. Do you know I'm frightened, I feel like my little Russian Roulette game has caught up with me. It's different when I'm not the one holding the gun. Do you know I can't tell anyone else these things? I'm Goku's strength, Gojyo's one certainty, but you, you are my lifeline. Not much different than I am to Goku really.
Sanzo swore loudly as the cigarette burned down to burn the fingers ha had been holding it with, he'd been so preoccupied.
Goku jumped over to hover nervously over Sanzo's shoulder. "Are you okay Sanzo? What is it? Where does it hurt?"
"Just burned my damned finger. Don't worry it's not the poison, but all the damn distractions are making me a klutz." He held out his reddened finger. "One of you want to kiss it and make it better?" he said full on sarcastic.
"Only if you'll kiss mine monk," Gojyo held out a finger of his own.
Goku seized Sanzo's wrist and noisily and sloppily kissed his burnt finger. He rocked back, grinning.
"Ahh." Sanzo pulled back acting offended. "Monkey drool." He used his other hand to smack the both with the fan and resisted the strange urge to fall back onto the bed in a heap laughing. "Okay, let me get these not of Buddha boots on and we'll go find our brooding sheriff. Since, I'm guessing, if we're following the whole Western theme, you're his faithful young charge whose a genius with his weapon and you… well, probably the much needed comic relief."
"Blow me." Gojyo muttered. "What does that make you? His desperado girlfriend?" Gojyo held up one of the rose-covered boots.
"I was thinking more the gorgeous blonde everyone wants to save but is more than capable of taking care of herself. I mean himself. Myself." He grabbed the boot away. "Give me that!"
Gojyo laughed. "Right, that was my second choice. C'mon." There was a part of Gojyo that wanted to chase down Hakkai on his own, and demand to know what was going on, but what he told Sanzo was likely all they were going to get out of him for a while. Besides, despite there closeness, there were things about Hakkai Gojyo had never been able to fathom. But Sanzo… he understood, he could mend the wounds that Gojyo couldn't even bear to look at.
"Right behind you." Sanzo grimaced as he placed the lilac cowboy hat on his head and placed the six-shooter in an inner pocket of his heavy coat. Trying to stand, defiant, indignant, and authoritative in this ridiculous outfit, he said to Goku, "Ready, little pilgrim?" John Wayne, I'm not, he thought. Definitely not, he wouldn't be caught dead in this quasi-drag. But if I make Goku laugh, we'll both feel better.
Goku smiled widely as he dropped his oversized ten-gallon hat on his head and secured the whip on a specially designed hook on his belt. "Yeah, let's go, Miss Rosie." He darted out the door well out of the reach of the fan, laughing the whole way.
"You know, this might not banish a demon, but if I shoot you it will hurt like hell, monkey." Sanzo threatened after Goku's retreating form. Entering the entourage forming on the porch, he put an unannounced hand on Hakkai's shoulder. "Reporting for duty sheriff. When we gonna rustle us some varmints?" Switching to his normal voice he asked "So what do you think, bank robbery, damsel in distress… not a word Gojyo… maybe a barroom brawl? How bad can these guys be, they didn't strike last night when we were preoccupied, maybe this is all a game and even as outlaws they go by some code of the Old West. Optimism doesn't suit me does it?"
Hakkai nodded, but didn't speak. His eyes were focused on the horizon. He pointed to three mounted figures riding into town. "We've got company."
"Great. They're making an entrance. Outlaw drama queens, just what I want to fight." Sanzo commented as he reached without asking for Hakkai's cigarette case hoping he'd understand how much Sanzo needed one thing that wasn't as foreign as everything else about this. Although it may usurp the sheriff's authority if he did so, he let Hakkai decide how to handle it.
Hakkai turned his head to watch Sanzo's hand slide into the inner pocket of his jacket. He gave Sanzo a half annoyed, half amused look. "Can't wait to wrap your pouty lips around one, huh?" He smiled evilly.
"Not you too." Sanzo pulled his hand away not claiming his objective. He moved to lean as manly as possible on one of the porch posts. "I am not the token female. And even if I were, I'd slug you for that. Chicks in Westerns are tough, of course they're usually ex-saloon girls. You know what, it is my fondest wish, sheriff… fellow deputies, that the three of you try it… being saloon girls that is."
"And I suppose you'll play the part of every last cowboy who comes to use and abuse us in all the filthy ways dirty whores like us deserve?" Hakkai whispered in Sanzo's ear as he withdrew a cigarette from the case, held it to Sanzo's lips and lit his lighter, all while he stood sort of behind Sanzo, arms draped over his shoulders.
"And relish every moment of it." Sanzo responded though his eyes were wide, astonished at Hakkai's words and actions.
"Save it for the saloon," Goyjo said to Hakkai. "The bad guys are here, Sheriff."
The three men reined in and sat on their horses, looking the four over. The muscular blonde spoke first. ""Which one, then?" he glanced at the other two.
The man with a long silver braid nodded at one of the four who stood on the porch, but only the blonde seemed to be able to tell which one he meant. Frowning, he glanced at the dark-haired man, who nodded, apparently agreeing with the silver-haired man.
"Sanzo?" Goku slid up the to the monk. "They're demons, but…their youjitsu feels wrong."
"Wrong how?" Sanzo whispered. "Are they strong or inexperienced? The one looks to be a school boy but the other two…well, that one has eyes that glitter with the kind of menace I've seen in the monkey king."
Goku latched on to Sanzo's arm. "They're strong, but they…they look human and they aren't wearing limiters. They're…"
"That white-haired one is," Goyjo added. "I can sense his containment."
The white-haired demon in question rode ahead of the others. "Hello there,' he smiled, showing fang like teeth for a moment. His pointy ears pricked up from where they had mostly been hidden in his hair. "My name is Yoko. This is Hiei and Suzaku…and you are?" His voice was soft and gentle but his golden eyes were devouring each of them in turn.
Having a hell of a time remembering he was not the Sheriff, Sanzo said with friendly ice, "That is Goyjo, he bullfights in his spare time, this is Kid Goku he's a devil with a whip. Hakkai…I mean Sheriff Hakkai is a quiet man but deadly. And me, Genjo Sanzo, I'm the quickest draw in the west. So, now the introductions are out of the way. Have you come to invite us for drinks or hire us to baby-sit your tot." He tilted his towards Hiei.
Yoko looked with amusement over his shoulder at the smaller demon. "Neither today." His eyes returned to Sanzo. "But if you have a free evening, perhaps you and I could share a bottle of wine." Yoko smiled ferally at Sanzo.
Hakkai stepped forward, one arm unconsciously going around Sanzo. "I'm afraid his evenings are all booked. Why don't you just tell us what you want."
Sanzo bit back his usual commentary. Hakkai was really trying to protect him, instinctively, like he was already involved in the process. Could that be a clue to Hakkai's true motivation? But how could it, my best protection WAS the scripture and the banishing gun. '"Sorry guess my dance card is full." Sanzo stared in the gold heat of Yoko's eyes to show just how afraid he wasn't.
"Pity,' Yoko pouted for a second. 'But, in truth it wasn't you I came forward to speak to." Yoko dismounted gracefully, giving them all a full view of his fluffy white tail. He stepped forward, producing a fully bloomed red rose from nowhere. He held it out to Goku. "It was Goku, wasn't it?"
His face softened, the animal giving way to the face of a boy not much older than Goku. 'Go ahead. It's just a flower." He said, when Goku didn't take the rose.
Sanzo wasn't worried. Though the demon seemed to have lost all viciousness, Goku wouldn't accept the flower. He could guess Yoko recognized a kindred spirit in Goku. He was wrong, as the demon would soon find out, he thought smugly.
Goku looked at Sanzo then at Yoko. He could sense the danger beneath the softness, but who looked at him would sense the same thing. It was just a flower. He reached out tentatively and took the rose. Lifting it to his nose, he smiled, "It smells so sweet."
Yoko reached out a hand to brush Goku's cheek ever so softly. 'Good I'm glad you like it.
Sanzo hid a hand that was quickly clenching into a fist and watched fascinated by the exchange. Were these the guys they were supposed to stop or stray demons-and for that matter if they were, why did Yoko seem sincerely interested in Goku? Showing in minutes, a sweetness to the boy that well Sanzo had never seen anyone show. He moved to Goku and pulled him back from Yoko. "It's a lovely flower. Is that all you want?"
"For now," Yoko bowed, taking a step back. He mounted his horse and smiled at Goku. 'I know how to properly court a young man of his standing." He looked at Sanzo sincere concern creasing his pretty face. "With his father's permission, of course."
Goyjo was trying hard not to laugh at the crimson blush and open-mouthed expression that overtook Goku. Hakkai didn't seem to react, other than to remove his arm from Sanzo's waist.
Yoko's companions just rolled their
eyes and shook their heads as though to say-"You drug us out here at this hour
for this?"
"I'm not his father." Yeah, Genjo Sanzo, then what are you
exactly? Shut up, voice in my head I
choose to ignore. "Just a concerned
friend." Who wants to dig those
soliticious eyes of yours out of their sockets with my bare hands. Reason number twelve we need to get out of
here as soon as possible. Romance for
Goku, absolutely not! Why is that,
"just a concerned friend"? Didn't I tell you to shut up?
Yoko's smile reappeared. "No reason to be concerned. I only have the purest intentions for Goku." He looked at the speechless boy. "Perhaps I will join you for dinner this evening. Until then." He tipped an invisible hat, and turned away, his companions following after a long look at the four men.
"Well that was weird," Hakkai muttered, rubbing his head fluffing his hair.
"Yeah. Why'd he pick the monkey?" Goyjo seemed offended.
"You don't look like the type who'd be impressed by roses, or he thinks," eyeing his friend's mariachi get-up, "you're used to people throwing them at you all the time."
"Bite me," Goyjo growled. "But, hey, 'concerned friend', what are you going to do now? Our little Goku's all grown up and dating. Time to give him the birds and bees talk, Sanzo."
"Goyjo!" Goku looked shocked and clung even tighter to Sanzo's arm. "Sanzo make him stop!"
"In a way he's right, Goku. You seemed to like him at least a little, if you want to explore that, who am I say anything." Sanzo felt he did a fairly good job of hiding his emotions.
Hakkai's hand brushed the back of Sanzo's neck before settling on Goku head. 'Come on, Goku. Let's get you some breakfast, and I'll tell you all about the birds and the bees."
Goyjo snickered. "I think the monk might have better luck with that than you."
"You, of all people, know that isn't true." Hakkai said, smiling sweetly at Goyjo. The half-demon's face turned as pink as his hair.
Sanzo stared at the outline disappearing in the distance. There was danger here and perhaps the most menacing kind. He could lose Goku to a beautiful demon boy. And clearly Hakkai and Goyjo were as close as he had suspected. He lived as the center of attention on this journey for so long, he didn't have to try too hard; they let him be his miserable self and still remained loyal. Here in this place, he could easily be forgotten. He stood alone on the porch, a burst of sand and wind hitting his face taking the ashes as it went on its way. If they'd asked him who was most expendable, he'd have said himself for the sole purpose of protecting the other three. He was beginning to see he would not be lying about it.
Well, time would tell if Goku chose the silver-haired, silver-tongued demon over him. Then again, did Goku even see him as a choice? And if not, could Sanzo find the way or allow himself the words to tell him?