Hi everyone, it's taken forever to get this story off the ground again, but it's finally here! ^_^
Life is no longer quite so chaotic, so without further ado I give you Junket Quest chapter 5.
Many thanks to my Tensai Beta reader, Missheru! Particularly on dealing with my insanity while I hashed this one out.
Disclaimers: Gensomaden Saiyuki belongs to Kazuya Minekura and not me, or I'd not be in university, ne?
Junket Quest: Chapter 5
Dinner, Music, and Melee
By AliasOfWestgate
Hakkai's mind wandered as they walked out of the mall's food court to pick up their respective formal wear for the foray into the high class restaurant later this evening. He'd noticed many a thing as he and his petite guide were eating. Mitsu ignored most of it, but he saw she did notice the looks she was given by most of the wait staff and no few of the other patrons of the public eating area.
Studying the marked differences in the little guide and the more common look of the area, he began to see why. She was very much like Gojyo, it seemed. She was a mixture of the two types of people in the area. There was a dark skinned people, and she was a mixture of both the fairer genotype he'd seen more commonly and the lesser seen darker type. Her golden skin and blended features made her stand out. To top that off, she spoke not the darker people's dialect…but the fairer one's speech. He'd been listening and watching during most of the exchanges as they acquired their clothing. The cold looks and near ignorance of her presence wasn't just because she was a younger looking woman traveling with a handsome companion.
"Pardon me, Mitsu…may I ask you a question?" Hakkai hedged the opening as diplomatically as he could.
"Yeah, go ahead Hakkai. Something else you think you need before we get ready for our little shindig? Her light voice was in an idle tone, as they walked back to the tuxedo vendor they'd visited earlier.
"No. We need nothing else for this, I think. But…are you mixed, much like Gojyo, in this world?" his voice didn't waver, but the questioning note near the end was a bit pained.
She chewed one of her generous looking lips, and gave an answer.
"Yes, I am that here. Hakkai, I had a feeling you'd see that. I kinda prefer to ignore that aspect of myself, since it doesn't matter to me. We're supposed to be beyond this petty thing here, in particular this country. But it stays on. No real need to worry about it, Hakkai, it doesn't effect anything I can do here you know!"
He noted her own slight vocal strain as she ended the statement and nodded. They picked up their formal gear and went to change in the nearest bathrooms, as it was nearing time to begin the little game to get Yaone back to Hakkai's own world and time.
```````````````````````````````
Kozeon Boatzu grinned as he watched the players in his lotus filled scrying pool. With a wave of a bejeweled hand, the view changed to a forested road and the rest of the Sanzo-ikkou.
The golden haired, perpetually frowning monk was sitting cross legged, back to a tree. His latest Marlboro cigarette was dog ended as he was nearly done smoking it. He looked to be dozing, and there was no squabbling from above, either.
Sha Gojyo was firmly ensconced in the heavier branches of a tree about 20 feet south of where the monk was facing. Lanky form spilling over the heavy lower branches he'd chosen for a perch, he was sound asleep. Roughly west of Gojyo's tree, Goku was snoring loudly, curled in his own set of branches.
The day was heavily humid, so it wasn't too surprising to the Kami of Mercy that the remaining members had gone to sleep. There was nothing better to do, not even squabbling was ideal when you were so warm that sleep seemed the best option.
He returned the view back to Mitsu and Hakkai, to see exactly what they had planned to bring the lost apothecary back to the world He watched.
````````````````````````````````````````````````
Hakkai had made his way out of the men's washroom, Jiip cooing happily on his shoulder again. The plain black suit fitted his slender form immaculately, and the cummerbund that matched his green eyes only made it more apparent to the ladies waiting beside the movie theater nearby in the mall that this man was dreadfully attractive. Their minds shut out the fact that there was a tiny white dragon all but purring on his shoulder, with its scaly tail wrapped around his neck.
He'd placed his tunic, sash and jeans on the hanger that his tuxedo had rested on, and was now in his right hand, waiting to be placed outside in the large red dodge 4x4 he'd driven in to get here. Shifting the bag from hand to hand, he quietly straightened his tie and made all the smaller adjustments one makes when wearing formal clothing and its accessories, he waited for the guide to make her appearance.
He was rewarded with the quiet sound of a light mezzo soprano voice cursing, the echoes floating out as the source of those curses walked cautiously out of the women's bathroom. Mitsu was adjusting the black and white dress's empire waist in the door way, and tossing the flat heeled dress shoes onto the floor. She had adamantly refused the suggestion of heels from the seamstress that had altered her gown. The puffy white sleeves, and tucks in the gown's high black waist highlighted the fact that she had very strong shoulders, even if her bust was small as could be. Her thick brown hair had been pulled into a simple plait that went down to her shoulders, and held in place by a dark green barrette. She had delicate stud earrings with glittering green stones, and necklace to match, both of them set in silver. Hakkai knew they were cheap costume jewelry, but Mitsu wore them as if they were real emeralds instead of glass.
"Well, let's get this show on the road!" she smiled as she tossed her own hanger with her street clothes over her shoulder and walked up to Hakkai, who had offered his arm to her as soon as she made her entrance. She took it, and with a wide grin, they walked out the door of the shopping mall, leaving behind a sighing set of admirers of both sexes.
It took not 20 minutes to get to their destination and night was falling as they drove across town again to make their way to The Fogcutter's parking lot. That was the name of the restaurant above the office, and Mitsu had made reservations while they were waiting for their formal wear's alterations to be completed.
All went well as they sat down and ordered dinner, which was a delicately done grilled fish and sat down the evening's entertainment. Hakkai had spotted Yaone, dressed in a white shirt and black slacks, with her long purple hair bound into a French braid that kept it away from the food she was serving, several tables down. His silver ring was warm around his forefinger as they were close to their goal.
The restaurant was quiet as the night progressed on. There was no real way to get Yaone's attention immediately, so both Hakkai and Mitsu lingered over the meal provided by the Sanbutshin's ATM card. It was a typical upper class meal, in that it barely filled the plate and did not fill the stomach, although it was rich enough in taste to please both diners. There was a band playing quietly, with no upbeat songs to really improve the mood. The sound was a drowsy sonata done with a five piece ensemble. It didn't quite bore everyone, but still classy enough to please those that ignored the more "common" forms of sound. Particularly since the music was not broadcast on public radio, but played live, yet another little jibe to the fact that the restaurant was high class and not among those without the means to dine among the mahogany tables and real silver tableware.
Yaone finally drifted near enough for Hakkai to grab her, he quickly hissed a question. "Yaone-san? Would you like to leave here?" He asked quietly while gripping her wrist.
"H-Hakkai-san!" she nearly squeaked when she turned around and faced him, while freeing herself from his unexpected action.
"I would be honored to leave, but first there is something we must do. My duty requires it!" the purple haired youkai quickly bowed and clicked the bracelet on her right wrist.
The fellow restaurant patrons looked on in awe, thinking it was another stage show as Yaone changed into her barely there battle uniform in the midst of a bright aura of light, with more than a few aspects of her covered. She gripped a long spear and prepared to do battle.
"I must see that you do not return to our home! You are the adversary of Kougaiji-sama and I can not leave without fulfilling my promise to defeat you." She bowed as she said this as Hakkai rose from his chair and bowed in return.
"I humbly accept your challenge Yaone-san. But we must return to our time, we don't belong here. If I defeat you, you must return with me." Hakkai issued his own challenge.
Mitsu watch the exchange between the ever polite rivals quietly, and began to get out of her chair. She knew enough about Hakkai's techniques to move out of the way, promptly. What neither the guide nor her guest expected, was the music by the little ensemble to grind to a screeching halt. A violin screeched, a bass violin thrummed as it was dropped to the floor with a solid thud. All the players reached over to their right hands and took off a single ring. Their ears elongated and markings appeared on their faces. Snarls began to waft through the room.
"Youkai! Hakkai…we've got more trouble than your little duel here!" Mitsu yelled out.
"Sou ka." Hakkai nodded but never took his eyes off Yaone as they both assumed their attack stances. Yaone had clicked her bracelet limiter at the same time her escort shed theirs and she stood in her battle uniform, spear at the ready.
Mitsu let her body relax as she began to ready herself for what little she could do to keep them away from the main part of the battle. She couldn't do much more than keep them off Hakkai's back for a short time. She didn't have the enhanced strength to deal death to them—but she could do the small thing. The small, dark haired girl slowly slid nearer to the field of battle, and watched as most of the guests fled. This time, it wasn't dinner theater. It was real battle, with real danger. Most of the wait staff had fled as well, and a single red haired waitress was at a phone, hysterically talking to the local police as the brawl began.
Yaone charged Hakkai with her spear, which he simply sidestepped. She crashed into a nearby table, which with her demon born strength, simply splintered. Making a quick decision, she discarded her spear. Using poisons was useless against Hakkai that she knew. The attack began with a flying kick that Hakkai blocked easily, and then turned into a flurry of blows that most could not watch. The speed of both opponents was beyond comprehension. The sounds could be heard and the movements seen as they danced across the dining room. Yaone kicked once again, than followed with a hand. Hakkai blocked both and smoothly followed through with his own counter which was usually enough to simply keep Yaone at arms length. He was fighting defensively, she was fighting to incapacitate.
Across the room, Mitsu did the only thing she could think of to start the fight, considering she was outweighed, overpowered and out numbered. She threw the nearest chair at them, and backed off a few steps. The hardwood chair became nothing but splinters as the nearest dark haired youkai simply raised a hand and crushed it. Backing off a few more steps, Mitsu threw several in front of her again and found a more open space, literally on the tiny dance floor included in the restaurant. One of the youkai kicked a few pieces towards her, and she dodged as well as she could. One of them was big enough for her to pick up off the floor and hold before her. Waiting for the first of them to take her on.
"Well well, little missy, do you think you're can take us on here?" the leader of the escorts sneered to the little guide.
"That's for me to know, and you to find out" she answered, and grinned. They didn't know her abilities as of yet.
The leader sauntered up, and tossed a lazy punch at her face. What he didn't expect was her dip underneath his fist to dodge him, as he lunged towards her, and even less the foot shoved into his knee. He fell heavily to the floor, and she used the chunky leftover piece of wood to knock him out, before he could get back up. She'd put everything into that move before the rest of the group could charge her. At least without the leader it was somewhat chaotic, but there was one less of them to come after her.
All four of them obliged her, and charged the girl en masse. Even with the piece of wood, blocking as many tossed punches as she could she had her hands full. It was a defense game for her now, but she did hold her own. Quick enough to block most of the punches, and dodge a few kicks, as the melee wound around the floor. A few more well placed kicks of her own kept them at distance, and her nails did leave a few scratches. The chunk of wood also served as a deterrent by thwacking them as quickly as she moved. Blocking as many hits as she could with it, it was beginning to weaken.
Hakkai began to take steps towards the fight he could hear going on behind him. He glanced quickly at Mitsu and noted she was alive, but could not kill them. Mitsu was drawing fire from him, and keeping them near enough still, to the point where if he had a chance to use his ki blasts they'd be effective. He took a chance.
"Mitsu! DUCK!" he yelled.
Mitsu drooped to the floor as one of the thugs turned to see Hakkai's right palm facing them as he blocked another of Yaone's attacks with his left hand. Cool green energy flowed in a tight beam and obliterated the four youkai still standing. The leader was still an unconscious heap on the beige dance floor.
The petite guide picked herself off the floor and away from the one youkai she'd been able to knock unconscious. Everyone's movement stopped as the shrill whine of police sirens drew near the doorways below
"Hakkai! That's the police; we have to get out of here! Getting caught and locked up is not on the menu!"
"Yaone-san! Please…we must stop this fight! If we both get caught here, there is no way we can return to our home in the past." Green eyes alert and still with his arms raised in guard stance, Hakkai once again spoke with the purple haired youkai. His tuxedo had only minor damage in the midst of the short fight.
She quickly came to a decision that she knew she would have to explain to Kougaiji-sama later on. Remaining here without being known was one thing; being locked up in a strange world was another thing. Particularly without knowing the way home. She lowered her guard and quickly ran to Hakkai's side.
"Hakkai-san, we will continue this another time." Yaone said, her light soprano voice wavered slightly. Both youkai followed the guide Mitsu as she ran towards the narrow hallway leading to The Fogcutter's elevator entryway. Hakkai had a quick glance at the wide blue lake spread before him, just before all three ducked into the stairwell. The cops had just taken the elevator to find the wreck of the room left over from the brawl and the single youkai still a heap on the tiled dance floor. One of the officers managed to see a large red pickup truck peel out of the parking lot recklessly. That same officer took off and ran to his own car in pursuit. .
Hakkai was driving as only he could, gas pedal to the floor and hands plastered to the wheel. Mitsu hung on for dear life as he swerved and ran many a stop light, Yaone was leery of actually getting into the vehicle so she'd ended up riding the open trunk of the large truck. She was holding onto her perch just as tightly, standing up with her ponytails flying. Jiip was inside where he'd stayed out of sight for their work inside the restaurant. His talons gripped the back of the seat to the right of Hakkai, as his friend drove erratically through town. A police siren blaring in pursuit behind them.
Everyone held on for dear life as the truck swerved erratically and ran no end of stop lights. Clinging grimly to the bars by the passenger seat, Mitsu hoped they'd stop soon. She'd been in one or two fast cars, but this was crazy—even for her.
Hakkai's driving took them nearly out of town near to Mitsu's house again.
"Everyone, get out of the truck now!" he yelled as he was opening his door.
Mitsu had shouldered her backpack, which also had her street clothes, grabbed her rapier and shed her shoes. Then she reached a small hand out and helped the taller Yaone out of the truck bed.
Hakkai was already outside the truck, and Jiip had transformed into the familiar battered green jeep. He beckoned everyone inside. The girls didn't think twice and quickly jumped in. Hakkai took them off road with out a word and began to find the quickest way down to the lakeshore. Yaone was in the front passenger side with Hakkai, and Mitsu had jumped in the back. Yaone glanced back, noting the police pursuit had stopped since they couldn't follow the rocky ground where Hakkai had steered Jiip.
They had followed the part of the shore near the bridges where the ground was between sand and stone. The police vehicle was stuck up on the pavement with no chance to follow. The lone officer was trying to follow them on foot, but couldn't keep up. He stopped and started radioing for help.
They were another mile or two up the road before Hakkai finally slowed Jiip to a stop. Everyone got out of the vehicle before he asked him to transform again. Jiip did in a quiet white light and rested on Hakkai's shoulder again, with a quiet "kyuuu!" as he landed. The little dragon nuzzled his caretaker and turned with him to the girls.
"Mitsu, I thank you for your guidance, perhaps the next member of our party will be a little less rushed about his departure." The green eyed man's grin was genuine as he said the last few words.
The dark haired girl grinned widely in return and shrugged. "It was a blast Hakkai, there's not much more to be said for this little detour. We also got to make a mess of the swankiest restaurant in town! I won't be forgetting that one anytime soon." She returned.
"Yaone-san, it's time to return. This is fairly simple, ne? Just hold onto my hand, and say taku with me. That's all." He held out his right hand with the simple silver band on it.
The purple haired apothecary nodded and held her own slim white hand out to Hakkai's and grasped it firmly. Hakkai's light voice and Yaone's higher soprano blended as they quietly said the keyword.
They began to fade from Mitsu's sight nearly as fast as Hakkai had appeared the first time with Kozeon himself. Hakkai smiled and waved with his free hand, Jiip chirped one last time, and Yaone was smiling as they both faded away back to their own time and place.
Mitsu smiled to herself, hefted her backpack and hiked to one of the nearest lakeside changing houses. It wasn't that far into beach season, so most of them were unlocked. She quickly changed into her jeans and t shirt again, and undid her hair from the plait the cops had seen. She replaced her glasses, she quietly buried her rapier and slid sand over the spot and sat down to read by the beach. It was a Discworld novel that the cops found her reading as they finally caught up with her.
"Miss, have you seen anyone drive by here in an old jeep?" A rusty haired cop asked her as she looked up from her book.
"Nope, I haven't seen anything of the like officer. I've only been here for a half hour." She answered truthfully from her seat in the sand, as she held a flashlight to read with.
Though she was unique looking, the cops had been looking for a dark haired girl in a formal dress, and hadn't been able to see the details of her face during the chase. Bespectacled and reading in a cloud of brown hair, they had no way of telling that she was the same girl. That's the way they left her and trudged all the way back to their cars, nearly 3 miles back in the other direction.
She gave them another half hour to make sure they were well and truly gone, dug up her rapier. Carried everything back with her on a short mile's walk, back to her house. Mitsu burst out laughing later that night. At the press junket mentioning a fight at the Fogcutter Restaurant with one suspect apprehended and her brother's big truck impounded, on the 10'o clock news. Still laughing, the dark haired girl rubbed her black cat's ears and received another purr.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Kozeon glanced down in his lotus filled scrying pool, as Hakkai and Yaone reappeared in front of the remaining Sanzo-ikkou. The quiet driver was promptly tackled by Goku out of the nearest tree, as Gojyo jumped down out of his own tree across the way and was doing nothing but grinning widely at his best friend's return. Sanzo's greeting was marked by nothing but "Hn" as he smoked his cigarette while leaning against his tree.
Kozeon banished the scene with a wave of her hand and smiled serenely.
To be continued……
````````````````````````
Owari ^_~
Hope you enjoyed it folks! I shouldn't be quite so long with Chapter 6, this time. Then we'll see who the next member of the Sanzo-ikkou will be, that causes a little bit of chaos in the great lakes.
Ja masta ne,
Alias