Heh, it's been a while since I wrote something I was really happy with – and here it is! Yay! Anyway, we'll go ahead and dedicate this chapter to Nimblnymph because she had an exam and is awesome. :D And everyone should give tath-chan a big thank-you for one really long review that helped motivate me get my rear in gear. One chapter to go to wrap everything up and KF will be all done. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!


Chapter 8

Goku's breathing was heavy as he took a break from running. Gojyo didn't seem to be in too good of shape either from all the searching they had been doing. They'd checked everywhere in town and most of the areas just around the village but Hakkai and Sanzo were no where to be found. It was like no one had even seen them leave or they were just too scared to say anything. Goku couldn't believe that in those few moments of shock from Hakkai attacking Sanzo that they could lose him so fast! It was frustrating and Goku was getting a really bad feeling developing in his gut about leaving Sanzo with Hakkai much longer.

"Damn it! When Hakkai doesn't want to be found, he really doesn't want to be found!" Gojyo growled and grabbed a cigarette. before taking a deep drag on the stick. His feet hurt from all the running and he was getting to the point where he wasn't sure if he cared or not what Hakkai and that Monk did. Though, that was more of a lie to himself than anything. "I hope he doesn't do anything stupid."

"I'm sure that he wouldn't..." Goku's words were slow and trailed off. It was obvious that he wasn't as sure as stated. The boy felt the tiny dragon come and land on his shoulder. Jeep nuzzled the boy's cheek in a reassurance that everything would be fine. "Yeah, you're right Jeep."

Gojyo plopped a hand on Goku's other shoulder no occupied with a dragon and rubbed. He felt better when Goku's shoulder loosened under his hold. "They'll both be fine; even Jeep thinks so. That monk's too stubborn to die and I already know Hakkai's not going to kill him."

"You think?"

"Actually, I'm more worried about Hakkai." Gojyo blew out a steady stream of smoke. That conversation they had shared about Hakkai killing himself before he'd hurt any of his friends kept sticking out in his mind. "I just hope 'hurt' was a euphemism for 'death'" Gojyo mumbled to himself.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Nothing monkey." Gojyo took in a deep breath and started running again. Either the monk was in trouble, he was going to be in trouble, or Hakkai was doing something stupid. Gojyo nearly laughed when he figured that it was probably a combination of all three."Come on! We've got a lot of ground to cover."

"Right!" Goku nodded and followed obediently. He was sure that Gojyo wasn't telling him something, but when was that ever new? He'd just have to find Sanzo and Hakkai and they'd be fine and Gojyo wouldn't have to worry about it. He hoped. Hakkai hadn't seemed too happy when they last saw him... "Where do you think we should look?"

"I was thinking in the woods." Gojyo muttered. "It's the only place we haven't scoured yet. I can't think of where else they'd be."

"That's a big forest , Gojyo."

"Why do we always end up looking for this guy in woods?" Gojyo laughed and held his hand over his eyes. "Isn't this how we met?"

"I'm not sure what's so funny over there! Sanzo's still in trouble, ya 'know."

"Shut up, Monkey. Keep running!"

"I'm running! I'm running! Stupid cockroach!"

"Don't call me a cockroach!"

"Cockroach!"

"Monkey!"

Jeep flew behind the two arguing friends with a little dragon sigh. He'd almost be better off looking for his Master and his friend on his own.


Everything hurt.

That single notion was the only thing running through Sanzo's mind as he lay flat on the ground. The little trails of blood that had clung to his neck were now dry and itchy, and the gravel of the ground was scraping against his cheek. Sanzo had no way of knowing how long he had been unconscious for, but he sure as hell remembered Hakkai decking him and that it would leave a mighty bruise. He could also take a guess that the demon was still lurking about, so it might be in his best interest to not move.

It didn't hurt that he could feel Hakkai's eyes boring into him even with his own eyes shut, either.

Sanzo was awake. Hakkai smirked a little to himself when he picked up on the subtle changing in breathing and heart rate. Though, it was slightly amusing to comprehend the man thought he could fool a demon with enhanced senses. Even if they were in the middle of the forest, he could still hear Sanzo's heartbeat as loud as a drum. Hakkai would humor him for the moment. As much as he hated to admit, sitting on a rotting log and having nothing else to do but watch a beaten body for a few hours set the numbing sensation of guilt into full force.

Not that he regretted what he had done, no. Guilt and regret were not the same thing, and Hakkai could live with guilt. He meant what he had said before and he would repeat it just the same when the man lying next to him decided to 'wake up.' Hakkai looked up as a bird flew out of the bush next to him. He caught it as it passed him with ease; plucked it from the air like he was picking a plump peach. Such a tiny, little thing; it seemed Hakkai had hurt it a little with the force. Yet, watching the thing squirm was rather amusing in its own right.

"Having fun?"

"I see you've decided to announce your presence. Good morning, Sanzo." Hakkai spoke without even looking up. He didn't need, too. He had already known the man was awake. The bird chirped in it's distress. It was annoying. Hakkai wondered if he could cut its vocal chord without killing it.

"Yeah, good morning to you, too." Hakkai was far too calm as he stared at the struggling bird. It was wriggling and squirming in a frenzied fashion, but the demon's hands remained still and tight. At least it was keeping the demon's attention away from him at the moment. Sanzo braced himself for the worse, but noticed immediately that there was a heavy weight missing. When he reached his hand to where it should have been, Sanzo was interrupted in his search by a mocking voice.

"I'm not stupid enough to let you keep your gun."

"I should have figured as much."

"Now, shall we get straight to business?" Hakkai never let go of the bird.

Sanzo watched as Hakkai played with the feathers, lifting one or two and letting them fall down with his thumb. "Such as?"

"Do try not to play dumb, Sanzo."

"Who's playing? I'm not giving them back."

Hakkai sighed and plucked a feather from the bird. It was the same color yellow as Sanzo's hair, how utterly droll. "Could you possibly explain why that is, again? You weren't very clear before."

"You were also choking me, before."

"Didn't stop you from yelling at Goku."

Sanzo slowly pushed himself up off of the ground to sit upright. He kept his eyes trained on the demon sitting next to him and the feathers that were slowly making their way to the ground. "You're fine without them."

"Sanzo, I'm slowly tearing apart a bird and I nearly killed you without a second thought." Hakkai placed his hand over the bird and held it in the cup that his hands formed. Its heart was fluttering so hard he could feel it through his hands. "And you think I'm fine."

"You're well enough to know those actions are wrong, don't you?"

"Fair enough, but I would like my limiters back now." Hakkai turned his head towards his companion and frowned. "I want this headache to go away."

Sanzo snorted as he leant back into the stump that his companion was sitting on. Though, to be honest, something else was bugging him. Hakkai usually wasn't this careless. "I'm surprised you just didn't take your limiters back when you took my gun."

"It would have defeated the purpose."

"So this is a pride issue." Sanzo snorted and checked his sleeves for his cigarettes and lighter. When he noticed they were also absent, he looked up to see a smirk on Hakkai's face. Even if Hakkai wasn't looking at him, it was there. Bastard. "Should have figured it would be something stupid."

"Why must you be so stubborn?"

"Why won't you just get a grip on yourself. You're acting like a child."

Hakkai crushed the bird in a sudden clap. For once, the blood dripping through his hands smelled good. The demon found himself chuckling and his hands trembling. It wasn't enough. "Is that so?"

"Things have changed from when this first started."

"Really now?" Hakkai opened his hands and stared at the broken body smothered in its own blood. It was a sight that was becoming more and more familiar as time passed. He tried to feel sorry for the bird or any form of regret. It wasn't there.

"I hadn't anticipated the Minus wave affecting you." Sanzo tensed and made himself ready just in case. Hakkai's breathing had picked up and Sanzo doubted he held his cool for much longer. Sanzo kept his eyes trained on the dripping blood on the ground. "And now that it's here, I think you've got a good chance of beating it for good. So no, I'm not giving them back."

Hakkai stood up and dropped the bird letting it land with a soft thud. His headache was back and now his toy was useless. Such a waste. "And that's it? And how long will that take? A day? A month? Year? Lifetime? Do tell me Sanzo just how long you intend to keep this insanity going."

Sanzo stayed where he was on the ground. Challenging a crazed man's authority was not a good way to keep civil conversation. But that didn't mean he was backing down. "I have a feeling it's going to get settled today."

"Whether or not I kill you? Is that it then?" Hakkai turned on a sudden whim and kicked Sanzo square in the chest. The impact forced the man onto his back with a much louder thud than the small bird had produced. The shocked look on his face made Hakkai's heart beat faster in anticipation and he forced Sanzo to let out a second 'oumph!' when he straddled the man's waist and held Sanzo's wrists on either side of his face. Those violet eyes widened and Hakkai smiled. "You still smell good, by the way. Just," Hakkai licked his lips revealing his rather nasty set of sharp fangs. "Not in the same way as before."


"Where the hell are those morons?" Gojyo shouted and slammed his foot into a tree. "They are really starting to piss me off!"

Goku didn't want to admit it, but he agreed with the water sprite. This was really getting ridiculous! "I can't smell them anywhere. No blood, no Sanzo, no nothing."

Gojyo rolled his eyes and slapped his forehead. Jeep was circling the air above them and chirping. The little rat couldn't find them either and he was really starting to get pissed off! If those two weren't hurt when they found them, they were going to be when Gojyo was done with him. To hell with it! Even if they were bleeding and dying Gojyo was still going to kick them around for all this hassle. "Shit. This sucks, but at least the no blood thing should be a good sign." Because I want to beat them up myself. Gojyo added silently in his head.

Goku huffed and stomped his foot. "I guess, but we still don't know where they are!"

"Come on, let's keep looking. They've got to be in this forest somewhere. I doubt that they're in the village."

"Because we searched ever nook and cranny." Goku looked at the tall trees around him and listened to all the noise. It all seemed too normal for what was surely a fight between Sanzo and Hakkai. The animals should be restless or something. "Don't you think it's too noisy?"

"What do you mean?"

"The forest. If Hakkai's here and him and Sanzo are 'talking' than shouldn't the animals and stuff be running or quiet or something?"

"You mean the still before the storm type of thing?"

"Yeah."

The red-head muttered something around his cigarette. Sometimes he could have sworn that Goku was a dog or something with that crazy hearing and nose of his. "I think you're crazy and the monk's probably still unconscious. Hakkai whacked him one good."

"Maybe." Goku pouted and looked around. One particular area of the forest seemed much quieter than the others. "Gojyo, I'm going to go this way and look and Jeep'll fly above like he's been doing. You go that way and we'll meet up later if we find something."

"Sounds like a plan." The water sprite nodded and started running in the opposite direction. At least the monkey seemed to be onto something to be changing subjects so quick and running off. Gojyo just hoped that if he found the monk first that he'd be in one piece.


Sanzo kept his face straight and kept his eyes trained on Hakkai's. "You're not going to eat me. Just stop it, Hakkai."

Hakkai leaned down to where his face was close to Sanzo's. He could feel the man's breath on his face and he was fairly certain Sanzo could feel his own pounding breath. "And how can you be so sure of that?"

"Because I'd taste horrible, idiot."

Hakkai started laughing. Random, inexplicable belly laughter that forced Hakkai to release Sanzo's hands so he could wrap them around his own waist to control the shuddering force. He shoved his face into Sanzo's chest to stifle and smother the guffawing that was coming from his mouth. It failed. And so Hakkai sat: straddling a monk's waist, bent over and laughing like a fool because of one straight-faced spoken phrase.

Sanzo rolled his eyes at the antics of his hysterical comrade. With his now free arms, he shoved at the man's shoulders with one while leaning up on the other. The man barely budged from the push and merely kept laughing. "If you're done, could you get off?"

"Give me..." Hakkai took in a deep breath, looked at Sanzo's face and shuddered before chuckling again. "Another minute."

"You're heavy."

"Deal with it." Hakkai's breathing slowed down steadily and he kept his face where it was nuzzled in Sanzo's robes. He could hear Sanzo's heart beating. It was nice to listen to and lulled his headache. Maybe he'd just stay here for a moment. It was funny how fast his anger had flitted away in that single moment. The sober feeling that was washing over his senses led him to close his eyes and nuzzle the source of that glorious, soothing sound like a cat.

Sanzo was amazed at how young Hakkai looked in that moment. Not that they were old by any means, but they weren't exactly adults either. And right now, Hakkai looked like a kid taking a nap. Sanzo found himself petting the man's head and being thankful that he was no longer in such a tenuous state. "Better now?"

"I hate feeling like this."

"Like what?"

"Like I want to kill things and rip them apart." Hakkai gripped his claws into Sanzo's robes and refused to look at the man. He felt foolish and embarrassed. "I loved it. Ever since my limiters disappeared, I've adored ripping things apart. And I want to keep doing it. I want this feeling to stop before I hate myself all over again."

Sanzo snorted and knocked the man in the back of the head with his knuckles as hard as he could. When Hakkai grabbed his head and growled at him, Sanzo laughed out a huff and pushed himself up on both of his elbows. "Moron."

"What was that for?" Hakkai rubbed at his head. They were having a morose moment and Sanzo decides to whack him in the head. There was something wrong with that man, and Hakkai wasn't quite sure what it was. But it was probably on an equal level of insanity that he himself faced.

"You deserved it. You're heavy." Sanzo rolled his eyes. "And you're an idiot."

"What are you talking about?"

"Hakkai, you've had a blood lust a hell of a lot longer than you've been a demon." Sanzo rolled his eyes. "Idiot, and here I thought it really was the minus wave. Shit, I need a cigarette."

"Ah." Hakkai stuttered and could feel his face forming into his 'I'm angry and indignant' smile. How dare he! "What exactly do you mean by that?"

"Hakkai, you murdered over 1,200 humans and demons with a single knife while you were human." Sanzo narrowed his eyes as the demon's mouth hung open. Hakkai looked like he wanted to say something in his defense, but Sanzo beat him to the punch. "Even if it was for revenge, that's a lot. That sort of blood lust doesn't show up over night because you 'snapped.' Not to mention you're a masochist. How the hell is this shit you've been doing as a demon any different than that? You're still the same blood loving bastard you were before only now you've got fangs to match your bite."

"Why, I." Hakkai paused and frowned. He continued to stutter as Sanzo stared him down. Coming up with something to justify his past actions shouldn't be this difficult. "That's absurd. Then what about before! I was fine with the limiters."

"Placebo effect." Sanzo smirked. "You finally have an excuse to let loose without having to worry." Sanzo shrugged and licked his dry lips; he really wanted a cigarette. "It's fine to kill things like that if you can blame it on the limiters. Then again, that's probably what's been bothering you, too. Seems you just needed to get it out of your system."

Hakkai shoved a pointed finger to poke at Sanzo's chest. The man was so cheeky thinking he knew everything. "And if I admit that's the case, which I'm sure that it isn't, than you'll give me my limiters back then?"

"No."

"You're such a bastard!" Hakkai laughed. He wasn't sure why he was laughing while trying to curse out the man beneath him, but he was. And the headache was gone completely. Maybe he just really needed a good laugh. Or something. Whatever the case, it seems things were back to normal as if noting had happened. Hakkai smiled inwardly; all that meant was how deep their friendship ran. And that, Hakkai appreciated. "Though, I rather doubt that the Minus wave was completely blameless."

Sanzo huffed. "You can think that if you want."

"But seriously, Sanzo." Hakkai crossed his arms. "This whole demon senses thing is driving me crazy. And I'd like to walk through town without being stared at."

Sanzo rolled his eyes. "I'll think about it since you're being such a good boy."

"Maybe I should just kill you."

"Yeah right." Sanzo shoved at the man's chest. He was about to retort something witty about weight and Hakkai in an attempt to get the man off of his lap, but he was beaten to the punch.

"You know, I never thought I'd find you guys first." Gojyo stared at the two men in front of him. Hakkai was looking at him with a curious expression and a blush that seemed out of place. And Sanzo was on the ground. Beneath Hakkai. Specifically in between a blushing Hakkai's legs. Well, well, well. Gojyo took a really long draw of nicotine from his beloved Hi-Lite. "I also never thought I'd be disappointed that you two weren't trying to kill each other. What the hell are you two doing?"

"Ah, Gojyo." Hakkai put his hands up in front of him and coughed. "This isn't what it appears to be."

"It looks like you jumped the monk."

"Ah, well." Hakkai could feel his face flushing. They must be quite the sight to have Gojyo grinning like the Cheshire Cat. He also wondered why he hadn't scrambled out of Sanzo's lap yet to attempt and remedy the situation. "Not quite."

Sanzo shifted his weight to lean on one arm and frown menacingly at the water sprite. "He tried to eat me."

"Oh I bet he did." Gojyo couldn't help the smirk. He'd get the full story out of Hakkai later, but for right now he was amused. And disturbed. But mostly amused.

"Hakkai, give me my gun." Sanzo pushed the distracted man hard using noted distraction to his advantage. "And I said to get off!"

Gojyo laughed as the demon sprawled out onto the ground next to the monk. Seemed someone was back to his usual grouchy self. "At least you two are okay. That'll make the monkey happy at least."

"I'm sure it will." Hakkai reached down to grab Sanzo's hand after he stood up himself. Hakkai brushed the dirt off of his knees after pulling the monk to his feet. Sanzo made the motions of heading for his cigarettes and cursed when he remembered yet again that they were not there. "Where is Goku?"

"Off looking somewhere." Gojyo shrugged. "I guess he went in the wrong direction."

"I sure did!" Goku shouted as he bust through a bush. Jeep followed close behind him chirping happily. "I didn't find anything but a demon camp. Took me forever to get rid of them. At least that explains why that area of the forest was so quiet."

"I'm surprised that Hakkai didn't notice that. You'd think he would have heard the ruckus." Sanzo turned and grinned at his demon friend. "With those enhanced senses and all."

"I was preoccupied." Hakkai smiled. "You just demanded all of my attention."

"Bastard." Sanzo walked over to the stump where Hakkai was sitting and looked around. After lifted a broken piece of the wood, he located his gun and cigarettes. He went for the cigarettes first and thanked every Buddha and Bodhisattva (save for one) that he knew for nicotine. "Let's go back and get our things and eat. I'm starving."

"I as well," Hakkai chuckled and held his elbows. Letting everything out of your system really was a help in improving his mood. He smiled sweetly at Sanzo. "I was denied dinner after all."

Sanzo frowned at that smirking demon-ass face. Fangs, slit pupils or not – it was still that same infuriating bad personality smile that Hakkai always had. "Shut up."

Goku blinked as the Hakkai and Sanzo continued to tease each other in a friendly manner. You'd never know that one of them was trying to kill the other one a day ago. "Did I miss something?"

Gojyo looked down at the confused boy and had to admit that he was pretty confused too. "I think we did."

"Oh well." Goku shrugged. The growl that came from his stomach decided for him that it was best left alone and that there were more important things to attend to. "I want meat buns, Hakkai! Can we get some! Please? Please?"

The demon turned from his playful conversation with Sanzo to the hungry looking boy. "Yes, that does sound good, doesn't it?"

"Then lets get the hell out of here." Sanzo started walking off towards the town. Lighting the cigarette now hanging from his mouth, Sanzo was also inwardly happy that this whole mess was settled so easily. That little bond they all shared came in handy for dispelling fights in a heartbeat. Not that this monk would ever admit that it was there. He blew smoke from his lips and turned back to his three demons. "And keep your stupidity levels to a minimum for a change."

"Yes, of course, Sanzo." Hakkai hummed to himself and started to follow their leader while Goku blabbered on about the food he was going to eat. Gojyo was shaking his head and giving him the 'you're telling me everything later' look that Hakkai was learning to recognize more often. Though, there was one thing left to settle. Hakkai picked up his pace until he was walking in pace with Sanzo. His voice was low when he started talking, just because it would be best not to worry the others. "Sanzo, I..."

"Apologies count as stupidity when there's nothing to apologize for."

"Ah." Hakkai blinked and chuckled. "Of course. Well then."

"You're all idiots."

"Hey! We can hear you back ya' know!" Gojyo shouted and kicked Sanzo in the rear. He'd been waiting to do that for ever and damn did it feel good. Totally worth it.

"You're dead!" Sanzo started firing on his so-called companion and enjoyed every minute of it. He could hear the monkey laughing manically in the background as the water sprite dodged.

During this entire ordeal, Hakkai took Jeep in his arms and pet the little white dragon. He had the biggest genuine smile on his face for the first time in what felt like forever. There was something comforting about knowing everyone in his family was as screwed up as he was. And that made everything all right for some reason. "Do try not to kill him, Sanzo. We need him to carry things."

"Traitor!" Gojyo shouted as he ducked. Though, he could feel himself laughing right along with the rest of them. Hell, even the monk had a smile on his face.

It was just another day.