Fic - Two Graves, update

[cornerofmadness]

Two Graves
D M Evans
Disclaimer – not mine. All rights belong to Kazuya Minekura et al, no profit made, just a little fun
Rating – R (for language and graphic violence in later chapters)
Timeline – hmm, let’s say soon after the Snow Drop arc, definitely manga verse
Pairing – none really, friendship between Goku/OC
Summary – Stuck in town by a series of unfortunate events, Hakkai develops an interest in a series of killings while Goku finds a few friends.
Author’s Note – Thanks to mjules and evil_little_dog for the beta

He who seeks vengeance must dig two graves: one for his enemy and one for himself” - Chinese proverb



Chapter Two

Gojyo stole Sanzo’s pack of Marlboro Reds off the table and lit one. He lounged back, looking out the suite’s window. “Still snowing.”

Sanzo just looked at the cigarette. “Do you have a death wish?”

“I’m not going out there to buy more Hi-Lites.” Gojyo gave the purloined cigarette a wilting look. “Tastes like shit. How do you smoke these?”

“Without a problem,” Sanzo said, glancing over at the beds in the room. Hakkai still slept under the covers with Jeep curled up in the crook of his hip, his tail resting over Hakkai’s legs.

Gojyo followed Sanzo’s gaze and said quietly, “He’s still upset.”

“Maybe he’s got what Hakuryuu’s got.” Sanzo shrugged. “We need to get out of here. We’re always losing time.”

Gojyo favored Sanzo with the gimlet eye. “He’s not sick, Mr. Worldly Priest. Gah, you don’t care about anything unless it revolves around you, do you?” Gojyo picked up the day’s paper and rattled it. “These women who are getting raped and killed remind him of his sister. Did you ever think maybe he’s upset?”

Hakkai sat up, swinging out of bed. “Did it ever occur to you two that I might just be tired? And that I might want a quiet place to sleep that didn’t smell like a bar?” He waved a hand at the white fog of smoke that hung in the room as he stomped off toward the shower.

Gojyo, eyebrows raised up under his headband, turned wide eyes on Sanzo. “See? Now that’s not like Hakkai. He never yells at you.”

Sanzo’s lips pulled into a thin line. “He doesn’t really yell, ever.” He picked up the paper, settling his glasses on his nose as he looked at the article. “You might be right, kappa, and I don’t say that every day.” Ignoring Gojyo’s sneer, he glanced back at the paper. “Hakkai wanted to look into this.”

Gojyo nodded. “We’re still stuck here. Even if it weren’t snowing, Hakuryuu really is still sick.” He snuffed out his cigarette. “Maybe it isn’t doing his cold any good with us smoking in here.”

“Maybe we should go have a look around. The fresh air,” Sanzo looked longingly at his cigarettes. “will do us good. Where’s the monkey?”

Gojyo pointed at the window then walked over to the glass. “Lan and some of her friends have him out there playing around. It’s good for him. He still doesn’t like snow much.”

Sanzo’s face wrinkled. “I know that.” He got up and joined Gojyo at the window. In the hotel’s courtyard, Goku and Lan were working earnestly together to beat out some other kids apparently trying to build the biggest snowman the fastest.

”Your boy seems to really like that girl.” Gojyo smirked, wrapping an arm around Sanzo’s shoulder. “Have you had that talk with him yet?”

Sanzo shoved him away. “I’m not doing that.”

“Someone has to,” Gojyo argued, the glee in his eyes intensifying.

“Do what?” Hakkai asked, coming back out of the shower, looking a little more relaxed. His damp hair clung to his forehead.

“Talk with Goku. I still say the monkey is Sanzo’s responsibility. Better do it quick, Sanzo. One minute they’re making snowman and the next they’re making out.” Gojyo grinned and Sanzo pulled out his gun. Gojyo backpedaled, hands up, nearly falling into the bed. “On the other hand, Hakkai, you were a teacher, you teach Goku about the birds and the bees.”

Sanzo nodded, putting the gun away. Hakkai rubbed his forehead. “I suppose it would be better than whatever you might tell him, Gojyo. Poor Goku might have nightmares and unrealistic expectations for months.”

They all jumped as a snowball splatted on the window. The three men crowded around the frosted panes, looking out to see snowman making had disintegrated into an every man for himself snowball fight. Gojyo opened the window and leaned out. “Hey, Lan! Monkey boy’s pants are never belted on tight. Just get him down and you can load him up with snow.”

Gojyo ducked as Goku whirled and fired a ball right through the open window at him. “Shut up, cockroach!”

Wagging his head, Hakkai shut the window just as another ball slammed into the glass. “Must you always goad him, Gojyo?”

“It puts the sparkle in my day.” Gojyo scooped up the snow ball and headed for the sink. “He is playing nice though, isn’t he? Goku’s a hell of a lot stronger than those kids.”

“He knows that,” Sanzo said then turned to Hakkai. “We were about to go out and look around, to see if youkai are behind those deaths. Would you like to come with us?”

A grateful look flickered over Hakkai’s face. “Yes, thank you.”

More snow splattered on the side of the hotel. Sanzo looked over at Gojyo. “Why don’t you stay here with Goku?”

Gojyo’s lips skinned back. “What? I’m suddenly too stupid to help?” He shoved his hands in his pockets.

“Let’s just say the monkey needs a sitter,” Sanzo said, his lips twisting into a smirk.

Gojyo favored him with an unhappy look but pulled on his winter coat and gloves. He opened the window and jumped out. Scooping up some snow on the go, he pelted Goku.

Hakkai shut the window then cast a curious glance back at Sanzo. “It was Gojyo’s idea to go look into this, wasn’t it?”

“Don’t want that kappa getting any delusions that he knows what’s going on,” Sanzo replied.

Hakkai sighed, watching Gojyo romping with the others. “He’s good with kids. He’d make a good father some day.”

Sanzo shuddered. “Thank you for tonight’s nightmare, Hakkai.” He picked up his cigarettes. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Hakuryuu, just get Gojyo’s attention if you need something to eat,” Hakkai said. The dragon just chirruped drowsily as Hakkai followed Sanzo out the door

X X X

As Lan waved goodbye to her remaining two friends, Balram and Kai, Goku flopped into a drift. “I’m cold and I’m hungry.”

Lan twisted back around, grinning at him. “Is there anything that doesn’t make you hungry?”

“Nothing in the known world.” Gojyo laughed, picking the ice balls out of his long hair.

“Shut up, you red cockroach!” Goku flung a handful of snow at his friend.

“Well, I’m off today but I can get you a tray of something to eat. I’ll bring it to your room,” Lan offered.

“Yay!” Goku pumped a hand in the air.

“She already knows how to handle you, chimp.” Gojyo snickered. “You’re in trouble now.”

“Huh?” Goku shot him a puzzled look.

“You are a wicked man.” Lan wagged a finger at Gojyo playfully, a hint of blush riding her cheeks.

Goku snickered. “You’re in just as much trouble.”

Gojyo yanked Goku up out of the drift. “Why don’t we go in and get warm? Do you need help getting him a snack, Lan?” He dusted the snow off of Goku.

“Get your pervy kappa hands off the goods!” Goku swatted at Gojyo.

Lan watched the exchange, amused. “Oh no, just give me a few minutes to get out of my wet clothes. Dad owns the hotel so I live here.”

“Thanks, Lan,” Goku said gratefully, his eyes already reflecting the upcoming feast.

He and Gojyo went back into their room to get out of their boots and snow encrusted clothes, tossing them into the tub to dry. Changed and warming, they went into Sanzo and Hakkai’s room where the table was and the all important ashtray that wasn’t a beer can.

“How’re you doing, Hakuryuu?” Gojyo asked, patting the dragon’s head.

The dragon trilled, stretched out all over the bed, then sneezed. Gojyo backpedaled fast.

“Ewww, glad he’s on Hakkai’s pillow.” Goku made a face and Jeep answered with a noise of disgust.

“A pretty girl is bringing food, Hakuryuu,” Gojyo said and the dragon perked up.

Several minutes and two cigarettes later, there was a knock at the door. Goku bounded across the room, thoughts of steamed buns bouncing around his brain. Lan didn’t disappoint. She wheeled in a large cart loaded with food. “I just had Dad charge it to your tab.”

“Smart move.” Gojyo laughed, anticipating Sanzo’s face when he finally saw the bill and planted the monkey with one strong blow from a paper fan.

“I brought a little of everything,” Lan said, grinning at the eager look on Goku’s face. “I figured after how much you ate last night, there’s nothing you wouldn’t eat.”

“You are a perceptive young lady,” Gojyo said as Goku attacked the covered platters. Gojyo elbowed him. “Manners, monkey. Pull a chair out for the girl.” Goku shot him a confused look but complied as Gojyo scooped up a bun and a handful of matcha manju He spied some figs in a bowl and popped one into his mouth. “Figs, good call. Good luck with that.” Gojyo grinned. The kid wouldn’t know about figs making you good in bed.

“Huh?” Goku glared at him, knowing the kappa was mocking him but wasn’t sure why. Lan looked equally confused.
Gojyo went into the bathroom and came out with his damp cloak. “You kids have fun. I’m going to go see what Hakkai and Sanzo are up to. Hakuryuu, you keep an eye on the monkey. If he misbehaves, bite him.”

Goku grimaced around a mouthful of noodles. “Hey! Just go, you stupid kappa.”

Gojyo laughed again and left them alone.

X X X

“That was soooo good,” Goku sighed gustily as he finished off the last of the food, barring one bowl of treats Lan insisted had to be given to Jeep. “Thanks, Lan. This was a really good day.”

“It was fun, wasn’t it?” Lan reached over and touched Goku’s thick, tousled hair. “All that snow has your hair standing up all over the place.” She grinned at him.

Goku’s eyes canted upwards but all he could see were his unruly bangs. “Is it that bad?”

“Go get your brush. I can fix you up.” Lan encouraged him with a gentle shove. Giving her a strange look, Goku gave her a strange look but complied. Lan got up and took one of the extra blankets down from the closet. She grabbed up some of the remaining figs and went over to drape the blanket over Jeep. “Aren’t you just the most amazing thing? Goku said you were sick but it looked like you liked that bowl of zoni. Here, have some snacks.” She put the figs down and Jeep gobbled them up.

“Hey, I think he likes you,” Goku said, sounding surprised.

“He’s adorable. Here, sit.” Lan pointed to the floor as she leaned forward and took the brush from him. “I’ll brush your hair.”

Goku complied, sighing softly as Lan slowly dragged the brush through his hair. It felt so good. Slowly, the realization that there was a feminine leg on either side of his head sank in. Flustered, Goku felt his face flush. What would Gojyo say? Scratch that, he already knew that answer. He heard the things Gojyo talked about to Hakkai and occasionally Hakkai would have something to add. Sanzo never talked much about girls. Maybe growing up in monasteries had something to do with that. Goku always found the temple stifling whenever Sanzo used to leave him alone.

Those confusing thoughts left, driven out by just how good it felt to have someone grooming him. Goku leaned into Lan’s touch, his eyes closing. As far as he knew, he never had a mother. Maybe somewhere in those years before the cage that he didn’t remember she existed, but somehow deep inside Goku knew she was never there. He’d gone from cage to monasteries to this journey and he could count on his fingers all the time he had spent with a girl. Maybe, Goku thought, he could get used to this sort of pampering.

“This would go more easily if we get this out of the way.” Lan’s fingers slipped under the edge of his diadem.

Goku lurched forward, jamming the diadem hard down on his head. “No!”

Lan’s eyes widened and she nearly dropped the brush. “I’m sorry.”

Goku twisted so he could look at her. He wasn’t exactly sure how easy it would be to just pluck the power limiter off his head. He had done it himself without trouble but he wasn’t sure about what others could do. After all, it stuck tight in a fight. No matter what, it couldn’t be chanced. “Sorry, it’s just…it has to stay. Is that okay?”

“Why?” she asked curiously.

Goku’s head dipped. He couldn’t tell her the real reason. It might scare her. Without his diadem, he even scared his friends. Not that they would admit it but deep down, Goku knew. “It’s just …I don’t like it touched, okay?”

Lan smiled and grabbed his shoulders, yanking him back against the bed. “Sure.”

Goku leaned back again, letting her brush his hair more. He was half-asleep when her fingers took the place of the brush, rubbing circles on his scalp then down his neck and shoulders. He felt nearly boneless and as happy as if he had managed to find a place that served him all he could eat.

“So, why do you call your friend a kappa?” Lan’s question woke him from his near doze as her fingers found a tight muscle between his shoulders and started worrying at it.

“Huh?” Goku made a face. He couldn’t exactly tell her that Gojyo was half youkai. “There are reasons.”

“You travel a lot, don’t you?” Lan sighed happily, not prying into Goku’s ‘reasons.’ “That must be so exciting. I’d love to do that.”

Goku shrugged. “Mostly it’s borin’. I’m stuck in the back of Jeep breathin’ in Sanzo and Gojyo’s cigarettes. Those things stink so much!”

“Tell me about your adventures!” leaned forward over his shoulder, tilted so she could meet his eyes.

Goku blinked for a moment. No one had ever really wanted to hear what he had to say. Sanzo usually just said ‘silence or die’ before hitting him and Gojyo just argued with him. Hakkai was the only one who really listened. “Really?”

Lan sat back on the bed and patted the mattress. “Come on, sit. I really want to hear. I’ve never been out of this village. I might never leave, you know. That’s just how it is. I’d love to know what’s out there.”

“I’ve been all over.” Goku thought about where to start his tale. The mountain was out of the question but there had to be things he could tell her that would entertain Lan. He sat on the bed as Jeep stirred, looking at them both curiously. Goku grinned, thinking of some of the adventures he could tell her. This could be a lot of fun.

X X X

“They’re afraid,” Hakkai said as he and Sanzo left the butcher shop that had been broken into and the first girl left hung on the hooks.

Sanzo looked over his shoulder at the place. The newspapers had been light on details but the butcher’s assistant who had found the girl had been more than happy to share the nightmare he had witnessed. Gutted, burnt with what could be cigarettes and with one of the butcher’s sausages shoved inside her, the girl had been left on display. “If what happened here is worse than what he told us, I can imagine why. Something doesn’t sound right about this, Hakkai, beyond the obvious.”

Hakkai nodded, pulling his cloak tighter. “It doesn’t sound…” he shook his head. “What would a youkai gain from killing like this?”

“He’s having fun?” Sanzo offered hesitantly. He sighed, his breath crystallizing around him. “I don’t know what we hope to gain poking around into this. It’s not our problem.”

“We’re stuck here until…” Hakkai started but Sanzo held up his hand.

“I know. I know why we should do it…only we’re not detectives.”

“The three Aspects did choose you to find and arrest me,” Hakkai pointed out, some of his usual jovialness returning to his face. “Not to mention having you do other sorts of investigations for them.”

“And everyone thought it was weird a priest was doing the work of law men, even though the Aspects have me doing it all the time.” Sanzo tapped out a cigarette. “I still say I pissed off the Aspects somehow and finding you was punishment because you can’t cut loose that damn kappa.”

“Do my perfectly shaped and imminently lickable ears deceive me, or is some dirty priest talking about me again?”

Sanzo’s fingers convulsed on the filter but he lit up anyhow. He refused to turn and look at Gojyo. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, it wasn’t like you wanted to come in the first place. I thought I might be able to help,” Gojyo said, a hint of bitterness sneaking into his tone.

“Where’s Goku?” Hakkai broke in before Gojyo could really rile up Sanzo.

“Left him back at the hotel with Lan.” Gojyo shrugged and his companions’ eyes widened.

“You left him alone with a girl?” Sanzo growled.

Gojyo snorted, draping an arm around Sanzo’s shoulders. “Hope you’re ready to be a granddaddy.”

“Idiot.” Sanzo shoved him and Gojyo’s foot hit ice. His arms windmilled before he went down.

Gojyo glared up at Sanzo then got to his feet, dusting off his wet backside. “Lan brought food so he’s a happy monkey. You know what they say, three in a hotel room is a crowd. Unless it’s two girls and a guy, I mean.”

Hakkai tried not to let his amusement show as Sanzo’s face darkened.

“Besides, I could probably help you two.” Gojyo looked up, feeling something cold on his cheek. Fat snowflakes as heavy and wet as an exploded steamed bun started falling from the sky.

“We just left the shop where the first girl was displayed.” Hakkai pointed it out. “It was a brutal slaying.”

“And we saw the fountain in the town’s center where the third girl was left. Whoever this is, he’s a brazen bastard,” Sanzo said, his eyes darkening.

“Any feeling for it being a youkai or not?” Gojyo flipped up his hood.

“The townspeople can’t decide what they believe but we haven’t seen the knee-jerk reaction of blaming youkai for every evil,” Hakkai said, shivering a little and not entirely from the cold.

“This snow cannot get any thicker,” Sanzo groused, taking a deep drag on his cigarette as if in defiance of the frozen precipitation.

“I think maybe we ought to give up our investigation for now,” Hakkai said. “If the weather is going to turn inclement, there won’t be a lot of people around for us to talk to.”

”Just what the monkey wants, us coming home early.” Gojyo smirked.

“If you’ve taught that monkey to be debauched, I’ll…” Sanzo let the threat trail off seeing it had no effect on the kappa. Instead, he settled for a sharp whack with the fan.

“Well, I suppose that I’ve been out a good long time trying to find you two,” Gojyo said, shrugging off the attack. “The chimp hasn’t even hit puberty yet, right? How much trouble could he get into?”

Hakkai looked back in the general direction of the hotel. “I don’t see any flames, so maybe we’ll be all right.”

Sanzo favored him with a sour look then set a brisk pace back to the hotel and out of the wet snow. It was nearly impossible to see through the snow by the time they got back in. They piled into the suite, all three trying to shove through at once. The men pulled up short seeing Lan and Goku at the table playing cards. Jeep was on his back in Lan’s lap, swaddled in a blanket, contently eating agemochi as the girl offered piece after piece.

“Oh dear,” Hakkai remarked, rubbing the back of his head as he ogled the tableau.

“Is the monkey trying to teach you poker?” Gojyo asked incredulously. “He can’t even get it right himself.”

Lan nodded, beaming. “It’s fun.” Her eyes raked over Gojyo. “He doesn’t look that fast. Are you sure he outran that irate father with the gun?”

Goku bobbed his head. “Naked…until he got stuck tryin’ to squeeze through th’ fence.”

Gojyo went as red as his hair as he yanked Goku off the chair. “What have you been telling her, you stupid chimp?”

“Let me go, you perverted kappa!” Goku roared.

Sanzo swatted the both of them. “Silence or death, your choice.” He shrugged out of his cloak and took off his boots.

“Goku has the best stories,” Lan all but bounced on her chair, ignoring the men’s antics with unusual ease. “You guys have interesting lives. I hope you don’t mind if I feed your dragon. He was hungry.”

Hakkai looked at the dragon, wondering if he’d get bitten if he interrupted the spoiling. “No, that’s fine. He’s been ill.”

“I know. He has a cold, don’t you?” She rubbed Jeep’s head and he trilled. “I’m going to fix him up a big batch of soup tonight. And on that note, I’d better get to the restaurant. It might be my night off but I promised Jeep some soup and some goodies for Goku.” Lan passed the dragon to Hakkai then wiggled her fingers at Goku. “It was fun. I’ll see you later, Goku.”

“Sure,” Goku said enthusiastically, having escaped Gojyo’s clutches. He grinned as she left then turned to Hakkai. “Did you know Hakuryuu liked havin’ his belly rubbed, Hakkai?”

“Hmmm, I’ve never seen him take to strangers so well,” Hakkai said, taking Jeep to the bed. He paused, seeing the messed up bedspread on his bed. He glanced over at Goku.

“So…you two just talked?” Gojyo asked and Goku nodded. “Then how did your hair get like that?” He pointed to Goku’s smoothed out hair. Gojyo’s eyes flicked over to the bed.

Goku scowled, Gojyo’s implication not escaping him. “Lan fixed it for me. And she thinks my stories are cool.” Goku went over to the table and scooped up his cards. He stomped into the other bedroom.

Sanzo paper fanned Gojyo again. “Quit teasing him.”

“I’d like to know why my bed has to be the one used,” Hakkai sighed as Jeep untangled himself to go back to the table looking for scraps. “Though I suppose talking really is the only thing that went on.”

“And now would be the perfect time for that big talk, Hakkai,” Gojyo said, elbowing his friend. “Before it goes any further.”

“I’ve done all I can to instruct Goku in various things.” Hakkai waved his hands. “This really would be better coming from Sanzo.”

Sanzo sat at the table, dragging the ashtray closer to him. He just shot Hakkai a disdainful look. Jeep chose that time to sneeze mightily, puffing the ashtray all over Sanzo’s robes. Gojyo burst out laughing and promptly fled into the other room. Hakkai covered his mouth. Sanzo stood up, grimly eyeing the sick dragon. Trying to dust himself off only smeared the ash over his damp robes.

“Good shot.” Hakkai snorted and scratched Jeep’s head.

“You’re paying for the laundry bill,” Sanzo snapped, stomping out of the room heading for the shower.

X X X

“So if the snow gets any deeper, we’ll be here ‘til Spring,” Gojyo said, earning himself a glare from Sanzo “But the monkey will probably be happy that way, seeing how his new girlfriend spoils him.”

Goku stopped sucking the meat off some wild boar ribs long enough to yell, “Shut up, Gojyo!”

Sanzo expertly clipped Goku’s ear with his fan. “Stop spraying food.”

“And here she comes. Might want to chew with your mouth shut, monkey runt,” Gojyo suggested.

Lan came over to the table carrying a container that she put in front of Hakkai. “Dangojiru for Jeep.”

“Oh, thank you. He’s never eaten so well. He’ll never want to leave.” Hakkai smiled at Lan, his eyes flicking to the window. “Provided the snow ever stops.”

“It is a nasty winter,” she agreed. “How is everything? Do you have enough?”

“It’s all very delicious,” Hakkai said. “I thought you were off duty. You don’t have to wait on us, Lan.” He went to pour himself more sake but the carafe was empty.

“Pei-yi, they need more drinks over here!” Lan bellowed then leaned in and added. “She can be lazy. Don’t let her get away with it.”

“Hey, where’s my custard bun?” Goku grumbled.

“You probably inhaled it,” Gojyo said, flashing the sunny innards of what little was left of a custard bun tucked into his hand.

“That was on my plate!” Goku raged, yanking on Gojyo’s antennae-like strands of hair.

Gojyo shoved him. “Prove it.”

“Quit stealin’ my food!”

“Who wants to die first for too much noise?” Sanzo slapped them both with the fan.

“Are they always so mean to you?” Lan rubbed the back of Goku’s neck, sparing a death glare for Sanzo. “You don’t have to put up with it, you know.”

Goku looked over his shoulder in surprise. “It’s okay.”

“Getting hit is not okay.” Her eyes narrowed. “A priest should know better.”

Sanzo’s violet eyes opened wide, the first sign he was paying the least bit of attention to the girl. Hakkai clamped a hand over his mouth, trying to hide a snicker at the priest’s discomfort. Gojyo didn’t bother.

“Nah, if Sanzo didn’t hit me, then I’d worry.” Goku’s brow furrowed as if he wondered if that was as weird as it sounded.

Lan pouted, scanning the room. “I don’t know where Pei-yi is. I’ll go get you some more sake, Hakkai. Does anything need anything else?” Receiving negatives, Lan went off.

Gojyo whistled. “Don’t go into an alley with her, Sanzo. You’ll have that fan up your ass.” He leaned back in his chair, contentedly, tucking his hands behind his head.

“She does seem protective of Goku,” Hakkai said, leaning his elbows on the table, chuckling softly. “It’s rather sweet.”

“How many of those have you had?" Sanzo snorted, gesturing at the sake cup. “Just what we need, a doe-eyed girl.”

“I like Lan,” Goku protested, reaching for a bowl of finely sliced meat in sweet soy. “She wants me to go with her friends tomorrow, too. It’s not like we’re leaving, right?”

“I’m afraid not. Between deep snow and Hakuryuu’s illness, we’ll be here a day or so more surely,” Hakkai said, shaking his head ruefully. Sanzo growled, snatching up his pack of cigarettes.

“Here you go,” Lan said, bustling back with fresh warm sake. “Pei-yi is coming with more custard buns, Goku, enough for you and Gojyo.”

“He’ll still take them off my plate.” Goku gave the kappa a sidelong look. “Just to irritate me.”

Lan laughed then waved. “Oh hello Mr. Rakesh,” she said as a tall man was seated at the table next to the Sanzo party’s.

“Hello, Lan,” he said pleasantly. Rakesh cut a handsome figure in his pale tunic against cinnamon skin.

“Pei-yi will be with you shortly,” she assured him then turned back to the crew. “You don’t mind if Goku comes with me and my friends tomorrow, do you? You don’t need him to help you look into those deaths, do you?” she asked, not catching Rakesh’s interested look.

“No, it’s quite all right. You can have Goku,” Hakkai said, smiling pleasantly at her.

“You can keep him,” Gojyo added.

”What’s that supposed to mean, cockroach?” Goku sneered but Gojyo waved him off.

“Pull up a chair, Lan,” Gojyo offered, yanking a chair over from another table. He shoved it between him and Goku. “You don’t have to stand.”

She sat. “Thanks. I’m glad you’re looking into this, too. It’s so scary. I knew all those girls. There’s only one school here and some of them went to class with me and one was older. Mr. Rakesh knew them all, didn’t you, sir?”

“I’m afraid so,” he said then turned when Pei-yi came to his table, nary a custard bun to be seen in her hands.

“Pei-yi! The custard buns!” Lan reprimanded. She shook her head. “Sorry about that.”

“I’m sorry your friends got killed, Lan,” Goku said, pausing for soda.

“Thank you, Goku.” She patted his knee. His eyes widened. “It’s scary. I mean…who might be next? I’m afraid to be by myself.”

“I wouldn’t let anything happen to you,” he assured her earnestly.

Lan squeezed his knee. “Thank you. That’s so sweet.”

“Uh-oh is the monkey growing a romantic…bone.” Gojyo waggled his eyebrows at Goku and Hakkai grinned broadly. Sanzo just sulked more.

“Quit calling me a monkey, cockroach!” Goku ordered, shaking his fist at Gojyo.

”They’re like brothers,” Lan said to Hakkai. “I have five and they’re all like this.”

“My condolences,” Hakkai answered jovially as Pei-yi finally arrived with custard buns.

“There are days I could kill them,” she said, her hand moving higher on Goku’s leg. “But they’re not so bad.” Lan licked her lips then helped herself to a bun. “Did you find out anything at all?”

“I’m afraid not,” Hakkai said, a cloud moving over his face.

“Oh.” Lan’s head bowed. “Wish you had. It would help…” she broke off as the room went dead silent upon the entry of two men; one young raven haired man and the other older with generous streaks of grey in his hair.

“Problems?” Sanzo asked, his hand sneaking into his robe after the Smith & Wesson.

“No, that’s Shao, he’s in charge of finding the killer and that’s Tai-Shan, one of his detectives and my oldest brother,” Lan said, dipping her head towards the men. “Everyone’s mad and disappointed they haven’t caught whoever it is. Some say it might be a youkai and that they’ll never catch him. Others think it has to be a stranger in town…so watch yourselves.”

“We’re good at that,” Gojyo assured her with an easy grin.

Tai-Shan’s eyes caught his sister’s as he walked past to sit two tables away. His gaze flicked down to her hand on Goku’s thigh and he waved her over. Sighing, Lan left the table, giving Goku’s shoulder a pat as she did. “So that’s the one you were telling me about,” he said, looking over at Goku then asked loud enough to be heard by the foursome, “Kind of small, isn’t he?”

Lan slapped his chest. “Be nice.” She rejoined Goku’s table. “Occasionally it is okay to hit.” Lan gave them a quirky smile

“Sanzo just thinks every occasion is the right one,” Gojyo said, earning a slap by the fan.

“With the likes of you, it is,” Sanzo said, getting up. “I’m going back to the room.”

“Yes, I should get this to Hakuryuu while it’s warm,” Hakkai said, rising. “Come along, Gojyo.”

“But my beer,” the kappa protested, more interested in teasing the teens than malted liquor.

“Oh, take them and the sake, too. We’ll send someone up to get the cups later,” Lan offered. “Why don’t you finish eating, Goku. I’d love to hear more of your stories.” She propped a hand under her chin, smiling at the boy.

“Sure!” Goku’s gold eyes lit up then squawked as Gojyo stole one last bun.

The kappa dawdled until Hakkai dragged him out of the restaurant.