Shades of Time

Rei was growling at her sisters, considering they had her by either arm and were dragging her to the gods only knew where at the moment. She knew she was outside and on a path of some sort due to the smell of trees, chilly air and uneven ground.



“Relax,” Xan said. “I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy this.”



“That is debatable,” Rei said, trying to shift her facial muscles to get at least some bit of the makeshift blindfold off. “I’m definitely not amused at the moment.”



“We didn’t say it would be amusing. Just enjoyable,” Anya said from the other side.



Rei heard the hinges of a door squeak and felt the blast of warm air from inside a building. The other two women shoved her inside and she felt the door slam shut and latch behind her before she could yank the blindfold off or turn around.



“I’m going to hurt you two as soon as I get out of here,” Rei growled, turning toward the door and pulling the cover off of her eyes.



“You might want to thank us after this,” Xan called cheerfully through the door. “By the way, you aren’t getting out until after sunrise. I made sure of that.”



“Goku and Gojyo helped with this too,” Anya said.



“Oh, sweet gods!” Rei grumbled. That meant Hakkai was in here somewhere as well. She turned around and got a good look at the place where she was standing. Candles lit a table set for two, complete with flowers and what looked like a bottle of Xan’s good wine. She could smell whatever food was in the covered dishes and it did smell excellent. She glanced further around the room and found Hakkai sprawled across the only other furniture in the room: a bed, shirtless and obviously asleep.



“What did you two do to him?” Rei demanded through the door.



“Calm down, it’s just a little belladonna,” Xan said.



“Are you insane?!” Rei said, going over to Hakkai to make sure he was breathing and had a pulse. “You could have killed him.”



She heard Xan snort through the door. “Oh, please! As if I didn’t make Ming go night night like a million times with it. He was always up for a good experiment.”



“Ming was willing and aware you were drugging him. This isn’t the same situation,” Rei growled. “How much did you give him?”



“Enough. Enjoy!” Xan turned to Anya and grinned a little. “Y’know, maybe we should have drugged her instead and let the boys lead Hakkai here.”



“Too late to change plans now. We’ve done all we can. The rest is up to them.”



“That’s true,” Xan said turning in the direction she felt an attempted disruption in the field she’d built. “Oh, no you don’t, girlie.” She made a gathering motion with one hand and Kanan’s spirit started to lurch forward toward her. Xan leaned over and picked up a large, smooth, white rock. “Don’t you remember what I told you would happen if you bothered Rei while she and Hakkai were together? If you thought I was kidding you were very wrong.” She grabbed onto Kanan and unceremoniously stuffed her into the rock. “In until I let you out, brat.”



“Did you really have to do that, Xan?” Anya asked worriedly, glancing at the rock as they walked back up the path to the inn.



“I warned her once. Besides, Rei and Hakkai would never have gotten together with her hanging around since Rei can see her. Not exactly appealing to have your honey’s former flame hanging around while you’re in the middle of blowing him.”



“That’s probably true.”



“What did I hear about someone getting blown?” Gojyo’s voice said from a little further up the path.



“Maybe you if you’re really lucky,” Xan said waggling her eyebrows as he came into view along with Goku.



“Fortunately, I happen to be really lucky. Soooo,” he said, leering at her.



“Anyway, mission partially accomplished. I think next time we’ll have to put Rei out and drag Hakkai to where ever.”



“Well, let’s hope there won’t be reason for a next time,” Anya said, looping her arm through Goku’s as they started back to the inn.