Hakkai could attribute the question to a misheard sentence, or perhaps a brief state of confusion brought on by that earlier knock on the head. Homura and the other kami had called the monk that often enough for the name to stick. Sanzo, he decided, was just feeling the effects of the beating.

"Ah Sanzo, you shouldn't be up yet if you're still feeling dizzy."

The unfocused violet gaze became even more confused. "Sanzo?"

"That's your name, isn't it?" Hakkai frowned in concern. That knock must have caused temporary amnesia, at least. "Genjo Sanzo."

"Don't insult me."

He shot to his feet in alarm – wincing at the pull on his shoulder. This was more than a bout of amnesia. "I wasn't insulting you."

The monk remained seated, violet eyes trying to follow Hakkai's movements but only managing to fall on the latter when he spoke. Something's wrong with his eyesight, Hakkai realized.

The blond's tone was haughtier than usual as he spoke. "Stop playing your games, Tenpou. Genjo Sanzo is an earthly name. Had your recent mission been so exhausting that you would forget who I am?"

Hakkai's frown deepened. This was more than minor amnesia. Sanzo must have gotten himself totally confused with someone else. But who?

"I have an idea." He offered cautiously. "Perhaps if you tell me what you think your name is, I will tell you what I think my name is. Agreed?"

The monk glared in suspicion. "Konzen Douji."

Homura's voice calling Konzen echoed in his mind. Hakkai could only stare at the blond in front of him. Who-? When-?

"Oi."

He blinked and forcefully set aside his memory. "Ah, sumimasen, Konzen. Is...something wrong with your eyes?"

"How do I know? There's no light in here."

A glance to the broken windows confirmed his suspicion. The day had not fallen into night far enough that darkness enveloped the ruined town. As it were, reddish light still shone through the shattered glass and gave everything an orange tinge.

"Konzen," he sat down at the bedroll he had been using, trying not to jar his shoulder. "I think that blow to your head must have caused temporary blindness."

The other suddenly drew back with a hiss. Hakkai caught a glimpse of the remains of a cigarette tumbling to the ground.

"Are you never to quit smoking?" Konzen complained irritably, rubbing the slight burns on his fingers.

"Ah, there's just one problem. I don't smoke."

"...what?"

"Sanzo does, however." Hakkai took a deep breath and decided to plunge in. "I'm afraid you're wearing his body."

"What. Are you saying?" Konzen's voice was dangerously quiet. "A kami can't occupy a mortal shell."

This time, it was Hakkai's turn to be surprised. Konzen is a kami? And the whole time Homura called them by those names as if he knew...

"Konzen, what year is it?"

The unfocused violet eyes narrowed. "What sort of an idiot question is that?"

"Humor me. What year is it?"

Konzen glared. "I don't know."

"You don't...know...?"

"Time doesn't flow in Tenkai as it does down here, or have you forgotten that, Gensui?"

"Sorry, but I'm not-"

"Hakkai!" They both turned towards Goku who was limping in energetically, filled canteens sloshing from his hands and shoulders. "You're awake! Are you feeling better? I'm hungry! I spent so much energy getting water-"

"Goku."

"Eh?" The boy turned to look at Sanzo – Konzen, Hakkai corrected himself. "Sanzo! I got the water and didn't even drop one canteen into the stream like you told me! See? I-"

"Come here."

Golden eyes confused, the boy did as he was told and knelt by the monk's side. "Is something wrong, Sanzo? You're not sick, are you?" He reached out a hand to feel the monk's forehead but froze when Konzen – or Sanzo – grabbed his wrist. "Sanzo?"

Konzen stared at the wrist he was gripping as though trying to see through his blindness.

"Sanzo?"

Violet eyes looked up blankly at the boy. "...you've grown."

"Of course I've grown! It's been years since you took me out of that cave and-"

"Ah, Goku?" Hakkai spoke up. "That's not Sanzo."

Golden eyes gaped at him.

"That's Konzen."

"Eh??" Goku stared at Konzen, at Hakkai, then back again. "But...where's Sanzo??"

Something had impelled Sanzo to follow Li as the General stepped outside. The surrounding village was filled with activity as men rushed to and fro, gathering as many weapons and armor as they could. Farewells and good luck wishes filled the air along with the clatter of steel as men jogged towards the village square for their assignments.

Li watched it all with the air of a seasoned commander overlooking trained soldiers. His calculating eyes though, held sorrow in its depths as if he was much disappointed at the apparent ardour the men showed.

Off to his right, Sanzo watched as well, though his presence there was not of his consent. He could see Li's dismay despite their distance; the General's stiff-backed posture was bowed enough for experienced soldiers to notice – which led to the reason for the military commander's disappointment.

The men gathering at the village square were farmers, none having the least bit experience in warfare. Their weapons were sharpened rakes and hoes instead of swords and shields. Their armor was little more than toughened boiled leather. Their determination and years of rough living were the only advantages they would have. But in the face of the youkai horde that was coming for the village, Li would be lucky if even a handful of the farmers survived.

But it was their decision to stand. Their decision to fight the horde with whatever strength they had – under the command of the legendary General Hirasa Li.

He shouted orders for the farmers to group at the edge of the town. The youkai were coming that night, to ravage the town as they were planning to do. Their short raids were becoming more frequent, growing closer to the town as days passed and the farmers had not given any form of resistance. Li figured that the youkai would be coming for the rest of the town soon and he had spent days trying to convince the others about it. But the contented lot had remained impassive; only hearing him out because of the reputation he had garnered in the Emperor's army.

Until two youkai preyed on a girl who was just a few blocks outside the town.

And now the farmers were looking to him to lead them. But it was already too late.

"Everyone's waiting at the edge, General," reported one of the younger lads.

Li nodded and strode towards the amassed crowd which had formed a ragged wedge facing the fields. He had a brief sense of futility before he took the point, steeling his resolve. His wife and infant son would be waiting for him – if he managed to return.

"But I didn't."

Li's spectre now stood a few feet from the past Li.

Sanzo reeled from being thrust out of the General's memories and back into his own head. His errant sixth sense hadn't allowed him this much insight into a man's memories and he had been glad for it. That he would now see what this General had gone through pissed him to no end.

"Why the fuck are you doing this?" he glared at the spectre, hand twitching for his gun.

The spectre met his glare calmly. "I am doing this, because I am here. And that is what I am." He glanced towards the Li that was now marching the farmers into battle. The youkai horde was actually waiting for them just a few miles into the fields, quickly disrupting the wedge Li had formed.

Now that he was separated from the General's mind, Sanzo realized he was seeing his dream as it took place. He saw the General glance towards the town once, saw the resolve that heartened the farmers to keep fighting, and the youkai that leapt over him with its claws outstretched.

Li didn't have time to get away. Not even when the young lad who had reported this night came to block the falling youkai. The lad had fallen back onto Li, shoving the General off balance. Then a handful of youkai fell on the General. Sanzo couldn't see what happened next.

"I didn't return." His spectre said softly. "Because it was the beginning of my fall."

A/N: Well, sure took me some time to come up with this. I had difficulties with the first part of this chappie. But I sure hope I managed to pull it off nicely. Thanks to everyone who's been reviewing so far. I'll add my responses to them at the end of the story, as I always did so I won't be tempted in spoiling anyone, lol. Muchas gracias goes to sf-sama, aka Scinthion, who's been a very magnificent beta for me. I'm only sorry I haven't been exposed to Gunlock yet and so I can't offer up any fics with Hazel in them.