Second Story:     Even

oh yeah… there were a whole bunch of people in that "tourist group" that stopped in, weren't there.

-74-
Gojyo's room…
*knockknock*
Gojyo- Who is it?
in walks a petite and pretty blonde wearing one awfully low-cut blouse.
Blonde- I'm with the tourist group. I'm sure you saw me through the window earlier, right? I couldn't sleep so I took a walk, and somehow I found myself outside your door. Do you mind if I bother you?
Gojyo grins. looks like he might get his private dance after all…

-75-
Gojyo- If you don't mind doing it in bed…
KATHUNK
Gojyo- huh?

-76-
Gojyo- What was that noise?
Blonde- Who cares?
she managed to wend her way into Gojyo's lap in quite a hurry…
Blonde- Let's make some noise of our own, hm?
…her hands going all sorts of interesting places and doing all sorts of interesting things…
Gojyo- No complaints here.
…like growing some nasty-looking claws.
Gojyo- But would ya mind sheathing the claws first?

-77-
her second of shock at discovery is more than enough time for Gojyo to grab her wrist and wrench it away, pinning her on her back to the bed. of course, this being Gojyo, he has to swipe a kiss before knocking the wind out of her.

-78-
Blonde- How did you know? The dossier on you said "easily falls for womanly charms."
since he's now awake, he's gotta be smoking. Gojyo grabs a cigarette from an ever-present pack, grinning like a fox.
Gojyo- Sorry babe, but I'm fussy about my women and my smokes.
Hakkai's room…
Hakkai- My, my.

-79-
Hakkai- How rude. Attacking a person while he's trying to sleep.
not bothering to knock, Gojyo storms right in.
Gojyo- Oi, you in there, Hakkai?
a second to glance through the room and he gets a good idea about what must have happened.
Hakkai- Gojyo?
Gojyo- Crap, they came after you too, didn't they. Hey, you got any idea who or what this "Kougaiji" they're babbling about is?
Hakkai- A little.

-80-
Hakkai- I think he's the one son Gyumaoh had with his true wife Rasetsunyo. Supposedly, he was sealed along with his father in Houtou Castle 500 years ago. It's very likely that whoever lifted that seal on him has direct connections with the Calamity and the Resurrection attempt.
Gojyo- So in other words, "Get our assses West, pronto."
::Hakkai- Don't drop your cigarette butt there, please.::

-81-
Poor Sap- UWAA!!!
Gojyo- Oh yeah! What about the other two?
yeesh, good time to remember that one, Gojyo.
Hakkai- Sanzou's on the other side of the building from here, but Goku is right next---
WHAM------ THUD.
the poor sap sent after Goku goes flying through a door and across the hallway to land in an unmoving heap somewhere.

-82-
Hakkai rushes into the room brimming with concern…
Hakkai- Are you alright, Goku?
…to find one groggy, unhurt Goku blinking sleep out of his eyes.
Goku- yaa~~~~~~~wn… bre'fus time?
Hakkai- …unfortunately, no.
Sanzou Ikkou --- 3
Night Spider Clan --- 1
yes, one. Sanzou himself is not doing too well at the moment…
blood splatters on the floor, the Intruder getting a hefty amount of payback from an unresisting Sanzou, the Spider Witch watching in the background.
Spider Witch- That's enough for now.

-83-
Sanzou is dropped to the ground with an unceremonious thud. still bound by webs, he makes no attempt to stand, but sends such a fierce glare at the Spider Witch that he may as well have been towering over her.
Spider Witch- My, my, such a glare. A pity you're only human. Did you know there's a legend that says eating the flesh of an incredibly virtuous priest can lengthen a youkai's lifespan? All youkai know that story.

-84-
all condescension, she crouches down and picks Sanzou up by the face.
Spider Witch- "Sanzou" is supposed to be the highest rank a Buddhist priest can hope for. Perhaps it's high enough to grant immortality to the one who gets a bite of you. Hmm. Look close enough and you look pretty good, boy. Good enough to eat.
Sanzou- … look close enough and you're wrinkled as a prune, hag.

-85-
nice comeback, Sanzou, but when completely at the mercy of another may not be the wisest time to actually say it. the price of that particular remark is getting slammed face first into the floor.
Spider-Witch- I've decided how I'm going to cook you, monk! Minced! I'll rip you into pieces so small you won't even cast a shadow!
coming almost out of nowhere, a silver crescent blade flits between youkai and monk, neatly cutting the strands that bound Sanzou. looks like the cavalry has arrived.

-86-87-
Gojyo- I really wouldn't do that if I were you. That monk's waaaaay too stringy and rotten.
Hakkai- Boiled or fried, he would still be quite inedible.
mildly annoyed, Sanzou picks himself up off the floor, fixing his skewed robes and spitting blood. of course, it's the rest of the Guys he's peeved at…
Sanzou- Unnecessary meddling.

-88-
Sanzou- Don't think I'm gonna thank you.
Gojyo- Didn't particularly expect you to. But a favor for a favor, right?
Sanzou- Of course.
the teams are assembled, the lines in the sand drawn. time to have some fun…

-89-
another youkai-girl has taken custody of a still-unconscious Houmei. reeking attitude, the poor sap thinks she's got a human shiled.
Poor Sap- What's with the lax attitude huh? As long as we've got this hostage, you can't do a thing!
Hakkai- Then we shall just have to reclaim her.
this, he says from behind the poor sap. while she's busy trying to figure out just when and how he got there, he neatly plucks Houmei out of her arms and sends her spinning head over heels to land in a precise arm-lock.
Hakkai- Like so.

-90-
Hakkai- There. One hostage safely returned to protective custody. Games must always be even, you know.
minute by minute, the Spider-Witch gets further and further up the proverbial creek, but she's still got at least one paddle. whistling sharply, she summons up a handful of minor youkai.
Spider-Witch- Kill them all, my servants!!
a little melodramatic, but hey, they get the point.

-92-
Goku- Taking a good cook hostage is the worst thing you coulda done, you jerk!
seems like Goku's finally awake. figures that food would be the first thing on his mind.
Sanzou- It's not like she's your only feeder, monkey. ::definitely one of the dumber animals::
still, Goku's serious, even if no one takes him as such. with a thought, his staff is in hand.
Goku- Nyoibo Split!
two pops and Goku's Nyoibo is suddenly a three-section staff.

-93-
swinging it gleefully, he dives right into the middle of the horde, kicking off the fray. next comes Gojyo, in his usual hentai fashion.
Gojyo- Oh yeah, this is gonna feel soooooo good.

-94-
the crescent blade flies, chains snaking behind, and bits of youkai fall to the floor like rain.
Gojyo- almost…Orgasmic.
still hanging on to Houmei, the fight comes to Hakkai.

-95-
Hakkai- Persistent lot, aren't they.
a quick second to mutter a chant…
Hakkai- Hisatsu Gaichou Kujou!!
a blast of ki and more youkai go flying. looks like the score's racking up against you, lady.
Spider-Witch- Useless! Every last one of them!
CRACK
and there's Sanzou. the force behind his punch sends the Witch sprawling.

-96-
now she's the one staring up at him.
Sanzou- That's repayment for earlier. The interest on it's going to hurt.
Spider Witch- It isn't over yet, you freaky-eyed boy.
black, wiry hair starts growing all over her body, a twisting distortion starting at her back and moving to encompass her whole body.
Hakkai- Don't tell me… Metamorphosis?!

-97-
bingo. instead of one youkai witch lying on the floor, there is now one huge-- and I'm talking almost-as-tall-as-the-ceiling incredibly ugly, nasty HUGE--- spider.

-98-
Goku- Oh GRO~~~~SS!!
Gojyo- Do you always think in terms of food?
pausing was not the best of ideas, guys. the were-spider's jaws work, and it spits out more sticky white threads than are countable. all four of the guys are quickly entangled.
Goku- Hey, these things aren't breaking!
Sanzou- The transformation must have boosted her power.

-99-
finally, Houmei starts coming around. the first thing she sees is Hakkai's face, not an unpleasant sight, but certainly surprising.
Hakkai- Oops, did I wake you? My apologies for getting you wrapped up in this.
Houmei- Eh?
Hakkai- Please bear with mefor a little while.
…now she finally gets a look at the spider. like any sane, normal human girl, she lets loose with one loud scream. I pity Hakkai's ears that one.
Houmei- //thinking// ….What the HECK?!

Even
OWARI

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