Chapter Eight

~ The Morning After ~

Berkeley, Illinois

      Despite falling asleep at sometime around six in the morning, the chestnut haired boy could not resist the delicious aroma that reached his nostrils. Son Goku lazily opened his eyes and in that moment forgot where he was when unfamiliar surroundings were seen. Bolting upright, Goku flailed his arms, managing to smack someone's face in the process as he screamed.

      "Where in the hell am I?"

      Another voice joined his screaming after receiving a rude awakening. The source wrapped long arms around Goku's form in terror.

      "What, what is it? What's going on?!"

      Goku turned his gaze to see Sha Gojyo cuddling his shoulder, and at the same time Gojyo realized this.  They jumped back from each other and shouted again.

      "You stupid monkey, stop touching me!"

      What? You're the one who grabbed me!"

      "God damn chimp, if you hadn't scared the shit out of me, I wouldn't have had to!"

      As the pair bickered back and forth, a light knock sounded on the door as it opened. Hakkai stepped inside groggily, a hand on one side of his face in attempt to rub the sleep away. His hair was a bit askance, and he wore his night clothes still, going sans monocle.

      "Would you two mind keeping it down? You just woke me up, and I really hope that Sanzo is still sleeping for your sakes, or else he'll be more than just a little cranky."

      Gojyo and Goku halted their argument to stare at the dark haired youth. It dawned on them that they were not at an inn somewhere in Shangri La, but rather at the house of a girl named Mandi somewhere in modern day North America. Then they realized that Sanzo and Hakkai had not been in the room with them when they first woke up.

      Seeing their bemusement, Hakkai laughed.

      "I took the smaller room on the other side of the staircase, and Sanzo took the room downstairs.  I was going to sleep there, but I think he took it to get away from you two- or to make sure nobody killed him in his sleep."

      Not understanding the humor- if there was any to be found- the two just nodded in reply.

      "I think the girls have been up for quite some time now- it smells like they're cooking something."

      "Oh, they're cooking alright." Gojyo smirked, standing up to stretch.

      Goku snapped back to life. "Breakfast! That's what woke me up- it smells so good! Hey, what time is it anyway?"

      Gojyo shook his head. "Look at the clock, dumbass." He motioned to the clock radio on the dresser before turning to see the still made king sized bed. "Damn…and nobody used this big comfy bed? What a waste."

      Hakkai sighed in his amusement. "Only you would say that, Gojyo, and have it mean more than what you said."

      "You can tell that? Damn." The red head pushed a hand through his hair. "Don't tell me you've never had thoughts like that, though, Hakkai."

      "Alright, I won't tell you." The youth laughed, turning to the hallway. "I'm going to have a shower before going down to breakfast. I advise the both of you do the same once I'm through."

      Goku frowned, startled. "At the same time?"

      "If that's what makes you happy, my friend," Hakkai teased.

      "Is he serious?!"

      Gojyo smacked the back of Goku's head. "No, you moron!"

      "Ouch! That hurt you jackass! I'll tell Mandi and she'll make you take your shower outside with a hose!" Goku threatened, recalling the rules the girl had laid down about Gojyo and Sanzo picking on him.

      Apparently this was enough to make the kappa back off- there was to be no hosing down of any sort under any circumstances.

      "Relax mini-monkey. I'm taking my shower after Hakkai, though, just so it doesn't smell like wet ape fur because of you."

      This only managed to rekindle the bickering that had died down, and not even Hakkai could get them to quiet down…

      *                                              *                                              *

      Downstairs, Mandi and Ashley shuffled between the kitchen and dining room, in the midst of preparing a rather large breakfast. It was near eleven in the morning, and they had decided to let Katie sleep in a bit longer, figuring it was likely she had fallen asleep after they had. Judging from the snoring that they'd heard from upstairs upon awakening (which happened to be around nine AM) the girls also deduced that the Saiyuki fellas were still hanging around.

      Ashley began pressing hot strips of bacon between paper towels to soak up excess grease, hazel eyes dancing to look at the brunette girl.

      "So…do you think they watched all of those DVDs?"

      Mandi juggled scrambling another skillet of eggs and flipping sausage patties. "I don't know, maybe they did, though I can't be too sure. I did hear Sanzo coming downstairs though at about five-thirty this morning."

      "You heard him? How do you know it was Sanzo if you only heard?" Ashley asked.

      "Because he hit the door with his fan after he ran into it coming down the steps." Mandi stated matter-of-factly, not hiding her grin. "I suppose I should have left the light on up there so he could see it was shut, huh?"

      The tall blond girl sputtered in laughter. "Mandi, that's horrible! Don't tell me you did that on purpose?"

      "Oh, no, I didn't!" she replied genuinely. "I'm just used to turning off the lights and shutting the door behind me…it was just force of habit."

      Still sniggering, the girls moved to finish setting the table with the breakfast buffet.  It had taken them quite a while to get everything done, since they'd started twenty minutes after nine and it was now ten to eleven, and so they took a step back to take pride in their prepared meal before it was all gone: twenty-four bacon strips, eighteen sausage patties, fourteen breakfast rolls, three skillets of scrambled eggs, and seven glasses for milk, juice, tea, or coffee.

      "Do you think this will be enough?" Mandi inquired, unsure.

      "Ashley shrugged, "I have no idea. Goku eats a lot, so everyone else should probably take what they want before him."

      "That will only work if you can convince him to wait for everyone else to eat." Sanzo spoke from the living room.

      Both girls turned to see the monk leaning against the wall, a pinky in his ear and his robes hanging loosely around his hips.

      "Uh…um…eh…" Mandi searched her mind for some intelligible reply, but came up with nothing, momentarily distracted by Sanzo's appearance.

      Ashley hid a smile but said nothing, seeing that Katie had awoken and was moving to join them.

      "So why don't you just eat before he comes downstairs? Its common sense, monk."

      Sanzo glared impatiently. "How do I know the food isn't poisoned?"

      "Now Sanzo, that wasn't very nice." Hakkai spoke from behind, smiling gently. He sported the 'just showered' look, his dark hair damp and tousled, his skin with beads of water still clinging to his forehead and jaw, and his green shirt partially opened at the top. "These girls have been hospitable as they promised. They've explained things we didn't understand, they've allowed us to stay the night knowing that we're not exactly the best guests, and they can put up with Goku. You're going to accuse them of trying to poison our food after all of that?"

      The blond monk arched a brow in challenge. "If you're so confident, then you can eat first."

      Katie laughed. "What a pal, eh Hakkai?"

      Despite his smile, Hakkai suddenly felt nervous.  It was difficult to trust strangers, no matter the case, however it wouldn't make sense for the girls to try and harm the Sanzo party. If they really had wanted to, he supposed they'd have tried by now. He and his companions just had to keep remembering that they were far from Shangri La.

      He picked up a plate and took in the spread laid on the table. "Well, everything looks very good."

      Mandi held her hand out to him for his plate. "Here, let me. Tell me what you'd like and I'll serve it."

      "Wow- it's been a long time since I've heard those words come from a girl, and here you are Hakkai, with one saying them to you. Lucky dog." Gojyo teased, entering the dining room. He'd just finished a fairly quick shower, and had his red hair mostly pulled back into a ponytail to be out of the way when he ate. "This smells good, thanks ladies." Gojyo winked, grabbing a roll, and bit into it.

      Once he finished wolfing it down, he realized all eyes were on him.

      "What?"

      "You just became the poison guinea pig," Ashley smirked.

      Hakkai beamed. "I was going to be, but it seems you beat me to it, my friend. Thanks for saving me the trouble."

      The kappa's eyes rounded. "Poison?"

      Sanzo nodded solemnly. "Yes- so if you drop dead, you'll know why."

      "I think that was a joke." Katie chortled, a grin crossing her lips.

      Gojyo narrowed his eyes. "Ha-ha, so funny. Can we eat before the chimp comes down here?"

      Obligingly, the six situated themselves around the table, Katie placing herself right next to Sanzo just to annoy him. Ashley leaned over to whisper in Mandi's ear that the monk would soon be wishing he'd had Goku sitting there instead.

      The group dug into the still hot breakfast, taking plentiful shares each. It was pretty shocking to see that there was still just enough for Goku, who was upset that he didn't join them in their meal.

      "You guys ate without me?" the wide eyed boy stared at the other six. "But why?"

      "To make sure we were fed before Hurricane Goku ripped through," Gojyo muttered.

      "Hurricane Goku..? I'm not that  bad, am I?" he turned his gaze hopefully to the blond monk.

      Sanzo arched a brow. "What? Stop whining and eat."

      Katie pouted at Goku's disheartened face. "Aw, Goku, don't be so glum, huh? We just wanted to make sure we got our share because we know you have a big appetite."

      "Don't coddle him," the monk scowled, standing from his chair.

      "Shut-up monk," the young woman shot back.

      Ashley and Mandi sniggered as Sanzo glared at their friend, his fingers reaching for his fan.

      "Missing something?" Katie chuckled, looking nonchalantly at her fingernails.

      "Uh-oh...she didn't, did she?" Hakkai laughed lightly when the blond man couldn't find his pistol or his fan.

      Growling, Sanzo all but pulled Katie's head off, tilting it back by her jaw with his thumb and index finger. "Didn't anyone teach you not to touch things that aren't yours?"

      Gojyo nudged Hakkai. "Suddenly he strikes me as the kind to be in the rough stuff..."

      The green-eyed youth only sighed at the comment, shaking his head at the hanyou.

       Ashley narrowed her eyes at the monk.

      "Let her go. You're a hypocrite; talking about not touching what isn't yours, jerk."

      Sanzo's sharp gaze flashed dangerously to Ash, but he released his hold on Katie, who surprisingly was smirking.

      "Where did you put them?" the monk demanded. "Tell me."

      The oldest of the girls sighed wearily, motioning towards the bedroom. "They're on the dresser. I happened to see them lying on the floor next to the bed early this morning, so I picked them up so your dumb ass wouldn't step on something and get a foot shot off."

      Goku grinned from behind a raised plate. "Relax Sanzo, it's not like she stole it or anything. It's probably a good thing she moved them..."

      "Shut up monkey." He turned towards the room, pulling his robes up from his waist and began to slip his arms through the sleeves. "Mandi."

      The brunette jerked her head up, eyes wide. "I didn't do it."

      Ashley smirked. "Not yet, you didn't."

      The monk didn't turn around as he spoke, nor did he even glance over his shoulder. "The only shower is upstairs, is that right?"

      "Um...yes, and there's towels and washcloths on the shelves across from the bathroom," she answered, voice quivering from being startled.

      Without another word, the monk vanished around the corner and up the steps.

      Goku put down his plate, finished with any morsel that had been left on the table, and then stretched in his seat. "That was really good! Thanks a lot!"

      Ashley and Mandi smiled to him. "You're welcome."

      Katie stood to begin clearing the plates, insisting she take care of the dishes since her friends were the ones who cooked.  As the older girl began to load the sink, a realization came over Mandi that if someone was in the shower, the water would become too hot or too cold whenever another faucet in the house was used.

Katie had already put her hand on the kitchen faucet's lever as Mandi slid in.

      "No! Katie, wait!"

      It was too late.

      The water was running and it took only seconds longer before a shout followed by a string of curses sounded from the floor above. The blue eyed girl quickly shut off the tap, lips stretching into a sheepish grin. "Oops. Old plumbing?"

      "Yeah," Mandi winced, recounting all the times the water drastically changed temperature on her. "Let's just hope he doesn't figure that out though..."

      The girls then retreated to the living room to fold up their blankets before they were joined by Goku, Gojyo, and Hakkai.  The six sat down to wait for Sanzo to return from his   shower, but the silence wore on, becoming awkward, and the guys were becoming restless. The girls were still rather unused to their presence, which was understandable considering it'd only been one night.

      However, with the exception of Sanzo, it seemed everyone got along just fine.

      "If you don't mind my asking, what did you think of what you watched?" Katie broke the ice at last. "I'm just curious."

      "Gojyo cried," Goku grinned mischievously, "like a baby."

      The red head's face fell as he punched the young youkai's shoulder. "If I cried it was because I was laughing at your stupid ass so hard that it hurt."

      Hakkai smiled faintly, disregarding the arguing duo. "It was interesting to say the least, especially in the sense that it was able to show all of our thoughts. But...in a way, it felt like my privacy had been invaded. My memories should belong only to me and theirs to them, but now countless people can see into our very souls..."

      A sort of lost sadness echoed behind three pairs of eyes and it became obvious that they had all experienced similar feelings while watching the episodes.

      Ashley nodded, "Well that's understandable, but think of it this way- everyone else here has no idea that you four are even real. They just think it's an animated story for their entertainment."

      Goku tilted his head, golden eyes staring at a spot on the wall. "There's something I don't understand...why was I held prisoner for so long? I never saw anything on the reason why...And another thing- they Konzen Douji guy was he...my friend? He looks so much like Sanzo, and Homura called Sanzo Konzen, so...does that mean...?"

      "Leave it alone, Goku."

      Somehow, Sanzo had descended to the base of the steps unnoticed, and nobody knew how long he'd been there.

      Frowning, Goku peered to him. "But Sanzo, aren't you even a little curious?"

      "No."

      The reply was flat and void of emotion, and though the girls probably knew better than to believe him, no one pushed the subject on.

          "Well, I'm curious about something." Katie grinned, feeling her cheeks go warm. "Why aren't you wearing your robes, Sanzo?"

      The monk wore only the tight black garments and faded slacks that he donned beneath the flowing white robes, which were folded in his hands, the scriptures rolled neatly on top.

      His violet eyes flickered over the girls' stares before he turned to his companions.

      "For as long as we have to be here, we're going to have to fit in. People here dress differently, so we'll have to find a way to accommodate ourselves to blend in."

      Ashley snorted, reclining in her seat. "Do you have money? That ATM card of yours might not work out here, you know? We don't go by yen, we go by U.S. Dollars- and it's hard to draw off of a bank account from a place that isn't supposed to exist."

      Gojyo's expression contorted to one of horror. "What the hell?! Why didn't the goddess tell us this? Don't tell me that thing is useless to us now! How can I get my beer? My smokes?!"

      Goku played off the kappa's terror. "How are we going to buy FOOD ?! I'm gonna starve to death!"

      Laughing, Mandi raised a hand. "I have another proposition!"

      Gojyo stopped shouting. "That's two in two days, h..." he trailed off at the glares he received from the young women. "Never mind."

      "Why don't you just stay here with us until you've found what you're looking for? You'll still have free room and board...and if it's necessary, I suppose we can help you find new clothes."

      Katie grinned, "Yeah! We can go on a shopping spree!"

      Sanzo glowered. "We don't need your charity."

      "What?! Are you nuts?!" Gojyo scoffed, his crimson gaze turning to the female trio. "We need your charity! I need your charity!"

This sent the girls reeling in laughter. Gojyo's definition of charity most likely differed from the real one.

      Hakkai raised his hands and agreed with Sanzo.

      "That would be asking too much of you, really.  We don't have much to pay you back with."

      Katie calmed her giggles. "It's no big deal. We're doing it because we want to help, and it's not out of pity or anything, which is partially what charity means." She glanced pointedly to Sanzo as she said this. "Besides, this is one of the coolest things that ever happened to us- why wouldn't we want to take part in it?"

      "Indeed it is," Mandi chimed in, standing up. "So what do you say?"

      Goku turned pleading eyes to Sanzo. "It'd help a lot, wouldn't it? And they're really nice, Sanzo!"

      "Not to mention we'd have a comfortable place to sleep until this is over," Gojyo added, just as hopeful.

      With an exasperated sigh, Sanzo yet again gave in. There was really no use in arguing, especially when Gojyo and Goku joined forces on agreeing upon such matters. He'd never hear the end of their god-awful whining.

      "Fine- we'll stay only for as long as we need to." He retreated into the bedroom and moments later emerged again. "Mandi, I take it the scriptures will be safe here if we leave?"

      Flinching at her name being called, the brunette took a moment to recover, ignoring her friends' sniggering. She couldn't help it, but Sanzo was pretty intimidating. Perhaps it was the experiences of being hit with the fan that instilled this in her.

      "I'll lock the doors before we go anywhere, though the chance of anything happening to them here is very little. It's probably a good idea to take that extra step."

      Ashley moved to her feet as well, smirking. "That extra step- what you don't normally lock your doors around here?"

      Katie laughed. "Here's an extra step…did you hide the scriptures from sight, Sanzo?"

      He only gave her a curt nod, violet eyes dancing over his surroundings. There was one long couch against the east wall and a loveseat where the girls had sat on the west wall. Above the loveseat on a grey wall there hung an old miniature grandfather clock, and where the grey changed to a light sky blue color on the same wall there hung a painting beside the clock. It was a comfortable enough room, he decided.

      "Whenever you girls are ready, then we will go." He spoke at last.

      "I'm taking a shower first," Katie started for the steps. The remaining two girls nodded, stating they'd take theirs-individually, much to Gojyo's dismay- after the older girl was through.

      As the blue eyed young woman made way to the door upstairs, a shrill ringing cut through the air. The four young men jumped, startled and looking around desperately for the source, and it wasn't until it sounded for a second time that the girls realized it was only the telephone. When the answering machine kicked in, Erin's voice laced with a newly acquired southern accent spoke.

      "Mandi, are you there? I've been trying to get a hold of you for like a whole day, where the hell have you been? I just wanted to call to see how Katie and Ashley were doing and to say hell-"

      BANG!

      The message was cut short as the answering machine suddenly burst into several pieces on top of the television set. The only ringing now was in the ears of the other six, now trying to shake it away.

      Mandi stared in utter disbelief at the mess of wire, plastic, and metal that once was a nice small private answering service. A whimper escaped her throat and she gestured speechlessly towards the disarrayed scrap, brown eyes wide and fixed on the monk.

      Sanzo still held his pistol, glaring at the answering machine that used to be, mouth fixed in a frown.

      "Are you positive there are no demons here, Hakkai?"

      Hakkai's emerald eyes were as wide as everyone else's. He had no idea what had just happened.

      "There shouldn't be, but that didn't look like a demon, Sanzo."

      The monk snorted and eyeballed the girls. "What kind of stunts are you trying to pull here?"

      Ashley shook her head, dirty blond hair gently flowing around her shoulders. "You have got to be kidding me."

      "Maybe you should have asked what that was before you shot it, dumb ass monk." Katie snapped, looking to Mandi who still stood in the same position, looking completely shocked. "You owe her an apology."

      "Why? Nobody has explained anything." Sanzo grunted, his pistol still in hand.

      Gojyo and Goku tentatively began to poke around the mangled material, picking at pieces of wire and holding them up curiously. Mandi finally came out of her trance and shrieked at the blond monk.

      "What the hell is wrong with you?! You just shot my answering machine! When someone calls on the phone and I don't want to answer it, that machine records the caller's message!" she slapped a hand to her forehead, whimpering. "I know you have some technology in Togenkyo, though not everything we have here, but god damn was that really necessary?!"

      Slightly embarrassed, Sanzo cleared his throat and pocketed the pistol. "I see. It should have been explained before so this wouldn't have happened."

      Hakkai frowned, "Sanzo, they probably just forgot about it. You can't really expect them to remember to tell us everything when they're so used to living in a place where things like this are commonplace."

      Katie glanced to Mandi. "Don't worry about it, we'll pitch in to buy a new one to replace it. But I think you need to lay down one more rule."

      "What's that?" A still semi-fuming Mandi questioned.

      "That gun gets hidden away with the scriptures. He doesn't need it here- in fact, it'll more than likely get us all into trouble if it's ever found by an authority figure."

      Ashley crossed her arms. "I'm going to agree with that. The next time he aims that thing it'll be at an innocent civilian, and we'll be in deeper than for a broken answering machine."

      Gojyo looked away from his exploration. "Yeah, good luck getting him to do that. It's like a permanent extra appendage to him."

      "Keep talking, kappa, and you'll lose an appendage." Sanzo growled. "I'm not going to leave it here." He muttered to the girls.

      Katie narrowed her eyes. "You don't have a choice. You want to be able to blend in here and not draw too much attention, then leave it here. Carrying that thing in clear view like that is going to draw more than just a few gazes. America is not like Shangri La. It's only common for policemen and criminals to carry those things."

      Goku turned away from the broken machine as well.

      "We're not criminals or policemen…we'd really get into trouble?"

      "Yes," Ashley confirmed. "More than likely he'd go to prison, and then where would you stand on your mission? It'd be at a standstill indefinitely."

      Mandi held her hand out. "Sanzo, give me the gun. I'm confiscating it if you're not going to willingly put it away."

      Hakkai sidled towards the dining room and soon Gojyo and Goku did the same. It was evident that none of them wanted to be in the same room just in case Sanzo decided to have another shoot out. When the monk didn't budge, Mandi tried to reach for the weapon, but failed, her hand being slapped away.

      "Who are you to take something that isn't yours?" Sanzo snarled.

      "Who are you to shoot that damn thing in my house?!" she shot back, glaring. She sighed and moved away looking to the others. "Forget it...I'm sorry I snapped." Mandi muttered, crossing her arms.

      Katie glowered at Sanzo. "Leave the gun here. Nothing is going to happen to you out here where you'll need it. Just hide it with the scriptures."

      "Sanzo, maybe it's a good idea to do as they say. They're the ones who have lived here all their lives." Hakkai said, edging back into the living room. He smiled to the monk, waiting.

      Gojyo stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I'll have to agree on that one. While you're settling this, I'm going outside for a cigarette. I'm long overdue for my morning smoke."

      The red head moved through to the kitchen and stepped outside through the back door, leaving Goku alone in the dining room. The youth looked around and then decided it a better idea to get pummeled by Gojyo than to get shot by Sanzo, so he followed the kappa out.

      Seeing that the girls weren't going to give up, Sanzo clenched his jaw and took a moment to assess the situation. He didn't really think that the girls would try to fool him or the others in saying weapons weren't needed and would only get them into trouble. It was just the thought of parting with the weapon, even if just for a little while.  The gun truly had become a part of him, ever since the day he left the temple where he was raised. In some way, he and that pistol had a blood bond- they were both responsible for all the lives lost to its bullets.

      However wary he was of these young women, the monk supposed they would know what was best.  He hated to admit that their little band of misfits actually needed all the help that the girls were offering, but in the end, refusing their assistance would most likely only do more harm. At last Sanzo nodded, turning to return to the bedroom.

      "I'll leave it here as long as I know none of you will ever touch it."

      The girls agreed with this and gave each other rather triumphant grins. Then it was decided, to save any more confusion on the part of the Sanzo party, the girls would have to explain as much as they could about blending into their world, even if the three had a hard time doing it themselves.