Sera Draco: I'm sorry, I didn't leave an author's note last chapter...I know...I wanted to make it should like Hakkai was really sick, but now I'm worried that I might'v made him sound a bit TOO sick and no one can tell what he's saying anymore...Gomen, Gomen nasai! And I apologize for the cliche, 'Four rooms' 'We only have 1-2'...It gets the job done though...Sanzo wouldn't even walk into one of the others' rooms otherwise and I needed a semi-original explanation for Goku and Gojyo to be sharing besides Sanzo taking Hakkai because he's quieter. Though now come to think about it, Sanzo being in the same room is counter-productive...

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Hakkai drove over to the late-Japanese style inn, and everyone got out.

"S'ay he'e for a li'le bi', o' Ha'uruu?" Hakkai told the Jeep. "UUUUUUU'nnnnnnn!" was Hakuruu's reply. They walked over to the front door, a sliding paper door, elaborately painted with pictures of water scenes, and were greeted by a middle-aged woman, wearing a yukata and wooden sandals. She had black eyes, dark brown and black hair pinned up using traditional flower hairpins, and wore only a little bit of lipstick.

"May I help you, gentlemen?" She asked in a soft voice. "Perhaps a room?"

"Ye' pl'e ma'a." Hakkai tried to say, but she looked like she couldn't understand.

"We'd like four rooms, as far away from each other as possible. And one needs to have an private bath." Sanzo told her.

"I humbly ask for your forgiveness," She almost whispered at them, keeping an eye on Gojyo and Goku, who had hung back to wrestle and where close to the flower beds surrounding the inn. "But we only have one room available, and one suit." she looked at them hopefully.

"How big are they?" Sanzo asked, clearly annoyed.

"Well," she moved to the side. "The regular room can take up to four people, and the suit is the same. They both also have indoor baths. The only difference is the suite is more detailed, with Feng Shui involved in the decor, and the regular room is more simple." she whispered on. "Of course, I can show you the rooms available before you decide." Stepping back into the onsen and moving to the side while slightly bowing. Sanzo "tsk"-ed and mumbled to himself. Hakkai was just about to say something when he was cut off.

"Show us the rooms." He sounded less stressed and snippy than the usual.

"Of course, right this way," She looked slightly relieved. Sanzo and Hakkai stepped inside and started to follow. As they were walking, the hostess talked.

"Your companions will not be joining you?"

"They will, sadly, but we want to see the rooms first, before the wrecking balls complete with stereo come and destroy the peace." Sanzo told her quietly, like he was trying to be polite. Hakkai was surprised by Sanzo's attitude. He'd never seen the priest like this before. A younger girl that would have had Gojyo drooling walked past them and faced their hostess.

"Mama, there are two of our guests fighting in the west wing," She had a musical voice, like flutes. "What should I tell them?" She looked worried as she asked.

"Do not fret, Mei. I will deal with our honored guests. While I deal with the dispute, take these two men and show them the rooms available, please, my dear." She patted the girl's shoulder reassuringly and left, bowing and apologizing to Sanzo and Hakkai.

"I apologize greatly for removing your guide," Mei bowed. "As you heard earlier, I am known as Mei. Pleased to meet you. I understand you are here to view the rooms? Follow me, please." The whistling flutes' notes sang out of Mei's lips, giving the atmosphere a relaxing softness, calming the two men even more. Mei turned around with a SWISH of her yukata, a beautiful light pink, with green leaves lining the bottom hem and purple vines growing along her figure, sprouting white lily flowers with tiny red specks of pollen. Hakkai and Sanzo both enjoyed the relaxing presence of the inn, and could not wait to see the rooms.

Perhaps I will ask Sanzo if I can stay a few more days; this place is so calming. Hakkai thought, the tension in his head, going from knives stabbing him, to subtle pressure behind his eyes.

When they finally reached their destination, both men found themselves in awe of the room, no, masterpiece, before them. The main room was large, with a rectangular table set close to the floor, and surrounded by four cushions, with high wooden backs. The table itself was astonishing, cherry wood with gloss, but not too much so, gently reflecting the light of the single paper lantern in the center of the table to all corners of the room, and the wood seemed to be glowing softly. The cushions were of high quality, cream colored with tinsels at the corners, and maple wood supporting the bottom, also coming up in a comfortable arch, the perfect curve for a back to relax into. The tatami mats on the floor looked freshly cleaned, and blended nicely with the paper coated walls, depicting more scenes of water, dragons swimming alongside fish, and carrying lanterns that seemed to glow off the walls. While the room was beautiful, it would not fit all four of them if they were to sleep there.

"Fascinating, is it not?" Mei asked, staring herself. "Every time I see them, it's like the first."

"Yes, yes, all very pretty," Sanzo replied. "But I don't see how four people could fit in here. I came here to relax, and I intend to do so. I cannot do so, however, if the very people I want to avoid are sleeping right next to me!" His voice turned to poison, and he was very angry. Any minute now, and he might pull his gun, thought Hakkai. gotta calm him down!

"San'o, jus' rela'! Calm dow', re'ember 'he sai' 'he'e whe'e 'wo wooms!" Hakkai lifted his hands and stood in front of Sanzo, who looked ready to pop.

"Sir, I humbly ask for your forgiveness," Mei looked scared, and her head was down, eyes wide and facing the floor with tense shoulders. "There are smaller rooms within, this is simply the main room. Doors connect the main room from the bedrooms, please forgive me for not making this clear sooner." She looked like she wanted to run, run, run away, as fast as she could. Instead, she stepped into the main room slowly and walked over to the wall to the right. Grasping a seemingly invisible handle, blended into the surrounding picture as a dragon tongue, she pulled the door out, then to the side. She repeated this with the other four doors that lead to the bedrooms, revealing soft beds with thick covers and plump white pillows. She turned towards them, then bowed.

"Please, forgive my idiocy," She begged. "Is this to your liking?" She sounded hopeful. Sanzo calmed down when he saw her open the invisible doors to the heavily lavished rooms, and muttered.

"This will do fine."He said softly. "We do not need to see the Suite, this will do fine." Walking into the room, he looked around, peeking into all the bedrooms.

"The private bath is this way," Mei proceeded into the back of the room and, opening another hidden door, this time sliding two doors to both sides, showed the guests a balcony overlooking a large bath, with flowers growing along the sides and rocks to lean against solidly planted in the water. Stairs on either side lead down to a flat area made of black marble, buckets placed close to the edge of the bath. Small flat rocks were used as seats, and the water was steaming invitingly, giving off waves of warmth and heat.

"I'll take it." Sanzo looked like he wanted to jump in right away. Mei smiled.

"This way to the front desk, valued and honored guest." Mei turned and lead them away from the room, Sanzo looking like he just saw heaven, Hakkai sighing happily.

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