Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Shades of Time ❯ Plans ( Chapter 25 )

 

Everyone had gone about securing the inn as best they could, even though Xan had said it probably wasn't necessary since they'd hit her place the night before they were probably full. But Rei wasn't taking any chances on that. She had learned just by Ming hunting them that they rarely gave up and seemed to have an insatiable appetite. Shun's husband had come to get her, their older children and the babies, thanking Rei for taking care of them while he had been out of town. Rei had been relieved that they were going home and had kissed Shun and everyone goodbye.

 

Xan had left for an hour of so to go back home to check on her breeding stock and gather a few things she said she needed. The few things happened to be several modified guns and various other weapons. She had made sure they were cleaned and well oiled with a precision and care that had impressed even Sanzo.

 

“Don't you think that's overkill, Xan?” Mai asked.

 

“Not when it comes to those things,” Xan said, carefully cleaning and loading another weapon. “They're nasty.”

 

There had finally been a lull in the activity and Anya, with the somewhat dubious help of Goku, managed to throw a meal together for everyone. They had just settled around the biggest table in the dining room when the front door flew open revealing one of the biggest men any of the Sanzo party had ever seen. Xan had squealed and instantly bolted up from Gojyo's lap and to him. Making Gojyo stare at her for the sudden abandonment.

 

“Gods damn, Diablo, I'd forgotten how hot you are like that,” she said, hugging him around the waist. He simply looked bored and patted the top of her head.

 

Gojyo turned his head to stare at Rei questioningly. “That's . . . the dragon?”

 

“Yes. Didn't you know that all dragons have transformation capabilities? The older they are the more complex the transformation. Since Hakuryuu is still basically a baby he can't manage something as difficult as a human form. Not that it ever works out to look completely human,” Rei said.

 

They all looked over Diablo's humanoid form, taking in the curved, spiraling horns at the top of his head and the subtle red and gold scales running under his cheekbones. Black tipped red hair fell just below his knees and his gold eyes surveyed the crowd with a somewhat disdainful air before one eyebrow lifted fractionally when settling on Sanzo and the rest of his party. His lips twitched a little but he didn't smile.

 

“I didn't know Hakuryuu would eventually be capable of human transformation,” Hakkai said, rubbing the little dragon behind the head.

 

Rei laughed a little. “He won't be capable of it until all of us are dust in the ground. He won't have enough power to make that kind of transformation for at least another couple of centuries.”

 

“Sister of my pet, I have information for you,” Diablo rumbled. His voice was harsh and guttural.

 

“Dragon vocalizations don't lend themselves well to human language,” Xan said, noticing the look on everyone's faces.

 

“Always a good thing,” Rei said, standing up and walking over to him. He leaned down and put his forehead to hers, transferring the information with a thought. “Thank you, Diablo. I could use your assistance closer to nightfall if you don't mind.”

 

He nodded, patted Xan on top of the head again and left.

 

“He never stays that way long,” Xan lamented. “Too bad he doesn't believe in interspecies dating. I'd <i>so</i> do him in that form.”

 

Anya laughed. “You're such a redhead whore, Xan.”

 

“No, I was the whore,” Mai teased. “Xan is just a slut.”

 

“When has that ever been a crime in this family?” Xan said, grinning at her sisters.

 

“Okay, enough all of you. Just eat,” Rei said, coming back to the table and sitting down next to Hakkai.

 

“So what was the information Diablo had for you?” Hakkai asked, handing her a plate.

 

“That there are hundreds of those things in one of the older caves not far from here. He thinks that there is a central leader who has hold over the bodies and is directing them but couldn't be sure. Since he had to go into the caves in somewhat human form he doesn't have the kind of power he does in full dragon form so he only managed to kill off the first wave of them who were awake. He was going to try gathering some more information but he'll be back later.”

 

“Rei,” Xan said, looking uncharacteristically serious. “What are you planning on doing?”

 

“Hunting,” Rei said simply.

 

“If you think you're going alone, think again, sister of mine,” Xan said, eyes narrowing to glare at the other woman.

 

“Xan, I know how to hunt them. I'm not risking anyone else in this if I can help it.”

 

“Well, you can't help it. I'm going too,” Xan said.

 

“Xan . . .” Rei began but Hakkai of all people cut her off.

 

“I'll go along as well,” he said. “There is safety in numbers, as I'm sure you're well aware.”

 

“What the hell, I'll tag along too,” Gojyo said.

 

“I want to go too!” Goku said, starting to stand up but Sanzo yanked him back down into the chair.

 

“No.”

 

“But Sanzoooooo,” Goku whined.

 

“No.”

 

“And what are you going to do?” Rei asked Sanzo.

 

“I'll stay here and read the paper,” Sanzo grunted from the other side of the table. From behind the newspaper.

 

“Good! You'd probably just get in the way,” Rei said, smiling at him.

 

“That won't work,” Sanzo said.

 

“Seems as though it worked for the purpose I'd intended.”

 

Sanzo folded down the top part of the paper to glare at her. “Which was?”

 

“Annoying you.”