Disclaimer: I don't own Gensomaden Saiyuki, which rightfully belongs to Minekura Kazuya.
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Sanzo/Goku, hinted Gojyo/Hakkai
Warnings: language, eventual shounen ai/yaoi, some violence
Notes: x.x; Once again, addressing reviewers isn’t something I normally do but: no, Ami, I don’t have VoB done ahead of time. ^_^; The next chapter is being worked on though. Promise.
And the next chapter of *this* is going to contain… smut. Only not on FFN, of course, but you should be able to find it where I post my adult stuff. ^_^; Because I’m nice like that. Yeah. It’s on my profile page, so next update… yeah.
D-chan’s actually feeling somewhat depressed lately, so if her upcoming fics after this are weird, you know why. Don’t worry; depression inspires me more often than not. Just in unusual ways…
Thanks for the reviews so far. Constructive criticism and feedback appreciated.
** indicates italics

---

The Becoming by D-chan
Part 3

"Ever heard of the Shadow Clan?"

The question was an odd morning's greeting. Gojyo stared at Hakkai, wondering what was going through the man's head. It took him a moment to realize that they were the only two of the group awake and downstairs, and thus, Hakkai was addressing him. He recollected his wits.

"Nope. Why?"

Hakkai simply 'hmm'ed in response, his eyes focused on a point past the half-breed’s head. His unanswered question served to annoy Gojyo, so he repeated it. This time Hakkai's eyes focused on him, his smile in place but not genuine. "I think our little friend last night is of that clan."

Gojyo shook his head. "I've never heard of them."

"That's because you're an idiot," Sanzo said as he entered the dining area, his way of saying good morning. He took a seat and ordered coffee, but for once didn't pull out the newspaper. Instead, he looked at Hakkai. "I was actually thinking that this morning. Seems likely."

"He has the markings of a member."

"And he got inside without use of a door," Sanzo informed them, nodding his thanks to the waitress who finally brought his coffee.

"Oh?"

Gojyo's eyes rolled up toward the ceiling. How like them to just talk about the situation without informing him of the important details. Honestly, he sometimes wondered why he stuck around with them. Probably because he didn't have anything better to do, sadly.

"The only way he could have gotten in was through the window," Sanzo said flatly. "I would have noticed the door opening."

"What, were you guarding the door?" Gojyo asked, arching an eyebrow.

The monk's voice was clipped with impatience. "No, I was smoking."

"By the window." It was a statement, not a question, and Gojyo sounded skeptical and incredulous. "And you just let him slip past you?"

"It's a bit more complicated than that," Hakkai said quickly before Sanzo could ground out another biting retort. The latter turned his attention back to his coffee before it got cold and bitter, giving Hakkai enough leeway to explain. "They were called the Shadow Clan for a reason."

"Were?"

"I'll get to that in a moment," Hakkai said with practiced patience. "Anyway, they were a very small clan. Not many demons had what powers they did, and they look very different as well. They're completely black so that they can blend in with the shadows and creep along them. And... they melt."

Gojyo stared. "They *what*?"

Hakkai frowned, looking temporarily at a loss for words. "No, wait. I phrased that wrong. Let me try again: they melt into the shadows. In a sense, they can *become* the shadows. The nighttime is their best ally because of this."

"You're saying he became a shadow to slip into the room?"

"Most likely... yes."

"Definitely yes," Sanzo confirmed without looking up. "There's no other way he could have done it."

"So what do you mean by were?" Gojyo demanded. "Are they all dead or something?" Hakkai simply nodded in response.

For the next few minutes all that was heard was the soft murmuring of other morning customers, the shuffling of feet, and the clink of silverware against plates. All three young men were mulling the situation over. Another attack had to be planned, a better one, one that would actually stand a chance of *working.* Now that they understood their enemy, or at least understood his nature, it would be easier to act.

He went after good-looking people, and right now he was simply intent on killing Sanzo. His best weapon was the darkness and he fled if light disrupted that. Their best chances of killing him would be in a lit area, but that was also the most difficult because he would likely run away. It was likely their best chances weren't going to fall into place the way they wanted them to, so the hellions would have to come up with a different plan.

There were a few other options, two in particular that were almost dead certain to work. Still, the three were obviously reluctant to speak of them, much less play them out.

It was just as Goku half walked, half stumbled down for breakfast that Hakkai spoke hesitantly. "There is... one thing we could try."

Sanzo shot him a sharp look. "If you mean *that*--"

"No," Hakkai said quickly, reassuringly. "I meant me."

"Huh?" Goku rubbed the last of sleep from his eyes, blinking as he settled down into a chair. "What's going on? Do we have a plan yet? Hey, Sanzo, can I order breakfast?"

"Not everything on the menu again," he replied, which seemed to be Sanzo for "Go ahead."

His first two intelligible questions went unanswered, and for a while he didn't seem to notice. Goku only woke up after he had been properly fed, and for him that could take a good couple of hours. Having a fight with Gojyo would sometimes quicken the process, and this morning it proved to be one of those times. The two squabbled like children over the French toast ("Quit hogging it all to yourself!" "*I* ordered it, you perverted red cockroach!") while the other two men watched on in amusement and annoyance, not necessarily together.

Quietly, so as not to alarm the other two, Sanzo said, "You're sure about it?"

Hakkai didn't tear his eyes away from the sight, though his smile did falter a bit. "Yes."

"Even with the risks?"

"I have a fair amount of control over myself," Hakkai said delicately.

That was true enough. Sanzo finished his coffee, though it had long since grown cold. He quickly did a self-search until he found a pack of cigarettes. He didn't say where he was going, though it was easy to guess after he handed Hakkai the Sanbutsushin's gold card and headed for the front door. No one stopped him-- if anything, everyone seemed to be avoiding him.

That was when it struck Hakkai as odd; why hadn't anyone come running to investigate after all the noise for two nights in a row? It was vaguely worrisome.

A plate crashing to the floor startled him. His head twisted around just in time to see Gojyo and Goku pause, both looking surprised and guilty, before they glared at each other.

"You little brat; look what you did!"

"What *I* did?! You were the one tugging too hard!"

"Your grip was too loose!"

Hakkai sighed, smiling to himself as he tapped the edge of the charge card against his temple. Good thing Sanzo had the foresight to give it to him.

Outside was surprisingly warm for winter. Sanzo frowned, for he was cold even in this weather. He resisted the urge to draw into himself to conserve body heat. It wasn't *that* cold; he was overreacting.

Or perhaps there was another cause for the constant wave of chills. Illness... or perhaps apprehension, maybe even fear. All were things he couldn't afford to succumb to, not ever, but especially not now.

He didn't like the risk Hakkai was prepared to make. A part of him was concerned for the man -- a part he promptly ignored -- but he was also dead certain it would work. It wasn't that he doubted Hakkai's abilities and strength; those were commendable, and that was saying something coming from him. Even so, something about the Shadow demon was weird, and it wasn't because of what he was.

Sanzo scoffed at his thinking. Sure, he was prone to be pessimistic, but this was more the proper time to let his sheer determination to live show through. He was going to make this journey west, with or without anyone else; he was going do complete the mission; and he was *going* to kill the damned Shadow demon no matter what it took.

He would let Hakkai do what he wanted, but if Hakkai expected him to intervene then he had another thing coming. This was Hakkai's idea and Sanzo wasn't about to interfere. Of course, he would be there in case his opportunity to step in and fight himself arose, but he refused to step in and save someone who was going to make such a rash decision.

Sanzo tried to ignore the snide inner commentary that he wasn't coming up with any better ideas, now, was he?

The sound of the front door shutting didn't surprise him. At first he dismissed it as a random person leaving the inn, but then a presence lingered nearby, eyes on him, watching. Sanzo didn't acknowledge them, didn't even look up to see who it was.

"... Sanzo?"

With anyone else he would have had to look up to let them know he was listening. As it was, he knew he wouldn't have to; the unwanted presence would talk whether he was listening or not. He kept silent. Sure enough, Goku spoke after only the briefest of pauses.

"Hakkai thought it'd be a good idea for us to get a few extra supplies, so we're going to go out, okay?"

Sanzo nodded once, waiting expectantly. If that was all it was, Goku wouldn't have bothered coming out to tell him. Hakkai could have just as easily done so. Obviously, there was something else on Goku's mind. Sanzo really wanted to be alone to brood for a while, but he also knew it would he harder to get Goku to go away than it would be to answer his question.

His cigarette burned out long before the brunette spoke again. Sanzo let it drop to the ground, grinding it into the dirt with his sandal. The sounds of morning steadily grew louder as more and more people left their homes; children to play, men to work, women to shop. Goku didn't seem in a hurry to say anything; he leaned against the wall, golden eyes trained on the people passing by.

Finally, he said, "Are we really gonna let Hakkai...?"

God, how Sanzo hated it when the kid let his sentences dangle like that. "Yes."

Goku glanced at him. Something flickered in his expression, something that Sanzo could easily interpret as fear. "Hakkai... is scary when he's like that," Goku said slowly, looking a bit pale. "I mean it. Have you ever seen him like that? It's freaky." He was talking faster and faster, the words spilling from his mouth almost desperately. "And he *knows* what he's doing, Sanzo!"

"I know that," the blonde cut in as Goku paused for breath. "And I don't care. Let him do what he wants."

"But--"

"Aren't you leaving yet?"

Even Goku realized that was his cue to leave. He nodded, still looking uncertain, but turned and went back inside anyway. Sanzo let out a long sigh of annoyance. He lit another cigarette, ignoring the odd stares from the passers-by. He didn't want their opinion, never did want the opinion of a selfish person-- especially when that selfish person was himself.

It was one of those moments when he seriously took time to question his sanity.

The best idea, Sanzo had said later, would be to get away from people. That meant to get out of the inn once evening fell to an open area that was badly lit. That would lure the demon out and, if they were lucky, it wouldn't decide to kill someone else instead of Sanzo.

And so there they sat (or stood) beneath the streetlamps in the middle of the town, waiting for all the lights to go out.

Goku, who had taken a nap earlier upon Hakkai's suggestion, was fidgeting and restless. "Hey Hakkai, are we gonna put out *all* of the lights?" he asked, a bit too loudly.

"As many as needed," Hakkai answered.

Gojyo, equally impatient, scuffed the ground with his boots. The cigarette in his hand didn't seem to have any effect in calming his nerves. In fact, the only person that looked entirely calm was Hakkai, which seemed odd considering what he was about to do.

When the streets were all but deserted, Hakkai stood. "Let's go."

It took a good half hour to put out all the lights, especially with Sanzo's refusal to help. What they had to do was somehow reach the top of the posts, be it by climbing the pole, a nearby wall, or any other means, and pour enough water into the flames to put them out.

Sanzo stood below one of the poles, glaring upward. "Why are you all so damn slow?"

Gojyo glared down at him, trying to cling to the pole, climb it, and balance a canteen of water at the same time. "I don't see you helping!"

"Can't climb in these robes," was Sanzo's answer as he brought a burning cigarette to his lips. Around it, he added, "It'd ruin them besides."

"Then take them *off*," Gojyo snarled, not in the least bit happy with the smug note in the monk's voice.

"Keep your pants on," Sanzo retorted. Gojyo broke off in a string of curses which, if anything, seemed to only fuel Sanzo's amusement. The two continued to hurl insults back and forth, seeming to forget that they were supposed to be luring a Shadow demon. Hakkai and Goku both worked in silence, something that was unnatural with the latter. No one seemed to pay it any mind, but later that would cost them.

Right then, though, they were mostly concerned with other matters. With nearly all the close streetlamps put out, the four were ready for confrontation. Sanzo loaded his gun. Gojyo and Goku each called forth their weapons, oddly quiet.

For the next few minutes, everything was dead silent, from the wind to the birds. All that could be heard was four people breathing, softly, steadily. They weren't trying to avoid attracting attention so much as they were simply listening for any foreign movement.

"What if he doesn't come?" Goku's voice shattered the tense silence, causing everyone to start.

Sanzo quickly covered by reaching for another cigarette. "He'll come," he stated in a voice that clearly said 'if he doesn't, there'll be hell to pay.'

Goku opened his mouth to say more, most likely to ask another question, but a movement from the corner of his eye made him freeze. His neck nearly snapped as he whirled to look at it, eyes narrowed and grim.

Nothing.

Now the air was tense; the others had noticed his movements. The four stood in a circle, their backs to each other as they glared into the darkness, looking for the slightest hint of movement.

It was Hakkai's voice that cried, "Sanzo--!"

Without thinking, moving on instinct alone, Sanzo brought the gun up and shot to his left. A while ago he would have been disturbed to realize that he had learned to interpret a message simply by hearing his name being called, but by now it was so natural that he hardly gave it a second thought. A shadow skittered out of reach at the last moment, avoiding the shot. He cursed.

All four fell back into something more like a line, all warily eyeing the shadows before them. A faint presence lingered, sifting in the air around them like mist. It was impossible to track the demon at the moment, probably because it had melted into every shadow it could find. Already this wasn't promising to end well.

Some of the energy started to focus into one point. The shadows shifted, turning into a silhouette that was nearly impossible for the human eye to make out. Sanzo brought up his gun just as Gojyo and Goku steadied their own weapons, but before anyone could act Hakkai stepped forward, his arm spread out as though it would keep them back.

"We already know that won't work," he said quietly, gaze focused ahead and avoiding his companions. "Let me try now."

With that he reached up, plucking each limiter from his ear and dropping them to the dirt.

Goku had seen the transformation once before, but that didn't make it any easier to handle the second time around. First the rounded ears grew longer, tapering off to a point like an elf's ear. Patterns resembling leafy vines seemed to snake along the man's skin, crawling out from beneath his shirt and wrapping around his arm, to his hand, across his face. Goku shivered and bit his tongue.

Only Sanzo seemed mildly taken aback; he was the only one who'd never seen Hakkai's demon form, after all. The surprise quickly left, replaced with his usual cold contempt. Gojyo's eyes also narrowed, though he was clearly more concerned about their companion. Goku slowly turned his gaze to the fight, his eyes widening.

It took a lot to scare him, but Hakkai could do that easily when he was like this. The man-turned-demon didn't look back once. One moment he stood just inches in front of them; the next he was darting forward, clawed hands extended in a furious swipe. He didn't scream or holler as he fought; gone was the smile that usually accompanied him. This wasn't like a fight; this was more akin to assassination.

The Shadow demon dodged. It nearly didn't make it in time, proving it had been taken aback by Hakkai's sudden change of appearance and fighting skills.

Against his will, Goku was reminded of the incident when Hakkai had also taken off his limiters to fight another demon. That time he had landed all his hits, spraying blood, ripping out insides, crushing them with his heel as though determined to destroy every last piece of it. He had been silent the entire time, never once having to scream of either fury or pain. The only sounds had been the monster's inhuman shrieks and the sound of claws tearing into flesh. The scariest part was that a part of Hakkai seemed to be *enjoying* it. He had been thrilled to cause so much bloodshed, and the glint in his eye had frightened Goku for the first time in a very long time.

This time Hakkai wasn't landing any hits.

All Sanzo had to say was, "I knew this wouldn't work."

"Shit," Gojyo cursed, taking a step forward. Sanzo's arm shot out, keeping him back, which obviously didn't go over well. "Keep your hands to yourself, you dirty monk," the half-breed snarled, shoving Sanzo's hand aside and starting forward again.

This time Sanzo grasped him by the back of his shirt. "Hakkai wanted to do this alone," he said coldly. "So let him."

"Fuck that! I'm not about to sit here and wait for him to tire out and make a mistake!"

"He won't," Sanzo returned with infuriating calm. "Because he's going to retreat."

Whether he meant Hakkai or the Shadow demon was uncertain, but his prediction came true anyway. Somehow they seemed to have attracted unwanted attention; voices were starting to rise from within houses, demanding to know what was causing such a racket. When the first candle was lit the fight came to a pause; Hakkai with his arm halfway in the air, his visible eye narrowed in something not quite hatred and bloodlust, the Shadow demon in a semi-crouch, his dark eyes shooting to the window.

A woman's voice shrieked. "It's the demon!"

Chaos erupted instantly. Giving its opponents a look caught somewhere between disgust and disappointment, the demon vanished into the night in the blink of an eye.

Sanzo's hold on Gojyo loosened and the redhead shook him off, his weapon vanishing into thin air as he strode forward to Hakkai. "Hakkai... you hurt or something?"

Hakkai slowly turned, his face half-revealed in the poor lighting. He stared long and hard at Gojyo, staring as though he didn't recall who he was. Shadows danced across his face, showing a glint of sharp teeth, a glimmer of something sinister. Slowly understanding seeped into his eyes.

That was when he struck.

- TBC -

On to part 4
Back to part 2
Back to D-chan's fictions
Back to Fictions