Fic Update - Two Graves
Apr. 4th, 2007 11:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessTwo 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![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
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 one
chapter two
Chapter Three
“Hey, monkey, you ever waking up?” Gojyo’s voice followed the pillow that slammed into Goku’s face.
The boy yawned widely, rubbing his eyes. “Huh?”
“You have a girl who wants you to go with her. You might want to shower,” Gojyo suggested helpfully. His garnet eyes gleamed wickedly.
“I was having such a nice dream and you woke me,” Goku pouted, contemplating going back to sleep.
“Whatever.” Gojyo grabbed his cigarettes and headed for the door to the other room. He looked back, gesturing at Goku. “Nice tent by the way.” Gojyo turned back to the door, heading through muttering, “Hope to hell he wasn’t dreaming about food…”
Goku felt his face turning red as he glanced down at the morning wood poking the covers up. “Damn.”
X X X
“Is the monkey moving?” Sanzo asked as Gojyo entered his and Hakkai’s room.
“Eventually.” Gojyo snorted, fishing for his cigarettes. “He might be a little slow this morning.”
“He’s a little slow every morning unless you threaten no breakfast,” Sanzo said, not looking up from his paper.
Gojyo tossed himself into a chair and dragged the ashtray over for a morning cigarette. “Anything more about those girls?”
Hakkai shook his head as Jeep sneezed, cat-like. “It seemed to be a quiet night.”
“Unless you count all the new snow,” Sanzo said sourly, his eyes flicking towards the window.
“Gah, just relax, will you?” Gojyo said, letting the smoke roll around his mouth before letting it out. He felt almost alive. “We’re stuck. Live with it. I say we just enjoy ourselves. Not everyone’s soft between the legs like you…which is why we’re a little slow in the morning.”
Sanzo peered over the edge of his paper and Hakkai’s green eyes widened. “Oh…well, maybe we should go check on breakfast. Hakuryuu could use some nourishment.”
“Breakfast?” Goku darted out of the shower room, a towel still on his head. “I’m almost ready.”
Gojyo glanced at Goku’s boxers. “I know you’re eager to see your new girl but they usually prefer if you wear pants for at least a little while. Shirts are optional.”
Red-faced, Goku threw the towel at him and stomped into the other room.
“And she passed up me to get to him.” Gojyo wagged his head.
“Why wouldn’t she? The monkey’s almost innocent, and more or less biddable if you give him food,” Sanzo said, taking a long drag on his cigarette. “You’re demented and most intelligent women wouldn’t touch you with someone else’s hand.”
“Ooo, good one, Sanzo,” Hakkai said, ignoring Gojyo’s glower to add. “Goku can be rather sweet when he wants to be, Gojyo. You’re more…cigarettes and beer.”
Gojyo leaned his head back, blowing smoke rings. “This is going to be a fun day, I can just tell.”
Goku came back in fully dressed, brown hair sticking up all over like dandelion fluff around his diadem. They all headed down to breakfast. The crowded restaurant forced them to cram onto a table almost too little for four. Another new waitress came over with bowls of congee and fried devils as that was all they served for breakfast.
“Goku!” Lan called, wending her way around the tables, waving a flute over her head. “We’ll go as soon as you’re done eating.”
“You can actually finish eating? I bet the monkey didn’t know that,” Gojyo said and Goku glowered around his fried donut.
”He just has a healthy appetite,” Lan said dismissively, tossing back her long hair, a blue ribbon threading through the braid this time.
“Is that what we’re calling the bottomless pit now?” Sanzo asked, swishing the fried devil in his congee.
Lan just gave the older men sour looks then beamed at Goku. “I’m going to pay you back for all those stories. I’m going to play for you. I’m not bad with the flute. Oh, let me go get you something for Jeep, Hakkai. He’ll eat congee, won’t he?”
Hakkai beamed at her. “Yes, thank you.”
“Bet she’s good with the flute,” Gojyo said once she was out of earshot. He squashed Goku’s head down on the table. “You gonna find out, monkey?”
“Huh?” Squirming away from him, Goku popped a hunk of fried dough into his mouth then flushed. “Like I’d tell you!”
“Oh, so it wasn’t food you were dreaming about this morning,” Gojyo said, looking rather relieved. A devilish expression chased the relief from his face. “Has Sanzo had that big talk with you yet? Betting not. Better hurry Mr. Worldly Priest before it’s too late,” he added before it degenerated into his and Goku’s usual name calling and shoving.
The sound of the gun cocking was nearly lost in the crowded room. “Silence or death!” Sanzo ordered.
“It’s too crowded for guns,” Hakkai said placatingly, waving his hands. A startled gasp sounded next to Hakkai’s ear as Sanzo eased the hammer down. Hakkai looked up into Lan’s surprised face. “Don’t worry, Lan, Sanzo won’t really shoot them.”
“I won’t?” Sanzo put the gun away.
“You have a gun? Aren’t you a priest?” she asked, setting a container down in front of Hakkai. Her eyes hardened.
“I was going to ask the same thing,” Rakesh said from the next table over where he was finishing his tea. The man’s presence startled them. “The things one sees. Well, I’d best get to the school. I think you caught the law men’s attention.” The nosy teacher pointed to Lan’s brother and Shao, his superior who were making their way over to Sanzo’s table.
“Is there a problem?” Tai-Shan asked, his expression caught between curious and irked.
“Sorry, no. They just get a little rambunctious,” Hakkai said hurriedly. “Some priests have….different ways of disciplining their followers.” He ignored Sanzo and Gojyo’s ‘what the hell’ looks.
“Come on, Goku,” Lan said, dragging Goku up. “We’re going to have fun.” She hauled him away, him grabbing for more fried devils.
“I think she doesn’t want you scaring off another suitor,” Shao said with a smile.
Tai-Shan snorted then looked at the remains of the party. “I was going to say that if the little guy is traveling with a priest he can’t be too bad.” He eyed Sanzo as Gojyo nearly choked on his congee. “But I’m not so sure.”
“Goku’s a good boy. Lan won’t find a fiercer protector,” Hakkai assured the protective young man, spreading his hands.
“He’s a dim little monkey. Your sister seems smart. She’ll probably get tired of Goku before you have anything to worry about,” Sanzo added and Tai-Shan’s eyes widened as the bluntness.
“We’d better go,” Shao said. “We have interviews to conduct.” Tai-Shan nodded and followed him out of the room.
“So…how long do you think it will take before that man arrests Goku on general principles?” Gojyo smirked and his companions just groaned.
X X X
“You’ve never been sled riding?” Lan asked Goku in disbelief as all the teens climbed the biggest hill outside of town, lugging sleds behind them.
“Did you grow up in the flats or something?” Maidar, one of Lan’s friends asked, tugging his hat firmly down on his head.
Goku shook his head. “Never liked the snow much.”
“Now’s not the time to say so,” Intan said as she caught Balram’s hand. She gave Goku a curious look. “But you liked building the snowmen yesterday.”
“I’m learning to like the snow. What do we do now?” Goku asked eagerly, eyeing up the slope.
“Easy, get on the sled behind me,” Lan said, sitting down on the sled. She patted the polished wood behind her. “And hold on.”
“First one all the way to the bottom is the winner,” Balram cried, his breath rising like a cloud around him. He pulled Intan on the sled behind him
Goku got on the sled behind Lan and thought for a moment how it sort of felt good to be sitting where he was, with her between his legs. He kept his grip loose around her waist. Lan smelled sweet even through all the layers of clothing. Goku liked it. Lan twisted around saying, “Help push off.”
Startled, Goku’s strong legs propelled them out in front of everyone. The sled seemed tame for a moment then they picked up speed. Lan whooped as the sled careened downhill. A sudden dip sent them both flying free and Goku found himself plowing his own trail to the bottom, face down in the snow. At least his power limiter showed no signs of popping free. As a sled whizzed past him at the bottom, sending up a plume as it stopped, Goku lifted his face out of the snow, clumps of it sliding off his reddened cheeks. “I got here first,” he told Maidar and Intan’s sister, Jiao, who rode behind him.
“It only counts if you stay on the sled,” Maidar informed him, lobbing snow at Goku.
“Now you tell me,” Goku groaned, dusting snow out of his thick hair.
“Race you back to the top,” Balram said, thumping his way back up sled in hand.
The second trip to the bottom ended up much like the first. The third resulted in Lan and Goku rolling to the bottom together with Lan coming to rest on top of his chest. She smiled down at him, her red-tipped nose almost touching his. “I think you’re getting the hang of this.” She laughed, tapping his nose with her gloved finger.
Goku snorted, in no real hurry to get up even thought the snow was soaking through his pants. He liked Lan sitting where she was, her breath crystallizing the air around them. Goku thought he was beginning to understand all of Gojyo’s babbling. “I’ll get it right,” he promised quickly, pouting a little when Lan climbed off of him.
Sledding, Goku found out, had something to do with balance. Once he’d figured that out, and successfully piloted the sled down the hill. Soon enough, Balram and Maidar upped the stakes. While the girls looked on, the boys built a ramp to add excitement to the hill.
“Bet we can do cool flips or something,” Maidar said excitedly, packing in the snow.
“Bet you can break a leg too,” Lan put in, amused.
“That’s what makes it fun.” Balram beamed.
Lan shook her head, looking at her girlfriends. “Which one do you think gets maimed first?”
“My money’s on Goku,” Intan said, waving a gloved hand at the boys. “He wipes out the most.”
“Aww, too bad, he’s kinda cute,” Jiao said, admiring Goku as he worked on the ramp with the other boy. “You sure you want him, Lan?”
“Yes. You have Maidar,” Lan reminded her, shoving her lightly.
Jiao shrugged. “He’s more interested in you.”
“You think?” Lan tapped her lip with a gloved hand. “Guess it doesn’t really matter. Goku’s just traveling through. Sort of sad.”
“Have fun while he’s here. Though, he’s a little too dim to keep around for long,” Intan said, ducking when Lan tossed snow at her.
“That’s mean. He’s sweet,” Lan said crossly, glancing Goku’s way.
Goku wondered if they knew he could hear them. Did Lan think he was stupid, too? Why did that hurt a lot more coming from the girls than when Gojyo or Sanzo said it?
“At least it feels good just to come out and have fun,” Lan said, absently picking hunks of snow from her long braid. “Without having to worry about all those bad things that are happening.” She raised her voice. “Goku, your friends are trying to help my brother figure out who’s been killing those girls right?”
“Yeah,” Goku said, glancing over his shoulder at the girls.
“Oh, let’s not talk about scary things,” Intan said with a shudder.
“We’ll protect you,” Balram assured her and she smiled back.
“Got the ramp done. How’s that for not scary thing?” Maidar eyed the ramp appreciatively. “Balram you go first.”
Balram aimed his sled for the ramp, promptly planting himself face first into the ramp without even getting airborne.
“Now who has the dim boyfriend?” Lan elbowed Intan who covered her face in embarrassment.
Several mishaps later, the boys got the ramp halfway mastered and tried to add to their reckless airborne antics. Goku went over it, flipping up one handed onto the curled lip of the sled as he went sailing over the crest of the ramp.
“Now that was just cool,” Balram said, as the girls gave glove-muffled applause. Maidar just glared, jealous.
Goku carted the sled back up to his companions. “Is this making anyone else hungry?” he asked hopefully.
“We’ll go for lunch in a bit. Tell me how you did that,” Balram demanded.
“It was really nice,” Jiao said smiling at Goku, ignoring the annoyed looks both Lan and Maidar shot her.
“It’s easy. You just sort of do a hand stand.” Goku demonstrated on the curve of the sled again. “Then lift a hand.” Goku balanced on the finger tips of one hand, making it look easy.
“As if Maidar or Balram could even do a handstand.” Jiao laughed.
“Pity because that’s pretty,” Lan said, her pupils dilated. Intan nodded.
Balram and Maidar exchanged grim glances, not missing that they didn’t have the girls’ full attention. They weren’t used to not being the center of attention. “Give the hill a try like that,” Maidar said, spitefully kicking the sled into play.
Goku yipped and ended up spiraling off into the snow.
Levering herself up, Lan pushed Maidar who looked stunned. “Boys.”
Goku charged furiously back up the hill, angry at being shoved. He might not fully grasp Maidar’s jealousy but he knew a challenge when it slapped him in the face. “Hey! Why’d you do that?”
Lan stepped between him and Maidar, laying her gloved hands on his chest. “Forget him,” she said and Goku could see the anger in the other boy’s eyes at being ignored. “I’m hungry. Want to go get something to eat?” She took his hand, tugging at it
Goku’s golden eyes narrowed at Maidar but food sounded better than fighting. Besides, he could tell Lan didn’t want him to. “Food is always good.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Lan looped an arm in his.
“Come on, I know someplace good that’s close,” Balram said, patting Maidar on the back.
The calm restored, the teens headed off in search of lunch.
X X X
“I liked your music, Lan,” Goku said as they went inside the hotel room. “It was really pretty.”
“Thanks. I enjoy spending time with you, Goku. It’s fun. I wish you weren’t going to leave soon,” Lan said then waved at Jeep who stirred on Hakkai’s bed.
“Sorry, it’s just we have something important we have to do,” Goku said, almost regretting that. He liked being ‘normal’ even if he knew it was an illusion.
“I know but I plan on making the most of our time.” Lan smiled at him as she glanced around the room for his friends. “I wonder where your friends are.”
“Probably out looking into the deaths of those girls. It’s really upset Hakkai. His sister was killed a few years ago,” Goku said, wondering if he should. Well, it wasn’t like it was a secret, right?
Lan’s eyes widened, her fingers drifting to her mouth. “Oh, that’s terrible. He seems like a nice man. At least he doesn’t call you names.”
“The others aren’t so bad,” Goku said, wishing Sanzo would hit him less. He figured that was just how Sanzo showed affection.
She shrugged. “I have to go. I promised Dad I’d pick up something for him in town. I have to work dinner tonight but I’m sure I’ll see you there.”
“Okay.” Goku liked the idea of seeing her again and didn’t want her to go now. It was a curious feeling for him, the desire to be close to someone.
Lan darted in and kissed Goku’s cheek, startling him. She smiled again and disappeared out the door. Touching his cheek, Goku flopped back on Hakkai’s bed, looking over at Jeep. The dragon seemed to be smiling at him. “That was…” Goku grinned. “Still, this being nice to girls stuff is hard. She and her friends think one bowl of yakisoba is enough for lunch. It’s madness but I didn’t want her to get mad or embarrassed. Even Balram and Maidar didn’t eat all that much.” Goku’s nose wrinkled, remembering the easy brashness those two boys had and how the girls seemed to enjoy having them around, even Lan. Did he even fit in at all with normal people? “Can that be normal, Hakuryuu?”
Jeep just cheeped at him and Goku scratched the dragon’s neck. Just then the door opened and Goku’s companions stomped in, snowy up to their knees. Sanzo looked particularly furious about it.
“Oh, look, on your bed again, Hakkai,” Gojyo snickered, jerking a thumb at Goku.
“Where is Lan?” Hakkai asked resigned, sitting at the table.
“She had errands to run.” Goku got off the bed. “Sanzo, I’m hungry. She only let me have one plate of yakisoba.”
“Wait until dinner, you bottomless pit,” Sanzo said, uninterested.
“I might die by then,” Goku groaned but found no pity. He sighed. “Did you learn anything today?”
“I’m afraid not,” Hakkai said, rubbing his now-bared feet, trying to get circulation back in them. “This person is very good at covering his tracks.”
“That sucks. Lan’s scared and I don’t like that.” Goku glowered.
“Hey, you’re right, Hakkai, he can be sweet.” Gojyo reached over and ruffled Goku’s hair, then his face sobered. “None of us like it, kiddo. What this guy does ain’t right. Human or youkai, we need to take him down.”
“Which isn’t going to happen unless we find his trail.” Hakkai’s head bowed, letting go of his reddened feet. “Those poor girls…I can’t imagine their fear in their last minutes.”
Goku went over and put a hand on Hakkai’s shoulder. “If anyone can do it, it’s you and Sanzo.”
“Thank you, Goku.” Hakkai pulled some papers out of his pocket, missing Gojyo’s glower at being left out of those smart enough to help. “Maybe if I just concentrate on my notes, I’ll see a pattern I’ve missed.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Hakkai. It’s not like the law men here have done better and they’ve been at it longer,” Gojyo said. “And they have the advantage of this being their home territory.”
“The kappa has a point.” A contemplative look veiled Sanzo’s face. “Two in as many days. The world must be ending.”
“That’s it, I need a beer.” Gojyo flashed Sanzo an obscene gesture. “So, chimp, was she any good with the flute?”
“Yeah, she was.”
“I just bet,” Gojyo said salaciously as he went into his and Goku’s room.
”What? I know you mean something bad,” Goku stomped after him.
Hakkai sighed. “If you let it go any longer, Sanzo, Gojyo really will tell Goku all he needs to know and nothing good can come from that.” He gave the priest a look, a hint of humor playing peek-a-boo in his eyes. “You do know how, right?”
Sanzo’s face darkened. “Don’t make me fan you.”
Hakkai just grinned and turned back to this notes.
X X X
“So is the excited look for dinner or Lan?” Gojyo asked Goku as they sat down in the dining hall.
“Do you even have to ask?” Sanzo asked wearily.
“Maybe the chimp’s growing up,” Gojyo suggested but no one looked convinced.
“Eat me, ass face,” Goku growled, looking around for Lan but she was nowhere to be seen. Pei-yi waited on them again with her customary inefficiency.
Lan’s father, Huan, came over to their table once they were mostly done with dinner, barring the usual eating contest between Gojyo and Goku. “Have you see, Lan? I know she went out with you today, boy.”
Goku put his skewer down, shock in his gold eyes. “Yes, but we came back hours ago. She said she had to go to town for you. She’s missing?” Goku’s voice pitched up in octave.
“I haven’t seen her since she left with you. I thought she must have come back. Her flute is in her room and I saw her with it this morning but…I thought maybe she had gone back to your room. She knows I wouldn’t approve of that but…” Huan trailed off, fear in his eyes.
Goku shook his head. “No, she didn’t stay. I haven’t seen her since she went back to town. She said she would see me at dinner.” He clamped a hand over his mouth, feeling his belly flip. “I should have gone back with her. I know she was scared to be by herself.” Goku twisted on his seat, grabbing Sanzo’s sleeve. “Sanzo, we have to…”
“Flashlights?” Sanzo asked the distraught father.
“I’ll get you some. You think something’s happened to her? I’ve sent for Tai-Shan already,” Huan said, his fear nearly palpable.
“We’ll help him look for her,” Hakkai said, his cheery expression thoroughly melted from his face.
“Damn,” Gojyo whispered, putting a hand on Goku’s shoulder, feeling the boy tremble.
“We have to find her,” Goku said, drawing himself up to his full height, his clenched fists shaking.
Armed with flashlights, dinners setting like stones in their stomachs, the companions headed out into the cold, deep snow. Gas lights threw eerie shadows as they walked the town, calling Lan’s name. No one ever answered back. They ran across Tai-Shan and his men several times as well as other villagers pitching in to help. A few vagrants and ladies of the evening crossed their paths but of Lan, there was no sign.
“We should head in,” Hakkai said finally as false dawn started lightning the sky.
“But we haven’t found her yet,” Goku protested and Hakkai shot him a pitying look.
Gojyo draped a brotherly arm around Goku, pulling him close. He bent down and said softly, “Goku, she’s not out here. Someone would have found her by now and we can’t just go around breaking down doors looking for her.”
“I know but…I feel like I’m abandoning her. You go. I’ll stay out just a little longer. I can do this myself,” Goku said, pulling away from Gojyo.
“Are you sure, Goku?” Hakkai asked. “Well, I guess we could look a little longer.”
Goku’s shoulders slumped. “Thank you, guys.”
“If I’m getting frost bite, we should at least have a plan,” Sanzo said. “Butcher shop, fountain, stables, there’s no rhyme to this man,” he added, addressing for the first time what they all thought; the killer had her.
“The school, they all went there. Let’s look there again,” Goku suggested and no one gainsaid him.
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 betaHe who seeks vengeance must dig two graves: one for his enemy and one for himself” - Chinese proverb
chapter one
chapter two
Chapter Three
“Hey, monkey, you ever waking up?” Gojyo’s voice followed the pillow that slammed into Goku’s face.
The boy yawned widely, rubbing his eyes. “Huh?”
“You have a girl who wants you to go with her. You might want to shower,” Gojyo suggested helpfully. His garnet eyes gleamed wickedly.
“I was having such a nice dream and you woke me,” Goku pouted, contemplating going back to sleep.
“Whatever.” Gojyo grabbed his cigarettes and headed for the door to the other room. He looked back, gesturing at Goku. “Nice tent by the way.” Gojyo turned back to the door, heading through muttering, “Hope to hell he wasn’t dreaming about food…”
Goku felt his face turning red as he glanced down at the morning wood poking the covers up. “Damn.”
X X X
“Is the monkey moving?” Sanzo asked as Gojyo entered his and Hakkai’s room.
“Eventually.” Gojyo snorted, fishing for his cigarettes. “He might be a little slow this morning.”
“He’s a little slow every morning unless you threaten no breakfast,” Sanzo said, not looking up from his paper.
Gojyo tossed himself into a chair and dragged the ashtray over for a morning cigarette. “Anything more about those girls?”
Hakkai shook his head as Jeep sneezed, cat-like. “It seemed to be a quiet night.”
“Unless you count all the new snow,” Sanzo said sourly, his eyes flicking towards the window.
“Gah, just relax, will you?” Gojyo said, letting the smoke roll around his mouth before letting it out. He felt almost alive. “We’re stuck. Live with it. I say we just enjoy ourselves. Not everyone’s soft between the legs like you…which is why we’re a little slow in the morning.”
Sanzo peered over the edge of his paper and Hakkai’s green eyes widened. “Oh…well, maybe we should go check on breakfast. Hakuryuu could use some nourishment.”
“Breakfast?” Goku darted out of the shower room, a towel still on his head. “I’m almost ready.”
Gojyo glanced at Goku’s boxers. “I know you’re eager to see your new girl but they usually prefer if you wear pants for at least a little while. Shirts are optional.”
Red-faced, Goku threw the towel at him and stomped into the other room.
“And she passed up me to get to him.” Gojyo wagged his head.
“Why wouldn’t she? The monkey’s almost innocent, and more or less biddable if you give him food,” Sanzo said, taking a long drag on his cigarette. “You’re demented and most intelligent women wouldn’t touch you with someone else’s hand.”
“Ooo, good one, Sanzo,” Hakkai said, ignoring Gojyo’s glower to add. “Goku can be rather sweet when he wants to be, Gojyo. You’re more…cigarettes and beer.”
Gojyo leaned his head back, blowing smoke rings. “This is going to be a fun day, I can just tell.”
Goku came back in fully dressed, brown hair sticking up all over like dandelion fluff around his diadem. They all headed down to breakfast. The crowded restaurant forced them to cram onto a table almost too little for four. Another new waitress came over with bowls of congee and fried devils as that was all they served for breakfast.
“Goku!” Lan called, wending her way around the tables, waving a flute over her head. “We’ll go as soon as you’re done eating.”
“You can actually finish eating? I bet the monkey didn’t know that,” Gojyo said and Goku glowered around his fried donut.
”He just has a healthy appetite,” Lan said dismissively, tossing back her long hair, a blue ribbon threading through the braid this time.
“Is that what we’re calling the bottomless pit now?” Sanzo asked, swishing the fried devil in his congee.
Lan just gave the older men sour looks then beamed at Goku. “I’m going to pay you back for all those stories. I’m going to play for you. I’m not bad with the flute. Oh, let me go get you something for Jeep, Hakkai. He’ll eat congee, won’t he?”
Hakkai beamed at her. “Yes, thank you.”
“Bet she’s good with the flute,” Gojyo said once she was out of earshot. He squashed Goku’s head down on the table. “You gonna find out, monkey?”
“Huh?” Squirming away from him, Goku popped a hunk of fried dough into his mouth then flushed. “Like I’d tell you!”
“Oh, so it wasn’t food you were dreaming about this morning,” Gojyo said, looking rather relieved. A devilish expression chased the relief from his face. “Has Sanzo had that big talk with you yet? Betting not. Better hurry Mr. Worldly Priest before it’s too late,” he added before it degenerated into his and Goku’s usual name calling and shoving.
The sound of the gun cocking was nearly lost in the crowded room. “Silence or death!” Sanzo ordered.
“It’s too crowded for guns,” Hakkai said placatingly, waving his hands. A startled gasp sounded next to Hakkai’s ear as Sanzo eased the hammer down. Hakkai looked up into Lan’s surprised face. “Don’t worry, Lan, Sanzo won’t really shoot them.”
“I won’t?” Sanzo put the gun away.
“You have a gun? Aren’t you a priest?” she asked, setting a container down in front of Hakkai. Her eyes hardened.
“I was going to ask the same thing,” Rakesh said from the next table over where he was finishing his tea. The man’s presence startled them. “The things one sees. Well, I’d best get to the school. I think you caught the law men’s attention.” The nosy teacher pointed to Lan’s brother and Shao, his superior who were making their way over to Sanzo’s table.
“Is there a problem?” Tai-Shan asked, his expression caught between curious and irked.
“Sorry, no. They just get a little rambunctious,” Hakkai said hurriedly. “Some priests have….different ways of disciplining their followers.” He ignored Sanzo and Gojyo’s ‘what the hell’ looks.
“Come on, Goku,” Lan said, dragging Goku up. “We’re going to have fun.” She hauled him away, him grabbing for more fried devils.
“I think she doesn’t want you scaring off another suitor,” Shao said with a smile.
Tai-Shan snorted then looked at the remains of the party. “I was going to say that if the little guy is traveling with a priest he can’t be too bad.” He eyed Sanzo as Gojyo nearly choked on his congee. “But I’m not so sure.”
“Goku’s a good boy. Lan won’t find a fiercer protector,” Hakkai assured the protective young man, spreading his hands.
“He’s a dim little monkey. Your sister seems smart. She’ll probably get tired of Goku before you have anything to worry about,” Sanzo added and Tai-Shan’s eyes widened as the bluntness.
“We’d better go,” Shao said. “We have interviews to conduct.” Tai-Shan nodded and followed him out of the room.
“So…how long do you think it will take before that man arrests Goku on general principles?” Gojyo smirked and his companions just groaned.
X X X
“You’ve never been sled riding?” Lan asked Goku in disbelief as all the teens climbed the biggest hill outside of town, lugging sleds behind them.
“Did you grow up in the flats or something?” Maidar, one of Lan’s friends asked, tugging his hat firmly down on his head.
Goku shook his head. “Never liked the snow much.”
“Now’s not the time to say so,” Intan said as she caught Balram’s hand. She gave Goku a curious look. “But you liked building the snowmen yesterday.”
“I’m learning to like the snow. What do we do now?” Goku asked eagerly, eyeing up the slope.
“Easy, get on the sled behind me,” Lan said, sitting down on the sled. She patted the polished wood behind her. “And hold on.”
“First one all the way to the bottom is the winner,” Balram cried, his breath rising like a cloud around him. He pulled Intan on the sled behind him
Goku got on the sled behind Lan and thought for a moment how it sort of felt good to be sitting where he was, with her between his legs. He kept his grip loose around her waist. Lan smelled sweet even through all the layers of clothing. Goku liked it. Lan twisted around saying, “Help push off.”
Startled, Goku’s strong legs propelled them out in front of everyone. The sled seemed tame for a moment then they picked up speed. Lan whooped as the sled careened downhill. A sudden dip sent them both flying free and Goku found himself plowing his own trail to the bottom, face down in the snow. At least his power limiter showed no signs of popping free. As a sled whizzed past him at the bottom, sending up a plume as it stopped, Goku lifted his face out of the snow, clumps of it sliding off his reddened cheeks. “I got here first,” he told Maidar and Intan’s sister, Jiao, who rode behind him.
“It only counts if you stay on the sled,” Maidar informed him, lobbing snow at Goku.
“Now you tell me,” Goku groaned, dusting snow out of his thick hair.
“Race you back to the top,” Balram said, thumping his way back up sled in hand.
The second trip to the bottom ended up much like the first. The third resulted in Lan and Goku rolling to the bottom together with Lan coming to rest on top of his chest. She smiled down at him, her red-tipped nose almost touching his. “I think you’re getting the hang of this.” She laughed, tapping his nose with her gloved finger.
Goku snorted, in no real hurry to get up even thought the snow was soaking through his pants. He liked Lan sitting where she was, her breath crystallizing the air around them. Goku thought he was beginning to understand all of Gojyo’s babbling. “I’ll get it right,” he promised quickly, pouting a little when Lan climbed off of him.
Sledding, Goku found out, had something to do with balance. Once he’d figured that out, and successfully piloted the sled down the hill. Soon enough, Balram and Maidar upped the stakes. While the girls looked on, the boys built a ramp to add excitement to the hill.
“Bet we can do cool flips or something,” Maidar said excitedly, packing in the snow.
“Bet you can break a leg too,” Lan put in, amused.
“That’s what makes it fun.” Balram beamed.
Lan shook her head, looking at her girlfriends. “Which one do you think gets maimed first?”
“My money’s on Goku,” Intan said, waving a gloved hand at the boys. “He wipes out the most.”
“Aww, too bad, he’s kinda cute,” Jiao said, admiring Goku as he worked on the ramp with the other boy. “You sure you want him, Lan?”
“Yes. You have Maidar,” Lan reminded her, shoving her lightly.
Jiao shrugged. “He’s more interested in you.”
“You think?” Lan tapped her lip with a gloved hand. “Guess it doesn’t really matter. Goku’s just traveling through. Sort of sad.”
“Have fun while he’s here. Though, he’s a little too dim to keep around for long,” Intan said, ducking when Lan tossed snow at her.
“That’s mean. He’s sweet,” Lan said crossly, glancing Goku’s way.
Goku wondered if they knew he could hear them. Did Lan think he was stupid, too? Why did that hurt a lot more coming from the girls than when Gojyo or Sanzo said it?
“At least it feels good just to come out and have fun,” Lan said, absently picking hunks of snow from her long braid. “Without having to worry about all those bad things that are happening.” She raised her voice. “Goku, your friends are trying to help my brother figure out who’s been killing those girls right?”
“Yeah,” Goku said, glancing over his shoulder at the girls.
“Oh, let’s not talk about scary things,” Intan said with a shudder.
“We’ll protect you,” Balram assured her and she smiled back.
“Got the ramp done. How’s that for not scary thing?” Maidar eyed the ramp appreciatively. “Balram you go first.”
Balram aimed his sled for the ramp, promptly planting himself face first into the ramp without even getting airborne.
“Now who has the dim boyfriend?” Lan elbowed Intan who covered her face in embarrassment.
Several mishaps later, the boys got the ramp halfway mastered and tried to add to their reckless airborne antics. Goku went over it, flipping up one handed onto the curled lip of the sled as he went sailing over the crest of the ramp.
“Now that was just cool,” Balram said, as the girls gave glove-muffled applause. Maidar just glared, jealous.
Goku carted the sled back up to his companions. “Is this making anyone else hungry?” he asked hopefully.
“We’ll go for lunch in a bit. Tell me how you did that,” Balram demanded.
“It was really nice,” Jiao said smiling at Goku, ignoring the annoyed looks both Lan and Maidar shot her.
“It’s easy. You just sort of do a hand stand.” Goku demonstrated on the curve of the sled again. “Then lift a hand.” Goku balanced on the finger tips of one hand, making it look easy.
“As if Maidar or Balram could even do a handstand.” Jiao laughed.
“Pity because that’s pretty,” Lan said, her pupils dilated. Intan nodded.
Balram and Maidar exchanged grim glances, not missing that they didn’t have the girls’ full attention. They weren’t used to not being the center of attention. “Give the hill a try like that,” Maidar said, spitefully kicking the sled into play.
Goku yipped and ended up spiraling off into the snow.
Levering herself up, Lan pushed Maidar who looked stunned. “Boys.”
Goku charged furiously back up the hill, angry at being shoved. He might not fully grasp Maidar’s jealousy but he knew a challenge when it slapped him in the face. “Hey! Why’d you do that?”
Lan stepped between him and Maidar, laying her gloved hands on his chest. “Forget him,” she said and Goku could see the anger in the other boy’s eyes at being ignored. “I’m hungry. Want to go get something to eat?” She took his hand, tugging at it
Goku’s golden eyes narrowed at Maidar but food sounded better than fighting. Besides, he could tell Lan didn’t want him to. “Food is always good.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Lan looped an arm in his.
“Come on, I know someplace good that’s close,” Balram said, patting Maidar on the back.
The calm restored, the teens headed off in search of lunch.
X X X
“I liked your music, Lan,” Goku said as they went inside the hotel room. “It was really pretty.”
“Thanks. I enjoy spending time with you, Goku. It’s fun. I wish you weren’t going to leave soon,” Lan said then waved at Jeep who stirred on Hakkai’s bed.
“Sorry, it’s just we have something important we have to do,” Goku said, almost regretting that. He liked being ‘normal’ even if he knew it was an illusion.
“I know but I plan on making the most of our time.” Lan smiled at him as she glanced around the room for his friends. “I wonder where your friends are.”
“Probably out looking into the deaths of those girls. It’s really upset Hakkai. His sister was killed a few years ago,” Goku said, wondering if he should. Well, it wasn’t like it was a secret, right?
Lan’s eyes widened, her fingers drifting to her mouth. “Oh, that’s terrible. He seems like a nice man. At least he doesn’t call you names.”
“The others aren’t so bad,” Goku said, wishing Sanzo would hit him less. He figured that was just how Sanzo showed affection.
She shrugged. “I have to go. I promised Dad I’d pick up something for him in town. I have to work dinner tonight but I’m sure I’ll see you there.”
“Okay.” Goku liked the idea of seeing her again and didn’t want her to go now. It was a curious feeling for him, the desire to be close to someone.
Lan darted in and kissed Goku’s cheek, startling him. She smiled again and disappeared out the door. Touching his cheek, Goku flopped back on Hakkai’s bed, looking over at Jeep. The dragon seemed to be smiling at him. “That was…” Goku grinned. “Still, this being nice to girls stuff is hard. She and her friends think one bowl of yakisoba is enough for lunch. It’s madness but I didn’t want her to get mad or embarrassed. Even Balram and Maidar didn’t eat all that much.” Goku’s nose wrinkled, remembering the easy brashness those two boys had and how the girls seemed to enjoy having them around, even Lan. Did he even fit in at all with normal people? “Can that be normal, Hakuryuu?”
Jeep just cheeped at him and Goku scratched the dragon’s neck. Just then the door opened and Goku’s companions stomped in, snowy up to their knees. Sanzo looked particularly furious about it.
“Oh, look, on your bed again, Hakkai,” Gojyo snickered, jerking a thumb at Goku.
“Where is Lan?” Hakkai asked resigned, sitting at the table.
“She had errands to run.” Goku got off the bed. “Sanzo, I’m hungry. She only let me have one plate of yakisoba.”
“Wait until dinner, you bottomless pit,” Sanzo said, uninterested.
“I might die by then,” Goku groaned but found no pity. He sighed. “Did you learn anything today?”
“I’m afraid not,” Hakkai said, rubbing his now-bared feet, trying to get circulation back in them. “This person is very good at covering his tracks.”
“That sucks. Lan’s scared and I don’t like that.” Goku glowered.
“Hey, you’re right, Hakkai, he can be sweet.” Gojyo reached over and ruffled Goku’s hair, then his face sobered. “None of us like it, kiddo. What this guy does ain’t right. Human or youkai, we need to take him down.”
“Which isn’t going to happen unless we find his trail.” Hakkai’s head bowed, letting go of his reddened feet. “Those poor girls…I can’t imagine their fear in their last minutes.”
Goku went over and put a hand on Hakkai’s shoulder. “If anyone can do it, it’s you and Sanzo.”
“Thank you, Goku.” Hakkai pulled some papers out of his pocket, missing Gojyo’s glower at being left out of those smart enough to help. “Maybe if I just concentrate on my notes, I’ll see a pattern I’ve missed.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Hakkai. It’s not like the law men here have done better and they’ve been at it longer,” Gojyo said. “And they have the advantage of this being their home territory.”
“The kappa has a point.” A contemplative look veiled Sanzo’s face. “Two in as many days. The world must be ending.”
“That’s it, I need a beer.” Gojyo flashed Sanzo an obscene gesture. “So, chimp, was she any good with the flute?”
“Yeah, she was.”
“I just bet,” Gojyo said salaciously as he went into his and Goku’s room.
”What? I know you mean something bad,” Goku stomped after him.
Hakkai sighed. “If you let it go any longer, Sanzo, Gojyo really will tell Goku all he needs to know and nothing good can come from that.” He gave the priest a look, a hint of humor playing peek-a-boo in his eyes. “You do know how, right?”
Sanzo’s face darkened. “Don’t make me fan you.”
Hakkai just grinned and turned back to this notes.
X X X
“So is the excited look for dinner or Lan?” Gojyo asked Goku as they sat down in the dining hall.
“Do you even have to ask?” Sanzo asked wearily.
“Maybe the chimp’s growing up,” Gojyo suggested but no one looked convinced.
“Eat me, ass face,” Goku growled, looking around for Lan but she was nowhere to be seen. Pei-yi waited on them again with her customary inefficiency.
Lan’s father, Huan, came over to their table once they were mostly done with dinner, barring the usual eating contest between Gojyo and Goku. “Have you see, Lan? I know she went out with you today, boy.”
Goku put his skewer down, shock in his gold eyes. “Yes, but we came back hours ago. She said she had to go to town for you. She’s missing?” Goku’s voice pitched up in octave.
“I haven’t seen her since she left with you. I thought she must have come back. Her flute is in her room and I saw her with it this morning but…I thought maybe she had gone back to your room. She knows I wouldn’t approve of that but…” Huan trailed off, fear in his eyes.
Goku shook his head. “No, she didn’t stay. I haven’t seen her since she went back to town. She said she would see me at dinner.” He clamped a hand over his mouth, feeling his belly flip. “I should have gone back with her. I know she was scared to be by herself.” Goku twisted on his seat, grabbing Sanzo’s sleeve. “Sanzo, we have to…”
“Flashlights?” Sanzo asked the distraught father.
“I’ll get you some. You think something’s happened to her? I’ve sent for Tai-Shan already,” Huan said, his fear nearly palpable.
“We’ll help him look for her,” Hakkai said, his cheery expression thoroughly melted from his face.
“Damn,” Gojyo whispered, putting a hand on Goku’s shoulder, feeling the boy tremble.
“We have to find her,” Goku said, drawing himself up to his full height, his clenched fists shaking.
Armed with flashlights, dinners setting like stones in their stomachs, the companions headed out into the cold, deep snow. Gas lights threw eerie shadows as they walked the town, calling Lan’s name. No one ever answered back. They ran across Tai-Shan and his men several times as well as other villagers pitching in to help. A few vagrants and ladies of the evening crossed their paths but of Lan, there was no sign.
“We should head in,” Hakkai said finally as false dawn started lightning the sky.
“But we haven’t found her yet,” Goku protested and Hakkai shot him a pitying look.
Gojyo draped a brotherly arm around Goku, pulling him close. He bent down and said softly, “Goku, she’s not out here. Someone would have found her by now and we can’t just go around breaking down doors looking for her.”
“I know but…I feel like I’m abandoning her. You go. I’ll stay out just a little longer. I can do this myself,” Goku said, pulling away from Gojyo.
“Are you sure, Goku?” Hakkai asked. “Well, I guess we could look a little longer.”
Goku’s shoulders slumped. “Thank you, guys.”
“If I’m getting frost bite, we should at least have a plan,” Sanzo said. “Butcher shop, fountain, stables, there’s no rhyme to this man,” he added, addressing for the first time what they all thought; the killer had her.
“The school, they all went there. Let’s look there again,” Goku suggested and no one gainsaid him.
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Date: 2007-04-05 04:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-05 04:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-05 11:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-05 02:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-05 02:04 pm (UTC)Hopefully you won't have too long to wait to find out Lan's fate. The chapter is done. I just need to polish it.
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Date: 2007-04-06 11:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-07 02:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-07 04:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-05 02:30 pm (UTC)But I loved the line, “You’re demented and most intelligent women wouldn’t touch you with someone else’s hand.” I just love your twisted comebacks:P
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Date: 2007-04-05 02:41 pm (UTC)Oh i just love the way Sanzo and GOjyo snark at each other in the manga and I'm thrilled to get to write it
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Date: 2007-04-06 07:37 am (UTC)You’re demented and most intelligent women wouldn’t touch you with someone else’s hand.”
So, so true. He is demented, but I think I’d touch him. ^_^
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Date: 2007-04-06 02:00 pm (UTC)Snort. Actually I'm pretty sure I'd have touched Gojyo too
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Date: 2007-04-08 09:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-08 10:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-09 04:34 am (UTC)Post it!
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Date: 2007-04-09 04:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-09 04:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-09 07:28 pm (UTC)