Chance

Chapter Eight - Nonwashable

Disclaimer: I do not own Saiyuki nor any of its characters. If I actually did... as in really really actually did, as in really really actually actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did,v as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, as in really really actually did, then... Oh I dunno. If you really really actually read everything, as in every word, then you're a brilliant and true reader. Really really actually. Really.

Enjoy.

They stopped at the nearest village, which was just beyond the forrest. It was still heavily raining when they got there. It seemed to rain alot in the region, especially in late winter and early spring. The two conscious members of the party whom had had a slight disagreement in who should drive just earlier barely managed to park the 'car' outside an ordinary looking inn. It had seemed, that neither of the two knew the slightest bit about driving.

Sanzo, whom was numb from the rain and earlier events which had reaccumulated some old memories, hauled Gojyo and Hakkai's bodies into the warmth and shelter of the bulky building, followed by Setsu who dragged Goku-who seemed more like he was sleeping than anything from the snores-slowly in the mud. The lady behind the desk let out a high pitched scream and ran behind the curtained door at the sight of two seemingly barely alive people with drenched clothing that trailed behind like some ghost whom were pulling along three seemingly dead people, one of which was covered in mud with some groaning sound coming from him. And the fact that there was no light in the building due to the heavy storm and rain outside just added alarm to the disturbing sight.

A few minutes later a man's grumbling voice intruded the rythmic melancholy of the brewing storm outside and the occasional rumbling of thunder following flashes of lightning. Said man pushed through the thin cloth separating the service counter from the back living quarters of the inn's family and, upon glancing at the group, apparently lost his ability of speech and argument with the woman who was probably his wife. Sanzo scowled, fully aware that the people he was hauling along looked savage and dangerous, and that he probably looked not much better."If you don't have room, we're going" He growled in a low voice, pulling together his pride.

Blinking rapidly, the innkeeper regained his senses just in time to squawk out a reply. "U-uh, actually, there's plenty of room upstairs, sirs-" But before he could finish the golden haired priest had already tossed the limitless gold card from the Sanbutshin and dragged himself and the others along, trailing a fine accumulation of blood and mud along the wooden floor of the reception room.

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It was surprisingly pleasant and warm and dry in their large room. There were no windows to offer a view of the gloomy weather, and the dim light coming from the two lamps made the room all the more comforting. After dumping the three unconscious members of their ikkou onto the floor rather harshly, the two equally hot tempered persons were faced with an awkward situation. A period of silence followed, lengthening out the awkwardness some more. Each were painfully aware of the brown mixture oozing off of their and the others' bodies, and also of the door just inches from their feet that was obviously, the bathroom.

"..."

"..." They stared at the mound of people that did not resemble people at all, and both twitched unconsciously. Setsu spoke first. "The sheets are white." This seemed to annoy Sanzo to some extent, as he almost leaped into a nearby bed, provoking the girl purposefully. "What makes you think I care?" He growled, taking out a muddy cigarette. Putting it into his mouth, he immediately spat it out disdainfully, cursing the disgusting taste of other's blood mingling with the heavenly tobacco, completely ruining its effects.

"Bou-sama... if they die, will you pay for it?" Setsu said threateningly, reminding him more of his duties as a high priest sanzo-sama, than actually caring if the three died. Sanzo hissed darkly, and slipped off the soiled bed after a while and proceeded to pick up Gojyo and Hakkai's limp bodies with a grunt. "Hmph! I'm not going to be responsible for the saru, it's already enough with these two." He said, looking over his shoulder.

"Yes, bou-sama." Sanzo gritted his teeth. He could really shoot off that mouth of hers one day... The bathroom was surprisingly big as well. It fitted his taste, the wall and floorboards made of a sturdy but soft wood, and the bathtub enough to fit four grown men in. Of course, because of this fact, it took a while to fill, and while it did, the steam settled in the room, instantly changing its atmosphere. If it weren't for the circumstances, Sanzo would almost have smiled. Almost. He had always enjoyed resting in a hot steam room, relaxing and forgetting everything.

Goku always complained about it being too hot, and Gojyo remarked about him resembling an old man. It seemed that Setsu was no different. She stood rigid, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She could hardly see anything. A daunting voice came from a few feet behind her. "Ch. Too much...?"

She didn't answer, not willing to let her pride tumble and admit it was indeed dangerously hot in there. Sanzo pulled off Gojyo's loose and mud stained clothing roughly, and set him leaning with his head hanging back unnaturally against one of the two walls. He heard a small splash and a grunt that came from the other side. Apparently, Son Goku had now been successfully maneuvered.

Sanzo felt like smacking the brunette healer. How could someone ever untie those...those...things?! The three knots that locked together his neck collar looked as if they've got a secret spell you needed in order for them to cooperate. And it didn't help that the mud was making them even more slippery than usual. Hakkai was apparently was well protected against unwanted visitors whom wanted to explore his flesh without his knowing. Not like Sanzo was one of them, of course. "Having trouble?" Oh, how he hated that voice...

Five minutes later Hakkai was ready to go. Sanzo let out a small note of satisfaction. He had to rip the whole thing apart to take it off. Hopefully, the healer would not notice...Oh well. If he did notice, he would probably just say that it was permanently stained or nonwashable or something. He'd think of something. After all, he was a sanzo priest. A movement was caught in the blond man's peripheral vision, something dark red. Stopping in the middle of slipping off his ruined 'sanzo robe', he turned around and saw that...Gojyo was sinking.

Indeed, literally, the man was sinking. In waist high level of water. It seems that even in unconcious mode, the man did not bear any better with water than usual. And he calls himself a kappa... Sanzo thought grumpily, lowering himself in to the water. It was only after a satisfying few minutes before he decided to pull the red head up to the surface. But it wasn't his break just yet. Again, his'sanzo houshi' senses 'activated' and turning hastily, Sanzo had to squint to make out two blurry peach colored blobs of people a few feet away in the water, one seemingly fooling around with the other's head-no. Fooling with something metalic and shiny, something that caught a reflection on the water...

SLAM"Don't." Sanzo, who had somehow swam over in a matter of seconds, accidently smacked her hand to the wooden wall behind them, and held it there for drastic measures. He looked at Goku, who was looking cleaner now that he was closer and could actually make out distinct shapes and features.There was some strangely mesmorizing odour comming from the stuff on his hair, and after closer examination,Sanzo realized that the girl had been using shampoo on his hair and found the limiter. He grunted. It was probably not her fault for not knowing, and though tempting it may seem, Sanzo had to let go.

"Bou-sama. You didn't just come all the way over here from that side of the room to stop me from touching your boyfriend, did you?" Setsu hissed coldly. The priest slammed his right palm over her mouth, daring her to speak any more. And yet she continued to aggrivate him with the glare she sent. "You bitch... Ch. Of course, someone like you wouldn't know what it was, let alone try to remove it."

"Ay don't ou tell e at eh is, hm? Sanzo-'ama." She leered, both of her hands trying to pry his off."It's a youkai limiter. If you take it off, you know what will happen. It's the same with him."At this he pointed at the brunette healer calmly leaning against thewall. "The kappa's a half youkai. But all the same."He finally removed his hands from her mouth, and sat back in the water. Maybe finally, now, he could relax peacefully.

"Any time now, you'll become one of them." She said flatly, meaning it as a question. He did not respond immediately. And when he did, all he said was, "Che."

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They finally woke up after three days rest. The first thing that came out of Goku's mouth was of course. "I'm hungry..."And though Sanzo whacked him numerous times with his harisen, there was no mistaking the gladness at the boy's awakening. The first thing that came out of Gojyo's mouth was, "Itee... My head hurts... Maaann, it feels like as if its been days since i last had a smoke, or a pretty lady."

"Four days." Setsu said monotonously. The kappa's eyes widened with this, and he jumped up. "WHAT?! Why didn't you guys get a woman to come to my aid when I was sleeping?! Aughh, this must be what with drawl feels like..."Gojyo immediately rushed out the door, no doubt going on a needed hunt for women.

When Hakkai opened his hazel eyes, he noticed two things. First, Sanzo was looking at him with a look that he could have sworn was nervousness. Second, his clothing was instead replaced with a crisp white shirt, and tight black pants. They were extremely uncomfortable, fashonable as they were. After examining himself some more, Hakkai turned to his friend and accomplice. "Sanzo?" The man definitely jumped, thought Hakkai pleasantly. He continued calmly. "Where is my shirt?"

Thanks for reading.