I'm very happy with this chapter and I hope the rest of you reading are as well. It gets a bit intense at the end, but don't worry the pace will get much lighter at the start of chapter five. Not every scene can be happy. Thank-you for reading!
Chapter 4. Gojyo.
From boy to priest to mutt to pillow. Life was just peachy for 'Sable' at the moment. Sanzo struggled when he felt the arms around him tighten and he braced himself. As he had expected, the monkey clinging to him rolled over to his other side and took the dog with him. Sanzo tried to ignore the thump when he hit the covers. For the first time, he wished that damned white winged-rat was in here with him to suffer. But no, the little thing escaped off to stay up with Hakkai. At least Hakkai was getting some sleep, if you could call those few hours getting sleep. In that first week before the monkey got clingy, Sanzo took it upon himself to check and make sure Hakkai was at the very least in bed. Maybe that pep talk from the water sprite he had a few days after his first day as Sable had paid off.
"So warm," Goku mumbled into Sable's fur. "And soft."
Sanzo tried to get out of the monkey's arms yet again but he had a tight grip. Really, he should have known sleeping nicely at the end of the bed wouldn't last long. The monkey moved too much when he slept and discovered the new and improved doggy-pillow. It wasn't so bad at first, really, it was only getting kicked that was his problem during the first week. This dog pillow stage was a recent development. The worst part is he'd always let go before he woke up so Goku never knew he spent the majority of the night strangling the dog.
Sanzo realized he wasn't going to get used to it and just fall asleep. Goku's knees kicked him on accident and he jolted. So no sleep for the weary, he assumed. But when Goku snuggled again, Sanzo thought it might just be okay. It gave him time to think at any case and the monkey was sleeping again. And he'd have plenty of time to kill the monkey when he turned back to normal anyway. The thought of the warm bed all to himself with a stiff drink and a pack of Marlboros nearly made Sanzo drool on the sheets. But he regressed.
These morons had to figure out he was Sanzo and not some stupid mutt named Sable first. Sanzo sighed and made an attempt to readjust his position so he could be on his stomach instead of his back. It'd been two weeks since he joined up with the team and they'd only been slightly reminded of Sanzo. But nothing concrete and nothing they wouldn't blame on "it's so close to his death, of course we're seeing him projected onto things like the dog because we miss him." Sometimes Sanzo hated Hakkai's logic, but at least they all treated him well. Being a pet was starting to not be so bad.
Sanzo shook his head violently and removed that thought immediately. He had no room to give up or screw up. He needed to think and get everything sorted out. He should work on Hakkai first, he's the smartest and surest to figure it out. He'd go for Goku second and then work on the water sprite once the other two got it. After all, once Hakkai and Goku knew, he could justify beating sense into Gojyo. He smiled at the thought and constructed his plan. He'd need a newspaper, cigarettes, and maybe reading glasses. He wasn't sure if his dog vision was the same as his human. It wouldn't surprise him, after all, the hag still left him with his nicotine cravings, so why not his sight deficiency?
Goku yanked Sanzo out of his thoughts when he rolled over, yet again. It was going to be another long night.
Hakkai was making a wonderful breakfast. Sanzo controlled the drool as he waited for his plate to be put in front of him. He loved pet friendly inns, but he loved running out of dog food even more. He couldn't be blamed if the bag that Hakkai had bought this morning had mysteriously disappeared in a dumpster out back. Of course not, no one would suspect him. Save for the Jeep, but that was okay, it's not like he could tattle on him anyway. Bacon and eggs never smelled so good! Now if only they'd start giving him coffee, or at the very least a cup of tea, and he'd be all set.
Sable attacked the eggs when they were placed in front of him and Hakkai chuckled to himself. Really, the dog seemed to be picking up habits from Goku as of late. Hakkai sat down in front of his own breakfast and poured himself some orange juice from the pitcher provided by the hotel. It was amazing how fast the dog had integrated itself in their little group, it was almost as if he belonged there from the start. He smiled at the improvement in Goku's temperament and even his own. To some extent at any case, the only one who hadn't adjusted was Gojyo. Sneaking a peak at his smoking companion he summed it up to losing his spot in the front seat to yet another blonde, however brief he had it.
"Excuse me," An elder gentlemen approached the table.
"Yes, sir?" Hakkai looked up at the old man and saw his graying hair and worn clothes. "Can we help you?"
"I was wondering if I could borrow that young lad of yours." He smiled towards Goku who had paused in eating a scoop of oatmeal.
"Me?" Goku spoke around his mouthful before swallowing. "What do you need me for?"
"I was wondering if you could help me load my carts outside. Normally my son helps me but he's sick. You looked like a strong lad and it shouldn't take very long."
"Sure." Goku slurped down the rest of his oatmeal and got out of the seat. "That okay?"
"Of course, Goku." Hakkai smiled and waved as he watched the two run out the door.
"Sure it's okay to let him run off on his own like that?" Gojyo took a drag on his Hi-Lite. "I mean, you can never know anymore."
"I'm sure it's fine, Gojyo." Hakkai sipped his drink. "Goku can more than take care of himself."
Sanzo watched Goku leave and realized this was a perfect time to put his plan into action. The monkey wouldn't be around to smother him in 'oh that's so cute!' or anything of the sort. It was perfect and that meant only one thing! Operation: Clue in Hakkai starts now!
That is so dorky it's not even funny. Jeep smirked. Being a dog for two weeks has fried your brain.
Oh shut up. After that, Sanzo ignored the dragon and headed towards the door as well. He didn't want to think about how true that statement really was. He had been feeling less like himself and more, well, happy. Somewhere in his head justified it as irony, but he'd think on that later. Just outside he spotted just what he was looking for and gave a doggy grin.
"Would you look at that, mutt fetched the paper." Gojyo stacked his plates and leaned on the table.
"So he did." Hakkai reached for it and pat Sable on the head. "Good boy, Sable."
Sanzo rolled his eyes and watched Hakkai open the paper for a moment before setting it down. Once Hakkai had finished breezing through it, he nipped the edge of the paper to drag it down to the floor. A bit of fiddling and he managed to open the paper full spread. He sat himself down in front of it to read more properly. He had to squint to make it out, but he managed somewhat. He wondered briefly if they buried his glasses with him or if they were hiding in someone's pack. More demon attacks in upper Shangri-la. That's nothing new.
Hakkai stared at the dog reading the paper and was reminded horribly of Sanzo. The dog seemed to have that apathetic feeling surrounding him while Sanzo would read. He felt the pain stab at his heart but breathed in slowly. It was nothing. The dog was simply amusing itself by playing with a newspaper, nothing more.
"Is the dog reading the paper?" Gojyo watched as the dog pulled a page up to get to the next.
"Don't be silly, Gojyo." Hakkai refused to look at the dog. "Animals like to sit and sleep on paper. I'm sure he's just settling it for a nap or something."
"Sure." Gojyo watched Hakkai steadily. The man was tense and that wasn't a good sign. The next thing you know it's going to rain with the luck we're having.
Sanzo felt the paper ripped up from under him by Hakkai suddenly. Hakkai walked across the room with it towards the other side of the room. It was folded neatly before being thrust in a trash bin. Hakkai quickly took a seat back at the table and promptly ignored Gojyo's confused look for a bite of sausage. Sanzo had mixed feelings about his progress thus far. On the one hand, he'd clearly got Hakkai to think of Sanzo. On the other, Hakkai was starting to look like he was going to have a breakdown. Sanzo decided he'd have to push his luck. Maybe if he pushed hard enough, Hakkai would clue in, realize the truth and all this depression nonsense would be done with.
When Goku came back he could feel the tension in the room. "Hey guys. Stocking didn't take long at all just like he said, so we ready?"
"Yes, Goku. Just a few supplies to pick up and we'll be on our way. Sable's dog food went missing again." Hakkai stood from the table and walked towards the desk to pay. Gojyo followed Goku out back and they took the dog with them. Hakkai couldn't help but be a bit relieved. The dog seemed determined to bring up bad memories and it was getting to him.
Sanzo spotted part two in his 'covert Hakkai' plan once they had collected the last few groceries. He just gave in to the urge and wagged his tail as he trotted over to the glorious little packet. Fate seemed to like him today as he spotted a pack of Marlboros sitting on the ground. The thing smelled absolutely heavenly. Two sticks left.
Hakkai watched as the dog discovered a deserted piece of trash. It wouldn't be good for the dog to eat something like that so he walked over to get him. Once he got closer he realized the dog was gnawing on a discarded pack of Marlboros. His gut clenched and his mind played tricks on him. He could almost see Sable's eyes turn violet, but violently suppressed it. "Come Sable, don't mess with that."
Sanzo hadn't expected the rough yank of his collar by Hakkai. He yelped and got the attention of the others.
"Hey, Hakkai." Gojyo sauntered over to his friend and the mutt. "Are you okay?"
"Why don't I take, Sable?" Goku ran over and took the dog by the collar and whispered in its ear. "Let's go, okay? I don't think Hakkai's feeling too good."
Hakkai watched Goku drag the dog off and even then the memories were flooding his head. Goku wasn't even leading any more, he was just tagging along next to the dog just like he would with Sanzo. "No, Gojyo. I don't think I am okay."
Gojyo watched Hakkai watch the dog and Goku. He smashed his cigarette in his fist. "Hey, Hakkai."
"Yes, Gojyo. I know it's dumb but I can't help but think of Sanzo when I'm around the dog."
"I didn't say a word about the mutt, I asked about you. I think you need a break from the stupid dog." Gojyo relit another cigarette. "A break from all of us, really."
"I sincerely doubt being alone is going to help this problem." Hakkai smiled softly. "Though, that does seem the route I usually take, doesn't it?"
"Something like that." Gojyo looked up and saw a sign for a play showing in town this afternoon. "Hey, why don't you take the monkey to this? You like this sort of stuff, right? And we all know the monkey could use some culture."
"Well, I do, and that's not very nice Gojyo, but should we really take such a long break from our journey?"
"Cut the crap, Hakkai. We both know it ain't going to make a damn difference. Nobody's attacked us in weeks and we both know why." Gojyo watched the smoke leak from the side of his mouth. "Who'd attack a Sanzo-party with no Sanzo?"
Hakkai flinched before forcing himself to relax before he sighed. "Alright, I'll relax and try to take a break."
"Good, you take the kid to the show and I'll catch you guys afterwards, one more night here won't kill us."
"You're not coming to the show as well?"
"I hate that stuff, besides. Someone's gotta' watch the damn mutt."
"Of course."
"What's taking you guys so long?" Goku had come back to meet his two friends with the dog. "Oh look, a kitty."
Sanzo stared down at the kitten and suppressed every urge in his body to chase the thing down and rip it apart. He was not a dumb animal and he would not chase the cat. He would not.
Hakkai looked down suddenly at the statement and feared the dog might be aggressive towards the cat. They hadn't really encountered one before with Sable. The dog was growling at the cat and Hakkai felt he would have to intercede. The dog sneezed in mid jump and the cat sprinted out of sight. The dog looked as if it had trouble breathing almost as if it were allergic.
Gojyo watched Hakkai's hands visibly shake and narrowed his eyes at the mutt. The dog stared him down right back and it took everything he had not to beat the thing right here and there.
Oblivious to Gojyo's current fuming the only thing on Sanzo's mind involved such thoughts as: Stupid cat.
Gojyo stared at the dog in the corner and thought back towards this morning. He may not have said it, but he had noticed it all morning. Every time Hakkai was around that mutt today he looked as if he would just shatter. Gojyo's fist tightened. He took a vicious drag on his cigarette in order to try and calm down. Goku and, even if he was feeling shitty, Hakkai would never forgive him if he hurt that dog.
Sanzo watched Gojyo from his corner. Being stuck in a hotel room with the water sprite was hindering his plans. He couldn't convince Hakkai he was Sanzo if he wasn't with Hakkai. Sanzo shook his fur out indignantly and huffed. No, Hakkai took the monkey to some play about forbidden lovers or some shit. He growled to himself and stared at the water sprite for lack of anything else to do. Gojyo seemed tense and he took a guess that it had something to do with Hakkai.
Gojyo stared the dog down and felt the anger boiling inside of him. He would remain calm, but the way that damn dog was looking at him reminded him of Sanzo now. That same blonde colored hair, that same haughty expression, even if it was on a dog, and that same bored look at the world. No wonder Hakkai was going to have a break-down. This was some god's idea of a joke and it was pissing Gojyo off. The dog huffed.
The vase shattered next to Sanzo's side with the force of Gojyo's throw. He did his best to dodge but he barely missed. He could feel the pain and hate radiating off of Gojyo from the moment the door had shut on them, but he never realized it would be this bad. He hadn't even noticed Gojyo stand and the fact his arms were shaking didn't sit well as a good sign.
"You stupid dog." Gojyo tried not to shout but he'd already lost his temper. He had cracked like glass. "Hakkai was doing so good! It's all your damn fault!"
Sanzo winced at the shouting and dodged the fork thrown at him next. He'd have to watch himself, Gojyo was a lot stronger right now than a year old dog.
"You just had to go reminding him! You had to remind all of us! I don't give a damn if the monkey wants to remember it hurts!" Gojyo slammed a fist into the wall and felt a slight satisfaction the dog had backed into a corner. "Don't you dare growl at me!"
Sanzo tried to control himself and keep from agitating the situation but his body was reacting to the threat and he couldn't stop the growls. He just tried to keep his gaze even with Gojyo's during all the ranting.
"It's all your fault! It is, all your fault!" Gojyo was full out railing at the dog now and he didn't care. He threw the ash tray at the wall above the dog and watched the ashes fall over the mutt's fur. It felt good to get all the frustration that had been building off his chest. "You had to mess with the cigarettes and pull out the stupid paper and look at us like you owned the world. Hell you even had the gall to take the damn front seat of the jeep!"
Sanzo showed teeth when Gojyo got closer to him. If the water sprite wanted a fight he'd get one. Sanzo braced for the hit when Gojyo pulled his fist.
"I swear if you acted any more like him, you'd be," at that moment there was something in that dog's eyes that chilled Gojyo to the core. He knew those eyes and the force of it pulled him to his knees hand still in mid strike. "Sanzo."
Sanzo heard his name fall off the stunned water sprite's lips and saw the stunned look on his face. He had a chance and Sanzo got desperate. He had to keep Gojyo in this line of thinking. He just had to!
The dog barked and Gojyo started breathing heavier. Those eyes, he knew those damned eyes. His hand fell limp to his side. "No way, you've gotta' be shittin' me. Sanzo's dead."
Sanzo barked again and tried to think of anything he could do to confirm Gojyo's suspicions. He came up with nothing and he feared he'd lose this one chance.
He could see it again, there in Sable's eyes. But this time that flicker of familiar violet and it's intensity that he'd seen far to often for comfort, had something different behind them. Gojyo saw that overpowering strength fall into uncertainty and pleading. He grabbed the dog's face behind the ears and held it still between his hands and just looked in those eyes. "Holy shit. Sanzo?"
A near wave of relief washed over Sanzo he relaxed and tried his best to convey his confirmation with feeling.
Those eyes settled into a knowing look and Gojyo fell back onto his rump. The dog straightened and there was no mistaking the posture, the look the regal yet over powering presence that only one man could create. "Good gods, Sanzo."
Finally. Sanzo sighed to himself.
"Holy shit! The dog talked!" Gojyo leaped from his seat on the floor to fall back to the floor again after hitting a chair.
What? Sanzo stared at the water sprite and walked over. Can you hear me?
"It's still talking." Gojyo got on all fours himself to stare at the Golden Retriever in front of him. "And it's speaking Sanzo. It's really Sanzo, the dog is Sanzo. And it talks."
Sanzo blinked. This is crazy.
"I'll agree with you there." Gojyo reached like he wanted to touch the dog, but feared getting burned. "Is that really you, Sanzo? This isn't a dream?"
Of course it's me you idiot! Sanzo growled out. I've been trying to tip you guys off all week! Though, he'd leave out the fact that today in particular he'd been working Hakkai. But just because he didn't get the one he aimed for doesn't change the fact he'd had a success. Right, he'd just keep telling himself that. Took you long enough, too."
"Well excuse me o' illustrious one if you're supposed to be dead and not a dog!" Gojyo sat back and crossed his legs and arms and pretended his voice wasn't shaking. "This is too weird."
You're not the one who's a dog. Sanzo huffed.
Gojyo sniffed and could feel it coming. He laughed and his shoulders shook as he felt the warm tears leaving trails down his face. He was laughing and crying all at the same time and he scrubbed his eyes fiercely with his sleeve to do anything to stop it. This child of taboo only cried once and it wasn't over some arrogant blonde that played with the three of them like their feelings didn't exist. The tears disagreed with him and it was useless, so he just gave up. "What the hell."
Sanzo felt the embrace suddenly and could feel Gojyo's face shoved as far into his neck as it would go. The soaked arms were around his back and his fingers dug into Sanzo's back. It took Sanzo a moment to register just what was happening: the water sprite was clinging to him and crying. Sanzo tensed up and didn't know how to handle this situation. What are you doing?
"I don't know, but I'm so damned glad you're alive. Shit this isn't like me at all." Gojyo didn't seem to care, or notice, though and clung to Sanzo tighter. If he let go he might disappear, or Gojyo would wake up and this would all be a dream. "Just, gods, can we just stay like this for a minute?"
Sanzo smiled to himself and just relaxed, rested his head on Gojyo's shoulder and let him hold on. This was okay. Sure.