Disclaimer: Nope, still not mine no matter how many times I look for the paperwork…
Summary: Monkey and Saiyuki are based on the same legend. What happens when the Sanzo-ikkou meet a group somehow so familiar and yet so different? Not shounen ai. Please Read & Review :)
Warnings: None really. This is not a yaoi story though there are hints scattered here and there because Gojyo and Hakkai really should be a couple. I mean hell, the hints are littered throughout the official manga, even if Gojyo is a skirt chaser!
Distorted Mirror
Pt 10
It was around eight thirty or so the next morning when everyone except for Sanzo and the still unconscious Goku met downstairs for breakfast.
"Monkey?" Tripitaka asked in a concerned voice, "You didn't go to bed last night, did you?"
"No." Monkey answered with a slight shake of his head.
"Why not?"
Monkey shrugged, "I wasn't very tired and I had a lot think about."
"Like what, Monkey?"
"Getting us home." Monkey replied innocently.
"So you have come up with a plan then?" The priest asked trying not to get too excited at Monkey's nod. "It took all night for you to come up with one?"
"No, just to work out all the kinks, Master." Monkey answered. Then he noticed the suddenly concerned expression on Tripitaka's face. "Don't worry Master, there is no killing involved in this plan." He added hurriedly.
"What about violence?" Tripitaka demanded to know.
"Heh, heh! Maybe just a little." Monkey grinned before emphasising, "Only a little! These monsters are not going to listen to reason you know. They just want you dead, like just about every other monster we come across."
Tripitaka gave a reluctant nod. "So Monkey, what is the plan?"
"Never mind all the details, I go out and find them by using a transformation spell on myself as bait while youwait here, under guarded protection."
Tripitaka looked mortified at the idea and his voice raised considerably in protest. "You are going to be bait while Iam wrapped in cotton wool back here? I forbidit! If anyone is going to be bait, then use me! I amthe one they are after so it makes sense." He snapped.
Sanzo walked in and sat down while the other priest was speaking. At the raised voice, Sanzo had an expression of mild surprise on his face.
"You are only human and I am immortal, remember? You will be all too easily killed Master." Monkey tried to convince the priest.
"But…"
"But nothing, Master!" Monkey said enthusiastically. "Right! Leave everything to good ol' Monkey! Sandy will look after you."
'Tch!' Sanzo thought, 'He lets his servants boss him around. Pathetic!'
"What about me?" Pigsy asked, feeling a little left out.
"You would just get in the way!" Monkey sniffed.
"Oi! You don't have to be so rude, you know. I don't get in the way!" Pigsy turned to Tripitaka with a plaintive expression in his eyes. "Do I, Master?"
Tripitaka just smiled, trying to cover up his amusement.
"See? I'm useful! I help!" Pigsy said, turning back to Monkey once more.
"Yes," Sandy agreed, "you are useful, at eating all the food in sight!"
"Wahhh! You too, Sandy?"
Gojyo couldn't resist adding in a dig of his own. "And useful at chasing away all the pretty neechan in the area!"
Pigsy cried out in distress again while Sanzo rolled his eyes in annoyance and moved to a table halfway across the room, muttering something about having to put up with more idiots than just the usual three.
Tripitaka sighed, "Alright you three, that's enough! Let's try to leave your brother somedignity."
After a few moments of awkward silence, Monkey jumped up, clapping his hands. "Right! Time for Monkey to get to work!" he said enthusiastically. The monkey king then looked at Tripitaka, his eyes roving all over the priest as he walked around him taking in every detail. He raised his hand, fingers interlocked and performed a quick and simple, for him, spell. He finished off the magic with a back flip and when he landed, his shape had changed. Suddenly, everyone could see two Tripitaka's. "Well? What do you all think? Perfect!"
"Ask us again once you have remembered to change your voice too, you stupid ape!" Sandy said dismissively.
"Eh, hem!" Monkey said as he changed it. "I just hadn't done it yet, that's all. Anyway Fishface, you're one to talk. I've seenyour hideous shape shifting attempts." It was Monkey speaking his own words but the voice, the tone and the inflection within the voice were all Tripitaka's.
"Well, I'm not very magic now, am I? You know that. I much prefer to think instead." Sandy replied in a bored voice.
"Pity you can't think of something useful then." Monkey said smiling Tripitaka's smile and still using the priest's voice.
Hakkai chuckled. He just couldn't help himself. " Are they always like this, Tripitaka?" he asked.
"Always!" Came the dejected reply from the Tripitaka who was seated.
"How fun! Your journey must be quite interesting then."
"We don't get much chance to get bored, if that is what you mean." Tripitaka commented with a faint smile.
"Well," Monkey said, somehow managing to make his grin appear cheeky even though he was wearing another's face, "I should be off! Don't forget to stay out of sight, master." He said as he bowed almost mockingly.
Tripitaka didn't appear very happy though he nodded his assent.
Monkey began to head towards the exit when he suddenly stopped and cocked his head. "You know, to be safe, I could always use a little," he emphasised little with his fingers, "magic on you to disguise your true form. Like I did a couple of years ago when we passed through the monsters country, 'The Land of Nightmares'."
Pigsy's face lit up in excitement, his eyes filling with lust, "Oh yes, Master, please do! You were sooo beautiful then that I stilldream about you on most nights."
The already horrified Tripitaka somehow managed to look even more aghast. "No! Oh no, Monkey!" he pushed Pigsy away from him. The pig spirit was starting to get a little too touchy feely for the priest's comfort and sanity. "That hair was just awful! I'm a priest, I can't be seen wearing long hair!"
Gojyo snickered, "Just try telling that to our Sanzo-sama." He flinched slightly as he heard the soft click of the safety from a gun.
Sandy had trouble hiding his own laugh. "I like that Master, you aren't worried about having been turned into a woman last time, you're only worried about the hair."
Tripitaka glared at Sandy, "No disguises you three. I will stay out of sight!"
"Right!" Monkey nodded and then he practically bound out of the tavern.
Pigsy sighed a huge sigh of disappointment. "And I was sooo looking forward to you being so beautiful again. Couldn't you please consider it, Master? For Pigsy? Monkey's gone but I can use the same mag…"
Tripitaka's glare intensified as he locked it on the lusting pig spirit. The expression completely shut Pigsy up and he swallowed, turning his head shamefully to the side. Pigsy then wandered back to his own seat, carefully avoiding looking at Tripitaka.
Sanzo breathed a sigh of abject relief and said in a harsh tone, "Thank you for finallyshutting up! It is only out of consideration for my… predecessor," his lip curled back, "that I didn't shut you all up myself!"
The monk then sent an annoyed glance in the general direction of the room where Goku still slept and in an even more irritated tone, he snapped more to himself than anyone else, "How much longer that bakazaru is going to sleep for anyway." Sanzo then turned back to his paper, trying to disguise his concern when he noticed a suspicious movement coming from Gojyo and Hakkai. He twitched as he tried to ignore them but his ears picked up on some of what was being said.
"Man!" Gojyo sighed, "How did you know that he wouldn't hit Pigsy and Sandy with that damned harisen? He's already gone for Monkey a couple of times. I mean, you knowwhat that irritable bastard is like, the slightest thing sets his temper off."
Hakkai laughed softly and held out his hand to the kappa. Gojyo sighed again as he reached into his pocket and pulled out several bills, placing them into his friend's outstretched hand. Hakkai was about to respond to his friend's question when…
'TWHACK!'
Gojyo grunted in pain as Sanzo hit him with his harisen. Hard!
"Teme! You bastards dared to use me for a bet?" Sanzo snapped in fury.
Hakkai tried to cover up his amusement with an embarrassed smile as he said, "I'm sorry Sanzo but when Gojyo wondered how long it would take for you to snap, I couldn't help but think it was the perfect opportunity."
Sanzo twitched even more, especially when Gojyo commented with a smirk "You really surprised me. I thought I was going to win thatbet for sure. I mean we all know you have no patience what-so-ever."
'THWACK!' Gojyo was rewarded well for his remark. He glared at Sanzo with a pained look "Kuso! I give you a compliment for once and you hitme for it. That'sgratitude for ya!"
Sanzo glared at him more fiercely than ever. "If you ever use me for one of your idiotic bets again, either of you," Sanzo turned his fearsome gaze onto the amused healer, "I will kill you!"
"Hai, Sanzo-sama!" Gojyo teased with a hint of a smirk returning to his face.
"Hai, hai!" Hakkai replied with a vaguely nervous laugh.
- . - . -
A few hours later, Monkey was wondering just how much longer it would be before the monsters from his world took the bait and attacked him. He had been wondering all over the town in his Tripitaka guise until he was thoroughly bored out of his mind. At first, he had been interested in the differences between a typical town or village in this unusual world and those of his own more normal, sane world.
The houses in this place were a lot sturdier and larger. Where he and the others came from, only the rich and powerful had homes like these, though theirs could sometimes be larger and more opulent. These buildings were a lot better maintained and many had two stories to them whereas back home, most places, those belonging to the peasants were much more ramshackle and in many cases were literally falling apart. The roads here were in far better condition and most places had beautiful and colourful gardens instead of the usual weed patches. People here also seemed to be happier on average and very few seemed to be on the verge of starving.
Now, Monkey had left the town behind and was walking through the scrub just a few hundred meters from the nearest building. Monkey sighed and decided to head back to the town centre. He didn't want to involve anyone else but it was useless being out here and really, being outside of the town, even if it was only a few hundred meters, he did stick out like an obviously sore thumb. He knew that he shouldn't have come out here but he had been so bored that he couldn't help himself. Finally, he turned and began walking back, hoping to be able to draw out the enemy sometime soon otherwise, how would he get Tripitaka and the others home and back on their mission. Monkey had no idea of the magic needed and he didn't have any connections in this world. 'I suppose I could always go chase down Buddha or the Merciful Goddess.' he thought to himself reluctantly. Those two always managed to annoy him rather easily so he really didn't want to use that option. Even so, if this was a different dimension rather than a different time, which was really the more likely choice, who was to say they would even recognise him? Both were supposed to be pretty knowledgeable, especially Buddha, but…
Monkey's thoughts were interrupted as he found suddenly himself the focal point of an abrupt attack It missed him by a hairsbreadth and he whirled around looking for the aggressor. He was able to spot one of the monsters who had been a part of the earlier attack that had been the cause of Goku transforming into the savage Seiten Taisei. Monkey hurriedly tried to spot the other two, the one who had seemed to be in charge and the girl, however as he was searching, he foolishly removed his gaze from the threat that had already made his presence known and the monster made sure to take full advantage of Monkey's lapse in concentration.
The monster threw several energy bolts directly at the disguised Monkey. They hit him with enough strength to have killed almost anyone else but still, Monkey went down, falling to the dirt and convulsing from the electrical assault.
The monster spoke up in a condescending tone, "You stupid ape! Did you really think we would be stupidenough to fall for your obvious trickery? It is well known among all the monsters of our world that you have mastered the magic art of transformation." The monster grinned maliciously at the helpless monkey king as he laughed. "Even as we speak, its too late for you to save your boy priest. King Slaard and my sister should have him in their possession by now."
Monkey glared up at the offending monster as he allowed his disguise to drop, "I… if you harm Tripitaka in anyway, I will m… make you wish I had letSeiten Taisei kill you when he had you." Through the constant and painful spasms, he had trouble getting his words out but Monkey was nothing if not determined and get them out he did. The monkey king then began the struggle to get to his feet.
"You're in noposition to threaten anyone ape king." The monster snarled savagely as he began kicking Monkey again and again, which caused Monkey to fall once more. Each time his foot came within contact of the fallen Monkey, it sent a fresh bolt of electricity coursing through Monkey's body, rendering him more and more helpless with each attack and even paralysing him.
Monkey yelled in pained anger, "You will address me as King Monkey or Great Sage, Equal of Heaven or I will personally kill you, after making you wish that you were already dead."
Monkey's assailant jeered, "The great Monkey is not so great as he thinks. I have no idea why so many monsters of our world speak of you in such fear. You! Are! Pitiful!" he punctuated each word with yet another energised kick, each one more powerful than the last.
The monkey king lost his fight to stay consciousness by the end of the monster's sentence and his attacker gleefully noticed. With a vicious smile, the monster delivered one more kick, this time to Monkey's face and then he left.
A few hours later as the sun was beginning to sink on the horizon, an extremely battered Monkey struggled painfully into town. With every few steps, his body betrayed him and he collapsed from fresh spasms, unable to get up until they died down. Each time, Monkey would wince in pain, chiding himself for being taken down so easily. Again! 'Ever since yesterday morning, I've had nothing but useless battles and defeats.' He thought in annoyance. While he had not lost the fight against Goku as such, it hadn't been a victory for him either due to Tripitaka's interference. Monkey hated losing, it wasn't something he was used to and he swore to himself that with the next meeting, he would come away victorious.
Finally, he was within sight of the place they were staying at and he tried to pick up his pace due to his worry over the safety of Tripitaka. About one hundred meters from the doors, Monkey fell again and he yelled in frustration. Yuu-Loong saw him and whinnied repeatedly, stamping his hooves in distress over his friend's well being.
Hearing the commotion from the horse, Hakkai soon ran out of the building, looking around to see what the matter was. He spotted the battered Monkey and ran over to him in concern, "Monkey!" he called breathlessly, "Are you alright? What on earth happened to you?"
"N… never mind about me, what about the m… Master, Tripitaka?" Monkey struggled even as Hakkai helped him inside.
Hakkai sighed, he knew that Monkey had been going to ask that and unfortunately he didn't have an answer that the visitor would want to hear.
"Well?"" Monkey asked impatiently. "What about Tripitaka?"
"I am very sorry Monkey, but a few hours ago, two of those youkai managed to pull off a sneak attack, taking us completely by surprise. We were unfortunately taken out pretty easily." Hakkai paused and looked to the upstairs area for a moment before turning back to face Monkey once more. "The two youkai that came in here revealed their true forms and that did not help matters in the least."
Monkey snarled with impatience, "True forms? Who cares about what they look like? That swine and Moonface had better be out looking for Tripitaka!"
Hakkai's expression said it all, "No," he said in a soft tone, "they aren't looking for Tripitaka, no one is."
"WHAT?" Monkey roared while stepping back, trying to stand on his own. Hakkai dove forward to catch the pained Monkey as his body convulsed again. "Why aren't that useless pair searching?"
"I'm sorry, Monkey but nobody is in any condition to go looking just yet. We were all left unconscious from the attack and hurt too badly. Some of us are still recovering from yesterday and there is only so much that I can handle using my chi healing technique. It doesn't help that I am still somewhat tired from yesterday's efforts." Hakkai explained patiently.
Monkey backed down a little at Hakkai's words. "Is anyone's life in danger?" He asked quietly.
The healer nodded, "Besides Tripitaka, Sanzo and Gojyo are missing as well. There is no sign of them anywhere." Hakkai's expression appeared uncharacteristically sad. "Pigsy was hurt rather badly but with a few hours more rest, he will be fine. Sandy… well, Sandy is cowering under a bed in fear muttering repeatedly about eels. I take it that he has a phobia of them?"
Monkey nodded, "Help me upstairs, I'll sort Moony out!"
Hakkai helped Monkey upstairs. Just as they were entering the room that Sandy and Pigsy were sharing, a small whining and somewhat sleepy voice spoke up from behind Hakkai. "Haraheta... Hakkai? How did we get back here? I'm reallyhungry…"
Hakkai turned around happily and cried out, "Goku! You're finally awake. How are you feeling?"
"Hungry!"
Hakkai chuckled, "Besides being hungry, Goku, how do you feel."
"Confused. I don't remember anything about what happened when we were fighting Kougaiji. I remember that we were attacked by someone else but after that…" the teenage boy was silent for a moment, "it's just like that last time when I took off my limiter to get past Kougaiji when Sanzo was dying from that scorpion you…"
Hakkai winced inwardly as Goku's expression changed from confusion to fear. "Hakkai? I didn't, did I? Please tell me I didn't." The teen begged, close to tears.
"Goku," Hakkai said softly, "I wish I could tell you what you want to hear, but…" His voice trailed off as Goku began to look terrified.
"Sanzo? SANZO!" Goku yelled, the fear strongly evident within his voice. "Hakkai? Where's Sanzo? Is he all right? Please tell me?" The teen asked desperately of his friend.
Hakkai didn't know what to say.
To be continued
A/N: Yup, you guessed it. There was one episode of 'Monkey' where Monkey turned Tripitaka into a woman and as a result, Pigsy had trouble keeping his hands to himself (snicker). It was quite amusing. The travellers needed to pass through the monsters land (in Monkey, the youkai are usually referred to as monsters but are occasionally called demons), which is known as the 'Land of Nightmares'. Humans are not permitted to enter and to go around would have added an unreasonably long time to their already long journey. To save time and allow them to pass through the monster's land, Monkey changed Tripitaka's appearance and even gave her a small amount of magic due to the monsters having a policy of conducting magic tests to prove that the people coming through are monsters. He then taught her how to use the magic to bring life to trees and grow fruit on them. Tripitaka however didn't need to perform the test due to winning a prize of being a certain numbered person through the gate. The other three had to, Monkey did well, got the highest ever score, Pigsy did very well also, though he did lose points for using his magic in an extremely perverted way and as for poor Sandy, well lets just say that he did so badly that he was lucky they even let him come inside the walls.
Thank you to those who reviewed
Diva Urd: Thanks (grins) No… Gojyo can't work himself out at the moment, a fact that I am using in my 'Gojyo and Mary-Sue'. Pigsy only very rarely doesn'tget rejected. :-P
Me-Nuriko: Yeah, Monkey tends to make his own plans a lot, then again, Tripitaka is usually captured by that point… Thanks, I loved writing those hints. In fact when I originally wrote my synopsis/ rough draft for this story, that was the first hint I put in here for Hakkai and Gojyo.
yoyo: Thanks (smiles happily) I'm glad you enjoyed the Seiten Taisei-ness. Hopefully I shouldn't be too long between updates now as the rest of this is written and I pretty much only need to type it up, fix up a couple of scenes (due to the rest of it having been written ages ago and the fact that my writing style has been changing, hopefully improving as I have been re-writing/fleshing this out) and work out the chapter breaks.