Author's Notes: Just to let you know even though Sanzo can speak now he still has moments where he is thinking because he doesn't want all thoughts to slip through his lips. Other then that I'm glad people like this and hopefully I'll be able to sum it all up soon. So thanks for the nice reviews and keep reading!
Three Demons and a Baby!
"I'm hungry."
"Listen here monkey, for the last time, shut up about being hungry or I'm going to throw you out of this jeep." Goyjo fumed from the driver's seat as he turned accusing ruby eyes towards the golden eyed boy who was in fact…snoring! Goyjo had to blink silently at this but his attention was soon taken away by the feel of something…or more importantly someone tugging harshly on his hair.
"Oi! Stupid little brat!" Goyjo swerved off the dirt track which triggered the awakening of Goku…and even Hakkai who had been trying to rest off his wounds.
"Don't call me a brat, stupid kappa!" Sanzo replied in a voice that didn't suit his usual adult moody behaviour.
"Goyjo, what's the matter?" The soft tired voice of Hakkai rang out as he lifted his left hand to brush over his face.
"Good one Genjo-chan! You just woke up Hakkai!" Sanzo turned his head away from Goyjo's narrowed stare through the rear vision mirror and gazed over at the desert scenery.
"Sides, I'm not the one screaming like a girl kappa." Came the child voice of Sanzo once more as the four-year-old seemed to take a liking to pulling on Goyjo's long red hair.
"Sanzo, you shouldn't do that." Gentle hands pried smaller ones from the red locks of hair and Goyjo then shook his head.
"Thanks man." He mumbled lightly to Hakkai who only gave a small tired smile in the rear view mirror.
"Hakkai, you could do with some more sleep." Golden and amethyst eyes turned to silently stare at the nervously smiling youkai, though one wouldn't notice it for he held his emotions within check pretty well.
"I'm okay for now, but perhaps in the next town we can stay for the night. This rough road isn't doing my wounds any good."
"Can't Kai heal himself?" Hakkai immediately leaned back against the seat and gazed up at the cloudy sky.
"Afraid not Sanzo, it just doesn't work that way. How can I use my chi to heal myself? Instead I need to conserve that chi for other means or else I'd just be wasting my energy for no apparent reason."
"But Hakkai, you heal us though." Goku reasoned as he was still turned in the passenger seat to observe the slumped Hakkai.
"Well that's true, but its part of mastering Qi Gong I guess. I can attack, defend and heal and I see nothing wrong with doing all three if needs be."
"But healing us means your using your life energy on us. It must ire you afterwards man." Goyjo contributed to the conversation.
"We all feel tired after a fight."
"You tire the most out of all of us right Hakkai? I mean it's got to suck always looking out for us and stuff. You tire the most and yet you continue to make sure we are alright before yourself. Perhaps that's why you wish to sleep so much when you can ne?"
"You three shouldn't worry so much, I'm perfectly fine and I'm being honest here. Boy, this feels like a 100 questions for Hakkai day to me, but you needn't worry because I do what I do for my own personal reasons."
"Hakkai…" Emerald stared over at golden. Goku looked so lost, not sure what to do about the situation and Hakkai couldn't help but smile at the boy.
"I want to make sure everyone is okay, because then I won't worry so much. I am after all the peacemaker in this little group and we need to make it through this because Sanzo was assigned this mission and we are the ones to go with him. It's…erm…fate I guess." Hakkai spoke scratching the back of his head before letting out a yawn.
"Those drugs that herbalist gave me must really knock you around Hakkai."
"I have to take them to help me sleep, but they are also prescribed to help the healing process and stop any pain when I jar the wounds slightly at moving around too much."
"Is Kai in pain?" Emerald flickered over to the four year old who was now standing up beside his slouched form with one hand on his right shoulder while the other went up to feel his forehead. Hakkai chuckled lightly knowing that Sanzo was probably cursing on the inside for the innocence of the child's behaviour and for the fact he still didn't have full control over the child's action…or so he presumed.
"I'm okay Sanzo, but please, seat properly in the seat or you might fall out with Goyjo's bad driving."
"Ouch that hurts man." Goyjo responded while Hakkai laughed lightly.
"Hakkai, you should sleep some more. Me and Goyjo can keep an eye on Sanzo for a while and if there's any trouble we will wake you." Goku spoke and with the concerned look on the monkey's face Hakkai couldn't help but smile and nod at his words.
"I guess your right, it's not like there is anything else to do while being a passenger these days huh?" And with that spoken Hakkai once more drifted off to sleep.
# # Time passes # #
"Oi Genjo-chan you think maybe for two seconds you could not look at Hakkai's pretty face?" Goyjo's sarcastic remark was replied to with a narrowed look.
"You think maybe you could shut the hell up for the rest of the trip?"
"Touchy…" Goyjo muttered before snickering lightly but stopped immediately as something cold was pressed against his neck.
"What the…?" Ruby turned to look back at Sanzo who was holding up his gun…the real one with both hands and with some difficulty as well.
"Oi brat I was kidding! You shoot me and we go off the road and you'll wake Hakkai and injure him more!" Goyjo tried reasoning and glanced over at Goku and cursed the monkey because he was again sleeping and mumbling about meat buns.
"I may still be a kid kappa, but now I can say whatever the hell I want and understand everything, so watch your tongue." Your lucky Hakkai's injured or else I would have shot you… At the sound of clothes shifting and a groan, amethyst orbs turned to stare at the pained face of Hakkai.
"Goyjo stop the jeep." Sanzo voiced while his gun dropped to the floor and Goyjo did as asked knowing he wasn't kidding around as he too saw the pained expression on Hakkai's face. Immediately Goyjo stepped out of the Hakuryuu who was 'kyuuing' worriedly and grabbed some water to began mixing the herbs with it.
"Kai…?" Sanzo mumbled quietly as he stood by the slumped Hakkai. His eyebrows were knitted together and his mouth held a small frown. That definitely didn't suit the usually smiling youkai. At the cool touch of Sanzo's hands against his cheek and forehead, Hakkai's blurry emerald eyes peeled open to gaze over at worried amethyst.
"San…zo…?"
"Hey man, drink this." Goyjo placed a cup in Hakkai's hands and helped guide the rim to his dry lips. By now Goku had awoken and was silently observing the scene, golden eyes frowning as there was nothing he could do to help. A breeze moved swiftly through the jeep and golden eyes widened in realization as he stood up and caught a scent in the air.
"I smell food!"
"Do you have to think of food now monkey!" The four-year-old grumbled.
"I'm serious Sanzo. We gotta be close to a village!" Goku yelled in excitement for the fact a village was close by and there was also food to be consumed.
"The monkey might be right, perhaps we should travel on and see if we can get Hakkai somewhere more comfortable."
"Mm…" Was all Sanzo replied as he sat beside Hakkai once more while tucking the folds of the blanket around Hakkai more securely.
"Hakkai's strong Sanzo, so I know he's gunna be okay." Goku murmured as he stared at Sanzo and Hakkai in the back seats.
"I know this." And with that the rest of the trip was silent as the four men headed for the village not to far off in the distance.
# # Near one of the Village Inns # #
"Are we here already?" Incredulous eyes gazed at the smiling Hakkai as he got out of the car and placed a couple of bags over his shoulders. At the silent behaviours from his usually vocal companions Hakkai turned confused emerald eyes on them.
"What's the matter with you three?"
"Hakkai, man you okay?" Goyjo immediately shuffled over to his best friend to place a hand at his forehead. Brushing it away Hakkai leaned over the jeep to grab Sanzo out of the back and place him on the ground.
"Of course I am, why do you ask?"
"Kai was frowning!" Emerald searched amethyst and found that Sanzo was telling the truth.
"We had to stop and give you some herbs man."
"Well I must have missed the time schedule the herbalist gave me of when I should have the medicine." Two demons fell over at that and Hakkai laughed lightly before bending down to Sanzo's level looking him up and down.
"What is it?" There was nervousness in that voice and all Hakkai did was shake his head before lifting his hands up to untie his green headband.
"Your chakra Sanzo, it cannot be seen here. It is odd that you have it even as a child, because I'm certain you didn't have it growing up, but it will need to be covered anyway." Hakkai spoke as an explanation as he tied the headband around Sanzo's forehead, leaving strips of golden hair free to fall over it. Not only that Hakkai rolled up the sleeves on his green shirt that Sanzo had donned for the time being so he looked a little more appropriate until they could shop for clothing his own size.
"Now that you're fixed up Sanzo, we can go inside and get some rooms." Hakkai stood up once more and watched Sanzo and a now transformed Hakuryuu run and fly into the reception area of the inn.
"My, he really wants to room with you again Hakkai."
"Goyjo…" The half demon placed up his hands in defeat even though a chuckle left his lips as he followed Hakkai and an ever-hungry Goku inside. Instantly his ruby eyes took note of the pretty woman behind the counter and immediately Goyjo was there and ignoring Sanzo whom was sitting on the bench having been picked up by someone.
"Why what is your name?" Goyjo spoke in his best cool and sexy voice, but before the woman could answer, a four-year-old chipped in instead.
"You shouldn't answer that lady, he just wants to get in your pants." All eyes widened at that remark as Hakkai swiftly moved over and grabbed Sanzo from the bench to place him back on the ground.
"Kids say the strangest things these days." Goyjo muttered while letting off a nervous laugh at the look the young woman was giving him.
"Excuse me Miss, may we get some rooms?" She turned her attention to the politely smiling Hakkai and her smile was back.
"Of course, but we only have two rooms, is that okay with you?"
"That's no problem at all. Well, shall we go?" Hakkai questioned the other three and then felt a tug on his trousers. He looked down at the outstretched arms of Sanzo and realised that he wanted to be picked up. Hakkai pent down picking him up and followed the other two upstairs. What he never saw was the narrowed look Sanzo was giving the lady that had been smiling sweetly at the oblivious Hakkai. As they headed upstairs the woman's eyes grew wide as the four-year-old wrapped his arms around Hakkai's neck and then proceeded to poke his tongue out at her.
"What a strange boy…"
# # Upstairs # #
While Goyjo and Goku checked out there room before proceeding to head for the restaurant and bar, Hakkai ended up in the other room as he closed the door with his foot before falling onto the bed, his back bouncing lightly against the mattress.
"I can't keep carrying you Sanzo. You're not a toddler anymore…and these wounds are…still raw I guess."
"But San-chan likes being carried by Kai." Will you at least save me some of my dignity you little twerp!
"I like helping you too San-chan, but you've got to grow up."
"Why?" By now as Sanzo had sill been lying against Hakkai's chest, he leaned up to stare down at the closed emerald eyes. He waited as they flickered open and amethyst widened at the pain within them.
Hakkai…
"This isn't the real you Sanzo. I know this…and you definitely know this and yet it hurts that when you come back you'll never be this open with me. Though I must admit, I have to smile because this is part of you which I will always remember and for as long as you allow me to remain with you and the others on this mission."
"Kai…no like San-chan?" Hakkai shook his head and chuckled lightly. He knew the adult Sanzo would understand his words, but still he was a child and there were some things he could not comprehend straight away.
"Of course I like you San-chan, I'm with you now aren't I? And I take care of you as much as possible too." He watched a smile break onto the face that looked like it was going to burst into tears only moments ago.
Curse your kindness Hakkai!
"Well shall we go downstairs for something to eat before Goku eats out the entire restaurant?"
"Okay!" Sanzo chirped happier and slid off of Hakkai and then off of the bed to run towards the door. With a little bit of difficulty, Sanzo finally pried the door open before heading downstairs first.
"Did you not eat anything on the trip Sanzo?" Hakkai questioned as he caught up to the running boy. He watched Sanzo nod his head and sighed lightly.
"That's not good at all. Tonight you should eat a hearty meal this evening, but just don't go overboard and eat like…" Hakkai stopped when he pushed the door open to see Goku stuffing his face and Goyjo complaining about not having a chance to taste a thing.
"Like a stupid monkey?" Sanzo replied and then headed for the table knowing Goku was whom Hakkai was referring to.
"Yo, Hakkai you feeling better? Come grab food before the monkey inhales it all." Goyjo spoke while waving over his best friend.
"Actually I think I might take some medicine and then just get some sleep. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow morning. Could you two behave for me and watch Sanzo?" He received a wave of the hand, Goyjo's reply as a "sure, no problem pal". Hakkai turned to the door once more and as soon as his hand was there to push it open he felt a tug on his trousers once more.
"Sanzo what…?" The four-year-old Sanzo was clasping Hakkai's trousers while eating a spring roll; not wishing to be left alone with the other two. Just his eyes alone spoke volumes of "don't you dare leave me alone with them" and Hakkai smiled before picking up the pouting boy.
"You really make me do whatever you please with that look Sanzo. It's starting to get annoying not being able to say no to you." Hakkai jokingly replied as he left the restaurant with an owlishly looking Goku and Goyjo.
# # Upstairs once more # #
In the darkness of the room, Hakkai lay on one side of the bed, lying vertically over the horizontal bed as his legs hung over the edge as he faced Sanzo's amethyst orbs shining in the moonlight. The small boy was wrapped in the blankets of the bed and his eyes were drooping closed at the affectionate caress of gentle fingers brushing over his forehead and into his golden hair.
"I wonder how we can bring you back. The others…they re lost without you Sanzo."
Che! Says who?
"Goku may be immature and a pain in the ass to you Sanzo, but you're his guardian, the man who saved him from darkness. He needs your guidance…he needs you here or else he feels lost. And Goyjo, though you two really piss each other off, I'm sure he even misses bantering with you."
And what of you Hakkai?
"I wonder sometime…whether you miss us as well. Probably a stupid question right? Genjo Sanzo needs no one ne?"
Not true… Wait…I…
"But…we need you Sanzo. We need the real Sanzo back. We need the uncouth, fowl mouthed, smoking and drinking man back. Goku needs you, Goyjo needs someone to argue with if Goku's too busy eating and I…"
You what Hakkai? I need to know!
"I need Genjo Sanzo too. Cho Hakkai would not exist without him. Cho Hakkai needs him here…as much as the others…if not more sometimes, so please…come back to us."
"Kai…?" After a long pause of silence, a small voice broke it, but there was no reply and finally the four-year-old moved closer to see that Hakkai was in fact in the land of dreams. A chubby hand brushed brown locks of hair away from closed emerald eyes. Plucking off the monocle Sanzo moved it to a safe area so as not to have it break and then once more Sanzo's fingers drifted over Hakkai's face, making his eyelids twitch but they never peeled open. The medicine had kicked in.
If I come back Hakkai, I can…we can never be this close…ever. It's not possible and it's not logical. You and I are too different…and I'm not…
"Brave enough to open up to another?" Amethyst snapped open and stared into the darkness of the room from where that voice had come from. Sanzo sat up on the bed, large eyes gazing around the room for the source.
"Who the hell are you? Why did you turn me into a child?"
"To see if the inner you is brave enough to face the facts."
"What facts?"
"That the three of you cannot live without Cho Hakkai…especially you Genjo Sanzo."
"Turn me back…now!"
"It is true, he is the peacemaker, but he is more then that with everyone." She silently refused to answer to his demand.
"So you say."
"I know more then you think." Taking silent steps she was heading into the moonlight, but steered away from it instead.
"Oh?" Sanzo dared the shadowed wench to continue.
"He's not only a peacemaker but a best friend and an older brother. To you he is a companion, a man whom you'd fight for and with and trust to take care of your life if you placed it in his hands. You being here, in this room and with him are fact of this. Not only that, but you Genjo Sanzo care for him more then you wished to…and more then you wanted to, but the heart couldn't be forced to care or forced to stop caring. You must come to terms that you heart has already chosen what it wants and no longer wishes to be cold any longer. You won't be able to stop it, so why not embrace it instead?"
"SHUT UP!" At the sound of Sanzo yelling, a gentle arm immediately went around the shaking boy.
"Sanzo what is wrong? Did you have a nightmare?" Shaking his head Sanzo wanted to say something…anything, but his throat would not allow him too. He was pulled into an embrace as Hakkai laid fully on the bed now and brushed soothing hands down the Sanzo's back.
"Everything will be okay Sanzo, I'm here for you no matter what."
Hakkai…my heart…it wants…
Sanzo buried his head against Hakkai's chest, taking in his calming forest scent and his incoherent mumbles as he remained in the youkai's embrace for the rest of the evening.
# # # # # # # #
To be continued…
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