Shades of Time

Sorry it\'s taken forever to get to this. Life has been very odd and exhausting the last few months.



***



They made it back to the hotel a good bit behind the other two couples. Hakkai thought it was mildly odd to consider himself and Rei a couple. It was even odder to consider Gojyo and Xan to be one but it was there none the less. Thinking about he and Rei as a couple, however, brought to the forefront some nasty things he’d really rather not think about at the moment. Such as knowing he’d soon have to leave her. Considering the mission he and the rest were on, there was the very real possibility of not coming back.



“You’re thinking too much again,” Rei chided him.



Hakkai sighed heavily. “I’m afraid I’ve put both of us in a completely untenable situation, Rei.”



“How so?” Rei prompted.



“It’s simply that . . . what I mean is . . .”



“You’ll be leaving soon. I’m already well aware of that, Hakkai. We’ll work something out. That is, if you want to,” Rei said, looking up at him uncertainly. This whole thing really was moving very fast for both of them.



He laced his fingers through hers and squeezed her hand. “I do. It’s strange for me to say that, all things considered. Especially since I still have a black eye from you,” he teased.



“It seems so bizarre to think it was only a couple of days ago. Seems like ages gone at this point,” Rei said musingly. “What else are you worried about, Hakkai? Don’t say nothing. You may hide behind the smile and good manners to everyone else but not with me.”



He sighed and pulled her around into his arms, settling his chin on top of her head as she tucked it against his chest. “I’m afraid I won’t return,” he said quietly into her hair.



“You’re afraid you’ll be killed.”



“I am. I was never truly concerned about it before but now . . . You deserve better than to have to wait for someone who might not . . .”



She cut him off in mid sentence. “Hakkai, I’m a big girl, I can handle it. Besides,” she said, looking up at him. “Who says I’m going to wait around here if you’re in any real danger? I’m sure Diablo or Ai would be happy to get me to where ever you might be.”



He stared at her blankly for a moment. “How would you know though?”



“You really don’t know anything about your youkai side, do you? Mated pairs, truly mated ones, can sense when the other is having difficulties that are life threatening. It ensures the survival of the species.”



“I see,” he said thoughtfully. “I suppose it’s pointless to ask you to stay put?”



“It is,” she said, lifting her head and grinning up at him.



“Very well then. I suppose I’ll have to stay away from any real danger. Sanzo’s fan and gun being the exception, of course.”



Rei chuckled as they stepped inside the inn. The smell of food hit them and only then did Hakkai realize just how hungry he was.



Anya glanced over her shoulder. “You both look tired as hell but none the worse for wear. The food isn’t finished yet. If you want to grab a shower, I’ll call you when lunch is ready.”



“Fabulous,” Rei said, finally letting go of Hakkai’s hand and stretching up to plant a fast kiss on his lips. “Be back in ten.”



Anya smiled at Hakkai’s slightly shell shocked expression. “You know, I don’t think I’ll mind having you as a brother in law.” Hakkai turned red, stammering a little as he tried to explain. Anya simply held up a hand to quiet him. “Don’t worry about it. You make each other happy. That’s something neither of you have had in too long, I think. You’ll get used to the idea. Now better hurry and get that shower. You know how Goku is with food, there might not be any left if you slack off.”



“I’ve already left,” he said, smiling at the young woman before venturing out of the kitchen and into the dining hall where he spotted Sanzo seated at their usual table.



“I’m guessing things went well,” Sanzo said without looking up from his paper.



“As well as could be expected, yes.”



“Do I need to remind you of a few things?” Sanzo asked, flicking ash into a tray next to his coffee cup.



Hakkai didn’t have to ask what he was talking about. “No. I’m well aware of my obligations, Sanzo. You needn’t remind me.”



“Good,” he grunted. “Dragging three of you out of here would have really pissed me off.”



“Three?” Hakkai questioned.



“Unless you failed to notice, the monkey is perpetually attached to Anya’s hip. For some reason, I don’t think it has anything to do with food.”



Hakkai chuckled. “Well, he had to grow up some time.”



Sanzo snorted. “Whatever. We’re still leaving as soon as the pass is clear. Still, if the two you and Gojyo keep sniffing around are half the fighters I’ve been led to believe . . .”



“That was a very random and odd subject change. Would you care to finish that sentence, Sanzo?”



“No. Go shower. You smell like something that’s been dead a week.”



Hakkai bowed a little. “Of course, Sanzo-sama,” he said, smiling and walking off.