Quick note: anything in '' is SUPPOSED to be in italics but Fanfiction.net
won't allow me to do that.
Hakkai had picked up Gojyo that morning and together they headed to the main gates of the city. Both men carried packs with supplies paid for with the meager savings of both demons. They sat outside, easily striking up a close friendship in only the few hours spent together since their meeting.
"Damn it! Figures the monk would be late! I could have slept in!!!" Gojyo complained loudly, pacing and smoking.
"Now now. I'm sure she has a good reason, Gojyo." Hakkai said in his normal calming manner.
A flock of monks followed Sanzo as she made her way to the city gates, all trying to stop her from her trip. They were not all that excited when she announced her sudden departure at breakfast not long ago. They went into an uproar when she revealed where she was going and who she was going with... the new teacher and a shady guy from the edge of town. The monks put her in such a bad mood, as she left town she failed to notice the other two waiting for her and just kept walking.
"I say we let her go." Gojyo said with a sharp laugh.
Hakkai chuckled, "Ah but that would be breaking a promise and we really shouldn't let a woman walk into danger unescorted." He said wagging a finger at his first true friend. Then began following the cranky female monk.
Gojyo shrugged and followed, "Well, when you put it that way, I guess I just can't say no."
The trio walked in silence for a bit longer. Finally Xia stopped and looked at the other two. She took a deep breath and let it out heavily, finally the irritation of the monks was gone. "I guess it's a little late to say 'lets get going.' "
"Just a little." Gojyo commented. "Baldy convention giving you trouble this morning?" He asked with a wry smile.
"They didn't quite agree with the company or the destination. I'm sure you heard them." She took a seat on the ground and looked up at Hakkai. "At least now we can discuss the plans in quiet. Did you find a route to the castle Hakkai?"
Hakkai nodded, "Two actually, one is longer but safer. The other is...well...quick and dirty, I'm afraid. It crosses the territory of a somewhat aggressive and territorial Youkai clan."
"Sigh, decisions decisions..." She looked at both men waiting for their opinions. She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a pack of cigs. "I really don't care which way we go. What do you think Gojyo?"
"I just want to get this over with so I can go home, play poker, and get laid. Not necessarily in that order." Gojyo said with a leer at Xia.
Hakkai laughed, "Then quick and dirty it is." He said, pointing out a direction.
Xia ignored the look Gojyo gave her as she lit one of the cigs and put the pack and lighter away. "Well then..." She said while standing back up. "I hope you guys are as good as I dreamed you two to be."
Gojyo's leer got worse, "Depends on what you were dreaming about me."
"Ahhaha." Hakkai laughed nervously, "I think I can hold my own in a fight."
"Hakkai lasted longer than you did..." she said with a smirk. Hoping that would knock a bit of the ego out of the half-breed.
"Really, I don't recall fucking a monk. Must have been pretty drunk that night." Gojyo said with a grin. "That or you just weren't that memorable."
"Ahhhh, I'm going to scout a head." Hakkai said nervously as the conversation just went to a very disturbing place for him. A dark blush covered his cheeks.
"Something about you has been bothering me since we first met... was your demon parent a cockroach or something? what the hell is up with those antenna?" Xia took a drag on her cig and looked up at the red head.
Gojyo twitched slightly, "What's up with your robes, is there a chastity belt under there or is the leather your way of picking up men?"
"Tch..." the monk took one last drag on her cig and put it out on a rock near by. "I don't NEED to pick up men. There are more than enough willing monks back at the temple its irritating." She stood up again and looked down the road in the direction Hakkai had gone. "Hope he didn't ditch us..."
"Huh? Nah, Hakkai wouldn't do that." Gojyo said with complete confidence. He smiled, "Funny how I can say that and absolutely know it's true...I've NEVER trusted anyone."
Xia stood in silence, waiting for Hakkai's return. She knew that Gojyo was right, Hakkai wouldn't abandon them. Finally the silence grew to be too much. "So, seriously, what was your demon parent?"
"My father was a water demon." Gojyo said quietly, part of him really hated talking about his parents. After his mom turned up pregnant, Gojyo's father hightailed it out of the city. After that the half-breed child had to watch his mother slowly sell every single thing they possessed before finally sinking so far to sell her own body so that they could eat. Now it seems the son ended up following the same path as the mother.
"I take it things weren't all that easy for you... We can drop the subject if you like."
Gojyo shrugged, "It doesn't matter, it's not like anyone bothered to care anyway."
Hakkai exited the underbrush and dusted off his heavy dark blue shirt, "I found a path, it hasn't been used often so it may have been forgotten by the local inhabitants." He walked over and placed a reassuring hand on Gojyo's shoulder, sensing the redhead's dark mood.
Xia looked at the two men. It felt like deja vu, then again many things felt that way since she met the two demons. She turned and looked at the path Hakkai had pointed out earlier. "Gojyo... Hakkai... We go, to Houtou castle."
Hakkai smiled, "Don't you mean, 'To the West'?" He teased, laughing at Gojyo when he blanched.
"Why does that combination of words ALWAYS give me the cold chills?" He complained, handing Hakkai his pack while picking up his own.
All she could do was smile and shake her head. "Well, we better get going if Gojyo wants to get back to his poker and bed."
Hakkai chuckled, "Yes, after all you must bed a woman every night, correct, Gojyo?"
The half-breed laughed, "I don't know how you knew that, but you're absolutely right, Hakkai."
Xia took the first step on their road to Houtou castle. She looked at the over grown path, she hesitated wondering if there was ever a path there. The young monk looked back and looked at Hakkai, "You sure this is a path?"
"Well, I did mention it hasn't been used in a while." Hakkai reminded her. "But you can tell by the ground. It's much flatter than the surrounding area and the tree coverage is slightly thinner." He said, pushing his glasses up his nose.
Xia walked along the over grown path a bit further. "Well are you two just gonna stand there and let this lady travel alone?"
"Just admiring the view from back here." Gojyo teased, then laughed as Hakkai nearly choked and started blushing profusely.
"Go-GOJYO!" The green-eyed demon sputtered.
Gojyo threw an arm around his shoulders and lead him down the path, "We have GOT to get you laid."
Xia smiled and looked at Gojyo. "Gojyo hun, come here please..."
Gojyo looked at her for a moment, "Hell, no! I don't trust that look on your face."
Hakkai grinned devilishly and then shoved the half-breed toward her, "Go on, Gojyo. You wouldn't want to keep a lady waiting."
"Its time for me to check out the view. You first Gojyo." Xia patted the half-breed on the back and 'gently' pushed him to the front.
"Ch! Fine! Make me walk alone! I don't care!" Gojyo remarked in a fake pout.
Hakkai laughed, "Yes, consider it your punishment for such lewd statements in front of a lady."
"But that's when it needs to be said the most." Gojyo smirked.
The three walked along the path for a good while making small talk, getting to know each other a bit better. Nothing interesting happened for the first small bit of their journey.
"Hakkai... if you don't mind me asking... how did it happen? You becoming a demon and all. I'd understand if you don't want to talk about it..."
"It's quite alright. I don't mind. My family was killed by Youkai with I was a child. The demons took me alive because they believed I was a reincarnation of the most powerful youkai to have ever lived. The leaders gathered blood from a thousand of its members and threw me in. They couldn't control me though." Hakkai said softly, brushing his limiters again, almost as if making sure they were still on his ear.
"I'm sorry to hear about your family. My parents died in a fire when I was little. I managed to make it out of the house. Some passer by found me and took me to the temple. She was really nice... That was when the dreams started..." Xia said stepping over some roots that have grown out of the path. Her foot caught one of them and she fell forward onto Gojyo.
Gojyo quickly caught her, "Falling for me already? You must have really had the hots for me in that other life."
"Oh dear, and we were getting along so well." Hakkai said with an amused smile.
"I thought you didn't have a thing for men."
"I don't, but no one said that you didn't have one." Gojyo grinned, still holding the woman.
Sanzo stood up and shook Gojyo's hands off of her. "God... if I had a gun right now I'd shoot you and just travel with Hakkai."
"Proving that you are a corrupt monk." Gojyo said with a smirk.
"Now now, Gojyo, I think that's enough. After all, guns are fairly easy to get a hold of." Hakkai warned him.
Xia's eyes narrowed. "Just keep walking you pervy water sprite."
Hakkai laughed, "Well, that sounds very familiar. Rather comforting to hear in fact." He smiled.
Gojyo threw himself at Hakkai, arm tossed casually around the smaller man's shoulders, "So that's what a real smile from you looks like. You should do it more often."
The Sun reached its peak and began to fall to the mountains in the distance. So far the trip had been uneventful, that of course was gonna change.
Xia pushed aside a branch when she heard something not far in the distance. She stopped and looked back to Hakkai, then forward to Gojyo.
Hakkai paused, his head turning, trying to hear better, "Gojyo..." He said softly.
"Yeah, you said this was the quick and dirty way." The half-breed replied. "Well, babe, things are about to get very dirty, so try to stay close." He said to Xia.
"No problem there." She said getting closer to Gojyo. She did well in self- defense class against the men, but she had no clue how demons fought.
Her eyes scanned the scenery as a few demons came out. They must have been from the clan Hakkai spoke of. Each had a similar marking either on their arm or their face.
"Well what do we got here... What is a priest doing on our territory..."
"We're just passing through and mean you no harm." Hakkai said, holding up his hands in a gesture of nonviolence.
The demons slowly surrounded the three. A few of them eyed up Xia licking their lips. "I say we kill off the two, and have some fun with her..." one said.
"You always did like playing with your food!" Said the one next to him.
"Now guys... she's a Sanzo, you know what that means..." Said a third on the other side of the ring.
Hakkai sighed sadly his left hand moved up to his ear, "I gave you a chance to leave with your lives. Gojyo, please look after Sanzo." He began removing the three clips.
"HAKKAI! What are you doing???!!!" Gojyo yelled.
"I can't fight them like this. I'm sorry, Gojyo." Hakkai apologized as the last clip fell.
Everyone turned to watch Hakkai as he transformed.
"I... It can't be..." one of the demons closest to Hakkai sputtered while taking a step back.
Even Gojyo took a step back as even he felt the power surge. The half-breed couldn't believe that the mild-mannered teacher's true form could be both beautiful and so utterly terrifying.
Hakkai lashed out at the demons, his claws slipping effortlessly through skin, muscle, and even bone. He never even registered the blood splattering against his body and face.
Xia pressed up against Gojyo as Hakkai went to work on their attackers. This had to be one of the most terrifying moments in her life. It was one of those times where you knew something terrible was going to happen, you didn't want to watch but you couldn't help but to keep watching.
The demon attackers hardly had time to get away. Some tried to flee, others tried to fight. No matter what they chose to do, they didn't get far and fell to the cursed one.
Hakkai slipped his limiters back on and grabbed the last remaining demon, the one who spoke, "You. You recognized me, didn't you?" He asked, holding the demon still with a strength far greater than his size would seem.
Gojyo had his arm around Xia, thankful that Hakkai did seem to have control over himself. He was concerned that the green-eyed demon wouldn't be able to since he was born a human.
"Not many around here don't know about you. Word travels fast." His voice was tainted with fear.
"Then perhaps you should spread the 'word' that this Sanzo is under my protection." Hakkai said in a dangerous voice.
The demon hit the ground hard as Hakkai let him go. Quickly he got up and ran as fast as he could to his clan to tell the story.
Xia looked at Hakkai, still a bit fearful. Talk about looks being deceiving. She let out a nervous laugh before speaking up. "And you looked so nice and peaceful..."
Hakkai looked down at the ground, "I'm sorry. I didn't wish for you to see this." He stared at his blood covered hands. "I can leave, if you like."
"N.. No, don't go. What will the demons do when they find out you abandoned me. I think that would be worse than you staying." She walked up to the young man and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It was just a bit of shock to see it so suddenly."
"Yeah, Hakkai. And even if she wanted you to go. I wouldn't let you." Gojyo said, looking the demon in the eyes.
Hakkai gave a weak smile, "Thank you, Gojyo." He looked back at Sanzo, "It seems that I will stay. I am sorry I surprised you. I just didn't want you or Gojyo to get hurt."
"Its quite all right Hakkai. I'm sure it would of come out sooner or later. And by the looks of it you were wishing for later. Now come, lets see if we can find a stream or something to clean you up."
"Yes, I truly hate blood." Hakkai said softly as once more the two men exchanged a look. A fragment of a conversation almost drifted between them.
'"Your hair and eyes are the crimson that dyed my hand, was the only thing that tied me down to the reality when I tried to escape from the gravity of the pain. A warning meant for me, Gojyo." The repentant Cho Gonou said softly.'
"I know what you mean, Hakkai. I think I hear a stream that way." The half- breed said, pointing out a direction.
"Come on..." Sanzo said taking Hakkai by the hand. "You can clean up and I'll make lunch. How about it?"
Hakkai looked down at their clasped hands and blushed, "Sanzo...you-you're going to get blood on you...demon blood." He said, not wanting to risk having this innocent woman next to him turn into a demon.
Xia couldn't help but giggle at Hakkai's blushing face. He looked so innocent, but someone once told her that it's the quiet ones you really need to keep an eye on. "Come on, let's go find that stream. I guess Gojyo could help you clean up since he's already part demon."
"Yeah and that'll give you a head start on dinner, just try not to poison us, okay??" Gojyo said, wrapping an arm around Hakkai's shoulders.
A weak but true smile sneaked onto the converted demon's face, "I'm sure she wouldn't, Gojyo."
"Well just to give you a heads up, last time I was in a kitchen the whole temple came down with a bad case of food poisoning..." Xia told them with a straight face.
"You're joking....right??" Gojyo asked, slightly afraid.
"Perhaps you should wait till after I clean up then. I can cook fairly well." Hakkai said, smiling.
She couldn't help to laugh at their reactions. "I'm just joking. Couldn't help myself. I'll be ok Hakkai, i promise."
"You better be right, otherwise you'll lose your escorts." Gojyo said, slightly angry.
Hakkai chuckled, "Come on, Gojyo. I'm going to need help and I'll never get it if you keep standing around arguing with Sanzo."
"For some reason, I wouldn't want it any other way Hakkai."
Xia walked along side Gojyo as he helped Hakkai to the stream he heard earlier.
They entered a small clearing with the stream running through it. The boys cleaned up down stream and Sanzo started a small fire up from them. It must of been where the local demons got their water and cleaned up because there was a small circle of stones to build a fire in already near the stream. Quietly she cooked just enough food to feed the two demons and herself.
The group ate in companionable silence. Hakkai cleaned up the dishes and they continued on their way.
Author note time again!!! Once more this story has been written by Jade Niccals and me! And unfortunately we don't own Saiyuki, if we did, Gojyo would NEVER see the light of day. Now to thank our reviewers!
SaiyukiCritic: Thanks! We worked really hard and we certainly enjoyed writing it.
Merf: Have no fear, the fate of everyone's favorite monkey will be revealed in the next chapter!
Angelic-Kitten: We're writing as fast as we can. grin
Havenward: Thanks, making Sanzo a woman was all Jade's idea, though. As for the names we do have some reasons. One is very much story based and will be revealed later, the other is just so there's no confusion.
Hakkai had picked up Gojyo that morning and together they headed to the main gates of the city. Both men carried packs with supplies paid for with the meager savings of both demons. They sat outside, easily striking up a close friendship in only the few hours spent together since their meeting.
"Damn it! Figures the monk would be late! I could have slept in!!!" Gojyo complained loudly, pacing and smoking.
"Now now. I'm sure she has a good reason, Gojyo." Hakkai said in his normal calming manner.
A flock of monks followed Sanzo as she made her way to the city gates, all trying to stop her from her trip. They were not all that excited when she announced her sudden departure at breakfast not long ago. They went into an uproar when she revealed where she was going and who she was going with... the new teacher and a shady guy from the edge of town. The monks put her in such a bad mood, as she left town she failed to notice the other two waiting for her and just kept walking.
"I say we let her go." Gojyo said with a sharp laugh.
Hakkai chuckled, "Ah but that would be breaking a promise and we really shouldn't let a woman walk into danger unescorted." He said wagging a finger at his first true friend. Then began following the cranky female monk.
Gojyo shrugged and followed, "Well, when you put it that way, I guess I just can't say no."
The trio walked in silence for a bit longer. Finally Xia stopped and looked at the other two. She took a deep breath and let it out heavily, finally the irritation of the monks was gone. "I guess it's a little late to say 'lets get going.' "
"Just a little." Gojyo commented. "Baldy convention giving you trouble this morning?" He asked with a wry smile.
"They didn't quite agree with the company or the destination. I'm sure you heard them." She took a seat on the ground and looked up at Hakkai. "At least now we can discuss the plans in quiet. Did you find a route to the castle Hakkai?"
Hakkai nodded, "Two actually, one is longer but safer. The other is...well...quick and dirty, I'm afraid. It crosses the territory of a somewhat aggressive and territorial Youkai clan."
"Sigh, decisions decisions..." She looked at both men waiting for their opinions. She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a pack of cigs. "I really don't care which way we go. What do you think Gojyo?"
"I just want to get this over with so I can go home, play poker, and get laid. Not necessarily in that order." Gojyo said with a leer at Xia.
Hakkai laughed, "Then quick and dirty it is." He said, pointing out a direction.
Xia ignored the look Gojyo gave her as she lit one of the cigs and put the pack and lighter away. "Well then..." She said while standing back up. "I hope you guys are as good as I dreamed you two to be."
Gojyo's leer got worse, "Depends on what you were dreaming about me."
"Ahhaha." Hakkai laughed nervously, "I think I can hold my own in a fight."
"Hakkai lasted longer than you did..." she said with a smirk. Hoping that would knock a bit of the ego out of the half-breed.
"Really, I don't recall fucking a monk. Must have been pretty drunk that night." Gojyo said with a grin. "That or you just weren't that memorable."
"Ahhhh, I'm going to scout a head." Hakkai said nervously as the conversation just went to a very disturbing place for him. A dark blush covered his cheeks.
"Something about you has been bothering me since we first met... was your demon parent a cockroach or something? what the hell is up with those antenna?" Xia took a drag on her cig and looked up at the red head.
Gojyo twitched slightly, "What's up with your robes, is there a chastity belt under there or is the leather your way of picking up men?"
"Tch..." the monk took one last drag on her cig and put it out on a rock near by. "I don't NEED to pick up men. There are more than enough willing monks back at the temple its irritating." She stood up again and looked down the road in the direction Hakkai had gone. "Hope he didn't ditch us..."
"Huh? Nah, Hakkai wouldn't do that." Gojyo said with complete confidence. He smiled, "Funny how I can say that and absolutely know it's true...I've NEVER trusted anyone."
Xia stood in silence, waiting for Hakkai's return. She knew that Gojyo was right, Hakkai wouldn't abandon them. Finally the silence grew to be too much. "So, seriously, what was your demon parent?"
"My father was a water demon." Gojyo said quietly, part of him really hated talking about his parents. After his mom turned up pregnant, Gojyo's father hightailed it out of the city. After that the half-breed child had to watch his mother slowly sell every single thing they possessed before finally sinking so far to sell her own body so that they could eat. Now it seems the son ended up following the same path as the mother.
"I take it things weren't all that easy for you... We can drop the subject if you like."
Gojyo shrugged, "It doesn't matter, it's not like anyone bothered to care anyway."
Hakkai exited the underbrush and dusted off his heavy dark blue shirt, "I found a path, it hasn't been used often so it may have been forgotten by the local inhabitants." He walked over and placed a reassuring hand on Gojyo's shoulder, sensing the redhead's dark mood.
Xia looked at the two men. It felt like deja vu, then again many things felt that way since she met the two demons. She turned and looked at the path Hakkai had pointed out earlier. "Gojyo... Hakkai... We go, to Houtou castle."
Hakkai smiled, "Don't you mean, 'To the West'?" He teased, laughing at Gojyo when he blanched.
"Why does that combination of words ALWAYS give me the cold chills?" He complained, handing Hakkai his pack while picking up his own.
All she could do was smile and shake her head. "Well, we better get going if Gojyo wants to get back to his poker and bed."
Hakkai chuckled, "Yes, after all you must bed a woman every night, correct, Gojyo?"
The half-breed laughed, "I don't know how you knew that, but you're absolutely right, Hakkai."
Xia took the first step on their road to Houtou castle. She looked at the over grown path, she hesitated wondering if there was ever a path there. The young monk looked back and looked at Hakkai, "You sure this is a path?"
"Well, I did mention it hasn't been used in a while." Hakkai reminded her. "But you can tell by the ground. It's much flatter than the surrounding area and the tree coverage is slightly thinner." He said, pushing his glasses up his nose.
Xia walked along the over grown path a bit further. "Well are you two just gonna stand there and let this lady travel alone?"
"Just admiring the view from back here." Gojyo teased, then laughed as Hakkai nearly choked and started blushing profusely.
"Go-GOJYO!" The green-eyed demon sputtered.
Gojyo threw an arm around his shoulders and lead him down the path, "We have GOT to get you laid."
Xia smiled and looked at Gojyo. "Gojyo hun, come here please..."
Gojyo looked at her for a moment, "Hell, no! I don't trust that look on your face."
Hakkai grinned devilishly and then shoved the half-breed toward her, "Go on, Gojyo. You wouldn't want to keep a lady waiting."
"Its time for me to check out the view. You first Gojyo." Xia patted the half-breed on the back and 'gently' pushed him to the front.
"Ch! Fine! Make me walk alone! I don't care!" Gojyo remarked in a fake pout.
Hakkai laughed, "Yes, consider it your punishment for such lewd statements in front of a lady."
"But that's when it needs to be said the most." Gojyo smirked.
The three walked along the path for a good while making small talk, getting to know each other a bit better. Nothing interesting happened for the first small bit of their journey.
"Hakkai... if you don't mind me asking... how did it happen? You becoming a demon and all. I'd understand if you don't want to talk about it..."
"It's quite alright. I don't mind. My family was killed by Youkai with I was a child. The demons took me alive because they believed I was a reincarnation of the most powerful youkai to have ever lived. The leaders gathered blood from a thousand of its members and threw me in. They couldn't control me though." Hakkai said softly, brushing his limiters again, almost as if making sure they were still on his ear.
"I'm sorry to hear about your family. My parents died in a fire when I was little. I managed to make it out of the house. Some passer by found me and took me to the temple. She was really nice... That was when the dreams started..." Xia said stepping over some roots that have grown out of the path. Her foot caught one of them and she fell forward onto Gojyo.
Gojyo quickly caught her, "Falling for me already? You must have really had the hots for me in that other life."
"Oh dear, and we were getting along so well." Hakkai said with an amused smile.
"I thought you didn't have a thing for men."
"I don't, but no one said that you didn't have one." Gojyo grinned, still holding the woman.
Sanzo stood up and shook Gojyo's hands off of her. "God... if I had a gun right now I'd shoot you and just travel with Hakkai."
"Proving that you are a corrupt monk." Gojyo said with a smirk.
"Now now, Gojyo, I think that's enough. After all, guns are fairly easy to get a hold of." Hakkai warned him.
Xia's eyes narrowed. "Just keep walking you pervy water sprite."
Hakkai laughed, "Well, that sounds very familiar. Rather comforting to hear in fact." He smiled.
Gojyo threw himself at Hakkai, arm tossed casually around the smaller man's shoulders, "So that's what a real smile from you looks like. You should do it more often."
The Sun reached its peak and began to fall to the mountains in the distance. So far the trip had been uneventful, that of course was gonna change.
Xia pushed aside a branch when she heard something not far in the distance. She stopped and looked back to Hakkai, then forward to Gojyo.
Hakkai paused, his head turning, trying to hear better, "Gojyo..." He said softly.
"Yeah, you said this was the quick and dirty way." The half-breed replied. "Well, babe, things are about to get very dirty, so try to stay close." He said to Xia.
"No problem there." She said getting closer to Gojyo. She did well in self- defense class against the men, but she had no clue how demons fought.
Her eyes scanned the scenery as a few demons came out. They must have been from the clan Hakkai spoke of. Each had a similar marking either on their arm or their face.
"Well what do we got here... What is a priest doing on our territory..."
"We're just passing through and mean you no harm." Hakkai said, holding up his hands in a gesture of nonviolence.
The demons slowly surrounded the three. A few of them eyed up Xia licking their lips. "I say we kill off the two, and have some fun with her..." one said.
"You always did like playing with your food!" Said the one next to him.
"Now guys... she's a Sanzo, you know what that means..." Said a third on the other side of the ring.
Hakkai sighed sadly his left hand moved up to his ear, "I gave you a chance to leave with your lives. Gojyo, please look after Sanzo." He began removing the three clips.
"HAKKAI! What are you doing???!!!" Gojyo yelled.
"I can't fight them like this. I'm sorry, Gojyo." Hakkai apologized as the last clip fell.
Everyone turned to watch Hakkai as he transformed.
"I... It can't be..." one of the demons closest to Hakkai sputtered while taking a step back.
Even Gojyo took a step back as even he felt the power surge. The half-breed couldn't believe that the mild-mannered teacher's true form could be both beautiful and so utterly terrifying.
Hakkai lashed out at the demons, his claws slipping effortlessly through skin, muscle, and even bone. He never even registered the blood splattering against his body and face.
Xia pressed up against Gojyo as Hakkai went to work on their attackers. This had to be one of the most terrifying moments in her life. It was one of those times where you knew something terrible was going to happen, you didn't want to watch but you couldn't help but to keep watching.
The demon attackers hardly had time to get away. Some tried to flee, others tried to fight. No matter what they chose to do, they didn't get far and fell to the cursed one.
Hakkai slipped his limiters back on and grabbed the last remaining demon, the one who spoke, "You. You recognized me, didn't you?" He asked, holding the demon still with a strength far greater than his size would seem.
Gojyo had his arm around Xia, thankful that Hakkai did seem to have control over himself. He was concerned that the green-eyed demon wouldn't be able to since he was born a human.
"Not many around here don't know about you. Word travels fast." His voice was tainted with fear.
"Then perhaps you should spread the 'word' that this Sanzo is under my protection." Hakkai said in a dangerous voice.
The demon hit the ground hard as Hakkai let him go. Quickly he got up and ran as fast as he could to his clan to tell the story.
Xia looked at Hakkai, still a bit fearful. Talk about looks being deceiving. She let out a nervous laugh before speaking up. "And you looked so nice and peaceful..."
Hakkai looked down at the ground, "I'm sorry. I didn't wish for you to see this." He stared at his blood covered hands. "I can leave, if you like."
"N.. No, don't go. What will the demons do when they find out you abandoned me. I think that would be worse than you staying." She walked up to the young man and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It was just a bit of shock to see it so suddenly."
"Yeah, Hakkai. And even if she wanted you to go. I wouldn't let you." Gojyo said, looking the demon in the eyes.
Hakkai gave a weak smile, "Thank you, Gojyo." He looked back at Sanzo, "It seems that I will stay. I am sorry I surprised you. I just didn't want you or Gojyo to get hurt."
"Its quite all right Hakkai. I'm sure it would of come out sooner or later. And by the looks of it you were wishing for later. Now come, lets see if we can find a stream or something to clean you up."
"Yes, I truly hate blood." Hakkai said softly as once more the two men exchanged a look. A fragment of a conversation almost drifted between them.
'"Your hair and eyes are the crimson that dyed my hand, was the only thing that tied me down to the reality when I tried to escape from the gravity of the pain. A warning meant for me, Gojyo." The repentant Cho Gonou said softly.'
"I know what you mean, Hakkai. I think I hear a stream that way." The half- breed said, pointing out a direction.
"Come on..." Sanzo said taking Hakkai by the hand. "You can clean up and I'll make lunch. How about it?"
Hakkai looked down at their clasped hands and blushed, "Sanzo...you-you're going to get blood on you...demon blood." He said, not wanting to risk having this innocent woman next to him turn into a demon.
Xia couldn't help but giggle at Hakkai's blushing face. He looked so innocent, but someone once told her that it's the quiet ones you really need to keep an eye on. "Come on, let's go find that stream. I guess Gojyo could help you clean up since he's already part demon."
"Yeah and that'll give you a head start on dinner, just try not to poison us, okay??" Gojyo said, wrapping an arm around Hakkai's shoulders.
A weak but true smile sneaked onto the converted demon's face, "I'm sure she wouldn't, Gojyo."
"Well just to give you a heads up, last time I was in a kitchen the whole temple came down with a bad case of food poisoning..." Xia told them with a straight face.
"You're joking....right??" Gojyo asked, slightly afraid.
"Perhaps you should wait till after I clean up then. I can cook fairly well." Hakkai said, smiling.
She couldn't help to laugh at their reactions. "I'm just joking. Couldn't help myself. I'll be ok Hakkai, i promise."
"You better be right, otherwise you'll lose your escorts." Gojyo said, slightly angry.
Hakkai chuckled, "Come on, Gojyo. I'm going to need help and I'll never get it if you keep standing around arguing with Sanzo."
"For some reason, I wouldn't want it any other way Hakkai."
Xia walked along side Gojyo as he helped Hakkai to the stream he heard earlier.
They entered a small clearing with the stream running through it. The boys cleaned up down stream and Sanzo started a small fire up from them. It must of been where the local demons got their water and cleaned up because there was a small circle of stones to build a fire in already near the stream. Quietly she cooked just enough food to feed the two demons and herself.
The group ate in companionable silence. Hakkai cleaned up the dishes and they continued on their way.
Author note time again!!! Once more this story has been written by Jade Niccals and me! And unfortunately we don't own Saiyuki, if we did, Gojyo would NEVER see the light of day. Now to thank our reviewers!
SaiyukiCritic: Thanks! We worked really hard and we certainly enjoyed writing it.
Merf: Have no fear, the fate of everyone's favorite monkey will be revealed in the next chapter!
Angelic-Kitten: We're writing as fast as we can. grin
Havenward: Thanks, making Sanzo a woman was all Jade's idea, though. As for the names we do have some reasons. One is very much story based and will be revealed later, the other is just so there's no confusion.