Chapter 2

TO Zeraphic triomis :I love you! (Big Hug). You were the first ever to review. To tell the truth I was kind of sad no one reviewed this. Thanks. AS always you made my day. Hope you will review this too. Took your advice. Tried to do better. Tell me what you think.

Kitsune86: Thanks for your review. I guess it is ok if no one read it. I just glad you did. And were nice enough to take the time to review. Thanks a bunch! Let me know how you like this chapter.

……………………………..

"Ah! I just remembered," exclaimed Hakkai, the next day as they prepared to leave. …Shirin ankle had more or less recovered.

"I bought you something to wear, Shirin."

He turned to one the many shopping bags on the bed. Hakkai did not see the look of trepidation on Shirin's face but Sanzo did.

"Here, it is!"

Hakkai shook out an orange colored sleeveless shirt with an oriental collar. Sanzo watched as the look of fear on the young god's face turned into one of relief. Hakkai frowned as he scrutinized the shirt.

"I think it will fit you…. I don't usually buy clothes for children!" He laughed, scratching his head.

Shirin fingered the soft cloth, mesmerized.

"Just for me?"

Hakkai nodded.

"You can't wear Goku's clothes forever you know?"

Shirin looked up at Hakkai, his eyes slightly wet.

"Arigato, Hakkai-san"

Hakkai's ever smiling eyes softened.

"Well try it on!" urged Goku.

"Hai!" Shirin grinned happily as he started unbuttoning his shirt.

He blushed when he remembered that there were three other guys in the room (Gojyo had gone to the bathroom). So he turned his back to them before taking of his shirt. Nothing prepared the boys for the sight presented to them.

Scars crisscrossed his back. Some were longer than the others. But almost all were deep.

"What the hell?" were the only words Gojyo was capable of uttering. (He had just come out of the bathroom)

The others were just speechless. Shirin didn't seem to notice anything amiss when he reached for the new top.

"Shirin…" Goku broke the silence. "Your back …. What happened to you?"

"Oh those. "Shirin did not look from his buttoning. "I was punished…. hundred and fifty whipping."

He stated it matter of factly .

"Ne…. Did you do something bad?" asked Goku.

"No ..."

Shirin looked up, staring into space.

"I was punished because I didn't do something bad."

He broke out of his thoughts. " Thank you, Hakkai-san. The shirt fits perfectly."

"Punished? Hundred and fifty lashings is not punishment. It's torture." Declared Gojyo hotly.

Sanzo just stared at the child, his cigarette forgotten.

"Shirin", Hakkai reached out to tuck a stray hair behind the boy's ear.

"What happened to you in heaven? Who did this to you?"

Shirin stopped fiddling with his shirt and stared at the floor.

The room was filled with tense silence as they waited for Shirin's reply.

"Hyokko." He whispered .

"Deme! I'll beat him up if I ever see him!" swore Goku angrily.

"Whaddya mean beat him up? I say we whip him a hundred and fifty times! See how he likes it." Declared Gojyo, lighting a cigarette.

"Bastard!" He muttered under his breadth as he stuck it in his mouth distracted.

Shirin decided to break the tension. He turned to Hakkai.

"Hakkai- san, how do I look?" he asked fiddling with his new shirt.

"AH!" Hakkai smiled recovering from the shock.

"Very nice." he replied. "Cute in fact."

Shirin stopped fiddling with his shirt .He looked up at Hakkai disbelievingly.

"Cute?"

OOoooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooOOooOoooooooooooOo

The three of them stood around the room after sending Goku and Shirin out to get a table at the restaurant.

"Oi…It is ok to leave this like that?" asked Gojyo.

"Leave this like that…"repeated Sanzo mockingly."What the hell are you talking about,Baka?"

"YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!"

Gojyo turned to Hakkai.

"Hakkai" he pleaded to his friend.

"I'm afraid there isn't anything we can do at the moment."

Hakkai gave Gojyo a sad smile before turning to look out the window. He felt helpless and angry with whoever this…Hyokko was-doing that to sweet and gentle Shirin. God knows what else the child had to endure.

"No wonder he is so afraid of us at times especially Sanzo!"

"We don't have to do anything," Sanzo's firm voice interrupted his thoughts."Shirin can help himself!"

He stood, tucking his papers inside his sleeves, he walked out the room. Hakkai and Gojyo stood staring after him for a few seconds.

"He's right you know." Hakkai commented softly.

Gojyo sighed.

"I know" he repliedunder his breadth.

OOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo

"Excuse me, miss…", Hakkai called after the waitress.

"We didn't order the chocolate pudding."

The waitress smiled.

"I know." she replied.

Sitting down next to Shrin, she ruffled his hair.

"It is for the little one over here."

She got a sweet smile in return for her effort. Sighing , the waitress got up.

"If you want more pudding, you just let me know." she winked at him conspiratorially.

"It's on the house."

Shirin ducked his head before she could ruffle his hair again.

"Arigato" he said softly.

As soon she left, Hakkai started chuckling.

"Waah, Shirin, if you have this kind of effect on women at this age, I wonder what will happen when you hit eighteen." He teased.

Shirin flushed.

"Hakkai-san…"he protested.

Trying to change the subject, he pushed the pudding to Goku.

"Goku-san, do you want the pudding….are?"

He stared at Gojyo and Goku. They were both looking at him with stars in their eyes.

"Shirin," began Gojyo. "You are so cute and nice…later ask the cute and nice waitress for her number ok?"

"Anou…"

"Shirin," interrupted Goku. " You are so sweet ant nice…Later ask the kind and nice waitress for more noodles ok?"

Shirin flushed further. He turned to Hakkai for help.

"Boys…calm down" laughed Hakkai.

"SHIRIN!" pleaded the other two together.

"URUSAI!" screamed Sanzo.

"Hai!" both guys went back to the food.

Shirin heaved a sigh of relief and picked up his chopsticks.

OOOooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooo0000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Kanzeon laughed at the scene.

"They make such a sweet family!" she mused.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of running footsteps.

"Yes?"

"Kanzeon- sama, it's Hyokko…He has descended to earth."

Kanzeon gave a smirk.

"Now that sounds like fun"

"Ah… Shouldn't you order him back?" asked Jiroshin.

Deep down though he felt he already knew the answer.

"What!…"Kanzeon looked at him in mock surprise.

"And let the entertainment end….The fun's just started!"

Jiroshin sighed, resigned.

"I knew it."

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Note : Sorry for such a long delay.Pls look forward to the next chapter.