Three Demons and a Baby!
During the course of the night Hakkai had remained awake for most of it as he pondered over several thoughts. He'd occasionally pace the floor in the room, but every time he was not on the bed with Sanzo, the four-year-old would wake up and call out to him, as though just to make sure he was still in the room with him. So as the sun rose over the horizon, Hakkai remained standing at the opened window with a sleeping Sanzo in his arms and had wrapped the both of them in a blanket.
It was strange how over time Sanzo would only find the comfort of a non-troubled sleep within the confines of his warm embrace. How strange indeed for the usually nonexistent physical contact Sanzo had when he was his normal self.
"Danger is coming. You must leave." Hakkai let out a gasp at that voice interrupting the quiet of sunrise and swiftly turned around only to find nothing was in the room. Emerald eyes scanned the sleeping quarters a second time just to make sure, as that voice was quite familiar to him. It was the same one haunting his dreams of not being able to do a thing to help bring Sanzo back.
"Is something wrong Kai?" At hearing Sanzo's sleep filled voice, Hakkai snapped his emerald eyes down to hazy amethyst.
You look troubled my friend…
"We have to leave." Hakkai spoke as he placed Sanzo on the bed and took off the blanket and threw it on the other single bed that had not been slept in. The only piece of clothing that Sanzo would be wearing today was Hakkai's white shirt, while Hakkai donned his green one again. There was no time for any shopping.
Picking Sanzo up once more, Hakkai darted out of the room with a bag and his shoes tied together over one of his right shoulder while Sanzo was placed against his left hip and clung to the green shirt. Hakkai didn't trust that voice, but there was something within it saying that there was no time to loose and leaving in a hurry was the only option.
"Goyjo, Goku, get up!" Hakkai banged on the door and then pushed it open to head over to the slumbering figures sprawled on two single beds. There was a quiet 'kyuu' as Hakuryuu flew over to his master. Hakkai quickly bet his dragon and then placed Sanzo on the ground so he could awaken the dead to the world demons. While he did just that Sanzo sat on the floor and began to pat Hakuryuu.
"Leave me alone Hakkai…" Goyjo mumbled as he brushed the offending hand that was currently shaking his shoulder away.
"We need to leave Goyjo." Hakkai pushed the redhead out of the bed and flinched slightly when he landed on the wooden floorboards with a loud thud.
"Thanks a lot!" Goyjo muttered as he sat up scratching his head and yawning.
"Get up monkey!" Two shots were fired and Goku was wide-awake and on the floor. Eyes moved to the standing Sanzo as he had lifted his gun up, having fished it out of Hakkai's bag and shot at the monkey only this time missing by heaps because the gun was too heavy for him and he was off balance.
"Sanzo!" Hakkai chided lightly before gathering everything together.
"We have to go you two. And right now would be great."
"But Hakkai, what about breakfast?"
"Now monkey!" Came the angered child voice of Sanzo. Goku placed on his shoes, grumbling all the while and the four of them headed downstairs.
#
After Hakkai paid, bid the smiling woman good bye they headed outside and waited for Hakuryuu to transform and loaded everything in the jeep. This time however, Goku now sat in the back with Sanzo as Hakkai drove and Goyjo stole the front passenger seat.
"Everybody in?" Hakkai remarked before stepping on the gas not even waiting for replies and only left tyre marks and clouds of dust in the village as their existence.
"Hakkai, why are you driving so fast?"
"Because…" The only other passenger that wasn't worried about Hakkai's driving was Sanzo who slumped in the back and played with a loose thread on one of the bags. Hakkai's crazy driving didn't bother him for he had faith in his skills where and the other two…
"Hakkai, do you have…to drive this fast?" Goyjo yelled over the rushing wind in his ears as he held onto the dashboard when Hakkai took a sharp turn.
After several minutes of speeding through the thick forest, Hakkai immediately placed on the brakes when he came to a clearing that was a ditch. They had just driven down a hill with the road that headed back to the village while up ahead there was the faintest clouds of dust…and the unknown.
"Hey Hakkai?"
"Please be quiet Goku." Hakkai spoke softly before he got out of Hakuryuu and moved away from the jeep. Goku did as asked, but curiosity was eating the monkey alive.
"Hakkai, you feeling alright man?" Goyjo questioned his usually sane friend as he watched him descend to the dirt ground and observed as Hakkai placed his ear and both palms on the road.
"Kai…?"
What do you hear? What troubles you?
"We've got company." Were the only words Hakkai spoke as he stood back up and dusted off his hands. Hakkai's little smile remained on his lips even though his eyes rose to the cloudy sky once more. Something big was coming…he could feel it.
"Sanzo, I need you to remain absolutely still and hidden beneath those blankets."
"I can help!" Sanzo spoke angrily and knocked away the gentle hand of Hakkai. He was tired of feeling worthless.
"Oh and how's that monk? Last time I checked you were a four year old…wait, you're still that four year old." Goyjo decided to join the conversation and watched amethyst eyes glare up at his ruby ones.
"I have the scripture remember?" Where is my gun when I need it most? Damn you Hakkai for hiding it!
"Sanzo there is no way you could control the scripture in your state. You're a child remember, so let us do what we were brought on this mission for and that's to fight and help keep you safe." This time Sanzo didn't slap away Hakkai's hand as it brushed over his grumpy face.
"Please for once Sanzo; trust in the three of us to finish them off without your help."
If you get hurt Hakkai I'll…
"Is Kai leaving San-chan?"
"I'll never leave you and that's a promise." Amethyst stared up into shining emerald and Sanzo nodded his head at Hakkai's words.
I trust you.
"Hakuryuu please stay in your jeep form and remain hidden within the folds of these trees as much as possible." There was a 'kyuu' from the dragon as he backed up into the forest and hopefully out of site so none of the demons that were coming would take any notice of him.
It wasn't long before about 20 demons surrounded the three companions and just in earshot of Hakuryuu and Sanzo. Sanzo decided to peer over the edge of the jeep with blankets still covering most of his form. This was something he needed to see.
I cannot help them…I'm useless to them…
"Where is Priest Genjo Sanzo?" One of the demons slurred and licked his lips as he looked over the defensive stances of Hakkai, Goyjo and Goku.
"Who's asking?" Hakkai only just managed to dodge a blow to the head as he ducked out of the way and then flipped back up to his feet and then proceeded to dust himself off.
Hakkai…your eyes…
Those same beautiful emerald eyes one could loose themselves within had narrowed threateningly at the demon that tried to take a swing at him. It was the look that Hakkai had given Chin Yisou all those months ago. Sanzo's eyes quickly focused on Goku and Goyjo as Hakkai stared at them for mere seconds.
"Be careful, they are extremely fast movers." At the two nods from his companions Hakkai knew they'd be okay as he dodged yet another side blow…and this time it was from a different demon.
"You can't hurt us human!" One sneered and spat in Hakkai's general direction, but was soon struck by a chi attack and then disintegrated into ashes while howling in pain.
"Oh, I don't know about that." Hakkai mockingly replied and then chuckled at the surprised demons in front of him while Goyjo and Goku took on the others.
"GET HIM!" A high ranking demon voiced loudly to some minions as they ran forward to attack Hakkai. He dodged several attacks and started creating distance between himself and his enemies as he once more summoned his chi energy to create another chi ball to attack them again.
"Come on guys, six to one isn't exactly fair at all." Hakkai remarked before letting rip his chi ball and split apart another six demons who once more howled in sheer agony.
"Hakkai stop playing around with them and just get rid of them!" Goyjo yelled at the brunette while he swung his jakujou as it connected with two demons and split them at their stomachs and necks.
"I am doing exactly that Goyjo." Ruby eyes watched the smiling youkai do a back flip once more and then send another chi ball towards the demon that had yelled 'get him' but he had dodged it and it ended up slamming into several trees.
"You look like you're having fun Hakkai." Goyjo mumbled to his best friend as he now stood back to back with him.
"I'm not having fun. I'm merely trying to not get my head chopped off and keep a promise I made."
Hakkai…you…
"But still, there is no need to act like Cho Gonou! You aren't him Hakkai! You don't enjoy killing and yet now you are smiling like you enjoy inflicting pain on them!"
You're right ero kappa. His eyes, they carry within them no emotions, no feelings…nothing. It's like he has something planned that we know nothing about.
"We need to protect him Goyjo and I'll use whatever means necessary to do exactly that…and with that in mind no one can stop me from doing so."
What are you thinking Hakkai? Dammit why can't I read your mind?
"Did I hear the taboo creature say Cho Gonou?"
"I heard that he had slain a thousand demons!" Another demon voiced as they turned to stare at the silently blinking brunette.
"What the…?" Goyjo and Goku muttered as they dropped their weapons as the last of the demons took off screaming back down the road they had come from and only left a trail of dust in there wake. The two dumbstruck demons turned to gaze back at the lightly chuckling Hakkai while noticing Hakuryuu come driving out of the trees just behind him.
"My, I mustn't be very popular." Neither Goku, Goyjo nor Sanzo could voice anything as the ground began to shake with tremors.
"What the hell do you think that is?" Goku yelled as a large dust storm was heading their way. All Goyjo could do was stare and shake his head in wonder.
"Goyjo, Goku, I need for the two of you to get into Hakuryuu and get as far away from here as possible."
"WHAT?" All three spoke at once and all pairs of eyes were on Hakkai who had not taken his eyes away from the dust clouds heading their way.
"But Hakkai…"
"Please Goku, this is a fight I can handle, but I want to make sure that the three of you are far from here in case things get out of hand."
What do you mean out of hand? What are you planning Hakkai?
"I think we shouldn't leave you behind."
"And I think I know perfectly well what I'm doing. Please Goyjo, be the best friend I know you are to me and do as I ask. Please take him away from here."
Don't go anywhere ero kappa! We have to stay!
"Alright Hakkai…"
"No!" Sanzo had yelled but it was like no one was listening to him.
"When we come back to this clearing to see what's happened and you aren't here, I'm so going to kick your ass." Hakkai laughed lightly before feeling a sharp tug on his trousers. He sighed lightly knowing exactly who it was and bent down to face those perfect amethyst orbs.
"What's Kai doing?"
"I need for you to go with Goyjo and Goku for awhile."
"Why? I wanna stay with Kai!" Emerald eyes closed as Sanzo's chubby arms wrapped around his neck to give him a tight hug.
Don't make me go.
"You can't stay San-chan, you're the one in danger, so please go with them."
"But San-chan not leaving without Kai!" Prying the small arms from around his neck Hakkai stood up and turned away from the three of them.
"Goyjo, take him away from here."
"Come on brat, its time we leave." Goyjo picked Sanzo up from around his waist and carried him under his arm and facing away from the silhouette of Hakkai as he disappeared in the distance as Goyjo sped off back up the hill and towards the village.
"Go back! Must go back!" Goku was frowning while he held the struggling four-year-old down who wanted to do nothing but jump out of Hakuryuu and go back to Hakkai.
We shouldn't leave him there! What the hell are you two morons thinking?
# Back at the clearing #
Hakkai was still facing the clouds of dust as it got closer and closer to his standing form. The ground shook more and he stumbled lightly but gathered his balance. Quickly glancing back up the hill, Hakkai held one last smile before his face turned serious.
"Be safe…you three…" Hakkai lifted his left hand and reached up for the three clips on his ear.
# Back in the Jeep #
"We can't leave Kai!"
"We had no choice."
"Like hell!"
"Shut up monk, you should be grateful anyway! He's doing this for you!" Goyjo snapped at him, but the argument was interrupted by Goku's unnaturally calm voice.
"Its not right Goyjo. To leave Hakkai there by himself I mean. Its just…I smelt them…the demons…and there were so many. What the hell does Hakkai think he can do, take them all on while we run away? That's just…"
"Stupid!" Sanzo chipped in and jerked when Goyjo slammed on the brakes.
Go back you morons! Hakkai is your friend and he's my…
"We're going back!" Goyjo yelled before flooring it as he turned Hakuryuu around and headed towards the hill once more.
"He'll be there when we get back right Goyjo?" Goku asked hopefully and watched the red head shake his head.
"I'm not sure Goku…"
Hakkai…
The jeep screamed up the hill and came to a halt when the clearing down below was littered with bodies and one demon standing in the middle of it. There was a horrendous demon growl echoing through the forest before they watched the figure fall to the ground.
"Goyjo head down, I can smell Hakkai and he's bleeding!" Amethyst eyes widened at Goku's words and Goyjo growled in annoyance at his friend's stupidity and quickly headed down the hill towards the slumped figure lying in the middle of the blood bath.
You have to be alive Hakkai. I have to tell you something!
"We'll stop here just to be safe in case it's not Ha- Oi brat where the hell do you think you're going? Get back here! You might get hurt and…ARGH!" Goyjo complained loudly as Sanzo had jumped out of the jeep and ran through the blood and guts of demons to get to the slumped figure resting on his shins and breathing heavily.
Its you…isn't it Hakkai?
"KAI!" Sanzo yelled as he ran towards the slumped figure. As soon as the head jerked up, blood staining the usual spotless youkai, emerald eyes widened as he saw the face of Sanzo and his open arms as the four year old ran straight into him not even worrying about the demon blood soaking his form.
"Sanzo, what are you doing here?" Hakkai asked astounded at seeing his companion. What Hakkai wasn't expecting was to be hit on the forehead by the angry boy even though his large amethyst eyes had welled up with tears, but miraculously none had fallen.
"Eh? Sanzo…what?"
"You promised! You promised you stay with me!"
I'm so glad…
"Gomen nasai San-chan." Hakkai whispered softly before smiling lightly at the scowling boy who had folded his arms.
More control…must can more control of this body. If you cry, I'll beat myself up!
"You should be apologising to us too." There was a soft chuckle that escaped Hakkai's lips as he remained on the dirt road catching his breath.
"Well at least you don't have to kick his ass Goyjo, cause I doubt you'd win." Goku commented as he stared around the clearing.
"How'd you do it Hakkai? How'd you kick their asses so fast?" Goku asked once more while he ignored Goyjo's glare.
"Um…"
"Your limiters right? You took them off and didn't want us around in case you didn't have the mental control to place them back on." The three of them watched as Hakkai placed his hand behind his head and let off another nervous laugh.
"I can't put anything past you can I Goyjo?"
You took off you limiters to protect me, to keep me safe, like you had promised…and yet have asked for nothing in return…why?
"Pull a stunt like that again…and I'll kill you." Three pairs of eyes turned to Sanzo and each hard the serious annoyance in his voice. All of them watched Hakkai nod his head as he took Sanzo's words as a warning before all eyes widened when Sanzo threw himself at Hakkai again."
"San-chan was so scared!"
Scared…? But I wasn't…was I?
"Scared? How San-chan?"
"Cause I thought Kai was gunna leave me alone!"
That's right, I don't wish to be alone anymore.
"Then what are you going to do about it?"
Its you again!
"I'm not leaving Sanzo, I'm perfectly fine. Well besides a few injuries I've just gotten now, but if we head back to that village I'll find a herbalist and Goku can get some much needed food into his bottomless stomach."
"Yeah! Food, food!" Goku chimed in happily and raced back to Hakuryuu. Goyjo glanced quietly at the long silent stare between Hakkai and Sanzo and then headed back towards Hakuryuu and Goku who was yelling for them to hurry up.
Lets go then…lets get you healed up.
"Sanzo?" Amethyst turned to gaze up at the serious look in Hakkai's eyes. It was almost frightening at the intensity of it, but large innocent eyes widened as bloodied gentle hands cupped his face not making him take his eyes away from the magnificent emerald.
"I won't ever leave you alone."
Hakkai…I…I…want you here too. I want you…with me…
"See, was that so hard to accept within yourself?"
I want to go back now. I want to face him now.
"As you wish…"
"Come on Hakkai, I'm so hungry I'm gunna eat everything in that village!"
"I wouldn't put that past you monkey." Hakkai just chuckled as he picked up Sanzo and began heading for the jeep. He just stepped over the last headless corpse and then felt Sanzo spasm against his chest.
"Ano, guys, I think Sanzo's… Woah!" Hakkai gasped out as he fell to the ground on his butt not expecting the sudden wait of an adult Sanzo…an unconscious and naked Sanzo in his arms.
"Sanzo your back!" Goku cried happily and Goyjo just arched an eyebrow while placing a cigarette between his lips. One of Hakkai's hands was around Sanzo's head and neck as he was tilted towards his chest, as Sanzo lay on his right side and faced into him. That's when Hakkai noticed his right hand was against Sanzo's bony hip and quickly he pried it away and held it out to Goyjo.
"Goyjo please hand me his robe." Silently Goyjo did as requested and watched as Hakkai slowly placed the robe around Sanzo's shoulders, placing his arms in the sleeves before gathering the unconscious man in his arms. Hakkai stood up and placed in the back of Hakuryuu once more.
"Please drive Goyjo, I have to make sure Sanzo hasn't wounded anything."
"Except maybe his pride ne?" Hakkai laughed lightly at Goyjo's words but slowly moved his healing chi over the lightly clothed Sanzo. There was a grown from the golden haired man, before amethyst eyes snapped open to be greeted with sparkling emerald.
"Hakkai…I…"
"You need rest Sanzo…so don't…" Sanzo's brow furrowed as he watched Hakkai bite his bottom lip.
"Hakkai, what's wrong? You look pale!" At Goku's alarming words Sanzo sat straight up and out of Hakkai's lap and just in time to as he leaned forward and caught the falling youkai in his own arms.
"Hakkai!" Sanzo yelled and placed his hand against Hakkai's burning forehead.
"He has used too much of his life chi. Goyjo drive faster or else…" Sanzo needn't finish and Goyjo burned rubber back to the village. Sanzo closed his eyes and received flashes of memories of when he had been turned into a child and realised everything that had happened was in thanks to Hakkai being with him. He was merely an arm length away from him…and now he'd only just realised.
Thank you Hakkai…
# The same Inn – Upstairs #
"Stop looking at me ero kappa." Sanzo growled and itched for his gun, which happened to be lying in a bag on the opposite wall to where he was leaning.
"He did all of this for you."
"…" Sanzo spoke of nothing as he continued to stare at the sleeping figure as the sun shone on his pale features.
"Oh, so you're gunna just sit there and not say anything monk!" Goyjo yelled as he stood up from his seat beside the bed Hakkai was lying in.
"He's unconscious you idiot."
"You know what I mean monk so don't give me some lame excuse like that! Why I ought to…"
"You know, when someone is injured and is in need of rest, arguing in the same room as him doesn't classify as rest."
"Hakkai!" Goku yelled as he scurried over to the bed and sat on the edge.
"Did you eat yet Goku?" Hakkai asked quietly and watched the golden eyed boy shake his head negatively.
"You can now, I'm alright, so have a big feast for me okay?"
"You got it!" The demon child voiced happily before running out of the room. Emerald eyes scanned the rest of the occupants to see Goyjo and Sanzo glaring silently at each other.
"Goyjo, I'm sure there are some women you wish to chat with."
"I don't get you Hakkai. Why can't you at least be mad at him for not having the guts to say thank you to you? I mean after all you've done for him and…"
"Goyjo, he doesn't need to thank me."
"Eh?" Goyjo blinked as he stared between Hakkai and Sanzo whom were both gazing at each other.
"Man I don't get you two…and that's probably a good thing." Goyjo gave the two of them his final salute before heading out of the room and closing the door behind him.
"Don't take what Goyjo says to heart, he's only being the over protective best friend."
"Who says I would take it to heart?" Hakkai chuckled lightly before sitting up in the bed at the usual grumpy reply from Sanzo.
"You are certainly back Sanzo." Hakkai spoke with a smile on his lips before carefully getting to his feet. Hakkai was more then surprised when he stumbled and was about to loose his footing when strong but slender arms moved around his waist to hold him steady. Lifting his head Hakkai stared up into Sanzo's face, watching as the last rays of the sun shone brilliantly within his amethyst eyes. So full of mysteries they were…and Hakkai wanted to find out what they were, but he shied away as he pulled out of Sanzo's helping embrace.
"Thank you…" He muttered before heading for the shutters and closed the window. The room was now doused in pale light from a lamp sitting on a wooden table and Hakkai padded barefoot over to it in just a pair of slacks. His hand reached out and flicked off the switch turning the room into darkness.
"Hakkai?"
"Yes?"
There was nothing but silence and then a tired sigh escaped Hakkai's lips. His headed back over to the bed he had once been residing in and reached out his hands to make sure he didn't smack into anything. However, that was not possible when he froze in mid step as a warm gloved hand took his left one.
"Eh…Sanzo?" Hakkai whispered and felt Sanzo's body move closer to his own.
"I wanted to…" Hakkai gulped at the closeness of the monk. Was this truly happening? Was the monk actually gripping his hand as though he were going to disappear when Hakkai thought Sanzo was the one that would disappear as though it were all a dream.
"To ask you a question." Sanzo spoke in a rush. He felt Hakkai slouch slightly and knew he had to continue this or else it was another opportunity he let slip by.
"What is…your question?" Hakkai had faulted when his body grew slightly tense as arms wrapped around his shoulders. It wasn't long before Hakkai slouched his back into the hardness of Sanzo's chest.
"If you laugh, I'll kill you."
"Hai, hai…" Hakkai replied and closed his eyes off to the world. He felt Sanzo shift against him once more, the silky strands of his blonde hair brushing his bare skin as he had leaned forward slightly and soon he felt lips brush his earlobe as the beautiful golden haired man whispered his question to him.
"Can Sanzo…sleep with Hakkai?" Hakkai's face was now permanently plastered in a smile as he grinned happily in the darkness of the room.
Minutes ticked by and Sanzo was now tense behind him, though still he held Hakkai within his arms not wishing to let go, as he awaited Hakkai's answer to his serious question.
Hakkai continued to smile in the darkness, as he wanted to make Sanzo wait for his answer. After all this time, after all that they had shared when Sanzo was stuck as a child had paid off in the end. Finally the beautiful golden haired man had opened up to him and had asked him such a request…a request to be with him. Perhaps it truly was him that had helped Sanzo to become his adult self and came out with a small change…and for that Hakkai was glad. Though in truth he'd have to ask the man at a later date, but for now it was time to revel in the man's warm embrace.
Though Hakkai was sure, not answering Sanzo was getting on the monks nerves, but finally his smile turned soft and his eyes opened in the darkness as turned his head slightly to Sanzo's so his left temple area was pressed against Sanzo's forehead. One bandaged hand lifted up to clasp one of Sanzo's hands as Hakkai whole-heartedly replied to the man's question.
"Of course."
# In Tenkai #
"Merciful Goddess, where have you been?" Jiroushin questioned worriedly.
"Oh, just around…" She placed a smile on her lips as she sat back down in her chair.
# # # # # #
The End
# # # # # #
Authors Notes: Woohoo! Finished at last and I ended it at Chapter 8, significant or what ne? LOL! Well I hope you enjoyed this…and if you didn't, well bummer, but I can't please everyone! ;; To everyone, thanks for your wonderful reviews, it helped push the story along to a satisfying ending for me. Well lastly this is for all the Sanzo and Hakkai fans out there, so here's to you guys for allowing me to be apart of the ML that's had been created and inspired me to write some stories on my two favourite characters in the series. I hope it wasn't too bad and to Hakkai-san, thanks for pointing out about my 'your' and you're' in the incident story. Now I'm more aware of it and hope I've done better in this last chapter. Thanks again!