CIRCUMSTANCE

By sf

Warnings : I wouldn't exactly call it angst. It's more of action. But some parts do get a little sad. Also, it may tend to be Sanzo-centric. I can't help it! No yaoi content; any allusions are unintentional.

PG for language and violence. No real spoilers, but a few vague references to the storyline.

Summary : Sanzo's and Kougaiji's parties are forced to ally against a larger threat. Even then, their combined strength may be insufficient to defeat it…

-PROLOGUE-

The rain was falling in sheets by the time they reached the outskirts of the town.

Goku shook a fist at the sky. "Ai, why does it always have to rain?"

"Why can't Hakuryuu create a roof?" Gojyo grumbled.

Even Hakkai wasn't smiling – much. "At least we have a road to drive on now."

It had been days since they had left the last village, and youkai had hounded them almost every step of the way. It might have been easier if their enemies had committed themselves to an all out assault… but these youkai seemed more intelligent than the norm. They kept up a series of hit-and-fade attacks, inflicting as much damage as possible then withdrawing before the group could muster an adequate defence. And there were a lot of them. While the group had managed to take down at least half a dozen youkai in each of these skirmishes, the prolonged attacks were achieving their desired effect – all four were bone weary and highly strung, expecting another attack at any moment.

To make matters worse, the terrain had been densely forested – too thick for Hakuryuu to find a path – and they had been forced to cover the distance on foot. The dense foliage had been perfect for their enemies to spring persistent ambushes.

So it had been a very welcomed break when the forest finally gave way to clearer ground late that afternoon, allowing them to use Hakuryuu's jeep form. Then the rain had started.

"They won't attack us in town, I hope," Hakkai commented. "This is a rather large one… they'd be hard pressed to find and attack us."

"I wouldn't count on that," Sanzo said softly.

"What was that?" Goku asked, but Sanzo did not repeat himself.

"Eh, Sanzo, could you speak up? I can't hear for nuts over this rain," Goku said. "And I'm hungry—"

"Let up," Gojyo nudged him. "Sanzo's not in a good mood."

Isn't it obvious? Sanzo thought sourly, as they drove through. He hadn't told them how lucky they had been to get to this town. Another day in the open and their supplies, already at ground-zero, would have been gone. Especially with that Stomach-on-Legs sitting behind him. And he was running critically short on bullets. Not to mention cigarettes…

They stopped at the first inn that they could find. It had been a huge relief to get out of the pouring rain, change into something drier, and eat a decent meal for the first time in days.

"Eh Sanzo, I didn't know you carried a spare robe," Goku said over dinner. Although with his mouth full, it came out rather differently.

"I picked up one at the last village. Between bloodstains and youkai claws, these don't last long."

"I'm hungry," Goku announced, looking at the empty plates.

"Then eat the damn table!" Sanzo snapped, the tension from the journey reaching breaking point. He had caught a blow from the last encounter, and the damn thing was hurting like hell in the damp.

"But…"

"Leave him be, Sanzo," Hakkai intervened. "Gojyo, why don't you take Goku and go and look for food? I don't think that this place has anything left in the kitchens…"

"He can't still be hungry!" the innkeep wailed. "He's been eating for the past 2 hours!"

"Hmmm," Gojyo said, looking out of the window. "The rain's stopped. Yes, I think we'll go for a walk. Coming?"

Goku leapt up, his eyes shining. "Sanzo, can I borrow your card? Please?"

Sanzo growled. But the damn monkey had earned it, after fending off all those youkai. Besides, it wasn't his money, anyway. "Go stock up while you're at it."

"Don't get separated!" Hakkai cautioned.

"You're not coming?" Gojyo asked.

"No, I think that you can look after yourselves," Hakkai replied cheerfully. "Besides, Hakuryuu's caught somewhat of a cold. Don't stay out too late… especially you, Gojyo."

"Don't worry, I'd guess that the best babes are all snug at home on an evening like this," Gojyo winked.

"Let's go, Gojyo!" Goku said, tugging him towards the door.