Wow, this turned into writer's block to over 5,500 words. Normally these chapters vary from 3,200 to 4,300. In any case, I'm very happy with this chapter and I can't believe I'm getting close to 100 reviews! That is amazing and I owe it all to you lovely readers. So thank-you so very much and I hope to continue to produce quality for you for the few chapters that are left. Thank-you for reading!

Also, by the end of this chapter you may think that I hate Goku or somehow think he has no brain. But it's not true. Really, I like Goku. cough

Sanzo x Yaone. Dr. Nii x Dr. Hwang. Ha ha ha. I shouldn't post fics at two in the morning.

Chapter 10. Of Dogs and Demons.

"You have got to be pulling my antennae." Gojyo dropped his cigarette out of his mouth. "There is no friggin' way."

There is a friggin' way and it's happening now you damned cockroach! Sanzo barked.

"Hey, keep it down or Goku'll wake up." Gojyo sighed. "So now we've got a super short time limit and a leader who's not all there in the head. Just perfect, what are you doing?"

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Sanzo stopped himself from sniffing Gojyo's pockets. He had gotten distracted again by the nicotine. Or so he kept telling himself, it had better have been the nicotine.

"It looked like you were sniffing me."

Don't be absurd. Sanzo huffed and turned away while Gojyo yawned into his hand.

"Sure. Well, what do you think Hakkai?" Gojyo sunk down into his seat to get a better look at the man sitting on the floor. He looked tired, and had every right to be at one in the morning. They'd been busy all day long fighting demons and all of a sudden Sanzo comes and drags them all out of bed to talk about something important. And not only was it actually important, but it was depressing to boot. Like they needed more of this shit in their lives at the moment.

"I think the gods enjoy playing with our lives." Hakkai sighed. He pet Sanzo on the head and amused himself with the pleased reaction. Despite the horror of losing Sanzo to a dog's mind, he couldn't help but feel this more open affection was an improvement. "And we just have to work harder on Goku."

"And how do we do that without telling?" Gojyo leaned foreword in his seat and set his elbows on his knees. "It's clear that currently the monkey ain't taking a hint at all."

He's got a point. We can't tell him or everything we've done will be for nothing. Sanzo continued to let Hakkai stroke his fur, it was soothing.

"Argh, whatever, I've had too little sleep to deal with this issue and I'm sure you're the same, Hakkai. Let's just hope for the best the monkey figures it out." Gojyo stood and headed towards Goku's room. "I'm going to bed. I've had enough of this shit for one day."

"Good night, Gojyo." Hakkai watched the half-demon shrug out of his clothes while shutting the door simultaneously. He shook his head in an amused light and looked back down at Sanzo. "Are you worried, Sanzo?"

No. Sanzo huffed. Hakkai had stopped petting him! That wasn't fair at all, it had felt good. No! He was not thinking those things, he wasn't. Aren't you going to bed, too?

"I figured I'd stay up a bit longer with you, as you don't seem to be tired in the least." Hakkai smiled. "This does need further discussion, as we need to find a way to make you seem more like you to Goku."

He thinks I'm a gift from Sanzo to keep him company. Sanzo scoffed. How bloody perfect is that?

"Oh, that could cause a problem." Hakkai chuckled. "But that might be a step in the right direction if he's making connections at least."

Maybe, or maybe he'll keep with that delusion and we'll get nowhere. Sanzo stared at a piece of cake sitting on the table. It was from Hakkai's plate and the icing was dripping slightly off of the side, melted from the heat coming from a vent. Hey, Hakkai.

"Yes Sanzo?" Hakkai looked up at the table and laughed a bit. "Here you go."

Sanzo was a bit startled when Hakkai set the cake in front of him. Thanks.

"Was that not what you wanted?" Hakkai could hear the concern in Sanzo's tone of voice. It was disconcerting to be sure.

What would you do if Goku doesn't figure it out. Sanzo kept his eyes trained on the cake, on the yellow icing slinking down into the plate. He continued more slowly with his words. Sanzo couldn't even figure out why he was bringing this up in the first place. If I stayed like this?

"Sanzo." Hakkai smiled gently and pulled Sanzo into a light hug. The man felt bold for some reason, seeing that sad look on Sanzo's puppy face. "After losing you once, I don't think any of use could possibly throw you away again, or dare let you leave, even if you don't remember us."

Idiot.

"Of course." Hakkai laughed and pushed Sanzo towards the cake. It was his turn to lighten up the mood. "Eat, and I've said it before, you know. We all wouldn't be here if we weren't a bunch of idiots."

That's for damn sure. Sanzo spoke around a bite of cake. It was moist and delicious. He was rather surprised Goku hadn't eaten it. Oh, speaking of things bothering me, what happened to my Maten Scripture?

"I'm rather surprised the first time you ask about that is a month and some afterwards." Hakkai chuckled.

I had other things on my mind.

"I guess that's true." Hakkai picked up the now empty plate and reset it on the table top and brushed a few crumbs off of Sanzo's fur. "We couldn't get Goku to let it go."

Hm? Sanzo tilted his head a bit to get a better few of Hakkai's face. His eyes had glazed over in the flashback.

"It was the only thing we didn't bury with your body, and Goku clung to it like a lifeline for a few days."

Sanzo stored this information for later use. He'd have to hit Goku for being that attached; it was unhealthy. And the scripture is with him now?

"I'm pretty sure he keeps it on him at all times." Hakkai pulled himself up off the floor and brushed off his pants. "It's all he's got left of you."

Stupid monkey. Sanzo huffed and got up to join Hakkai. It was getting rather late and Sanzo could even see the night clubs closing across the street from the window. Hey, wait.

"What is it, Sanzo?" Hakkai had started walking towards the door, but Sanzo's pause made him also stop.

The only thing you didn't bury with me was the sutra?

"That's correct, Sanzo."

You buried my gun! Sanzo was horrified. It was a Smith and Wesson! Those need care!

"You'll forgive me Sanzo if you're the only one who would have used it if we had kept it." Hakkai put his hands on his hips. "Would you prefer we gave it to someone else?"

You buried it under dirt with a rotting corpse. Sanzo did his best to stare Hakkai down from looking up from the floor. We're going back to get it whenever I get my body back. I refuse to use another gun.

"I'm sure we'll find a replacement somewhere else, Sanzo." Hakkai shook his head and started back for his room once again. It really was too late for these types of conversations.

Ha, good luck with that.

"Yes, now if you don't mind I'm joining Jeep, Gojyo and Goku by going to bed." Hakkai opened his door. "Who are you sleeping with?"

Might as well sleep with the monkey. Sanzo yawned. The kid's been getting jealous because I've been sneaking in with you.

"Yes, I had noticed Goku getting a tad bitter about that. I'm fairly certain he'd accuse me of stealing you away if it wasn't so rude." Hakkai chuckled. "He's convinced that you're his dog."

Don't remind me.

"Goodnight, Sanzo."

Yeah, yeah. Goodnight. Sanzo stalked down the hall a bit to Goku's room and listened to the sound of Hakkai's door closing. He yawned again and pushed open the door with his muzzle and was surprised to find Gojyo still awake.

"Ah, so you did decide to grace us with your presence tonight." Gojyo whispered. He blew smoke from his cigarette.

What happened to going to sleep? Sanzo stated simply as he jumped up onto Goku's bed for the night.

"Needed a smoke."

Bastard.

"Not my fault you still have cravings." Gojyo smiled and laid back down on top of his covers. He'd crawl under them later. "But I'll sneak you a beer if Hakkai's not around."

How generous of you. Sanzo pulled Goku's blanket back over his shoulders. How the kid managed to move around so much when he slept was beyond him. So why are you really up?

"I told you, a smoke." Gojyo glanced over. "And maybe I've been thinking, too."

Don't hurt yourself. Sanzo snickered and curled up into a tight ball towards the end. If Goku couldn't reach him, then he'd be safe.

"Ha, very funny monk boy." Gojyo inhaled slowly and held the smoke in his mouth before the inevitable exhale. "But, it is a little scary. This time limit thing, you know? I won't be able to pick on you any more if you go total dog on me. Dog's are too stupid to realize they're being insulted."

How vain of you.

"Yeah, that's me." He watched the smoke curl around the corners of the ceiling and crawl towards a vent. It was rather pretty in an odd sort of way. "What are you going to do about this, anyway?"

What I have been. Sanzo buried his face into the blankets of the bed and huffed. Dealing with it.

"But when you do turn back, I get to poke fun of you for when you chased after that poor guy this morning because he was holding a cat."

If you want to die, go right ahead. If Sanzo could, he would have been red. It was not his fault the cat was taunting him. In all reality it was begging to be ripped apart.

"But it was pretty funny when the guy screamed like a little girl when you ripped off his pants trying to get to the kitty." Gojyo chuckled. "Never seen Goku laugh so much."

Or see Hakkai's face like that again. Sanzo snickered a little.

Gojyo nearly laughed out loud that time and lost his cigarette. He grabbed it quickly and brushed the ashes off the bed before they lit on fire. "He was horrified over the whole thing wasn't he?"

If he had a newspaper I bet he would have hit me. Sanzo smiled at Hakkai scolding him in public with a "Bad Sable! Bad!" Like he had cared at the time, he had made the cat dude run down the street screaming after all.

"Him shouting apologies down the street was pretty funny, too." Gojyo sobered and stabbed out the remainder of his precious Hi-Lite before yanking the covers over him in a graceful sweep. "But he'll kill us if he finds out we were talking about it."

Of course. Sanzo rolled over into a more comfortable position himself. Go to bed, cockroach.

Sanzo was only answered with heavy breathing. He snorted into the covers.

"What is wrong with you guys?" Goku leant against the back door of Jeep as they drove onward. Hakkai was looking gloomy and Gojyo was looking contemplative. It was really starting to creep the little heretic out.

"Nothing really, Goku." Hakkai answered re-plastering the smile on his face. "Don't worry so much."

"What about you, water sprite? What's the deal?" Goku was not happy. He could tell the others were keeping something from him. He hated secrets!

"There's nothing, like Hakkai said." Gojyo licked his teeth. "Can't a guy think and not get funny looks?"

"When it's you, no." Goku collapsed back into his seat. "You guys are totally acting weird and I'm hungry!"

"You're always hungry." Gojyo tapped a knuckle into Goku's stomach. "Tell us something new for a change."

"Why you!" Goku stood up all prepared to go full out with the cockroach. A fight was just what he needed to get these two back to normal. Well, he thought he would be ready for a fight anyway, but apparently he needed to prepare for someone other than Gojyo.

"Why'd you stop the Jeep, Hakkai?" Gojyo ended up voicing Goku's thoughts.

"We have company." Their driver sighed inwardly. This was not something that they needed. "Hello again, Kougaiji. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Kougaiji stood a few meters away in front of the now halted Jeep and looked at its passengers one by one. Dokugakuji and Yaone flanked him on either side, and he was pretty certain Lirin was hovering somewhere behind him, distracted by a butterfly or she would have greeted the enemy by now. He let out a breath when he realized that the Jeep was indeed short one passenger, though there seemed to be a Golden Retriever sitting in the missing person's spot. While he had confirmed the rumors to be true, it made him furious inside to realize that someone other than him had killed Genjyo Sanzo. It was unforgivable.

"To what do we owe the pleasure?" Hakkai had enough of Kougaiji's staring. He wanted to get this encounter over with.

Kougaiji cleared his breath and relaxed his pose. The demon prince had a mission to accomplish, whether or not his pride was injured. "I'm here for the Maten Scripture."

"You'll forgive me if I'm disinclined to give it to you." Hakkai smiled sweetly. "So if you'll excuse us."

"I can do no such thing. If you will not hand it over than I will take it by force." Kougaiji waited for Goku to come at him. He really needed to get some of this pent up rage out of his system. Between losing Sanzo's kill to another and that woman pretending to be his step-mother he had enough frustration to last a life time. It really was a miracle that his hair had yet to turn white or fall out.

"Sable!"

Kougaiji's thoughts of battle and the usual verbal banter were shattered when Lirin went bounding from behind him towards the Jeep. "Lirin?"

"Lady Lirin!" Yaone shouted. "Leave the dog alone! We're here on business, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah!" Lirin shouted over her shoulder and stopped at the side door of the Jeep. "Hello Sable! Have you been a good boy?"

Kougaiji watched his sister pamper and coddle the suddenly struggling mutt. He turned towards Yaone, "Sable?"

"The group got a dog, apparently." Yaone sighed. "Lirin's quite fond of it actually. It took me forever to get her to let go of it last time she met up with the group, when she found out about Sanzo."

"Is that so?" Kougaiji sighed. Things were not going the way he had hoped they were. He really needed to learn how to say "no" to his little sister.

"Well, can't blame the kid for liking a dog, Kou." Dokugakuji laughed. He rubbed his nose, "It is kind of cute."

"Lirin! Get back over here!" Kougaiji hollered. "This is a fight!"

"Yeah!" Goku added from the back seat. He soon leaped over the side and waved his newly acquired Nyoi-bou towards Lirin. "And get your mitts off my dog!"

"Who said it was just your dog?" Lirin refused to let go her grip on the dog. "He belongs to all of you right? Why can't I play?"

"Because he's mine!" Goku growled. First they fight demons all week and then Hakkai and Gojyo start acting weird. And now Kougaiji's here and instead of fighting and releasing all this damn tension, Lirin dares to try and take all the attention of his dog. "Get off of him!"

"Make me!" Lirin stuck out her tongue. She liked playing with Sable because he reminded her of Baldy-Sanzo. What was so wrong with that?

While the two kids argued, Sanzo was trying to breathe. Lirin was clingier than Goku ever was. A little less in control of her strength as well, Sanzo didn't think she even noticed that she had yanked him out of the seat and fully into her arms. He briefly wondered what a feat that was considering the size comparison between the two of them. He had to be at least half of her size. Sanzo shook his head and tried to get those thoughts out, they were irrelevant to the situation.

Gojyo tried to control his snickering. The idea of Sanzo being once again snuggled to death by Lirin was much too funny. Made him forget that their enemies had shown up in the first place. Or that Hakkai was starting to get tense in the front seat. "Lirin, watch it. You're cutting off his circulation."

"Oh!" Lirin let the dog down on the ground and then pet it relentlessly. The whole time ignoring Goku who was shouting at her to let the dog go. "Let go of my arm!"

"Let go of Sable! You're hurting him!"

"I am not!"

"You are too! Drop my dog!" Goku lunged for Sable and tried to get his arms around him as well.

Sanzo briefly thought he would be sick between the tugging of the two of them. Make it stop.

"I want to play!"

"Let go!"

Hakkai was not amused in the slightest. "Both of you let go of the dog."

At the tone, the two children immediately stopped their bickering and released the dog on the ground. The dust flew up around him when he made impact and they both took a step away from Sable. Goku and Lirin both avoided eye contact and realized rather quickly that they had been, in a Hakkai way, scolded.

Instinct took over for Sanzo from there and he darted away from the two brats and shook himself off. It was the one time his survival instinct was a good thing in his opinion. However, it had started bleeding in further than he wanted it to and it was a this point he realized he had ended up rather close to Kougaiji. Something about the prince made him growl and unsteady.

Something about that dog was making Kougaiji uneasy from the way it was glaring at him to the familiar growl. He found it odd that the mutt had the exact same hair color as Sanzo, it even shared the same eyes. Kougaiji lifted an eyebrow when he considered that event he dog's posture, in an odd way was similar to the monks. All of this made him think and his surroundings dropped out from his perception until it was just Kougaiji and the dog. "What are you looking at?"

Sanzo stopped his growling and sniffed towards Kougaiji. He didn't really know what to do with this situation. Half of his head was telling him to go for the attack while the other was screaming this was a friend. He wandered just a bit closer to get a better look, being cautious the entire way of course.

Hakkai looked up to check on his now furry leader to find an interesting sight. He watched Kougaiji get down on one knee to hold out his hand for the dog. Sanzo sniffed at the offered appendage and Hakkai could tell he was looking Kougaiji in the eye. But it was Kougaiji's eyes that were scaring Hakkai at the moment. There was recognition there and it suddenly occurred to him that maybe others could tell 'Sable' was Sanzo as well. Others who did not know it was to be kept a secret from Goku. This is bad.

Kougaiji held a small smile as he pet the dog after it had licked his hand. This 'Sable' had such an amused look, almost as if he was trying not to enjoy the petting. He stopped for a brief moment and looked at those deep eyes again and it was as if lightening had struck him. He had seen those eyes, looked straight into them behind the barrel of a gun many times before. His breath stopped.

Sanzo noticed the change in Kougaiji immediately. Somewhere during the petting, the dog instincts had subsided completely and he had gotten a good look at Kougaiji for the first time. In those purple eyes, so close to his own shade of violet, he saw the pain and confusion. As well as traces of his hurt pride were floating around. And then, he saw the recognition.

"Sanzo." The name fell off of Kougaiji's lips in a quiet whisper, almost a reverence for the dead. As if he was talking to a ghost.

You have got to be kidding. Sanzo growled out.

Kougaiji couldn't have heard that right. He checked to the side quickly and to the other before losing his balance and falling on the ground. "Who said that?"

"Who said what, Kou?" Dokugakuji was becoming concerned. First his lord takes an unusual interest in a dog and now he's falling around and looking all the world like a frightened rabbit.

"I heard Sanzo." Kougaiji was looking at the dog again.

"Kou?"

"I did."

"Lady Lirin!" Yaone interjected. While she was concerned for Lord Kougaiji, apparently Lirin had gotten into an all-out scuffle with Goku. She ran over to help Mr. Hakkai and his friend break up the fight before it got even more out of control.

"Wow, those two are really going at it." The interruption did wonders to distract Dokugakuji from Kou's current odd behavior.

Kougaiji took this moment to secure his ground. He should use this break in the conversation to his advantage. "Go help Yaone, Dokugaku."

"You sure, Kou?" Dokugakuji hesitated. Something still wasn't sitting well with the swordsmen about his master.

"Yes." Kougaiji sat up fully and leaned foreword. "Positive."

Sanzo watched as Dokugakuji strolled off after Lirin and Yaone, he was suddenly very thankful that Goku was occupied. He had a feeling this next conversation would not be good for him to overhear.

"You're the one that talked." Kougaiji locked gazes again. "You're Sanzo."

Brilliant deduction. Sanzo sat down and refused to break eye contact.

Hakkai was relieved when Ms. Yaone and Gojyo's brother came to help break up the fight. Goku seemed to be taking out all of his frustrations on Lirin and she had more than enough energy and spunk to counter him. And that truly only made it worse, but at that moment he caught Kougaiji and Sanzo again and realized rather quickly that he and Gojyo were not the only ones privy to certain information. Hakkai did his best to sneak out of the range of fire of the fighting demons and get to Kougaiji as quickly as possible. He sent a look at Gojyo and pleaded with his eyes for him to keep Goku distracted. Best friends could communicate thoughts, right? At Gojyo's knowing nod, he moved faster towards the prince.

"How the hell did you pull that off?" Kougaiji leaned in even further. In the off chance he was hallucinating, he didn't want the others to listen in. Though, he had a gut feeling that he was right. "You're supposed to be dead."

A certain goddess intervened on my behalf. Goku's shouting could be heard at the interruption of his fight. That meant that he'd have his attention back on the fact that his dog was missing soon. And a certain 'Sable' was currently 'talking' to Kougaji! Which means he'd ask why and Kougaiji would answer because he doesn't know anything. Shit!

"What?" This was strange behavior, even for Sanzo.

You can't say a word about this. Sanzo growled. Not to anyone. You're just hearing things. I'm a dog named Sable who got adopted by a monkey.

If Kougaiji needed confirmation he was dealing with Sanzo, that pissed off, sarcastic by nature and bitter tone was proof enough. "And why should I do that?"

Bad things will happen. Sanzo stood and made sure his pose was threatening. And if you do I swear that if I don't kill you, Hakkai and Gojyo will.

Kougaiji kept a close watch on the other group. "And why is that?"

If Goku finds out that I'm Sanzo in any other way than figuring it out on his own than I'm stuck as a dog for the rest of my life! Sanzo shouted. He regretted it immediately and cursed every deity he could think of their names for his lack of control.

Kougaiji smirked. This information was quite useful indeed and maybe just what he needed. "So, do tell me Sanzo. Would you rather have your sutra or be human again."

What are you implying you bastard? Sanzo didn't like where this conversation was going. No, he didn't like it one bit and to make matters worse, the mutt instinct was crawling in again. This overwhelming feeling to either attack or make a break for it was making him jittery.

"Blackmail, what else?" Kougaiji grabbed Sanzo's collar to keep him from moving. No sense in letting the priest run away. That would spoil everything and this was the perfect chance to get the scripture and put him one step closer to releasing his mother. "After all, it's not like we're friends."

You bastard. Sanzo would have spit if he could. I'd rather die a dog than let you get your claws on that scripture!

"You don't really believe that. I'm sure, so I'll say it again. Give me the Maten Scripture or I'll tell little Goku all about your secret."

"I'm afraid I'll have to insist that you do not take such actions, Prince Kougaiji."

Hakkai! Sanzo didn't even notice the man approach. And neither did the bastard holding onto him with such a tight grip, apparently.

"And what are you going to do to stop me?" Kougaiji turned to look at the man turned demon holding a small chii ball behind him. He was clearly trying to keep the threat low key and avoid attention. He listened for the sounds of the others and was relieved to know the fighting had started up again. For some reason, Dokugakuji's little brother was instigating the fighting. "I believe the threat goes for you as well."

"I do understand that, but you see I'd be forced to kill you now if you truly think of entertaining such a notion. Friend or not, this is a behavior I can not permit."

Something about the man's icy tone, despite the acidic smile, had Kougaiji reconsidering his options. "Do you really think you can do that?"

Sanzo watched the stare down between these two powerful demons and couldn't help but struggle against Kougaiji's hold. He was nervous and confused and every nerve in his body was screaming at him to bite, attack, flee, hide or bark. It took everything he had left in him to suppress it. He couldn't afford to draw attention to themselves and make things even more complicated.

Hakkai stared down Kougaiji and considered the question thoughtfully. Could he really do it? He heard a rattle of metal as Sanzo's tags clinked against the metal of the belt loop on his collar. Hakkai could almost watch Sanzo lose himself to Sable as his eyes flitted between the familiarity of violet and the emptiness of black. He steeled himself and realized something familiar from long ago. He would not lose another; he would not lose Sanzo twice.

"Well, does your lack of an answer mean no?" He had to have the upper hand. There was no way they'd pick that scripture over having their precious Sanzo back. "Will you cooperate or shall I tell little Goku about the monk's problem and condemn him to a life as a street mutt?"

Hakkai's face took on an aged expression, one he wore when he wore the name of Cho Gonou. "If you insist on this blackmail scheme, than I shall kill you. You ask if I can? While I was human I murdered over one thousand demons with nothing more than a hand knife. Currently at my aid I have chii attacks and the increased strength of a demon. Fueled by a newly discovered hatred for you for acting so childish, I double that power. I think it would be a rather simple task, don't you?"

"You think that little of my power? Last time I checked I was a match for Goku, your strongest fighter." Kougaiji refused to be intimidated. And it was a true statement, considering Goku's limiter was still on his head and in one piece.

"I could always remove my limiters if it comes down to a misjudgment in skill and power level. After all, what would I have to lose?" Hakkai dropped closer down to Kougaiji. "I assure you, Son of Gyumaoh, that if you destroy this chance for us resurrect our own leader, you will die. If not by my hands, than by those of Gojyo and most certainly Goku."

Something about Hakkai's voice forced Sanzo back into himself. He needed to be there before Hakkai lost control or Kougaiji did something stupid. Hakkai had already crossed one line and smothered what compassion the man had. This madness had to end and it needed to be settled now. He panted heavily and nipped at Kougaiji to get his attention. Leave now and we'll finish this war for the scriptures when I'm back to myself.

"Yes, do forget this nonsense of blackmail and merely appreciate the fact that Sanzo is still around for you to kill later." Hakkai smiled. "Ms. Yaone did mention that you were quite upset someone else did the job for you, is that right?"

Kougaiji cursed inwardly. He had to make a decision and rather quickly. He released Sanzo and stood up to face Hakkai, violet to green.

"Lord Kougaiji!" Yaone ran over to greet her Lord. She had caught him and Mr. Hakkai in a rather tense position and decided to investigate.

"Shit." Gojyo mumbled to himself. He had picked up pretty quick that hairdo over there had figured something out when Hakkai got all freaked. His job was to distract and now everyone was running over that way thanks to the tart!

"Why's Sable with Hakkai and Kougaiji?" Goku mumbled as he followed the apothecary. He had been so busy with Lirin he hadn't noticed his friends disappear. Why was everyone else getting to spend so much time with Sable? Sable was his dog, and the fact he was in Goku's room when he woke up this morning was proof!

"Yay!" Lirin, completely forgetting about her previous fight, bounded over and raced to beat the others before hugging her brother spontaneously from the back. "Does Big Brother like Sable now, too?"

It was the pivotal moment for Kougaiji and surprisingly, it was Lirin that made his decision for him. "Yes, Sable is a good dog."

Hakkai and Sanzo were bother rather shocked. They were almost sure with backup Kougaiji wouldn't be frightened of their threats. This sudden change in attitude was almost concerning, but it seemed as if the prince really had no intention of putting his new found information to use.

"Let's go." Kougaiji signaled to his friends. "Yaone, Dokugakuji, take Lirin back to the dragons. You'll have to forgive me if the fight's been drained from me for today. Too much bickering and a loss of focus."

"Sure, no point in fighting if there's nothing behind it." Goku stated. He was a little disappointed though.

"You'll have to visit later, Bro. And don't forget the liquor." Gojyo joked.

"Of course, as long as you're paying." Dokugakuji smiled. Kougaiji seemed to have gotten everything sorted out. He looked much better than before.

Hakkai looked at Sanzo and Kougaiji and decided that they should have a moment to talk. Something clearly changed in the prince in the last few minutes and he was positive Sanzo would want to know. "Let's go back to the Jeep ourselves. Come Goku."

"What about Sable?" Goku glared at Hakkai when the man took his arm. He was over eighteen! He didn't need to be led around like a child.

"Sable will follow in a minute, I'm sure he just wants to say goodbye to his new friends."

"Yeah, monkey." Gojyo thought it wise to agree with Hakkai. "Let Lirin say goodbye to the puppy."

As soon as his three companions headed back towards the annoyance of a dragon, Sanzo permitted Lirin to give him one final hug before heading off to her own transportation. Yaone and Dokugakuji followed leaving one behind. Sanzo turned to his rival. What made you change your mind?

"Lirin." Kougaiji smirked. "She'd never forgive me if she found out I essentially let you die again. Which I'm sure she would."

Sanzo laughed and watched Kougaiji turn and walk away without another word. Shaking himself off, Sanzo also turned back to his comrades. He was slightly amused in a way. When Goku did figure this out, which Sanzo was sure that he would, he would be pissed that truly everyone figured it out before him. It would be a sight, and if no one let him live down being a dog, than why shouldn't he pick on the monkey for being clueless?

"Hurry up Sable! I want to get to town and eat." Goku waved excitedly from the Jeep. Hakkai had mentioned the next town was close and had good restaurants. It was all it took to drive away the bitter feelings from the entire encounter.

Sanzo smiled to himself and started into a run for Jeep. It would be soon though, he was sure of it. One way or another, things were coming to a close.