Sekowari: Part 2's up! Enjoy and R/R!

Chapter 3 -- Saiyuki Round-Up Part 2

Looking around to see where they were, Doku and Hakkai found that they had not progressed at all ever since they entered the deep forest. Not to mention that the director was not bright enough to realize that no one, in their right mind, could possibly find the exact location of Hazel's 'hideout'. Apparently, the blue-eyed angel was once again shutting himself out from the world, so that others would not snatch away his precious eyes. Yes, everyone found him insane.

"Are you sure this is the right place? I swear we'll never find him." Doku plopped onto the forest floor in frustration.

"He has to be here somewhere. Where else can we look?" For once, Hakkai was not smiling. But of course, as we all know, smiling 24/7 was only part of getting money on the set.

"Yeah, why don't we just look for those shining blue eyes? I mean, they're going to be so noticeable in these couple thousands of acres of overgrown land!" Doku fumed and punched the air.

After awhile of more walking, the two decided to give up on their chase.

"It's not like that guy's really important anyways. No one's going to notice him if we don't find him." Doku shrugged and Hakkai agreed with him.

On the other hand, Kougaiji and Dr. Nii had luck on their side. They had hired a carriage (and I mean the ones with proud, dainty horses that have jingling bells on them), and rode to the Grande City of Tougenkyou. Rasetsunyo was a well-known mistress there.

Coincidentally, Kanzeon Bosatsu was a good friend of hers. It just so happened that Kougaiji and Dr. Nii arrived at the palace just in time to see the two women begin a delightful game of croquet. Needless to say, Jiroushin was there as well, being very obedient.

"What a pleasant surprise! I never expected to see you two gentleman on this fine day!" Rasetsunyo walked over, shook hands with Dr. Nii, and embraced her 'son'. Kanzeon sat down and stared dully at the blue sky. "I suppose this has something to do with the filming crew? Don't tell me that the substitution for me has fallen ill again! I never go to that hideous place to film!"

"On the contrary, ma'am, the director is hosting a 'leisure day' for all members of the cast. There will be no filming." At this, Kanzeon smiled and said, "An excellent idea. I've always loved that director. He's the only sensible person out of the whole cast." (Dr. Nii sighed loudly.)

Rasetsunyo pondered over this. "But if you were sent to get me, who was sent to get Kanzeon? Surely you didn't come for the both of us?"

Kougaiji shrugged. "I don't know. I think Homura and his group were coming to get Kanzeon."

"Not that bothersome young man! He's a disgrace to us all!" Kanzeon retorted. As if on cue, the Homura-tachi and Rinrei arrived at that precise moment. The war god and the Goddess of Mercy shot each other death glares. Rinrei and the others were unaware, and stared in awe at the beautiful castle.

"This is what I call luxury! Homura, you have to get me one of these! Pay attention!" Rinrei slapped Homura on the back.

"Uh…yeah, sure. Anything for you."

Rasetsunyo clapped her hands, calling for attention. "No more dilly-dallying! Let's get going already!"

"But what about our game of croquet?"

"I always win anyways, you know that!"

"How dare you say such a thing!" Secretly, however, Kanzeon knew herself that she was no good at playing the game.

As the group of 9 trudged outside to hail taxis, they happened to come across Hazel. The man looked at them in surprise. "What's the occasion? Why's everybody here?"

"Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be living in some secluded forest at the end of the world?" Rinrei sneered. She had a great disliking to snobbish people. It's too bad that she doesn't realize she's a snob herself.

Hazel blinked. "I moved to this city a few months ago! Clearly, no one keeps up to recent news here…"

Kougaiji frowned. "But that means Hakkai and Doku won't be able to find you in the forest. I believe they went there to search for you." (At that moment, Hakkai and Doku were still in the forest, tripping and slipping over branches and dirt, desperately finding their way out.)

"Oh my. That's sad. I hope nothing happens to them. Perhaps they'll find their way out in time." Hazel's amazing eyes shined with sympathy.

Kanzeon yawned. "Where's Gato anyways? Isn't he always with you?"

"He quit acting and went to join the police force awhile ago. I haven't gotten in touch with him since."

"What a shame. Oh well, he won't have to go to that dreary 'party'. It's nothing compared to the one I went to a few weeks ago. I stayed there until morning! There was disco dancing, music, swimming pools, and an unbelievable amount of 'sake'!" Rinrei laughed in glee.

Homura rolled his eyes. "If you don't remember, you threw up on me later on…"

Rinrei glared at her boyfriend. "You deserved it! You were the one who made us get there late! I had to miss out on the gambling matches!"

Rasetsunyo quieted the bickering couple. "I suggest we all go back to the filming grounds together then. Come on – hop to it!" And so, Hazel climbed into the taxi cabs as well.

Far away, Gyoukumen and Gyumao finally realized that their search for Gato was all in vain. Sighing, they walked away from the military grounds. Ah yes, I must inform you that while they were there, the two were on their best behavior. After all, the military camp was the same place where that vicious youkai had resided once. Ironic, that Gato used to train there, isn't it? Or not...

Well, so now we know that Doku, Hakkai, Gyoukumen, and Gyumao had failed on their searches. The rest of the people were successful. At least, as successful as it can get…

A few hours later, Lirin and Koumyou arrived back at the filming grounds, and were surprised to see that a certain exasperated Sanzo and grinning Kamisama were already there. They found out that Sanzo was fast-walking the entire time. Trying to get away from his crazy fan, as we all know.

Next was Dougan and Gojyo. The kappa was still enraged over his older brother, of course. After that arrived Goku and Nataku, who were laughing as they walked in.

'At least someone's happy…' Gojyo and Sanzo thought simultaneously.

Everyone was shocked to see Kanan and Yaone. Their appearance was an eyesore. Their hair was a sticking up in the strangest ways, their clothes were torn, and they both looked as if they were ready to kill someone. Each other, most likely.

Later on, the group of 10 came back from the Grande City, looking all grand indeed. The last to arrive was, of course, Gyoukumen, Gyumao, Doku, and Hakkai. They were utterly mortified to find that Gato had 'retired', and Hazel was somewhere else all along.

After much mumbling of greetings, death glares, yawns, and recovering, the director appeared at last.

"How wonderful to see all of you here today! (Everyone's eyebrows twitched) As you probably know already, today is the day for splendid reunions and having fun! Now…(the idiot gave a dramatic pause)…may the excitement begin!"

As they stood there, everyone thought once again -- 'What the hell is this?'

Sekowari: There you go! I don't have a lot of ideas for the upcoming 'party' yet. Don't worry yourself, it'll be very boring and pointless. Give ideas if you want! R/R!