Saiyuki - This Can't Be Happening!

The sun was still high and the festival was in full swing. Hakkai took his monocle off so he could clean it and then placed it back on his nose, "Have you had any fair food yet? I'm getting a bit hungry myself. That is...I hope Goku hasn't eaten out the stands." He looked around, wondering just how much farther that clothing stand was.

"We could stop and get a bite." Sakina nodded, her eyes wandering around the tents. Now that she was with Hakkai, it felt a little less tense and more like an outing. "I don't think Goku would abuse his allowance if he's trying to impress Sanzo and Raja." She grinned. "But who knows? He probably did out buy all of the food stands."

"What would you like to look at?" Hakkai asked, hooking his arm with hers and grinning down at her, "Jewelry? Trinkets? This is your chance to show me what draws your attention and what you enjoy during things like this."

"Would you count?" Sakina asked in a teasing, flirtatious manner. She wondered if it was too thick or if it wasn't enough. Mouna would probably be doubled-over laughing or face palming and she wasn't sure which was worse.

Hakkai's smile softened, "Well, then that's not fair, because we'd just be staring at each other all day," his long fingers carding through her hair, enjoying the soft black locks.

"Whose it not fair to?" She subconsciously leaned against his hand, feeling the way his fingers threaded through her hair and gently pulled. It felt good, having her hair taken care of like this. "I do like shiny things." She admitted. "But I also enjoy people watching so if it's not you I'm staring at, it'll sadly be them." She gestured out to the people that were passing them by. "It's been a while since I seen a place so lively."

"I tend to people watch when I'm in a bar or hotel with the others," Hakkai hummed, "It wouldn't be fair to me, I suppose, because I'd love to see you ogle over pretty things. I want to see your face light up as you get excited." He grinned, and then he started making them walk a little bit. Soon, he saw the tent Sanzo had mentioned and all but dragged her to it, "Oh, aren't all these lovely? Do you think Mouna or Alozza would like one or would they be too girly?"

"I don't know about Aloz." Sakina's cheeks flushed a deep red, now embarassed that Sanzo had wanted to give her something like this in turn for helping him with Raja. "But Mouna would probably dislike the idea. Shes' a tomboy. If it's not easy to fight in, she'll probably not like it, but I'm not sure."

"Then, they can be left out. What about you, Sakina?" Hakkai looked through, and there were several green ones, but nothing stood out. Oh, it had to still be here... "Is there anything you'd like?"

Sakina took a breath in and then let it out slowly. She knew that he'd wanted her to have something.This was something that she couldn't deny, she walked along the racks, looking for that one particular green dress that she had found previously. It didn't take long and she took another breath as she pulled it out and held it out for him to see, "What do you think?"

Hakkai's widened and his imagination immediately put the outfit from the hanger onto her body. "That's gorgeous, Sakina. Such a lovely shade of green, like a lake...and the gossamer sash is a beautiful ocean blue," he reached out, feeling how silky it was.

"Miss? Sir? I recently put up a changing room in the back of my stall, as I've been getting more customers who don't want to go home to put on their purchase. You can even try it on, and if you don't like it there's no hard feelings," the older man who looked to be the tailor for the outfits came around the corner of clothes, his hands laced together and a soft smile on his face.

"Are you sure?" Sakina blinked in shock at the tailor. She never. /ever/ heard of someone doing that. It was usually a buy and then hope it fit or something like that. Tailoring it to meet your exact needs. "May I?"

"Yes. I'm old, and this is my lest festival," the old man nodded, "I'm bringing out all of my dresses, and I want to sell as many as possible. I've even been giving discounts. I heard you talking about two others, and if you find anything you think might fit them, you could always give them as gifts to wear for special occasions instead of everyday wear. I doubt they would object."

Sakina grinned brightly and she looked at Hakkai. "Then I'm going to try this on...and we'll find something for Alo." And maybe after that, if it was okay with Hakkai, she could leave the old man with a blessing in luck and fortune. He deserved it for his kindness so far, and his work on the dresses was beautiful. If she wore it, she'd know more.

"You do that," Hakkai grinned and she hurried off to the back. He couldn't wait to see what it looked like on her.

It didn't take long at all and Sakina came out of the dressing stall. The fabric felt so good against her skin, and it fit perfectly. The stitching didn't feel stiff and it wasn't itchy. "Oh it's gorgeous." She smiled brightly as she did a playful spin. "Your work's amazing."

"Arigato, dear. You look like a Goddess," he gave her a sweet grin back, "I'm so glad someone as lovely as you enjoys my work. It makes an old man like me feel proud. What's good is these dresses will keep you cool in this summer heat and warm in the winter, thanks to the material I use."

Hakkai chuckled at the shopkeeper's compliments, and he turned to him, "We'll take it once we find one for a little friend of ours."

"Oh? What's her general size? I might be able to help you," he tapped his chin. After Hakkai explained what Alozza looked like, he led him over to his smaller dresses, "How old is she? Will she grow anymore?"

"Ah...no, she's at least 18," Hakkai lied. Who wanted to know she was actually over five-hundred? Especially since relations with demons was on the mend?

"Tiny little thing. I hope she likes whatever you find for her," the old man nodded.

Sakina started to look through the dresses, thoughtful. "What colors does Goku like?" She could bet that Alozza would want to wear colors that Goku thought was flattering. She did when she was younger, she doubted that changed much. Maybe if she found a good mix of Alozza's favorite and Goku's, it'll be a home run.

"Gold. Goku's favorite color is gold or yellow, sunshine colors," Hakkai explained, starting to shift through the outfits.

"Alozza likes mint green." Sakina nodded her head. "Now to find something close to that."

After at least five minutes of searching and several customer's later for the old man, they finally found one. It had a kimono wrap that was a golden yellow with a four inch mint green lining that had white flowers stamped on it, a darker, solid green strip outlining the rim. The obi middle matched, and it had a green sash with a green skirt that the wrap covered, "This is adorable," Hakkai commented, holding it up for Sakina to see.

"Alozza would definitely love that. If it's too big on her or anything I can tailor it so that it won't drag." Sakina smiled brightly. "It'll look really good on her, I think."

"It'll bring out her hair and eye color," Hakkai agreed, "Okay, we'll take it. Let's pay for them," he grinned and since she was still wearing the one she liked, all he had to do was carry Alozza's. They reached the desk and after paying and thanking the old man, they left, the gift for Goku's girl wrapped up in a brown package.

The got at least halfway from the tent when Sakina gently stopped Hakkai in the middle of the street. She knew that she was about to ask for a lot and she knew that he had every right to say no, but...she couldn't help it. The man was old, his dresses were beautiful and he treated them and his customers so well. "I want to do something for him." She paused. "It won't require a wish or anything I just..." She started wringing her hands together in a nervous habit. "I want to give him a small blessing." She confessed. "Something that'll make him happy."

Hakkai blinked at her a bit as he processed her request, and then he gave her a tender smile, "If that's what you want to do, I'm not going to stop you, Sakina. I'll go wait by the food stands and see if I can find something for us to eat." He leaned down and kissed her forehead, "See you in a little bit."

Sakina nodded and she quickly left to go back to the tent with the clothes. She took a deep breath, hoping that this wouldn't come off too creepy for the poor man. She closed her eyes and she took another breath as she summoned just a bit of magic for the blessing and felt her heart ache.

A long time ago she could summon a lot more for a lot less effort.

She remembered a festival at night. The stands were going crazy selling food and booze, yelling and cheering about how the Emperor would live for a long time. She couldn't understand for the life of her why the Buddha section of the Heavens were so focused on him. It was his choice on whether or not he died. Seriously, it wasn't as if he was elected or anything.

Her thoughts came to an abrupt stop when she almost ran into the Field Marshal of the Western Army. "Oh sorry." She said quickly side stepping so she wouldn't get in his way.

"Hm?" He turned towards her and her breath was taken. His hair was short to his shoulders, easy to tie in a ponytail. He wore a white labcoat and glasses. He had a gentle smile on his face, clearly lost in thoughts. "Oh..." He suddenly straightened. "Lady Sakina of the Desert."

"I'm sorry Gensui-san." She hesitated. "No that's your title. I'm awfully sorry I-"

"I should've introduced myself first, I'm Tenpou." He offered with a smile. "I didn't mean to make you flustered by knowing your name. That was incredibly rude of me. Are you enjoying the festival?"

"More like I don't understand what you're celebrating." She replied.

"To be honest, I don't either." Tenpou shrugged. "But as long as it keeps Kenren from making a scene I'm all in."

"Kenren?" Didn't Mouna say something about wanting to be with that man? She couldn't place a picture to the name. "Huh..."

"Might I be bold to ask what you're doing here by yourself, Lady Sakina? No escorts?"

"I don't believe in making a big announcement. I'm not royalty like Princess Raja." Sakina said modestly. "I was just taking a stroll along the stands."

"May I accompany you?"

"Sure."

The magic soon became a beautiful charm. It was a lovely square of fabric and she smiled warmly as she walked into the tent and walked over to where the old man was. She handed him the bright turquoise fabric. "To thank you for the dress. I know it's not much, but you could probably make this into something. Whatever you make it into, carry it with you or pass it down to your children or grandchildren. It will give you or them luck and fortune. Nothing bad could ever touch them too severely. They'll always get right back up."

"Oooh...this fabric is lovely..." the old man admired it, musing, "I'll think of something special to use it for. Thank you ever so much. You didn't have to. What was your name?" he smiled.

"My name's Sakina," Sakina smiled warmly. "I'm glad that you'll think of something. May I ask your name in turn?"

"Dai," The old man grinned brightly, "I think I'll put this in a quilt for my granddaughter and she can pass it on," he nodded to himself, "That sounds like a glorious idea. I have many patches from my dress making...ah, well, good luck to you, Sakina. Enjoy your dress and hey, take care of that man you were with, because I am sure he will do the same for you. The adoration you share is a sight I do not see much anymore, and I was so lucky to witness it twice today."

Sakina could only smile brightly and she walked away from the tent, pleased and happy that she was able to give the old man a gift. She felt lighter, just for being able to do it. It wasn't often her master would allow her to do even the tiniest little thing.

Hakkai wasn't her master though, he was a friend in every sense of the word. She saw him nearby the food stand, getting something for both of them to eat. When he turned around and smiled at her direction, she felt her heart do the same thing that it did a long, long time ago.

It tripped and fell once more, and Sakina didn't have the heart nor mind of picking it up and trying to act as if it didn't happen. She forgot how easy it was for her to fall for someone...

Tenpou's library was...well it was a wreak. Papers, books, pens, pencils, anything and everything that could possibly be on a shelf was on the ground. Some were in organized stacks, others were in obscure piles of things that she didn't know.

She picked her way through and found Tenpou leaning halfway out of the window, smoke rising in the air. He barely turned around to look at her over his shoulder, but it was in that moment...that small moment where her heart tripped and landed in his wake.

But that was a gift in itself, really.

~*~

"I got one! I got a medaka!" Mouna cheered as she held her bowl up, "My poi snapped but it was worth it, the little devil!" A few people around her ooed and clapped since she had drawn a lot of attention in her search for a killfish to capture. The shopkeeper congratulated her and gave her a bag to put the orange fish, and she admired the black edges of it's fins now she could see them better, and red red spots along his sides. Turning around she bounded over to Gojyo, "Hey! Look! Isn't he pretty?!"

Gojyou looked at the fish that was swimming around the bag, obviously not pleased to be bounced around in such a small container. He grinned. "You caught yourself a good one." He nodded at her, "He is pretty." The fish's scales seemed to catch the sun and glitter in the water. "You gonna name it?"

"Nah, I'm going to give him to Sakina so she can release him into the river or something," Mouna shrugged and took his hand, "Are there any games you would play around here? Or are you enjoying watching me make a fool of myself?"

The last words made her realize she was echoing words from her time with a certain Taishou of the West Army...only they weren't a part of a festival like this...

They were beneath the lights of the Heavenly City and had just left the bar after a drinking game gone wrong...

"Do you enjoy watching me be a fool?" Mouna asked the black haired man who's brown eyes danced with amusement, and he didn't even flinch as she touched the bruise on his cheek, "Considering your ranking in both the Army and being from a Noble Family, you shouldn't make it obvious we're together, you know. I might be a disgrace to you or end up being called your dirty little secret," she said even as she got closer to him.

"Why is that? Not that I care what others think, but why does it concern you? Aren't you a Goddess?" Kenren asked, his hands resting on her hips but he didn't make any sort of move.

"Raja's not just a Goddess, but a Princess, so her being with Konzen won't be frowned upon, and Sakina is a Goddess of Luck even if she's not any sort of Royalty. So with Tenpou being a Marshal, a Luck Goddess on his side is a boon..." Mouna toyed ran her hands across his exposed chest slowly, enjoying the smoothness of his skin, "I'm a Goddess, sure, but one of Fire and Passions. I'm nothing but a slut..." she gasped as he gripped her chin and made her look at him, her blond hair falling in her eyes.

"Don't," he growled fiercely, "Don't finish that sentence because it's not true. You're just as respected...and just as /important/ as the other two are."

His words rang in her ears but Mouna wondered if she even believed him? She hadn't then...but did she now? After being cast down from Heaven, her punishment being a genie and to grant any wish that didn't involve raising the dead or doing anything unnatural of the sort, she certainly did not feel important or respected. Her lamp was the most ignored as well...a bronze one. What Sakina said was crap. Both hers and Raja's lamps were gorgeous.

It hit her she had remembered something, and smiled at Gojyo, waiting for him to reply. These were supposed to be happier times.

"I like you having fun." Gojyou stretched and crossed his arms behind his head. "There's not many games that I like to play. I'm usually here for the good booze and the pretty women." He eyed Mouna. "Of course, I hit the jack pot there." He teased lightly. "So it's just the good booze for now. Which reminds me, I still have to make good on our bet. Do you remember it?"

"Yes I do, oddly, considering I was really drunk," Mouna laughed, and she pulled him further away from the stall, more to get away from the children as there was no way to get away from the people, and she brought him behind some stalls, but was careful of her fish, tying the string to her hip. No more distractions, she leaned up against him like she did Kenren back then, her hands spreading and fanning on his chest and the white tank top he had under his brown jacket, "I believe I owe you a kiss?" she asked, "Though of course, you have yet to tell me who I should trade with for my time out in the open." Her heart pounded, feeling giddy that while she gave him a kiss last night, this time he would be wide awake to enjoy it.

"That you do." Gojyou grinned and he only took a second's thought on who it was she'd be trading time with. "Sakina. I think 'Kai would appreciate it more." He shifted, still grinning at her. "You'll have to make the first move on the kiss, I can't initiate it."

"Sakina will be happy to, I'm sure," Mouna nodded and leaned up to give him that kiss, her lips pressing against his firmly, enjoying how the sparks flew through her body and she moved her hands up from his chest to his shoulders, and then one hand moved into his hair to pull his head closer. Considering their interrupted sweet moment by getting splashed before, this was absolutely wonderful.

Gojyou held her close as he kissed her, the world slipping away into pure bliss, just focused on her and her taste. He kissed many women, all of them had unique tastes that were just them. Mouna threw them all overboard. She tasted the best. She was sweet and spicy without overpowering one or the other. It was a crying shame to let her go. "Damn."

Mouna's cheeks were flushed but she was grinning, "I'm glad you enjoyed that. Would you like another? Or shall we move on and find other things to do?"

"Let's keep going." Gojyou smiled as he held her hand. "If I kiss you for a longer time, it'll get R rated pretty damn quick."

"Hmm, and it is broad daylight so I see what you mean," Mouna laughed softly and squeezed his hand, feeling relief and comfort. Leaning into him as they emerged from behind the stall, they walked for a time before a cheerful sound caught her attention. Turning and heading in that direction, she soon heard music as well. A familiar tune of a flute as well as some drums and a couple other instruments. Excited, she increased her pace and they emerged into the town square where there were people dancing, laughing and smiling, and people on the sidelines enjoying the spectacle. Towards the back she saw Raja in a brand new outfit that made her look regal and her aura spoke volumes about how so very /happy/ she was in that moment, playing her flute. Sanzo was a little off to the side, hidden by the mass of bodies, but he seemed to be enjoying himself as well.

Gojyou was absolutely floored. He hadn't been expecting any of this, and seeing how much effort Raja must have put in to make this happen, made Gojyou's mischievous side go up a little. "You know how to dance at all?" He asked her curiously. "Come on." He dragged her into the crowd, giving her a fun twirl.

"Do /I/ know how to dance?" Mouna's eyes lit up, laughing as he twirled her around, "Come now, have you never watched the whisps of a campfire? Of course I know how to dance! Show me what /you/ got!" she challenged, easily twirling back into his arms.

"It seems your music has drawn the first of our group," Sanzo drawled to Raja, but her only response was to smile behind her flute.

"You're on." Gojyou laughed. He didn't know how to dance all that well, but he was going to have fun with it regardless. The music changed from lively and medium paced to something a little faster. "Goddamn it Raja." He muttered under his breath. He should've figured the one who could control the wind would hear a dancing challenge and take it as a music challenge.

Sanzo watched as Gojyou just /barely/ managed to keep up with the new speed, mostly with Mouna's help. Glancing around the center of town he saw saw a familiar man in green and beside him was a woman, dressed in blues and greens with her hair back in a half-bun, the rest of her hair down around her shoulders. He swore he had seen that comb at a stall somewhere, and he smirked. Of course Hakkai would go to great lengths to make her feel beautiful. The two took the music in stride, Hakkai dragging Sakina into a mixture of the tango and a ballroom dance. How did that even work? It was certainly saucy and suggestive as well as elegant.

Raja would've clapped in delight when she saw Sakina and how she was dressed. It was about damn time she was in something other than that shitty, slutty outfit. She happily continued to play as she watched her friends dance.

Sakina laughed in delight when Hakkai pulled her close. "Where did you learn how to dance?" She asked curiously.

"Some self-taught, and I also learned quite a few things growing up," Hakkai explained as he dipped her, "Kanan and I would dance together often-times when we didn't have anything else to do." A happy memory of his sister he didn't mind sharing.

"Mouna taught me most." Sakina replied as she got out of the dip and moved so that her body was up against his so they could do another move together. Dancing with him reminded her of flowing water, without obstacles and with certainty. "The rest, I'm learning from you."

"It seems I might have to teach Gojyou some moves as well," Hakkai hummed, continuing his rhythm while he glanced towards his redheaded friend, "He's a bit stiff. He needs to relax." Another glance he hummed, "Do you play the flute, too?"

"I can play the flute to a certain extent." Sakina told Hakkai. "My main focus is the harp and voice." She did another spin and smiled when she was pressed up close against him. "I'm better with my voice than I am with an instrument in all honesty."

"Oh, I can picture you singing your heart out," Hakkai cooed, "Your regular voice is beautiful, so why wouldn't you be fabulous at song?" he did a move where he held her from behind after twirling her to have her back to his chest,a hand on her stomach, the other on her hip and he kept her pressed close so when he stepped off to the side, her one leg followed his while the other dragged until he snapped them together, then he slid his hands up her sides to draw her arms up and he made his own move where he used her hands to cue her to spin and when she did, his arms went back down around her back while hers circled his neck, going back into the rhythm with ease, his forehead pressed to hers, their breath mingling, "I asked if you could play flute so we could switch out with Raja and Sanzo."

"Did you want to?" Sakina asked curiously as she followed his movements easily, as if he had told her ahead of time what he was doing. "I can tap her out any time."

"Just a little longer, this is nice," Hakkai purred, sliding and twisting and turning, coaxing her leg up over his hip from time in order to do other moves before jumping right back into another. A few times he lifted her up, but that was mostly for fun and for her to laugh. It was a gorgeous sound, her laughter, and it made his heart swell in a way he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Hakkai looks like he's having the time of his life," Mouna whispered to Gojyou in the middle of a move of their own where her hands had buried into his long hair, bringing their faces close, threatening to kiss, but they pulled away again, spinning and ending up in a more...tame hold.

"'Kai's always been a romantic." Gojyou told Mouna. He knew that he wasn't very good like Hakkai, but damn he wasn't sure how to flow like those two an. "And he's always been the more sophisticated one out all of us."

"I'm sure you can be romantic when you want to be, too," Mouna smiled, "I'm sorry for pushing you into a challenge without knowing if you could do it or not."

"I like trying." Gojyou told her with a smile. "I'm sure Hakkai's going to demand for me to learn how to dance now, if he took his eyes off of Sakina for a moment."

"I don't know. She seems comfortable taking Hakkai's lead." Gojyou hummed as he looked over to see Hakkai suddenly lift Sakina up to twirl her in the air before bringing her down again. He was certain she was laughing. "But hell dancing lessons might be easier."

"Oh? They stopped dancing," Mouna was surprised when Hakkai took Sakina's hand and led her through the crowd to Raja, but then it made sense, "Oh! They're going to switch out! I wonder if the great /Sanzo/ can dance!"

"Oh no." Gojyou was already snickering as Sakina approached Raja. The drums were still going, and Raja knew how to cut her flute to a perfect end so that Sakina could do what she wanted. "Oh this is going to be good." His eyes caught a flash of green and he looked over in the crowd. "The monkey and his girlfriend decided to show up just now too."

"Aren't they?" Alozza was dazzled by the drastic change in her mom and in Sakina. They both looked as if they belonged in this world, rather than one that was filled in fantasy. "Kaasan is the goddess of music. She plays all kinds." She told Goku. "But Sakina...I never heard her play before. We should dance when she's ready!"

Sanzo didn't need prompting to go over to Raja when Sakina took her flute. It was a warm day, so he hadn't worn his yellow Sanzo garb. That would've made dancing a disaster. Reaching out to the pink haired woman, he drew her to him firmly in timing to the drums that continued their beat, slipping into the crowd while she was still shocked. "Martial arts requires footwork, and I'll say I'm good at it," he rumbled in her eat as he took her hand and hip in a ballroom dance position, "Forgive me, however, if I am not as flashy as Hakkai and Mouna."

"That was easier than I thought," Hakkai was generally shocked as Sanzo took the lead, looking firm and confident.

Sakina was even surprised, but she began to play. Instead of something fast and hard, or even medium and leisurely, she chose something on the slow side. The drums followed her lead and she was grateful for it. She was also grateful that people took to the change with a good heart and laugh as they stumbled and had to change the pace. She enjoyed how the couples came together and how some of them got nervous at trying to ask for a slower song. Sanzo might kick her ass for it, but...hell....Hakkai made her feel romantic, and if anything music will always betray the player's feelings.

Raja smiled warmly at him, "I'll follow your lead." She promised. "Flashy or not."

"Goku! Do you know how to dance?" Alozza turned to the monkey curiously.

"Not very well, Hakkai tried to teach me, so I just know some basics, but let's have fun anyway!" Goku said as he took her hand and led her into the mass of bodies. He gave her a cute little spin and brought her close into his arms, taking the posture he'd been taught and hoped it would be good enough.

"Is this more to your taste, Gojyou?" Mouna asked, her hands sliding along his shoulders sensually.

"I can dance to this," Gojyou agreed. "I won't be able to do much that's flashy, but I can hold you." He let his hand wander from her waist to her back and pulled her closer to him.

Sanzo moved Raja easily, flowing much like Hakkai did with Sakina, only with his own way of doing things. His confidence was radiating, his hold firm. He was protective and possessive, the air around him a telling sign that Raja was /his/ dance partner and /only/ his. He was going to show her a good time, and show the others that he wasn't totally lazy and couldn't please a woman.

Raja had to bite back her smile as they danced. It had been a long time, probably the first time she danced. She was taught how to, so she wasn't floundering. She kept up with him, following his every move, and then some. Maybe it was her imagination. Maybe she was overthinking things a little, but she could /swear/ that she felt chemistry between them. A spark. A match. Something. She wasn't going to say anything though, not to ruin this...and certainly not to put pressure on him. If it wasn't what she thought it was, then no hard feelings. But she wished it true.

Sanzo wasn't entirely sure what he felt, but he probably would have agreed with her had she said something. For now, though, he just danced. The melody that Sakina played was soothing and just perfect, "I would think if you taught her, she could play as well as you can. She has the aptitude."

"I should." Raja replied, glancing over at Sakina. Her playing was gorgeous, and if she applied herself, she could be wonderful. "I know that...I taught her a little of it before." Before the lamps and the heartbreak that came with it. "You know, you dance wonderfully. I think you shamed Gojyou." She teased lightly.

Sanzo snorted, "I would hope so, he kind of looked like a bumbling buffoon trying to keep up with your fast-paced song. At least now he seems to be enjoying himself with Mouna. She acts tough be she just enjoys and craves contact, doesn't she?"

"Mouna's always been one for physical contact. Now that I think about it, so is Sakina." Raja said thoughtfully as they moved together. "I don't remember why that was though." She smiled brightly. "Ah well. I guess it wasn't important." But it was...she was certain that whatever happened, was very important, but there was no point in thinking about it. "I'm shocked that you haven't wished for anything yet. Just requests throughout the day or suggestions. You're really good at doing that, normally someone would slip up by now."

"I don't wish for anything. I have everything I need to be happy in life," Sanzo glanced over where Goku was spinning both himself and Alozza around in a circle, laughing merrily, then at Hakkai and back again towards Gojyou, "What do I need to wish for?"

Raja didn't have words. Instinct told her to prod, to push, but at the same time she just couldn't. If he really did have everything that he needed to be happy, to be himself, then what /could/ she grant? "Fair." She said softly as she looked over at Alozza and Goku, and then to Mouna. "That's fair."

"What would you wish for, if you could?" Goku decided to ask Alozza as he held her close. He much preferred the fast and wild dancing, but he could...appreciate the close proximity the slow dancing provided. He tilted his head down and bumped his forehead with hers lightly so not to hurt her with his diadem, "Besides freeing them, of course. That's what everyone wants."

"Besides freeing them?" Alozza frowned deeply. It was all she wished for really, she looked over at her Kaasan and Sanzo dancing. It was the first time she ever seen them dance, her kaasan never really cared about it since it was Mouna's thing. Konzen probably didn't care much about it either.

She glanced over at Sakina who was playing the flute, and Hakkai's closed eyes and closed-lipped smile that was soft and bright all at once. She didn't think that Hakkai would ever hear Sakina play, but she knew that Tenpou had heard her sing. She sang a lot when they were together, folk songs from her area and such. Goku used to try to sing them back, giving Konzen a headache.

Her eyes wandered once more towards Gojyou and Mouna who finally gave up the dance and were laughing, sharing a bottle of sake between the other. She remembered how Kenren would just give her a sake bottle and they'd pass it around like old friends.

"I'd wish that we could go back to the way things were." She said after a moment. "Even though this is what /they/ wished for a long time ago...I think I'd go back...and if I could keep my memories of this past, I could warn them and tell them not to do what they were going to do. We'd be okay."

"They would probably do it anyway," Goku admitted, gripping her closer on her lower back, and looked at the others, "They.../we/ have always done what we want. Hakkai once said...'Regrets are just a way for the foolish and the guilty to pass time.' So I don't have any regrets and I don't look back," he smiled down at her, "We'd probably would make the same decisions even knowing what would happen. So much has gone down in our lives...shaped us, made us stronger, and brought us closer. You...probably don't see it, but so much has changed as well as it's stayed the same."

Goku shook his head, "We don't care about the past or our past lives. What matters is now and what we make of it."