Chapter 7: Theory Turned Practical

"Where to Hakkai?" Asked Ebony. Sanzo looked at Hakkai and he smiled. "Well..." He began. Goku jumped up, fists clenched in determination. "I think before we can go anywhere I need to teach Kerri the ways of basic self defence." "I've never seen him so passionate about something other than food before" cracked Gojyo with a grin. Goku glared and looked to Kerri. "What ya think?" He asked, beaming at her - smiling with his eyes closed. They all looked at Kerri, Ebony bit her lip. "Uh...sure" She said nervously, wanting the others to stop looking at her. "Alright! My first pupil" He said happily and grabbed her wrist thoughtlessly. "C'mon, let's get started!" A glimmer of fear passed across her eyes then it disappeared and she almost giggled as she stood. She couldn't help it, Goku was just so...enthusiastic. (Shy-Phantom - Not THAT kind of "enthusiastic" - Kerri's a girl remember? Elendur - ……) Gojyo glanced at Goku and folded his arms across his chest, cigarette smoke like a wall between him and the monkey king. Goku blinked half-smiled and dragged a slightly frightened looking Kerri further down the road.

"Hakkai, there's something you're not telling me." Sanzo rolled his eyes "You chose to tag along." He replied lazily. "I don't believe I was talking to you Snazzy" she returned hotly. The priest's brows drew closer together he stood calmly. "Do I need to tell you again that I detest that name?" She shrugged "All the more reason for me to continue using it." Hakkai intervened, standing between the fuming Sanzo and Ebony. "Now, now, no need to get so testy-" Hakkai began carefully. Ebony turned on her heel and walked in the direction of the river. The water threading slowly amongst the sharp rocks at her feet. She followed the length of it with her eyes (Shy Phantom - Of the RIVER, not the flesh-gun Elendur – get your mind out of the gutter dear) and beheld the beauty of a waterfall. Gushing currents like a curtain of clear diamond over a cave entrance. She knelt at the bank and picked water up in her cupped hands. Inadequate. Inadequate. Inadequate. Her face was cool, droplets tracing the curve of her throat and clinging to her lashes. Sanzo slanted his position. "Hakkai suggested that we resolve whatever issue it is that we share." He said watching the smoke against the backdrop of lush green fields.

A butterfly settled into the folds of a violet flower. She turned but didn't look at him "You seem to have a problem with me." She said and examined the butterfly. He watched her as she moved, the frightened way in which she carried herself. She held her elbow and blinked "Got a problem?" She demanded. Tough talk, a shame that she cannot walk the same way thought Sanzo to himself. "Listen, I think this is a complete waste of time" He said quietly, dropping his cigarette to the ground. Ashes in a small circle at his feet. Sanzo narrowed his eyes and knelt, touching his fingers to the ashes. He looked over to Ebony who was frozen on the spot, mouth open and eyes wide. Kerri screamed in the distance. "KERRI!" Ebony called out and Sanzo watched her as she leapt into the air. He turned sharply and took a bullet to his leg, Ebony launched herself onto the gun-wielding Youkai. She sunk her fingers deep into its eyes and smashed her fist into the side of its head. Sanzo pulled out his gun, fired at the Youkai. It fell to the ground with a heavy thud. She stood there still for a moment close to the river bank. Breathing heavily. Sanzo spotted a youkai in the cave behind the waterfall, he acted quickly and grabbed Ebony around the waist pulling her into the river with him. The bullets making pitter patter noises as they broke the surface of the water and plummeted into the mud at the bottom of the river. Ebony struggled beneath the water, eyes open. She looked at Sanzo both of them being pulled by the current of the water's path. He held his hand out to her, with blurred vision she took it and tried to grip his fingers. Tried to keep steady.

He dragged them both to the surface and pulled himself onto the bank. Ebony spluttering, water escaping her lips. Both hands sinking into the mud of the bank. Sanzo fired his gun right over her head, a youkai fell dead behind her. She stared at him for a moment. "My debt is paid." He said and she frowned. Another scream. Ebony picked herself up and bolted into the thicket of trees.

Goku held the staff in his hands, the group of youkai formed a threatening circle around them. Kerri was close at his back, he looked over his shoulder and smiled at Kerri. "Don't worry, I've been in worse situations before" she was not assured by this at all. He braced his staff against the first offender, but there were too many. The others were closing in, Youkai behind them grabbed Kerri by the waist and dragged his tongue along her cheek. Tears spilled down her face. "Kerri! NO!" Goku took a blow to the stomach. "HAKKAI, GOJYO!" He called. She struggled in the grip of the youkai.

Gojyo dropped his cigarette - he heard the cry for help first. Goku's voice carried over the tree tops like a battle cry. Hakkai ran faster, reached them first. The Youkai mindlessly grabbing at Kerri's body, grinning at Hakkai whose green eyes were full of terror. She shot a pleading look to him, tried to reach out with her arm. Gojyo tossed his blade at the Youkai who were holding Goku prisoner in their arms. Limbs falling to the ground. "No closer, or I'll eat this girl" said the Youkai who held Kerri in its arms. Gojyo slowly put his weapon down, keeping his eye on Kerri. Concern filling his heart, watched Goku struggle to stand. "That's what I thought." It said and it dug its nail into her throat, lapping the trickling blood up with its disgusting tongue. Ebony came into view, leaping from the branch of a tree above the lead Youkai and crushing him beneath her body. Kerri stumbled from the tanglement of enemies. She watched fearfully as Ebony struggled with the leader who had held her captive. "Ebony..." Hakkai's eyes widened and he shook his head, a blade was drawn and cut a thick pattern into her arm. Gojyo acted in all of the confusion. Picked his blade up and slashed the limbs from his enemies. Hakkai ran full speed at the Youkai who was assaulting his sister and pushed his fist through the chest of the Youkai. Blood splattered onto his face. He could hear the bones crush as he did this and glared at the Youkai.

Sanzo limped slightly to the scene, blood staining his white robes. He held his gun out and took out three youkai. "Where'd they all come from!" Goku yelled, fending them off with his staff. "Who cares! Move it monkey!" Replied Gojyo. Hakkai pushed himself off of the ground into the air, he sailed over Kerri's head and behind a youkai who in turn failed in its attempt to grab the young woman. The blood poured from her throat, she had gone pale. Hakkai caught her in his arms and lay her on the ground. "Cover me Sanzo!" He called to the priest. He lay his hands over her throat and concentrated his chi on healing the wound. Gojyo struck down the last youkai, Goku rushed to Kerri's side and shook his head. Her thick lashes rested against her cheek. "K-Kerri?" He stammered and dropped his staff. He bit his lip "Is she ok Hakkai?" he asked hoarsely. Ebony stood by Goku, tears in her eyes. Hakkai glanced at his sister and nodded "She'll be ok. But she needs rest. She lost a lot of blood." He carried her to the jeep and placed her in the back seat. "Gojyo, Goku will have to sit on your lap." Said Hakkai as he got into the front seat behind the wheel. They looked at each other and opened their mouths to protest but were silenced by the glare Hakkai shot into the mirror.

Sanzo limped to the passenger seat in the front and settled uncomfortably, trying to get into a position that wouldn't cause him further pain. Ebony silently knelt at his feet, the door open resting against her side. She placed her hands on the wound and closed her eyes. Sanzo watched her void of any kind of emotion. The bullet was pulled from the wound, but the wound did not close. She tore a piece of her soaked robe and wiped the blood from the wound then tied it tightly about his leg. "Sorry, I can't do it as well as my brother." (No, not THAT. I know it sounds suss, but she was merely healing the bullet wound.) He looked away from her and sat back. This time she sat on his lap silently and watched her friend in the back seat. Eyes closed, lids lilac - she felt sick. Shivering, she braced herself against the rushing against her. Hakkai glanced at her through his monocle and looked back to the road. "Ebony? What is the matter?" He asked softly. She clutched herself, rubbed her chest with her hands like she had learnt to do when she fell through the ice as a child. "Nothing" She lied. Sanzo rolled his eyes and placed his arms about her, holding her tightly. "She'll get pneumonia if we're not careful" He said to Hakkai. "You don't have to explain yourself Sanzo, thankyou." Hakkai said sincerely.

Ebony could hardly feel his arms about her shivering body. She stared at Kerri in the mirror. The glass painting a picture of her own failure. She had let Kerri down. "Hakkai, what was wrong with the youkai? Have they all gone insane?" She almost demanded. Hakkai looked at his sister with an apologetic sincerity within his eyes. "It is called the minus wave, all youkai are suffering the effects of this wave. They've gone...insane. Yes, that is one way of putting it." He said "We're safe from the effects because of our power limiters" explained Goku. "So what you're saying is this minus wave has washed over the entirety of our lands and every single youkai is effected." Gojyo nodded. "Hakkai, where are we going?" She asked quietly. "To stop them" Said Sanzo before her brother could answer. Ebony understood now why it was that Hakkai didn't want her to join them. But she also knew that she loved her brother and could not bear it if he died and she found out years later that he had been buried for decades passed. She - an old woman - waiting alone on her doorstep for a long dead brother whom she loved so desperately.

"Stop squirming monkey" growled Gojyo trying to steady the restless Goku. The cigarette was loose in his fingers, it fell against Goku's wrist. He winced in pain but made no sound. Gojyo quickly retrieved his cigarette and flicked it away in the breeze. "I'm sorry" he said quietly. Goku turned to Gojyo, golden eyes wide. "Did you just apologize to me?" He asked bewildered. "Shut up monkey, or it'll never happen again." He said somewhat viciously. Goku turned his head and looked at Kerri "You think she's ok?" he asked quietly. "It wasn't your fault chibi chimp" mumbled Gojyo and he looked in the opposite direction.

Shy-Phantom – This one's mine too

Elendur - claps well done

Shy-Phantom – I really do have too much spare time on my hands

Elendur – You were bored, stuck for days without internet, what else was one to do?

Shy-Phantom – Exactly…