Three Demons and a Baby!
Hakkai's Dream
"You cannot help him…" Hakkai stared around at the blackness surrounding him, not being able to pin point where the source of the voice came from as it echoed all around him.
"What do you mean? Help who?"
"Genjo Sanzo…"
"Its you!"
Hakkai gasped awake, eyes snapping open as he stared up at an unfamiliar ceiling. Of course all the ceilings were unfamiliar but the last he remembered was telling Goku and Goyjo to get out of Kougaiji's way.
"About time you woke up." Emerald eyes quickly flickered to the left and found Goyjo sitting in a chair and wearing a pair of black jeans and a blue shirt.
"Goyjo, what happened?" Hakkai questioned his best friend but watched as he shook his head.
"You still need to rest, so I'll spare you the details of you pissing me off and decided on your behalf that we'll stay in this village for another day. The herbalist said you need to get on your feet before we can continue west."
"Where is Goku?"
"He's…"
"Ah, Hakkai your awake thank goodness! I was worried, are you okay?" The little monkey voiced as he stood by Hakkai's bed with big golden dewy eyes. Hakkai smiled at the boy and placed his hand on his head ruffling his hair.
"I'm fine Goku."
"So where is Sanzo?" Hakkai questioned as he noticed that neither Goku nor Goyjo was holding him. His mind began reeling with thoughts that something bad happened to their unorthodox "chibi" leader, but was snapped out of those thoughts by Goyjo cupping his shoulder.
"The moody monk wanted to make a grand entrance."
"Oh?" Hakkai questioned in confusion as he sat up more in the bed and leaned against the headboard as he was now residing in an inn room and not the herbalist's shop. They had carefully moved him while still sedated as the herbalist needed the room for another patient.
"Yeah he wants to show you something!" Goku voiced with a bit of laughter in his voice, trying desperately to not snicker a lot for he knew that as soon as Sanzo got back bullets would rain down upon his head…and he didn't want that.
"What are you two talking about?" That's when a young woman holding Sanzo took up Hakkai's line of vision.
"I'm glad your okay now Hakkai-san." Hakkai didn't know who she was and just smiled and nodded kindly at her words. Instead his eyes were trained on the amethyst ones that were staring over at him.
"Kai!" The little boy voiced happily at seeing his protector awake and stuck one hand out to him.
You finally woke up…
"I think he's been up the entire night, but has boundless energy and so Rei-san was kind enough to take care of him for awhile."
"Thank you so much." Hakkai spoke kindly and place don his usual smile. The young woman lightly blushed at his kind words but was interrupted by Goyjo speaking once more.
"Oh and guess what Genjo can do now?" Hakkai hadn't a clue what was going on and watched as Rei-san placed Sanzo on the ground. His eyes grew wide as he watched with everyone else.
"San…chan, you can crawl!" Hakkai spoke astounded and had only just corrected himself as he nearly told Rei-san that they were travelling with a "Sanzo". Hakkai's emerald eyes followed Sanzo's movements as he made his way to the bed he was occupying. A gentle smile was on Hakkai's lips as he observed Sanzo stand on wobbly legs and clutch the bed sheets to hold himself up.
Could this possibly be any more humiliating?
Sanzo was lifted up by Goyjo and placed on the bed next to Hakkai and as a matter of fact right into Hakkai's arms.
"San-chan missed Kai!" He spoke aloud and hugged the injured youkai once more before placing a peck on his check surprising Hakkai as his emerald eyes widened at the gesture and made Goku and Goyjo's eyes bug out of their heads.
Oh great…
Sanzo fumed in the darkness, sitting on the supposed floor with his arms crossed over his chest and what was a sudden heat of embarrassment rushed across his face.
"That's so sweet." Rei-san voiced from the doorway before bringing in some supplies for the baby and placed them on a nearby table. She bid the three demons farewell and closed the door leaving them be.
"Hahahahahaha!" Two demons yelled, not being able to keep it within themselves any longer. Goyjo and Goku were practically killing themselves as they were hunched over in hysterics because of Sanzo…yet again in fact.
"Perhaps you two should go for some food and some groceries." Hakkai spoke as he pat Sanzo's back lightly as he returned to hugging him, his head resting on Hakkai's shoulder and his amethyst eyes closed.
"True, but watching Sanzo is much more fun."
"Goyjo…"
"Okay man, I'm going." Goyjo spoke as he placed up his hands in defeat before taking the gold card from Hakkai's belongings lying on a chair nearby.
"Come on monkey, let's get some food and live these two alone." He cackled once more before opening the door and ushered Goku out. Before closing it behind him, he turned his head over his shoulder to give Hakkai a definite wink.
"Sometimes he really does go too far."
You only just discovered this now? Where have you been Hakkai?
Pulling the boy away Hakkai sat him in between his outstretched blanketed legs and locked emerald orbs to amethyst. Hakkai brushed a hand over golden locks of hair and then tickled Sanzo making a bubbled laugh escape his lips. That's something he had missed while sleeping off his injuries.
This…isn't…funny!
"Sanzo you really do look terrible. Why couldn't you sleep?"
Because it was raining you idiot!
"Rain…" Sanzo snapped his amethyst eyes open in surprise. Perhaps he was gaining a bit more control over this body!
"It rained last night?" Hakkai pondered mainly to himself and stared out the opened window and finally took note of a few puddles lying on the ground.
And not only that I was stupid to worry about you!
"Worried…"
"Worried? About what? Me?" Hakkai spoke, slightly dumbfounded that Sanzo was saying something like this. Of course it was mainly just the little boy, but still, he had hoped that Sanzo had some control of his actions and didn't mind being taken care of for the time being. He really didn't have a choice in the matter, but still Hakkai hoped that Sanzo didn't mind it was him taking care of him.
Shit! Sanzo you idiot! Don't think so much about him!
In answer all Hakkai got was a nod of the head and he chuckled lightly as he bent down to lie back in the bed.
"Arigatou Sanzo…" Hakkai whispered softly and for a split second he thought he could see the adult Sanzo within this baby version. He knew he'd probably be scowling, possibly cursing, but it made him smile anyway. His friend was in there somewhere…
"Kai tired?" The little voice questioned as he crawled towards Hakkai and pressed his chubby hand on the side of his face.
"Just a little…" Hakkai spoke while taking a hold of it.
"San-chan sleep with Kai?" Emerald glittered happily and let out a soft laugh, making sure not to irritate his bandaged wounds and pulled the toddler under the covers with him.
"You are too cute Sanzo." With that Hakkai laughed lightly before closing his eyes.
What the hell is happening to me? Why do I not object to this?
"Kai sleep now…" Sanzo muttered quietly as his hand brushed through soft brown locks of hair.
He sleeps like the dead…but still he looks…
Sanzo shut his eyes at that, not wanting to think and look anymore. This new look on Hakkai and all these thoughts and feelings he'd never wanted to experience again were really starting to annoy him. Sleep seemed to be a damn fine idea.
Hakkai's Dream
"He won't escape being a child unless he chooses to leave." The female voice spoke again.
"You mean no one can help Sanzo but Sanzo?"
"Yes, you cannot help him."
"Not even a little?" Hakkai asked hopefully.
"In some others ways perhaps, but with returning as an adult, no."
"Other ways? What does that mean?"
"You'll see…"
"Wait!"
Hakkai gasped awake, eyes snapping open to turn and look down at the bundle sleeping beside him.
"I cannot help him…"
"Yo…" Emerald snapped up and gazed at Goyjo looking down at him with a cocky grin on his face.
"So what'd he confess this time?" Hakkai shook his head, twisting on his side and brushed light fingers over Sanzo's forehead and then down his cheek.
"He's different like this, more open, but still it is not the Sanzo we know."
"True but this Sanzo must really be in him to do all that he has done right?"
"Maybe…"
"Not maybe Hakkai, it's got to be in him or else he wouldn't be this close to you."
"Does this look bad?" Hakkai muttered while resting his head against the pillows once more.
"Well I'm confident that Sanzo doesn't like his situation being a baby and all, but I think it's actually good that you're his protector and would be parent for the time being. I mean could you imagine Goku and me looking after him all the time? We'd probably kill each other even though he is a baby now. He'll be okay Hakkai; the both of you will be when this is all over because you're friends."
"We're all his friends Goyjo."
"Nah uh, Sanzo and I seem to have bonded in a hate-hate relationship but that's fine with us. The monkey is his pet and Sanzo is his master and guardian and you're his…"
"His what?" Emerald flickered up to Goyjo who just shrugged his shoulders.
"That's up to Sanzo to decide, but he is your friend and you do care and worry about him a lot, sometimes more so then Goku and me right?"
"What are you implying?" Hakkai questioned his best friend who just shook his head and left the room. Looking down at the toddler, emerald eyes widened slightly as amethyst were looking up at him.
You worry and care for me? Why?
"Why?" Emerald blinked down at amethyst.
"Why, what San-chan?"
"Why worry?" Hakkai's eyes widened at that. So he had heard everything then.
"Well it's in my nature to worry. I wouldn't be me if I didn't worry about you or the others."
"Why?"
"You are certainly full of questions you know that San-chan?" In response all he got was a bubbled laugh as Sanzo sat up not wanting to sleep any longer.
I'd kill for a cigarette right about now…
"Sanzo, I had a dream."
A dream? This is serious, just the tone in his voice has changed and I know he means business now. Do I really know Hakkai that well?
"That voice, from the cave, it came to me in my sleep."
WHAT!?!
"She said I cannot help you get back to being an adult and said only you can become an adult again when you choose to be one."
But I want to be me again you idiot!
"But I don't think that's all. I swear there is more to it then that. Its like she was telling me that you need to figure some things out, within yourself and around you and then you'll be able to realize them and then come back. I might be wrong, but I'm sure she was hinting that you needed to take care of some personal situations of your own."
I do?
"Though, how she figured you could do that by being a child is beyond me. You can't exactly communicate so how can you sort out your problems when you're a toddler?"
Perhaps it's my thoughts that need sorting out. Perhaps its all these feelings coming up again that I never wanted to happen ever since I met the three of you, but mainly…you…
"Sanzo, you grew!" At the shocked tone in Hakkai's voice Sanzo turned his head to look at the mirror and large amethyst eyes widened before he jumped off the bed and walked towards it.
Sanzo stared at his reflection – looking like your average four year old, but an extremely butt naked one at that as his toddler clothing had ripped to shreds at the sudden growth.
"We've got to get you out of this village. People will know something is up if they see a now four year old walking around who was once the toddler they saw earlier." At that Hakkai flipped his legs over the side of the bed and slowly rose to his feet.
"Kai you forgot your clothes." The four-year-old Sanzo spoke as clear as day and Hakkai backtracked from Sanzo to place on his white shirt, shoes and monocle. Grabbing his now clean green shirt he unbuttoned it and wound it around Sanzo. Hakkai tried as best as he could to hide Sanzo within it. Lucky for him he wasn't very tall at such a young age and picked him up, but made a face as he did so at jarring his wound slightly.
Hakkai don't injure yourself because of me.
"I can walk on my own."
"I know you can, but we have to get you out of here and we must find Goku, Goyjo and Hakkuryuu as quickly as possible.
"But those two idiots are there." Hakkai turned around to follow the pointing of Sanzo's finger to see the two demons fighting at a stall down below on the streets. He placed Sanzo down, moved over to the window and tried quietly to get their attention. Lucky for him his dear pet Hakkuryuu was watching and tugged on Goku's hair. At the intense waving of Hakkai the guys knew something was up.
Inside the room
"Yo Hakkai glad you're up and… WHAT THE HELL!"
"Goyjo be quiet and close the door." Hakkai spoke as he sat on his bed with a bored looking Sanzo who was now playing with Hakkuryuu who had flown over to get a better look at the now grown toddler.
"Um, we have a new problem."
"Oh great are we ever going to get a break with this monk?"
"Goyjo we need solutions not blame thrown at people. Now I want Hakkuryuu to leave through the window and transform straight away. I then need you and Goku to climb out the window with Sanzo while I pay for the bill. Do you think you two can manage this?" There were nods of the head before Hakkai stood up, but stumbled lightly. He was caught by Goyjo, but lightly pushed the offering hand away from him.
"I'm fine, but please get him safely in the back with no one looking."
"How do you expect us to climb out the window without attracting the eyes of the villagers?"
"I don't know, maybe you can charm them Goyjo."
"Thanks Hakkai, you're a real pal." With that he watched his emerald-eyed friend head out of the room and obviously downstairs to the lobby area. Now ruby eyes focused on narrowed amethyst.
"You just had to go and grow up didn't you?"
"Like I could help it, you idiot." Goyjo cocked an eyebrow at that response. That's right, he was about four now and could speak though his voice was still extremely child-like.
"You figured something out didn't you? Maybe a way to grow up faster then usual eh?"
"Shut up kappa and lets get moving."
"Still the grumpy bastard I see. I'm amazed Hakkai can stand you so much."
"You leave Kai out of this!" Gold and ruby turned to look down at amethyst and then at each other.
"Aw, does little San-chan adore our emerald-eyed youkai?" Goku snickered lightly at Goyjo's words before having narrowed eyes turned to him and he shut up instantly. Even as a child Sanzo looked scary. Goku grabbed the luggage together and jumped out the window first as he left a cursing Goyjo to take care of Sanzo.
"You hurt him Sanzo and you and me will have words."
"What are you talking about?" Sanzo watched Goyjo shake his head before yanking him up by Hakkai's shirt and tossed him out the window as Goku caught him instead.
"Bastard…" Sanzo grumbled and instantly he was happy - though not to admit it on the outside so Goyjo or Goku could see - when gentle arms took him from the monkey. He was sitting in the back again with Hakkai and huddled amongst him so as not to cause anymore attention.
"Let's go Goyjo."
"You got it." And the group was off again, heading none other then west of course, only now the trip was silent for more then five minutes as Hakkai began to ponder on just what made Sanzo grow up so fast.
To be continued…