Three Demons and a Baby!
* The next morning *
I feel like shit...
"San-chan, are you crying cause you need to change?" Came the melodious voice of Hakkai as he peered down at the sniffling bundle on the cot. Amethyst opened up and stared widely into emerald eyes.
Crying? Change? Hakkai, you don't mean...
"Yep, I think you do need a change." Sanzo scowled at Hakkai's laughter. He was then picked up by the emerald eyed demon and taken to a small table where a towel lay upon it and several other items for baby's. Hakkai placed Sanzo on his back and he let out soft squeals not liking this position at all. While Hakkai held Sanzo's squirming body down with a gentle hand, he sifted through a bag and pulled out a toy.
"Here San-chan, this might distract you while I change your diaper ne?" In the chubby hands of Sanzo was a toy gun and when he placed pressure at the handle of it the gun gave off a shrill squeak.
Very funny Hakkai. Sanzo scowled while listening to "his" baby self squeal in delight at the sound the gun made and proceeded to squeeze it more and more.
If only it were real...
"If only it were real ne San-chan?" Hakkai spoke softly while picking up Sanzo as he was now changed and dressed for the day.
Stop calling me that!
"You'd certainly aim it at me now wouldn't you San-chan?" Hakkai questioned and laughed lightly, which in fact got baby Sanzo giggling as well. He seemed like such a playful child and was easily entertained by the smallest thing, whether it be a squeaking toy or him laughing. How odd...
YES!
"Come on, lets head downstairs. I'm sure Goyjo and Goku are already there and perhaps arguing."
Don't put it past them Hakkai.
Hakkai pushed the door open and was greeted to the sight of...no one. Emerald eyes gazed around the restaurant where other customers ate quietly and found no Goyjo and of all things no Goku.
The saru isn't here...thats definitely strange.
"This is strange Sanzo..." Hakkai whispered softly to him. To Sanzo it was still uncanny as to how Hakkai knew exactly what he was thinking.
"DON'T CALL ME MONKEY, YOU PERVY WATER SPRITE!"
And here they come...
The two demons walked into the restaurant, several customers staring at them. Goyjo was just about to yell at Goku once more, but stopped when he noticed a frowning Hakkai looking at the both of them. He coughed lightly and placed on his usual cocky grin.
"You survived a night with him too. Man you certainly are gifted Hakkai." He then proceeded to ignore the glare from baby Sanzo and sat down at a table for four. Goku bounded on over as he read the menu, mouth watering at all the dishes he could choose from. Hakkai sighed lightly and padded his way towards the table as well.
Goku in under ten seconds was waving to a waitress to tell her their order. The food was soon ordered and Goku then proceeded to complain that he was hungry. In retaliation of that Goyjo smacked him on the head and mumbled 'baka saru' while smoking his cigarette. Hakkai for his part just remained quiet.
About two minutes had ticked by and the squeaking of the gun Sanzo had in his hands was starting to annoy Goyjo, but he was trying so hard not to make the boy cry as that would cause even more attention then he wanted...and with that he'd have to undergo Hakkai's wrath. Of course this seemed odd coming from the "mother of the group" but no one really knew Hakkai's fighting potential as he kept everything in check. In all seriousness it was not wise for anyone to piss him off for under that mellow attitude there was power. Ruby eyes drifted from the ceiling and turned to stare at the far away look on Hakkai's face.
"Oi Hakkai, you okay man?" At that question, golden eyes finally took notice of Hakkai as well.
"Eh, oh I'm fine." Hakkai responded and shifted Sanzo in his lap.
"You sure? In fact to be honest Hakkai, you look like you haven't slept at all." At that insinuation ruby, gold and amethyst turned to gaze or look up at Hakkai.
"I just didn't sleep well thats all."
"You sure it wasn't Genjo-chan keeping you awake?" Goyjo asked once more and dodged the toy gun from hitting his head.
"I'm sure, I just couldn't get to sleep."
"Alright then..."
"Here you go gentlemen." Came the voice belonging to the waitress as she held several dishes in her hands and on her arms.
"ALRIGHT FOOD!" While Goyjo and Goku served up their breakfast Hakkai lowered his eyes, they slightly widening as amethyst were still staring at him. It was like...like there was concern in those big dewy amethyst eyes.
You look like shit Hakkai. It was me wasn't it?
"I'm okay...really San-chan...I'm fine." Sanzo was sceptic at his words, but his baby self seemed satisfied when Hakkai smiled down at him. There was pointless baby gurgles from him and his hands clapped together as a large smile broke onto his chubby face.
"I'm not sure whether I find this humorous or scary Hakkai."
"What do you mean Goyjo?" Hakkai spoke while testing the milk temperature on his hand to make sure it wouldn't be too hot for Sanzo to drink.
"Well he is a baby now...and a very bubbly one at that. Its just not like him. So I find it hell funny...and damn scary at the same time. Could you imagine Sanzo being bubbly as an adult?" And with that he cracked up laughing. Goku stared at his laughing companion with his spoon hanging out of his mouth.
"Well, I think its slightly funny for us, but scary for you Goyjo."
"Oh, why do you say that monkey?" Goku bristled at Goyjo calling him monkey yet again, but he was unable to answer as Hakkai answered for him.
"Because we can just see Sanzo back as himself and firing several bullets right at you. He can hear everything your saying remember?" At that Hakkai let off a small tired laugh and Goku snickered at the wide eyed look on Goyjo's face.
"I can see the pervy water sprite running for his life!" Goku admitted and started laughing, but immediately shut up with a bound on the head by the said water sprite.
"Che! Like I care what that monk thinks he can do. He's gotta get back first." At that the table went utterly silent. While amethyst stared around the table, they always went back to stare into emerald eyes which happened to be lowered.
Don't blame yourself Hakkai...
"I'm sorry..."
Don't fall into that pit of despair!
"Eh...Hakkai...nan desu ka?" Goku wasn't sure what Hakkai was apologizing for.
"If I was quicker, if I had placed up a barrier, maybe...maybe Sanzo could have been protected."
"Maybe...and maybe not." Emerald darted to ruby as Goyjo was pulling out another cigarette from his packet.
"You had no idea what was going to happen and furthermore your barrier might not have saved him in the end anyway. Of course you won't know that, but there is no point in beating yourself up over it. What's done is done and I'm sure even Sanzo isn't blaming you Hakkai."
"You think so?"
"We know Sanzo can be a lot of things, but no matter how much he tries to deny it, emotions do escape those eyes of his. Now look at him Hakkai...and I mean really look. Do you see blame in those eyes?" Hakkai blinked silently at Goyjo's words and then turned to look down into amethyst. He was surprised to find that what was there was not blame at all. In fact those eyes held absolute trust towards him. Sanzo trusted him to look out for him...to protect him. While Sanzo was like this, he had entrusted Hakkai to be his career and protector. Hakkai blinked astounded and stared into Sanzo's eyes. At this sudden realisation, Hakkai wasn't sure how to respond to such a request of trust.
"Sanzo...I..." Hakkai whispered softly, but was interrupted from saying anything else as the waitress was back again asking if they needed anything else.
"I'll go pack my things, so you two be ready to leave in half an hour alright?"
"HAI!" Goku quipped while scoffing down the remains of Hakkai's breakfast. Hakkai stood up with Sanzo drinking his milk and headed out of the restaurant and upstairs to their room.
That stupid water sprite is right Hakkai. Che! Who would have thought I'd actually agree with him, not that he'll ever know but still...
"Eh San-chan, what's the matter?" Hakkai questioned while he sat down on his unmade bed. Sanzo was standing up on his thighs, with his own arms supporting him, but while one hand held the bottle of milk to his mouth, the other drifted up to play with Hakkai's locks of hair. Sanzo's chubby hand brushed through soft strands of hair and Hakkai turned his head towards the mirror and found his hair was quite disheveled. That would be one of the reasons why Goyjo asked those questions. He was still dressed in his sleeping attire and was very much not his usual tidy self.
"Are you taking care of me San-chan?" Hakkai spoke softly with a small smile on his lips. There was no gurgle or anything from Sanzo. All he did was continue to drink while his right hand brushed through Hakkai's messy strands of hair.
"Alright then..." Hakkai shifted position so now Sanzo sat up on his own on the bed Hakkai had slept in while Hakkai himself lay on his stomach. His head was slightly bent down and this time he felt two chubby hands brushing through his hair.
How can his hair be so soft? Is his skin soft too? Wait! What the hell am I saying!
"I am sorry Sanzo." Hakkai muttered aloud, head still bent and emerald eyes closed at the gentle stroking of fingers untangling his brown locks of hair. Of course baby Sanzo gurgled happily, but Sanzo on the inside was another story.
Now your back to calling me Sanzo? This is serious.
"Though Goyjo is right, I still am responsible for what's happened. I swore Sanzo...I promised myself that if you were harmed in any way, then I was not fit to be on this mission."
What do you mean by that? Instantly the stroking of chubby hands stopped and Hakkai opened his eyes and lifted his head to gaze up at amethyst eyes.
"Perhaps this just shows I am not worthy to be here with you...to protect you...with Goyjo and Goku."
You wish to leave? Hakkai you can't leave! You can't go because I...
"San-chan what's the matter?" Hakkai instantly forgot about his own despair at letting down Sanzo and wiped the tears from the now distraught boy.
I won't allow it! You leaving would mean...would mean...
"KAI!" Emerald eyes widened at that baby cry. Though he was still on his stomach and looking up at Sanzo, the little boy and yelled half his name and wrapped his arms around his neck.
"KAI!" Hakkai had to blink at this. No it wasn't his imagination at all. Sanzo was trying to call out to him.
I can speak? Perhaps, if only I could say more I could...I could get Hakkai to...
"STAY!"
"Eh?" Hakkai pulled away from the light "death grip" Sanzo had around his neck and sat up on the bed, now resting on his shins. Watery amethyst eyes continued to stare up at him, lips trembling as though those words were all he could figure out to say at such a moment like this.
"Sanzo...you...you want me here?" Hakkai softly questioned and all he received in answer was a large smile and then a yawn. He laughed lightly at that as amethyst eyes drooped closed. It appeared that baby Sanzo was wanting to sleep some more.
Shit! No...don't...go...to...sleep...
"Kai..." He gurgled out before his thumb went into his mouth and Sanzo was dead to the world once more.
"Alright Sanzo, I understand..." Leaving Sanzo where he was for the moment, Hakkai moved quietly around the room grabbing their things together, before changing into his green shirt and tucking it into his tan trousers. He raked a hand through his hair and then turned once more to smile lightly at the adorable sleeping Sanzo with the sunlight shining on his back.
"In truth Sanzo, even in sleep you are beautiful. Baby or adult, this fact never ceases to amaze me." Hakkai shuffled over to the sleeping boy after voicing that confession. Easily picking him up and placing him against his chest, he grabbed the bags and closed the room door behind him as he headed downstairs to pay for the rooms and their meals.
* Inn Foyer Area *
"He sleeps like an angel Hakkai-san." The young woman voiced softly while adding up the total costings of the four companions stay.
"Is it common in babies to want to sleep with someone? Genjo was restless last night on the cot himself, but now in my arms he is fine."
"Oh yes, he might not feel at ease unless he has something to hug onto...and I think by the looks of it that would be you Hakkai-san." The young woman smiled at Hakkai who just nodded his head and looked down at the sleeping boy. Just what did baby Sanzo like about him? Hakkai shook the thought from his mind and thanked the young woman for all her help. He headed outside and found Hakuryuu already transformed into their transportation with Goyjo driving, Goku in the passenger seat and the back all for him and Sanzo. Sure it would be strange for Hakkai, but he doubted he'd be able to survive Sanzo's wailing at being left in the care of Goyjo and Goku while he drove. He jumped into the back and smiled appreciatively at Goyjo.
"So where to man?"
"Back to those caves."
"You got it. Oh, Sanzo dropped this." Goyjo muttered while tossing the toy gun into the back. Hakkai laughed lightly before tilting his head back to look up into the blue sky. It was a nice day, but with the open breeze they would have on their journey it was probably best to place a blanket over Sanzo. So Hakkai did exactly that and couldn't help but smile down at Sanzo as he curled happily into the warmth of the blanket and pressed his face into the crook of his neck.
"Boy he really does like you Hakkai."
"You think so?" Hakkai asked as though he was some type of idiot.
"Yeah, just look Hakkai, he's snuggling with you." Goku spoke and started snickering with Goyjo.
"You two are lucky he's not awake to hear that."
"But its true though. Sanzo does like you Hakkai. He rides in front with you, talks to you and consults with you as well. Not only that he doesn't hit or shoot at you like he does with me and Goyjo and if he can never get a room to himself he'll always share with you."
"Well, when you put it like that Goku, I guess so. In any case, though he is stubborn and would deny it, I'm sure he likes the both of you too. Its just that..."
"You don't annoy him as much as us?" Goyjo finished off for Hakkai making him sweatdrop.
"Well, I wasn't going to say that." Goyjo raised his eyebrow at Hakkai and then listened to him chuckle lightly.
"Hakkai you should rest while he does." Hakkai parted his lips ready to protest, but again he was cut off by Goyjo.
"Come on man, you said you didn't sleep and why not sleep while he's sleeping. And don't worry I'll wake you when we get to those caves."
"Arigatou..." Hakkai slouched slightly into the back seat, making Sanzo move but thankfully he never awoke from his slumber. Emerald eyes closed off and he drifted into a light sleep just faintly hearing the animated conversation Goku was having with Goyjo.
* Time passes *
"Oh I'd say he really likes Hakkai, don't you Goku?" Hakkai stirred hearing Goyjo's question and the fact something...or more importantly someone was brushing his locks of hair once again. Emerald blinked open and Hakkai shifted his head to look down at sparkling eyes.
"Oh your finally awake, nice sleep?" Goyjo spoke from the drivers seat. Untangling a hand from holding Sanzo Hakkai lifted it to rub at his eyes.
"Mm, it wasn't too bad." A small smile was plastered on Hakkai's lips as he looked down at Sanzo.
"Man, he really DOES love you Hakkai." Goyjo spoke while trying to hold in his laughter as Sanzo's chubby hands started pressing against Hakkai's face as though memorizing his features.
Will you stop stroking his hair and touching his face! Your ruining my reputation daily!
Hakkai just laughed lightly at Goyjo's words and shook his head lightly while pulling Sanzo's hands away from his face and held them in his warm hands. He then tucked him back into the blanket and carefully sat Sanzo beside him. Right at this moment amethyst eyes found a certain toy and hands were out to grab it and squeezed it with excitement.
I'll never live this down with those two...
"Hakkai look, the mountain!" Goku yelled while standing up in the front seat and pointing at the large scale of it like an idiot. Goyjo just slapped his forehead, really wanting to say something, but he knew their yelling actually set off Sanzo...and that wouldn't be wise...so he remained silent.
"I can see it Goku." Hakkai muttered while sitting up straight in the back seat. At that remark Goku sweatdropped and sat back down.
"So what's you plan Hakkai?" Goyjo questioned as he pulled up just at the front of the cave entrance.
"You two wait here with Sanzo and I'll check it out."
What?
"WHAAAAAT?" The two demons yelled at him and Hakkai laughed lightly while scratching his head.
"Erm, if you stay out here I won't have to worry so much and I can be in and out pretty quickly." There was a whimper from beside Hakkai and he looked down at large watery eyes.
"I need you to stay here Sanzo."
NO WAY!
"Please...?"
I said NO!
"I promise to be quick...and I promise that Goyjo and Goku will be good."
I said...
"If I'm not back in twenty minutes you can come look for me okay?"
I...
"Please trust me Sanzo..."
CHE! FINE!
"Are they having a mental conversation between each other?" Goku muttered to Goyjo from the front seat. Goyjo just shook his head thinking the exact same thing. They blinked silently at Hakkai's smiling face and watched him jump out of the back.
"Its okay, Sanzo has no problems with me going in alone."
Che!
"Funny, is he giving you the evil eye Hakkai?"
"Probably, but if I'm not out in twenty minutes do come in and yell for me alright?" There were nods of the head and Hakkai quickly brushed his hand over Sanzo's forehead, amethyst eyes turning to look up at his gentle smiling face.
Twenty minutes tops Hakkai! Thats all!
"I'll see you soon." And with that the three of them watched Hakkai disappear into the darkness of the cave.
"Kai..."
"Woah Goku, did he just speak?"
"Um, yeah..."
"Well thats interesting."
"Sounds funny..." Goku muttered under his breath, thankful that Sanzo couldn't hear him.
"So I guess all we do is wait and keep an eye on the time." Goku nodded at Goyjo's words and got out of Hakkuryuu to stretch his legs.
"Kai..."
"Will you quit it already Sanzo, he's coming back so don't say half his name like you'll never see him again!" Amethyst narrowed at ruby and then found his new weapon against the water sprite.
This'll piss him off...
"Teme..." Goyjo grumbled, but held in his anger remarkably well. All the while Sanzo just giggled away and kept squeezing the gun.
* * * *
To be continued...
* * * *