I made the mistake of writing the epilogue before I had finished planning out the details of the ending. So, you get a short chapter – but just because I can't think of how to make the ending work the way I want, doesn't mean I can't write filler. What does that mean? Short chapter equals fun filler bonus episode. Enjoy! And thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
Chapter 13. Two's Company.
"What happened?" The uncharacteristic shout echoed in the room.
"Hakkai, first of all, it's not my fault." Gojyo backed away a few steps before pointing an accusing finger down at the mutt. "He did it."
Sure, blame me. Sable huffed. He didn't see what the big deal was or why they were getting so upset.
Hakkai collapsed into a chair and held his head. He was too young to have to deal with all this shit. He was only twenty-three for goodness sake. "Sable, where is Sanzo right now?"
The dog rolled his eyes. Sanzo, Sanzo, Sanzo. That was all these two ever talked about. At least Goku knew how to have some fun. I told you, he's fine. I just wanted to come out and play for a bit.
"So he's coming back, correct?" Hakkai made sure to take even breaths.
Yes, yes. We're going to take turns whether he likes it or not. Sable yawned and stood up. And that's all there is to it. I'm sure you'll figure out who's in charge when, but for now I smell meat buns.
"Monkey must be back from shopping." Gojyo attempted to light a cigarette, but his lighter refused to cooperate. "Damn, should have made him get a new lighter. This is all out of fluid."
Well, that's all well and good but I want a treat and some exercise. Sable smiled and barked. Sanzo can be all grumpy if he wants, but I've got a kid out there waiting for me and I want to play.
Hakkai watched from the corner of his eye as Sable ran out to tackle Goku in the walkway of the inn door from the back table. He couldn't help but crack a smile as Goku tumbled over onto the floor and Sable snuck a meat bun from the bag. At the shouts of 'not you too!' and muffled scuffling, he stood and ran a hand through his hair. "I think I'm going to lie down, Gojyo."
"Don't blame ya' for that." Gojyo watched Goku ruffle the mutt's fur and laugh. "Goku's going to miss that dog."
"We'll buy him a puppy." Hakkai walked past his friend quietly.
"Might want to work on that tone, ya' know." Gojyo flung the lighter onto the table over his shoulder and listened to the metallic cling. "Someone might accuse you of turning into that uncaring, bitter ol' monk."
"Hardly." Hakkai turned with a grin and kept his voice low, though he sincerely doubted Goku could hear him over all that racket going on in the room. "You honestly think Goku will be thinking about the dog when he gets Sanzo back?"
Gojyo snickered and ran the unlit cigarette around his tongue. "That's true, I doubt the monkey will even think to tease the bastard."
"That's where we come in, right?" Hakkai continued on his way to the back door before opening it. He added one last remark over his shoulder. "But for now, all we need is time. And a bit of patience."
"Exactly." Gojyo fingered the Hi-Lite before going back to watching Goku. "Time it is then. Have a good nap, Hakkai."
"I shall." Hakkai shut the door behind him before anything else interrupted his time to himself. Even now it was hard to get, but he didn't mind it too much. He smiled when he saw Jeep curled up on his pillow waiting for him. The sixth sense of animals was always quite a treat.
"Gojyo!" Goku came busting into the room. "Where's Hakkai going?"
"He's taking a nap squirt." Gojyo looked down at the dog that had followed them in. He had bits of meat hanging in his fur.
"Oh. That's good, he was looking tired earlier." Goku was starting to worry about Hakkai again. He had seemed so much better lately, but now he was feeling off again. Goku wished the man would say something about it instead of holding it all in like Sanzo would do.
Dear Buddha what have I been eating?
Gojyo shifted his eyes down to the dog that had just coughed up a rather large chunk of breading. Looks like it was Sanzo's turn again. "I think you should watch how much your little pet there eats."
"Yeah, Sable doesn't look so good." Goku placed a hand on Sable's back as he coughed up bits of food. "No more meat buns for you."
You're all so dead when I'm done with you. Sanzo hacked up the last little bit of whatever had been poisoning his stomach.
"Why don't you take him back and let him have a nap with Hakkai." Gojyo suggested.
"Yeah," Goku turned down to the dog and pat his back. "Let's go take a quick nap before dinner."
Sanzo looked up and snickered a bit before following Goku to the back. Have fun cleaning up.
"Shit!" Gojyo looked down at the mess on the floor and turned to yell, but it was too late. Goku was long gone. "Bastard monk. He owes me big time when this is all over and done with. That's for damn sure."
Two weeks of switching between Sable and Sanzo and even Goku was starting to notice something was wrong.
"Is it just me, or did Sable get bipolar?"
"Bipolar, Goku?" Hakkai looked up from pouring a cup of coffee for Gojyo. The past two weeks had been incredibly stressful between demon attacks and camping out. This was the first real inn they'd seen in about a week and they were lucky there was even one room open.
"Yeah, one minute he's really perky and happy and then he gets real grumpy and depressed soon after, then back to happy again." Goku looked down at the dog currently sleeping. "Don't tell me you haven't noticed."
As a matter of fact, both Hakkai and Gojyo had noticed quite plainly whenever the two personalities switched. It was adding to the extra stress that had been creating wonderful headaches and equally foul moods. Sanzo coming out usually began with a curse of some sort, while Sable just seemed to immediately head for Goku without another word. It was obvious he could feel the hostility coming from the two older members of the group towards him. Animals were good like that.
But currently, the dog and both personalities were asleep which meant peace and quiet for a bit. Hakkai poured himself a cup of coffee as he sat down. "Yes, well. Maybe it's because he's getting a bit older Goku."
"What do you mean?" Goku reached over the small table in their room to grab a cookie.
"Dogs age about three times as fast as we do, Goku. He's probably hit a growth spurt and it's affecting his personality." Hakkai sipped at his coffee, then added another spoonful of sugar. "I'm sure he'll even out after this next one."
"That's good to know." Goku munched his cookie happily. Hakkai always knew stuff like this and it killed any worry he had. Granted, there was this nagging feeling now that refused to leave his gut. "At least he will feel better."
"Monkey sick?" Gojyo scowled at his coffee. Hakkai had forgotten to add the cream and sugar again. Stupid monk troubles were making the man sloppy.
"Not sick," Goku paused and looked at Sable sleeping again. "More like, that feeling I used to get when Sanzo was in trouble. Only, I don't know why I'm feeling that way. 'Cause everything's fine."
Hakkai paused in sipping his drink and thought of a way to phrase things carefully. "Well, maybe you should trust your instincts."
Goku frowned and grabbed another cookie. "My instincts are telling me something's wrong but how can I trust um' when they won't tell me what I should be looking for?"
"Maybe it's something you have to find for yourself, you ever think of that?" Gojyo tapped his cigarette box on the counter to pop up a new stick.
"Easy for you to say." Goku yawned a bit. It had been a long day of traveling and he was tired! "I think I'm going to take Sable's advice and sleep on it."
Hakkai and Gojyo continued to drink their coffee as Goku slipped under the covers on his matt for the night. They waited for snoring before continuing their conversations.
"Is it just me, or is this whole thing frustrating as hell?" Gojyo lit his tobacco before nursing the stick.
"Yes. He's so close, but we have no way of pushing him in the right direction." Hakkai looked down at the dog and kicked it in the side. "Wake up, this is our time to talk."
The dog woke with a startled jolt and then turned a glare towards Hakkai. What did you do that for?
"To wake you up, of course." Hakkai poured a bit of coffee into a saucer and set it down on the floor. "Do you mind if we talk to Sanzo for a bit, Sable?"
Sable tilted his head a bit, so much for doing a Sanzo impression. Sure, whatever. You're good at telling us apart.
"I do try." Hakkai smiled politely as he watched the switch. He could always tell because the dog's eyes would glaze just the slightest bit. "Hello again, Sanzo. How are you feeling?"
Like shit. Sanzo had a splitting headache. All of this transferring from the front of the mind to the back was exhausting. He was pretty sure Sable could feel it too, but the mutt was better at hiding the effects.
"Aw, poor monk." Gojyo blew smoke down in the dog's face. "You need to work the monkey harder."
How can I? That bastard always takes over when Goku's around. And it was true, Sable only appeared when the monkey was in their presence or would be around soon. Bastard knows what he's doing.
"I don't know about that too much." Hakkai started. "I think he truly cares for Goku as much as the rest of us."
"So, he might be doing both then." Gojyo exhaled again before stabbing out his cigarette on a dish. "Take care of the monkey and insure he gets to do it later on, too."
And not much we can do about it. He decides the switches. Sanzo huffed and licked up a bit of the coffee from the offered saucer.
"Then let's just work twice as hard with what little time you've got to work with Goku. He has to let you see the boy at some point." Hakkai smiled. "Now let's go to bed and work with this tomorrow."
Right. Sanzo yawned again and headed towards Goku's bed. He curled up at the end and issued his usual goodnight. Wake me and die.
Gojyo shook his head and merely followed Hakkai to bed. He watched the other man meticulously put away his monocle and such before slipping beneath his covers. Gojyo flung his over shirt and pants into a pile before collapsing onto his own matt next to the man. He'd just have to wait and see what the next day had in store.
Bonus Clip-Lirin's New Pet!
Side story for my Bro' who also thought of the idea. I'm just too lazy to put it in another post (just like last time ). Takes place before the Sanzo-Sable split and after Kougaiji found out the dog was Sanzo. Ha ha. Enjoy.
Sanzo never saw it coming.
The group of four were sitting peacefully under a tree eating lunch. The wind was gentle and the air smelled of flowers and honey. Hakkai was cooking stew, Gojyo smoking and teasing Goku, Goku was being teased, and of course, the dear pup of the unit, Sanzo, was sleeping off to the side. For once, Jeep was leaving him alone. And for the first time, he wished that the little dragon was the least of his worries.
Lirin was sure to keep quiet as she edged around the corner. The others were occupied with themselves at the moment and her target was in sight. She double checked behind her to make sure the dragon was ready to go for her get-away. She snickered to herself at her own genius. This was such a good plan! She crept closer to her prey and ducked low to the ground to avoid being seen.
Sanzo was yanked and flying through the air before he even heard the crunching of grass behind him. He was disoriented and finally caught a glimpse of what had happened. Lirin had just kidnapped him and was heading towards a flying dragon. He of course did the most natural thing possible: struggle and gnaw at her arms like his life depended on it. Bitch!
"Calm down!" Lirin giggled as the dog flayed about in her arms. "We're just going on a little trip."
Hell no we're not! Sanzo tried for one last jump out of her arms but he missed and was caught in mid air. He felt the tug on his stomach when Lirin yanked him up on the dragon with her. They were flying before he could so much as bark.
"Wow, they look like ants don't they?" Lirin smiled as she watched the other three going on as usual. She had been successful in not being caught!
Sanzo soon found that dog paws did not make for good grips on dragon saddles, so he reigned himself to be carried the entire journey by Lirin. He watched the clouds go by and the blue sky spread out in front of them. It was a beautiful sight. It seemed like an hour has past and they were already landing.
Lirin bounded off of the dragon and carried the dog inside. Even though she knew he'd probably say 'no' she'd have to ask Kougaiji if she could keep the dog anyway. Otherwise someone in the castle might hurt him if they don't know he's got brother's blessing!
Sanzo was carried over the brat's shoulder straight into a tall towering building. If he had to guess, he assumed it was Houtou Castle. Brilliant. He passed demons of varying rank down the many hallways as Lirin ran and they finally came to halt in a big open room decorated with a column and wards. Sanzo took a closer look at the larger center column and soon realized why Kougaiji was also standing in the middle of this room. Rasetsunyo.
"Big Brother!" Lirin shouted happily and thrust the dog in front of her. "Look what I've got!"
Kougaiji sighed to himself but decided to forgive Lirin's interruption. He'd finish telling Mother about his day as soon as he tended to his little sister. He turned to find himself staring face to face with a very angry pair of violet eyes. On a very familiar dog's muzzle. Oh, this is too perfect.
Kougaiji was smiling and Lirin took that for a good sign. "Can I keep him?"
"Yes, yes you can." Kougaiji smiled as Lirin's face lit up. While she kept Sanzo busy, he'd contact Hakkai and offer him a trade for their precious mutt of a monk back. A dog for a scripture, easy and it didn't involve spilling the dog's little secret. "Just keep it out of everyone's way."
You bastard! Sanzo shouted out at Kougaiji. He continued to filter cursing in through his barking. You know exactly what you're doing, don't you? Wipe that smug look off your face!
"He's disturbing Mother. Lirin, go take him to play with the others." Kougaiji walked off to brief Dokugakuji and Yaone about his plans. The clause only said he couldn't tell Goku abut this little transformation, it didn't say a thing about anyone else.
Lirin ran out of the room with her new pet excitedly and headed for her room. "Goku's going to regret saying all those mean things about me! I'm going to take much better care of you."
Sanzo waited for them to come to a room at the end of the hallway before they entered inside. There were photos of Kougaiji and everyone throughout the room and a big bed in the center with fluffy pillows and a thick comforter. Sanzo soon found himself on the bed and being snuggled by Lirin. Ouch, too tight!
"Oh!" The princess jumped up and leaped off her bed. "I'm going to get you something to eat. Stay here!"
As soon as Sanzo found he could breathe again, he jumped to the floor and stared at the door shut in front of him. There is no way I'm staying here.
Sanzo used his front paws and teeth to pry open the bedroom door and stuck his head around the corner. The hallway was clear and he took off like a rocket down the hallway. Maybe he could find the Seiten scripture while he was here and then someone talk Kougaiji into getting the brat to take him home. At the very least he could search the place down and prepare for the later invasion of the castle.
After going down about five hallways and through ten rooms, Sanzo found himself peaking into a huge open room that he guessed was about five stories high. He took a few steps in and found himself staring up at the face of Gyumaoh beneath all the equipment. Holy shit, he's huge.
"What's that mutt doing in here and near my beloved?" Gyokumen Koushou was not amused. How could someone let a mangy mutt like that into the thrown room?
That woman had the Seiten scripture! Sanzo couldn't help but stare at it hanging open from her hands. How did I not notice her sitting there?
"What are you dolts waiting for? Remove that mongrel and have it destroyed!" Lady Koushou pointed an accusing finger towards the mutt and waited for her servants to attack it.
Sanzo took evasive action and headed straight for the green haired chick with the attitude. He didn't care who she was but he was going to get that scripture! He dodged the first moron to come at him and bit the hand of the second. Obviously these weren't fighting demons, pansies. Sanzo grinned when he leaped up a few steps. He was so close! He took a leap towards the woman and couldn't help but grin when she screamed a bit as he approached closer.
"Please, let me handle this."
Sanzo gagged as his collar was yanked in mid jump. He soon found himself hanging next to a man in a lab coat. Bastard.
"Nii." Lady Koushou adjusted her kimono and rolled up the scripture. "Is that yours?"
"No, my Lady." Nii drawled, before switching the hand he held the struggling pup in. Nii had to place his bunny under his arm to free up a hand. He pat it on the head before also petting dear Sanzo. "I believe it belongs to your precious daughter."
"Never matters, get rid of it."
"Of course." Nii smiled and headed down his walkway. What luck he was having today, it made him smile.
Sanzo found struggling was quite pointless under this man's iron grip, so he merely huffed and allowed him to be dragged wherever. He'd find a chance to escape as soon as they got into the next room. The man continued to walk down the hallway until he entered a room labeled 'lab' and he was thrown to the floor. How 'bout a little gentler next time you bastard?
"That's not a very nice way to thank someone who just saved you, Kouryuu." Nii smiled and put his bunny in front of him. Moved the arms to make the bunny cry before answering in a higher, baby voice. "Not very nice."
Sanzo could just stare. What did you just say?
"It was rather obvious it was you. Why else would a dog go after the Seiten scripture? Or has such pretty violet eyes." Nii licked his lips. "So don't look so surprised."
Creep. Sanzo took a few steps back. There was no doubt in his mind this man was Ukoku Sanzo. And he was still a creepy bastard.
"Think what you want."
Sanzo didn't have time to retaliate as the lab door burst open. "Is Sable in here?"
"Sable?" Nii turned to face Lirin who had entered his lab. She was breathing heavily, she must have been looking all over the poor dear. He smirked.
"There you are!" Lirin dashed over and grabbed the dog. "I got scared when Mom said that Dr. Nii took you away."
"I'm hurt." Nii mimicked a tear coming down his stuffed toy's eye.
Sure you are. Sanzo growled and for once was glad Lirin was here. As much as he hated to admit it, he wasn't in a condition to fight with Ukoku.
"Come on, let's go back and give you something to eat!" Lirin smiled and squeezed the dog close. There was just something about him that made him so lovable!
"Goodbye Lady Lirin, and Goodbye Kouryuu. See you soon." Nii waved.
"Kouryuu?" Lirin turned and looked at the strange man. He could be nice sometimes, but he was still creepy.
"I didn't know his name." Nii waved. "So I made one up, but do have a good lunch."
Sanzo was very glad when they left that room and headed back towards Lirin's room. He was not happy, however, that he had lost his chance at getting the scripture. In the girl's room, once they had gotten there, he sulked for the loss.
"You look like Baldy Sanzo when you do that." Lirin ducked down in front of Sable and put a tray of beef before him. "Hope you like this."
The food smelled heavenly and Sanzo couldn't help but devour it. It was juicy and well cooked and he figured she stole it from the kitchen. The thought he might be eating the prince's cooked meal made him smirk. My gain.
"You really look like him when you do that." Lirin tilted her heads. There was something about his eyes too, that made him look familiar. "You probably could be him if you weren't a dog."
Knowing my luck you'll figure it out before, Goku. Sanzo licked his lips.
"Did you just talk Sanzo talk?" Lirin's eyes got really big. She had just had a brief thought that maybe this was her cranky playmate and all of a sudden he started talking!
Yes, that is my luck. Sanzo dropped his head. Life wasn't fair.
"You did!" Lirin got up close to his face and grabbed his head. "You're Baldy Sanzo!"
I am. Now stop grabbing my face. Sanzo yanked himself from her grasp. That hurts.
"That's so cool. But how come you're a dog and not dead?"
"Long story."
"I've got time."
One long story and some time later, Lirin was staring at Sanzo again. She crossed her legs and hunched her shoulders. "I guess this means I should take you back."
Yes it does. Sanzo was surprised he didn't have to ask for her to do that. And secretly thankful for that little fact as well. He'd have to buy her a meat bun or something when he turned human again.
"Okay." Lirin stood up and headed for her door. She was going to miss Sanzo as a dog and hanging around. Even if he'd only been there for a few hours. "Let's go."
Kougaiji rounded the corner of the hallway to see Lirin and the dog heading towards the dragon pens. Dokugakuji and Yaone were following him close behind. "Lirin! Don't take that dog anywhere!"
Lirin turned and picked up Sanzo. This was really her only chance to really snuggle the monk senseless. "I can't, I have to take him home."
"No, you don't." Kougaiji smiled. "I need him."
No, he doesn't. Take me home! Sanzo snarled.
"Listen to your brother, Lady Lirin." Yaone smiled. This whole thing was crazy, but if that's what her lord said, then that's what she'd do.
"Yeah, listen to Kou." Dokugakuji was sure he'd regret this whole thing. There was no way that dog, no matter how grumpy looking, was Sanzo and Lirin was stubborn.
"Sorry, but I have to take Sanzo home." Lirin turned and dashed down the hallway. "See-you later Big Brother!"
"Well I'll be damned." Kougaiji dropped his hands to his waist. "She figured it out, too."
"I guess this means we need a new plan, huh?" Dokugakuji patted Kou's shoulder. "Maybe next time."
"Yaone, make me an aspirin or two."
"Yes, sir." Yaone chuckled a little as her Lord and Dokugaku walked down the hallway towards his room. She'd make sure to make an extra strong dose.
"He's got to be here somewhere!" Goku was frantically searching for Sable since he had noticed the dog was missing. The sun was nearly setting and there was still no sign of him!
"Don't worry, Goku. He couldn't have gotten far." Hakkai wondered what on earth had gotten into Sanzo to make him run off like this.
"Stupid mutt, making us worry." Gojyo kicked a stick towards Jeep. The little dragon flew up and blew fire in his direction causing him to fall flat on his back. Which in turn gave him a pleasant view of the sky. "Hey, isn't that one of Kougaiji's flying dragons?"
The dragon landed a few feet from the party and off of the back jumped one dog and a demon princess. When she looked up, Lirin couldn't help but feel a sudden anger towards Goku. It was all his fault Baldy Sanzo was still a dog and couldn't play like before! She followed Sanzo over and marched straight up to Goku to give him a piece of her mind.
"Holy shit, the little girl decked him!" Gojyo laughed as Goku hit the dirt to join him.
"Ow!" Goku held his now swollen cheek. "What was that for?"
"That's for!" Lirin stopped in mid-shout before remembering she couldn't tell Goku about Sanzo. "That's for not noticing I stole your dog! And you accused me of being irresponsible and immature before!"
Goku watched Lirin storm off, stopping to be cute and hug the dog one last time, before jumping on her dragon and flying away.
"I'll never understand girls." Goku rubbed his cheek and walked off to find some ice or something to keep the swelling down.
Hakkai took a few steps over and leaned down next to Sanzo. He pinched Jeep's mouth shut as a warning not to tease. Hakkai did his best to keep his voice low, but loud enough for Gojyo to overhear. "What happened?"
Sanzo suddenly became depressed as he thought about his day. I was taken to Houtou Castle where I saw Rasetsunyo, Gyumaoh and the majority of the machines for the resurrection, I saw the bitch in charge of the resurrection, met an old rival who somehow knew I was Sanzo on a first glance, and Lirin figured out I was Sanzo as well which is why she brought me back here. And this all happened in under a day.
"My, you were quite busy." Hakkai tried not to laugh.
We've been traveling to that damn castle for near a year. Sanzo wanted to cry. Somebody kill me now.
Hakkai ignored Gojyo laughing his head off in the corner and left Sanzo to sulk and help Goku with his face. "What will be, will be. Right?"
I hate you.
The demon couldn't help but chuckle.