The Calling

Food is a strange instigator. At least I don't have to hear him whine about how hungry he is. I'm a little curious about what
happened though. He was extremely out of breath and it made me wonder just exactly what he had done to get fed. At least he's not taking his hunger out on me. I love it when he pleases me, though. Like now. I never knew he had such a talent for this.

"Too hard?" he asked and I looked at him.

"No it's fine," I replied and frowned. May the gods not fault me for my actions. It's just that sometimes...I feel an extremely deep connection with him.

"Clean your face," I said as I leaned back on the bed. I have been called numerous times, I mused as I thought again about picking him up. How pissed off I had been when I first picked his sorry ass up out of the dirt and now...now I couldn't imagine my existence without him.

There is a Greek belief...well ancient Greek belief that states we are forever searching for the other half of our existence. They believed that there were supreme beings with multiple faces and hands and that somehow by some cosmic force, those beings got split into the people that now roam the world searching for the other half of their being. I wonder if Goku is mine?

"What's the matter Sanzo?" he asked and I looked at him.

"Nothing," I replied as I sat up.

"You looked upset."

"I'm fine."

"I didn't do anything wrong, did I?"

"Not this time, Goku. Not this time."
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I am SO gonna kill that brat. Can you believe she walked out on me because of that monkey? There is nothing more deflating than going to bed alone after a wild night was planned. I could have had it too if that dumbass ape hadn't stolen my food! I'm gonna kill him! I tied a bandanna around my head and brushed down my hair. I picked
up a lighter and a package of cigarettes and walked out of the room. I was SO pissed off with him.

"Hello ladies," I said as I approached the ressresses in the bar. "Anyone got free time tonight? I might be able to work you in after my poker game."

The girls giggled and I glanced at one of them. It wasn't a normal female giggle. It was one of those giggles that meant something.

"All right, what's going on?" I asked.

"Priest Sanzo was looking for you. Don't tell me you prefer holy men to us now," she said and the others laughed. I grinned as I moved closer to the blonde who had spoken. Babe in my book. I definitely would like to have her in my bed. She would definitely add something to the place.

"Come on ladies, do you think I'd switch sides when there's so many...inexperienced babes out there? Well, guess I'd better see what His Worship wants. Can't ignore a holy man."

Like hell I'd ignore a holy man. Especially not when his pet monkey completely mortified me in front of a babe. I am so pissed off with him. Screwing me over like that...

"I see you got my message," Sanzo said as I lit a cigarette. I leaned against the door and inhaled deeply the nicotine. Did he really want me to get started?

"Yeah but that wasn't the reason why I came. I've got some words I want to share with your pet," I replied and the monkey fell down from a tree. Fitting for an ape.

"I'm no one's pet! Especially not Sanzo's!" he protested and I glared at him.

"You owe me big time moron."

"What are you talking about?"

"You mean you don't remember?"

"Not exactly..."

"You came into my room destroyed a totally beautiful moment and stole my food!! Hey priest, isn't there a law somewhere that states all pets should be on a lead?"

"I was wondering why he came back so out of breath. Now I know why. Food is natural to Goku. Just as natural as women are to you, Gojyo. I cannot restrain him when he desires food. His soul has not reached that level of enlightenment."

"Don't start preaching to me."

"Very well then. Now that you are a little more rational, tell me what I want to know about the demons."
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Man, that was an ordeal. I hope that's the last I've seen of that priest and his monkey boy. Sounds like some sort of stage act. Priest and Monkey Boy, the comedic duo from the west. Yeah, right. What a load of crap. I wonder how long they're going to be here. At least I know not to have food out with that monkey around.

Why does he hang around Sanzo, though? That's something I don't understand. Yeah, there's been a small uprising of youkai but it's nothing special. What's that got to do with the ape? They aren't an...item are they? God. GOD! WHAT am I thinking to myself?! A priest and a monkey in a romantic involvement? No. NO! That's just...so wrong.

"What's the matter, Gojyo?" a waitress asked as I walked into the bar.

"Nothing that a little beer and female companionship couldn't cure. What do you say? You wanna be my good luck charm for the game tonight?" I asked and she turned away. What kind of babe would refuse to look me in the eye?

"I don't know...I've heard about your new interest in high ranking blondes and children."

"....what?"

She giggled and I felt the cigarette slide from my mouth. High ranking blonde. Priest Sanzo. Children. The monkey. The waitress I spoke with that morning...what was her name? Ilsa. She's got every girl at the place in on the joke, it seems. Man, these two screwed up travelers have made a mess of my reputation.

"Gojyo, you should see your face. I was only teasing you. I'm sorry," she sniffed and I tried to save face by adopting one of my most sexy gazes.

"It's all right. What good am I if I can't be an idiot at times?" I asked. "So, you free? We could go out to the lake. I'll bring some wine and a blanket. You can just bring yourself. It could be fun..."

"Tempting, Gojyo. Really it is, but I can't."

"It's your loss."

"I'd do it if I didn't have to go straight home tonight. My sister's sick."

"Your older sister?"

"Yes."

Older sister? As in the one with the 36" chest and green eyes? The one with reddish brown haid a d a beautifully symmetrical body?

"I hope nothing is serious with her," I said and she smiled.

"No, but she won't be up and about for another two or three days," she replied.

"Well look there, Gojyo. It looks like your boyfriends are coming this way," another waitress said and I spun around and stared out the window. No. It WAS them. But why? Why were they coming here? Why hadn't they left? Was I going to be stuck with them forever? God, I hope not. That really puts a cramp in my style. I do just fine on my own without those two.

"They aren't my boyfriends but I think I'll go out the back and take a walk before my game," I said and made a hasty retreat. The babes were laughing at the situation, I knew but why did it seem that those two were following me?

Sure is nice out here. Too bad I couldn't get a babe to come out here with me. The sky was so clear that you could see the stars. A perfect t fot for lovemaking. Well, as perfect as things can get, I guess. Something wasn't right out here. The air was tense and it seemed darker than usual. Plus there was this eerie feeling about me, the kind that you get when you're about to get attacked. A shadow moved and I narrowed my eyes. Something was definitely out there and I knew that it wasn't friendly.

"You die now," the youkai hissed and I picked up my weapon.

"Really? I've got other ideas, although I would like to know why you guys are so hostile all of a sudden," I said as I dodged his claws.

"Someone's making it worth our while."

"You gonna tell me who?"

"Are you insane? The tooth fairy. You think I'd tell you even if I knew?"

"All right. It's your loss."

His dying scream filled the air and I threw my smoked cigarette on the ground. Looks like the priest and his monkey had reason to be concerned. Man, things like this really puts a hold on my social life. I mean, how the hell am I supposed to make love in the wilderness with all these demons running around killing people. Okay, okay, okay. So it hasn't reached that point yet, but I know some of the clans have gotten restless. I made my way back to the bar. I was so late for my game. I had an edge on my opponent too. Wait a second...what the hell is that? Lying on the ground not far
from where I stood, was a person. He was either drunk or dead. With the youkais running around, I opted for dead.

"Hey, you awake?" I asked and kicked him. No response. All right. Not my problem then. I turned to walk away when he gasped. I turned around and picked the injured body up. "All right, I don't normally like carrying guys around like this but
you're in dire need of medical attention and a warm bed. Guess mine will have to do until I get a doctor."