Short, but it ended where I needed it to end. Enjoy the next chapter and thanks for reading and reviewing!


Chapter 5

"Did something happen?"

Hakkai sighed at the tone of Sanzo's voice. The priest had known the moment he got back from his little river trip that something was off. Hakkai hated Sanzo's perceptiveness. The demon stretched his fingers out and felt the joints crack in succession and let his bitter smile return to his face. He would have almost preferred the man to be helpless to perceptions, but he wasn't that lucky. "Of course, not. I'm just tired."

Sanzo didn't believe the demon for an instant. Hakkai looked much too tense and there were lines growing around his eyes. The slight droop in his shoulders also betrayed his words. Sanzo hated being lied to, but for now, however, he'd let it slide. An accusation now would set the water sprite in a frenzy and no one needed that moron to act up right now. "Suit yourself."

Hakkai raised an eyebrow at the odd reply, but that was Sanzo. Who knew what he was thinking? He instead turned his attentions to the other two. Goku was loading bags into the now transformed Jeep. The little dragon must have cooperated with the others because of the foul mood in the air, or Sanzo threatened him with the gun. Gojyo, on the other hand, looked like he had been slapped, only without a bruise on his cheek. Chi wouldn't heal a blow to that man's pride. It was going to be a long drive. Hakkai only prayed for a town to be close.

Gojyo didn't believe Hakkai either. The man had a drained look on his face, even more so than usual as of late. If Hakkai couldn't hide it, than something was very wrong with their friend. Gojyo just knew something had happened in the twenty or so minutes from when Hakkai went to clean up and now. Gojyo doubted it was anything good. "You going to be okay driving, Hakkai?"

"Of course, and if all goes well we should be at a town by nightfall." Hakkai smiled bitterly. The frightened girl had been useful in at least one way: she was a sign there was a village or settlement close by. Then Sanzo could give him back his limiters and this entire nightmare could be pushed behind him. Hakkai scrunched his nose at a new scent that entered the camp. It rather stunk of rotting meat that was strangely provoking to his senses. The sooner he got rid of these heightened abilities the better. They were doing nothing for his headache.

"We would if we were going that direction." Sanzo pulled the sleeves of his robe back onto his arms and straightened them accordingly. A quick shake of the head to get his hair out of his face and Sanzo took a few steps towards the Jeep. It was time to get things moving. "We're headed west and there shouldn't be another town for a few days."

Hakkai narrowed his eyes and took in a slow breath. The demon was determined to stay calm in light of the situation. "There has to be a town a little to the south west of here. We could go and re-supply and get a good night's rest for a change."

"And how do you know that?" Sanzo stood and looked Hakkai in the eyes. He was going to get to the bottom of this new development and now. The truth would come out, or Hakkai would suffer more than necessary. The man should be smart enough to figure that out by now. Sanzo licked the top of his lips as he felt the chapped surfaces brush together.

"I remember seeing it on the map." Spoken with a straight face, Hakkai didn't waver in his lie. The tightening of his fists however, betrayed him to the priest.

So Hakkai wanted to play that game, did he. Sanzo smirked and started walking towards the Jeep calmly. He took his time with nice even strides that sent his robe swishing around his legs. "That town is too far out of the way, we're passing it and going to the other one, as planned."

"Be reasonable." Hakkai growled and stomped a foot. He noticed Gojyo and Goku flinch a little in the background, but he couldn't care. Sanzo was making his blood boil and the exhilarating feeling he got from it was frightening. "It would be maybe twenty, thirty minutes top out of the way. We've had plenty worse delays."

"My, you have a good memory for not having looked at the map in a while." Sanzo raised an eyebrow and leaned his head back to get a better look at Hakkai. "Or maybe something else told you there's a town close by."

"You should know by now I'm good at remembering things." Hakkai cursed himself inwardly. Knowing that the girl had walked gave him the proximity of her home. He should have known Sanzo would pick up on it. But he would not be given the satisfaction. "I insist we take this time to prepare for those two to three days of travel when we do head for that next town while we have it."

"We're passing it. And that's final." Sanzo could practically feel the rage coming from Hakkai. It was near tangible and it was even getting the attention of the other two morons. Even Gojyo knew to keep his mouth shut during this fight. Sanzo was thankful for those tiny blessings, even if he would never admit it. "If it means that I have to knock your ass out and drive there myself, then I will."

Hakkai chuckled to himself at the thought. It would be an amusing outcome if the man even dared. "I invite you to try."

"Shit." Gojyo was suddenly at a loss of what to do with himself. He doubted they noticed, but Hakkai and Sanzo's voices had been steadily rising as their words were flung between each other. Gojyo had never seen Sanzo and Hakkai in a fist fight before, and he sure as hell didn't want to. That meant he'd have to get between them before it started, but his legs had turned traitorous. His sense of self-preservation had sealed his body's movements and he found himself watching as Sanzo's fists tightened.

"Get out of the way, Goku."

Gojyo ripped himself from his thoughts to realize that Goku had beat him to the punch, so to speak. That little brat had his back to Hakkai and was glaring at Sanzo for all he was worth. Goku was definitely standing in a battle stance ready to take on whoever moved first. Kid had guts, and Gojyo found himself resentful.

"Sanzo, why? Why are you doing this?" Goku shouted and squeezed his eyes shut tight. Sanzo and Hakkai were being scary again and he didn't like it. This was ten times worse than the time when Gojyo had ditched them. "Why can't we just go to the town close by like Hakkai wants?"

"Because I said so." Because Hakkai isn't getting off that easily.

"That doesn't make any sense."

"Don't be silly, Goku." Hakkai sneered and ruined the friendly tone that had flowed out of his mouth. "Of course it does. If we go to town, Sanzo will have to give me my limiters back. He doesn't want that, don't you see? He rather likes having a little pet demon around, don't you Sanzo?"

"What?" Goku had to turn around and stare back at Hakkai. The near motherly man's face was twisted into a expression he hoped never to see on the man. It sort of reminded him of the demon's that have gone psycho, and that scared Goku more than anything. "That can't be right."

Sanzo reached into his robe and grabbed a cigarette, Hakkai's statements didn't even deserve a response. He lit it slowly and considered his options. So, Hakkai wanted to take control and get Goku on his side by playing the 'master card,' did he? Than so be it. Sanzo would cave to Hakkai's wishes, but the man was still a fool. Wishes can backfire something fierce, and maybe that's just what the man needed right now. Sanzo was always a fan of tough love. "Fine. Have it your way, we'll go to the closer town."

Goku wasn't quite sure what had happened, but he was glad the fight was over for now at least. He relaxed his pose and took one last look at Hakkai before trailing close behind Sanzo. Goku tried to get a look at his face to maybe see some treachery of his expressions that might give the boy a hint at what Sanzo was planning, but that stoic face proved futile for information. Goku decided it might be best just to wait and see what was in store for them.

Gojyo watched as Sanzo ended the conversation and walked to place his butt in the front seat with his pet monkey following. The priest had his eyes shut and was simply waiting for the rest of them to file in the car like normal. Not even a huff or a glare in their direction at the annoyance. That was far too easy of an agreement. The shocked look on Hakkai's face seemed to mimic his own. "Hey, Hakkai."

"Yes, Gojyo?" That was too easy, Hakkai gathered his thoughts together. Sanzo never caves to demands. Hakkai wondered what the man could possibly have in store for him at the town.

"You sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, Gojyo. Stop worrying." Hakkai shook his head and decided just to count his blessings. After placing himself behind the wheel and making sure Gojyo and Goku were settled, Hakkai started the engine, but not without a bit of hesitation. Pulling himself together he tried for a fake smile to calm down his nerves. "Let's just get to town and sleep in a bed for a change."

"Amen to that." Gojyo let out a lengthy sigh and kept his eyes on the stoic monk. His face was calculating. Gojyo didn't like it.

"And we can get something to eat!" Goku shouted from the back. Stuff was still major tense between the four of them, but maybe if he lightened the mood enough they'd get over it like they always do. He hoped.


"Well, we're here." Hakkai smiled a sigh of relief as he pulled Jeep to a halt just outside of the tiny town. It housed maybe ten to twenty families, but it had a shop and an inn. That was all they needed. The grass was green and the air here was fresh and clean. Hakkai took in a deep breath and held it as long as he could. This whole mess could finally come to an end and everything would be fine again.

"So we are." Sanzo frowned and prepared himself. The priest straightened his back and crossed his arms making sure one hand was around his gun handle inside of the sleeve. It was going to get pretty nasty in the next few minutes. "Why did you stop here? Or are we just going to camp here and enjoy the scenery?"

Hakkai blinked and drew in a slow breath and turned his own green eyes to those piercing violet ones. There was a hardness to them now, one that clearly said he would regret ever crossing this man. Sanzo couldn't. He wouldn't. "Aren't you forgetting something."

"I don't believe so." Sanzo used every piece of training he ever received from a temple to keep up his façade. He had never been so thankful for mediation in his life now that he was facing those eyes. The human eye pleaded to any sliver of sympathy in his stony heart, while the demon eye blazed into his soul with anger. Sanzo considered chanting a sutra in his head to steady himself further or he might crack under the intimidation that was demon Hakkai. His voice did not give away any of the turbulence in his spirit. "Now either take us down there, or head to the next town."

"Sanzo, this is not amusing." Hakkai's fists squeezed so hard on the wheel, Jeep made a tiny squeak. Hakkai wondered if a Jeep could bleed.

"Who said I was joking?"

"Please return my limiters, Sanzo."

"No." The priest tilted his head slightly to take in the other man's face. Rage was there, but that was to be expected. Another breath, slow and secure, to calm himself. "Now drive."

"You said you would give them back at the next town." Hakkai didn't care his voice was rising. Shouting felt so damn good right now. His hands writhed on their respective holds on the vehicle to keep himself from wrapping them around that pale neck.

"When I said that, the next town was two weeks away. You've only been without them for one, and clearly you haven't made any progress. I should do you a favor and extend the time to three or four weeks."

That pounding headache was back in full force in Hakkai's brain as he processed just what the hell that bastard of a priest was up to. Just what he was suggesting that Hakkai do. "You're expecting me to go into town like this?"

"Is that a problem?"

"Sanzo, I consider myself patient, but there is a line." Hakkai shot his hand out before he realized what he was doing and dragged Sanzo's face closer to his own by the hem of his robe collar. Sanzo's skin smelled like salt. "And you've crossed it. I'm only asking nicely one more time."

"Hakkai."

The demon's fingers stiffened in their grip when he heard the tiny voice from the back seat. Goku was never one to be quiet and Hakkai knew that he shouldn't look. Those eyes would undo him, but he could still feel them drilling into his profile. He shouldn't have looked. Goku's eyes were huge and scared, his body however was tensed. Hakkai lessened his grip slightly and leaned back into the seat.

"What are you doing?" Goku was terrified. He did everything he could to hide it, but that wouldn't change the fact that it was true. Hakkai looked like he was really going to hurt Sanzo, and even if Goku didn't quite understand what was going on between them, he knew he didn't like it. Goku wasn't sure if he could live with himself if he had to hurt Hakkai to save Sanzo. They were friends, friends didn't do this to each other. "Let him go."

The initial shock of Hakkai actually lashing out at Sanzo for Gojyo had worn off by the time Goku had started speaking. Gojyo lit a cigarette and let out a tiny smirk. The smoke ran rings around his hand as he ran a finger through the smoke. "I don't know, I think Hakkai's in the right this time. 'Bout time somebody put his Excellency in his place."

Sanzo hadn't said anything yet, and Hakkai still had a grip on his robe. The demon could feel a slight vibration under the robe, and he wondered if Sanzo was aware he was shaking just the tiniest bit. Hakkai briefly wondered what would have happened if his aim was off and it would have snagged the scripture or dug straight down into the warm flesh beneath. Which would have received a more violent counter attack, he wondered. Hakkai slowly released his hand, but held tight to his anger. Gojyo was right, for once, and he had managed to scare Sanzo. If only a little. "I agree, Gojyo. Sanzo, return my limiters. Now."

"Are you deaf?" Sanzo tilted his head and brushed his shoulder off where Hakkai had ripped the fabric. He breathed easier now that the threat was over. Hakkai wouldn't be trying that again, not with Goku still tense in the back. He needed to invest in nail clippers for that man. "I already told you the answer was no."

"What the hell!" Gojyo slammed a fist down on the back of Sanzo's seat. Hakkai wasn't angry enough, so this little water sprite would be twice as livid for him. "You want them to attack him or something?"

"It's a small town, they'll be much more accepting than a major city." Sanzo wasn't budging. Hakkai was going to learn a lesson from this if it killed him. That and Sanzo wanted to test his control. Hakkai should be better than this right now. It was possible the minus wave was getting to him, and that worried Sanzo more than any riot a town could come up with.

"Accepting my ass!" Gojyo outright growled. If the demon in the front seat didn't smack some sense into blondie, than this little half-demon sure as hell would. "They're going to try and throw him out, and if they don't they're going to treat him like shit. What the hell is wrong with you?"

"If they act like that, than it'll be a good way for Hakkai to learn to control his temper, won't it?"

Hakkai made full note that Sanzo had looked directly at him while saying that last bit. He let out an amused sigh. He was too tired to keep his anger burning, it had already blown out like a candle flame. But now he knew what this was about, Sanzo didn't trust him. The man was such a liar for a priest. "Fine, we'll do it your way."

"Hakkai, man, don't let him win this." Gojyo was pleading now. This was so freaking messed up. He gripped the seat tightly with his hands before he resorted to shaking his friend. He shoved his forehead into the seat in his frustration. "Hey, Goku, back me up on this!"

Goku swallowed a little as all the attention of the group was once again upon him. Why did things have to get so complicated? His eyes slid of their own volition to look at Sanzo and his face. Goku wished he could crawl inside that blonde head and figure out what he was doing. Sanzo wouldn't hurt Hakkai on purpose like this without a reason. That was for certain, so the best he could do was just trust Sanzo.

"Well?" Gojyo shook Goku's shoulder with a hand when the boy didn't answer. "You shouldn't have to think that hard about it."

"I think," Goku started. "I just really want to get something to eat and go to bed."

Sanzo snorted. That was the best answer Goku could have given at the time; one hell of a way to get out of a catch 22. "Then it's settled. Let's go Hakkai."

Hakkai put on a friendly smile and played along. The demon was sure Sanzo would regret this later. "Of course, Master Sanzo. However, I claim now that I'm not responsible for my actions."

"Just drive." Sanzo finally let out the breath he had been holding to relax a little in his seat. The evening was just getting started. Checking the rearview mirror he saw the other two pouting in the back. Sanzo leaned his head back against the seat and watched the smoke filter into the sky from Gojyo's cigarette.