Meet Mayhem, Episode 1 : To Serve Heaven?

[Anesidora The Wicked]

The Emittor Supreme was a wonderful device. While their experiments to combine youkai, or demonic, magic and human technology emitted it's own negative energy that drove those nearby who were of dark origins into a bit of a frenzy...The Emittor Supreme sucked in all of that negative energy and amplified it before dispensing it out in a sweeping wave over a long range. An incredibly long range at that. It was untraceable and practically undetectable to the normal creature. But those with a particular talent in the dark arts or other special abilities might take not of a black haze, especially around the demons affected.

Dr. Ni had built it on special request because if there was one thing Anesidora hated to see go to waste, it was a bad energy. She couldn't stand the idea of it only causing a little bit of trouble, so she badgered her right hand mortal man to find a way to make bigger trouble with it. And the genius that he was, Ni did just that with the help of his two assistants. Now demons as far out as West City and even beyond that were free to enjoy the fruits of their work while the other Earthlings suffered the consequences. Even trace amounts were steadily being pushed in the direction of the east and it was likely that before long, they too would have a plethora of problems.

Tucked away and well out of sight as the edge of the world was not a place anyone really cared to visit, a Demon Gate sat down in the bowels of Yunzabit's caves. And before that, a stronghold of sordid technology and ancient trappings. The bastion itself was relatively old, by mortal standards, but the advanced bits were quite new thanks to the resident mad scientists that called the dark place home. The Demon Gate had been Anesidora's own handiwork. She wanted a door to her backyard playground from her home in the Demon Realm so on a whim she had it built. She was safe from a mild dose of insanity, not that it would have done much to her to start with, while she lounged back on her favorite plush lavender couch.

"The western side of the continent is quite put off with the sudden hostile demon activity and I'm afraid it may just get worse for them." A slow, sardonic voice pointed out to her from one of the globes of light she was conferring with. Ni was speaking to her and just like her, he too seemed vastly amused. "And shortly, the east will have their own little...problem."

Oh, Anesidora recognized that tone. He was itching to play and not in the manner she had really approved yet. Or did she? It certainly would cause additional woe, so who was she to hold him back? It would mostly be like the cherry on top of their sinister and savory sundae of sin. Sure, let him have his fun at their poor subject's expense then. He deserved a nice little reward for all the hard work he put into the DS units after all, and then some as he had a few toys on the side to mess with their dastardly do-gooding dorks that the Heavens had decided to send as some ill-conceived means of putting a stop to her plans.

Honestly, why was Heaven so lazy? They had Gods up there that could really, really give her trouble. Yet they pick weak mortals to do their dirty work. At least she worked with the mortals to do her work, she didn't dump it all on their plate and tell them to get to work. And she rewarded them too, unless she wound up needing a chewtoy. Then working with/for her had a drawback. But still, it was more than what those bums upstairs seemed to offer. Hm, that made her wonder for a bit as she devised yet another wicked little idea. She would do that later, perhaps.

"I trust you have a back-up plan if they crash and burn like the miserable little whelps they are?" Why else would they succumb to such mild corruption if they were anything but weak?

"Of course." The other globe spoke up, the voice of a haughty and uptight woman intent on dismissing doubt. "In all actuality, it could be considered a two part plan that should go without fail."

"Indeed..." Ni, for once, agreed with the woman's voice. "But never you fear, my good lady, the havoc we'll sow with our playthings will be more than you bargained for."

"Let's hope so, I feel a little famished, even though the soap opera at the moment is somewhat entertaining." The third globe had her spying on a few of the poor souls in question. But they were quickly becoming a real bore and she flipped through a few more channels until she landed on one viewing some horned fellow with white hair. Anesidora arched a brow slowly in a brief spark of curiousity before she went back to browsing for some entertainment. Hm, incident of spousal troubles, bullies in the schools, sports gone horrible wrong, ooh someone got maimed by a shark...The demoness sniffed daintily, nothing.

"I'm bored and I intend to play a little, so ciao." Without listening for any objection, she smashed the glowing orbs before she threw herself down into a lying position. Time to blow someone's mind...And she had the perfect someone in mind.

Closing her eyes with a wicked smile on her pink lips, she let herself skitter along through the hazy world of dreams, heading far off to the east where it was dark and most people were either asleep or going to bed. The one man she had in mind liked to go to bed early and when she was certain he was in a nice, deep sleep...The fox demon wormed her way subtley into his head, the smile on her face growing, as she wondered whether the holiest of holy men would keep serving Heaven when she was done with him...

[Genjo Sanzo]

After everything that had been happening of late, it was something of a relief to be able to allow the darkness of deep sleep wash over him.

The blonde priest lay in his bed, head tossed carelessly to the side, hair creating a halo around him. One hand rested on his chest, rising up and down slowly with each breath. Though on warmer days the priest might be found sleeping with a bare torso, his usual black undershirt and arm sleeves remained on his muscled frame, a pair of dark grey cotton trousers resting on his frame to make do for sleeping pants.

The others of the group often teased him for going to bed early. Frankly... He didn't care, other then to try to shoot them or give them a concussion with his harisen. It wasn't any of their damn business...

His closed eyes had begun to twitch, his fingers also occasionally twitching as he fell deeper into slumber...

The sky above him was a brilliant azure. The sweet smell of grass and wild flowers tickled his sense of smell, causing him to pause and inhale for a moment. The sun felt warm to him, causing his blonde strands to shine like gold. When he opened his eyes, he was a boy again, with a paper airplane in his hand. A smile touched Kouryuu's face before he lifted his arm, taking careful aim before launching the paper airplane into the air. Delightedly, he watched the orange paper plane sore, so vivid against the brilliant blue sky. He started to turn over his shoulder, expecting to see Koumyo there with another paper plane...

[Anesidora The Wicked]

Ah, the old man. Anesidora wanted to laugh...She also wanted to puke. She hated dealing with dreams, they were often too sweet or romantic for her to stomach for long. Sanzo probably had this dream on a regular basis...But it often turned into a nightmare. How would she change it up? Or would she let it run it's course? The urge to turn it into an absolute nightmare the likes of which he'd yet to witness on his own was so tempting...

As Kouryuu turned, it almost began to grow dark as the bright azure sky dimmed by a slim fraction, but almost as abrupt as the darkening was, it was gone. Koumyo was there a distance away, smiling with his eyes closed as he smoked lazily. He sat on the upslope of a small hill with a bottle of sake by his right side while something else that could be considered out of place was at his left. A mauve colored, petite fox. The older man chuckled at his pupil as he too let his own bright orange paper plane glide through the air which continued to fly well over Kouryuu's head. The breeze was most favorable.

The priest chuckled softly as he waved for the small boy to come on over. "Come have a little sake with us, Kouyuu. It's such a wonderful day..." He raised one of the petite cups in a toasting gesture before sipping, the fox simply sitting back and watching.

Again, Anesidora was overcome with the urge to vomit. She almost fell to a fit of giggles, imagining the laidback mortal saying horrid things to the boy, mocking, cursing...Damn, that would be so hilarious. But no, she couldn't do that. Not yet at least. Now if he refused her, oh, she would give him much to chew on. But that was for later.

[Genjo Sanzo]

Like always, as he turned, his beloved master was there, smiling in his own gentle approval. Some part of him noticed the flicker of the sky, but it didn't quite register... No, what registered was that familiar face, the only person he had ever really cared about. He had cared for Shuei, but like a brother, not like the adoration he had felt for the man who was his father, the only true father he had ever known.

The only person I cared about...

That thought jarred his dream self for a moment. But it wasn't the only thing that gave him a start. Since when did foxes appear in his dreams?

There's something strange about that fox...

Still, he ignored it for a moment. The image of the orange plane flying from Koumyo's hand... It was a sight he missed, so much. Even in his dreams, no matter how nightmarish they turned, it was always worth it to see that. He turned, watching it go, a rare smile of delight on his lips.

If Gojyo saw me smiling like that, he'd shit his fucking pants.

That little bit of narration barely hit him, however. He turned, looking at his master again. The smile on his lips stayed, but began to falter as he took a good look at the fox. Even in his dreams, his senses were astute.

"Master, something seems very off... Who is your companion?" The boy asked in his surprisingly clear and light voice, not moving from where he stood.

[Anesidora The Wicked]

The fox gave the kid an unrelenting, unblinking stare with it's bright fuschia eyes stare and didn't cease until Koumyo placed a cup full of sake down in front of her. Then she looked down and lapped up what she would normally consider bile, so she imagined it as something much more pleasant. Meanwhile, the boy's master simply chuckled.

"Why, just an old friend with some concerns. They concern me a little as well, but nothing a good talk won't take care of."

Moving the bottle of sake from his other side, he gestured for the boy to come over and sit with him to enjoy the flawless scene ahead. Lively grass, rolling hills, bright azure sky with just a hinting of cloud coverage and the brilliant sun...Birds chirping, butterflies flitting about, flowers swaying in the breeze...

"Oh gag me, I'm not sure I can take this much longer..." The fox abruptly muttered to herself in the midst of her drinking. In that tiny form her surprisingly strong female voice was rather scratchy if not unpleasant.

As if on queue when she berated herself mentally, Koumyo reached back and swat the fox under her backside, sending her rolling down the hill in a comical fashion after upending and getting sloshed with sake. And all the while still smiling though the man's brow did twitch for a second, though it was hard to tell if it was a humored twitch or an agitated one. Sighing, Koumyo opened his eyes just slightly to watch his companion roll away before he tilted his head to look at Kouyuu, "She lacks restraint sometimes..."

For very good reasons really. But for the immortal life of her, she couldn't muster the endurance for such...Well, yes. Once she stopped rolling and she composed herself, the fox trudged back to her seat, bits of her fur now wet and matted from the spilled sake. "Yes, well...I may not be one to enjoy this scenery...But I'm sure the boy does. And I bet he would love to enjoy it forever and ever, am I right?"

"Mm..." The priest hummed, "I believe so. What say you, Kouryuu?"

[Genjo Sanzo]

A fox... What was it that he was supposed to remember about foxes? His training in meditation included the interpretation of dreams, and the spiritualistic symbols. There was something about the fox that he knew he needed to remember...

"An old friend?" Kouryuu repeated, blinking his large violet eyes. The child tilted his head as he regarded both mentor and the strange fox. For a child, he was remarkably calm, his expression composed in thoughtful seriousness with very little of the mischief that most children seemed to hold inherently. Then again, he was better at meditation than nearly all of the adult monks in the temple...

His grave eyes watched as the fox rolled down the hill, not even blinking or cracking a smile as he watched the peculiar creature.

"So it would seem, Master Koumyo." He responded polite. Personally, Kouryuu didn't really approve of drinking or smoking. It just seemed like such- How ironic... How much he had changed- a waste. Still.. They presented an interesting situation. What would it be like to forever be with his beloved master?

But that was impossible.

Wait. I remember now... The fox.. It represents deceit.

"As much as I would want to, Master Koumyo... Such a thing is impossible. Although this is but a dream, nothing can last forever. And even if it could, I would not want it to. Though I have felt much pain in my life, and regret much, I would not change it, or the companions I have. And no amount of dreaming will bring you back, Koumyo Sanzo. I fear this change in my normal dreams and nightmares is a change brought upon by your strange companion." Now his violet gaze turned to the creature.

"Please leave my dream."

[Anesidora The Wicked]

"Ah, but dreams are a world of their own. Who is to say what is impossible or not?" Koumyo questioned before he took a leisurely drag off of his cigarette holder. He seemed undisturbed by Kouryuu's quick wit and deep words. The boy had always been unusual for his age but that was part of his charm.

The fox's head tilted as she stared at the boy. She should have figured an intelligent monk of all people would be able to dissect aspects of a dream. At least it was giving her some insight into the potential foe she would be dealing with. Possibly, if her minions didn't dismember him beforehand, which was very likely. Enlightening him to the idea that his master could be brought back was tempting, but she would save that for bartering later on.

"You don't like me? I see how it is. Racist." She questioned before jumping into the air and spinning in on herself to form a ball before she disappeared from sight.

Koumyo made a noise of disapproval, both at his pupil's dismissing his friend and at her seeming departure. But he seemed to rebound quickly as he went back to quietly smiling while he enjoyed his sake. "Oh, Kouryuu...You might want to watch out below your feet there."

As soon as the words left the older man's mouth, a sort of rabbit hole big enough to swallow a grown man opened up below the small boy's feet and let him drop through before he had the time needed to react. Like it would have mattered, Anesidora would have pulled him down if she had to. Through the other side, Kouryuu changed to Sanzo though his robes and sutra were missing and he wound up falling into something relatively soft.

The mattress was somewhat worn, with cream colored blankets riddled with mandala patterns and a thick maroon comforter decorated the same. It would probably take Sanzo a moment to realize he was in some manner of house, and one that would be quite familiar. Something next to him shifted before a messy head of crimson red hair would rise up to give him a tired look with half-lidded eyes of the same color. "Oi...Don't go floppin' into people's beds like that..." Gojyo grumbled, sitting up enough to show he liked to sleep sans much of anything in the way of clothes.

Beyond the closed door, there was some blithe laughter and the sound of Goku talking a mile a minute. Something about adding more meat to who knew what they were cooking. As if Sanzo sitting there in his bed was an everyday occurence, Gojyo combed his fingers through the messy red locks so they would straighten out some more. "Don't you bums know how to call and warn people in advance when you decide to come by and pester them?" He gave the blond a cheeky grin.

[Genjo Sanzo]

The part of him that knew this was a dream felt a pang in his heart as he heard his mentor's voice speaking so calmly, and so wisely, like had so many years ago. Even after all this time... He still blamed himself for Koumyo's death. If only he had been stronger.. If only he had fought back, he could have saved him...

The adult in him had steeled himself, had hardened himself against ever caring for another person, and had locked those memories far away, never to speak of them again. It was possible that his angry, tempermental facade was a shield, to protect himself from ever becoming close to another person again. Or he was just a dick. Or both. Either way, having been shrunk back to a child in his dreams had given him that open clarity that he had built a wall against before. The pain was back, as fresh as ever, and not festering and killing him from the inside like it was in later years.

The only person I ever loved...

He only blinked once at the fox's curious comment but chose not to dispute it. He had learned early on that sometimes it was just not worth it to fight others. When the monks had called him demon child and had picked on him, he just ignored them, focusing on his meditation, focusing on his studies. He had Koumyo and Shuei, after all. He didn't need anyone else.

The noise of disapproval caused Kouryuu to look back to Koumyo, his heart sinking at the noise of disapproval, though he hid it well, clasping his hands behind his back. His master's next comment, however, caused his young brow to furrow in confusion.

"Master?-" Was all he managed to say before the ground gave way below him. Fear rushed through him as he fell through darkness, unable to see where he was going. The child's hand reached out to desperately grab something, reaching back up as he cried for help-

And grunted as he landed on the mattress, violet eyes wide. Sanzo took a moment to look around sharply before gazing down at his hand. The familiar black arm sleeves were there, and the fingers that of a man, and not a child. Looking himself over quickly, he found himself in the same jeans and undershirt that he always seemed to lounge in. Frowning, he took a moment to look around his surroundings, noting the rather familiar surroundings. His gaze rested on the maroon comforter before the movement and voice caused his head to jerk to the side.

Oh, hell no. What kind of bullshit is this?

The thought flew through his mind as he stared at Gojyo, brow twitching. What the hell was this? First off, who the hell sleeps half- or mostly- naked? And since when would Gojyo just greet him like it was an every day occurance? The bastard liked his sleeping too much and was prone to shouting fits if he was woken, especially if he had some sleazy little slut with too much ass and bosom in with him.

".. Apparently not." Sanzo responded shortly, swinging his legs off the bed and rising to his feet. "Why the hell are you still in bed? And you complain about me being lazy, you lecherous tadpole?" This whole situation was making him rather irritable, and about to blow.

[Anesidora The Wicked]

Anesidora giggled to herself, tiny nose scrunching up at the emotions she could detect. It was easy weaseling one's way past barriers in the dream world. And this was all giving her a delightfully sinister idea. She wondered wistfully if she could successfully pull it off.

The redhead in the bed stared at him funny for a moment as the monk took his time registering where he was. "Yeesh...You come in here, actin' all weird, bouncing on my bed and you've got the nerve to have the attitude with me?" Gojyo had his voice laced with a hint of hurt as he rolled his crimson eyes at the irritable monk. He threw his covers aside, not caring who in the world saw his nudity while he fished his jeans from off the floor and started to pull them on. Of course, he was commando, because that was how Gojyo rolled. And unlike Sanzo, he was not a servant to the almighty sun and didn't care to rise when it did. Sleeping in was a luxury really, it had to be cherished while it lasted.

Morning would not be complete without a smoke so he dug his cigarettes out of the nightstand and lit up a Hi-Lite, taking a lazy drag from the stick as he slowly set about his morning ritual of looking semi-presentable, pulling on a black tank top to match his black jeans. It made him look more slender than normal, it didn't help that he was all legs. "Sometimes I don't get why I bother talkin' to you..." The kappa mumbled to him as he found a brush and started on the first of many brush strokes, slowly combing the locks out so that the began falling fine and straight, "You never have anything decent to say to me."

Outside the room, Goku and Hakkai were busy making omelets from what the two could start smelling. There were two other voices in the room as well, which made the hanyou raise a brow at Sanzo once he was done taming his hair. He absently scratched at his stomach. "Oi, who the hell else did you bring?"

"Kouryuu has certainly made some interesting friends."

"Tell me about it...And if you stuff any more into those omelets, I'm sure they'll burst."

There was a chuckle that was distinctly Hakkai from the kitchen where the voices were coming from. "Goku can be quite enthusiastic about his food, Shuei-san. Would you like some more coffee, Koumyo-san?"

"Very much so, thank you."

Wait, what?

[Genjo Sanzo]

Well at least that was one thing that was normal.. Mostly. What the hell was with the little hint of hurt in his voice? Made him sound like a kicked puppy. It just wasn't like Gojyo. He glanced over his shoulder before looking away resolutely, reaching into his pockets absently, pulling out the box of Marlboros. At least that was something fairly normal. Pulling out a white cylinder with his lips, he pocketted the box, reaching his free hand up to snap his fingers. A flame appeared above his fingers, lighting the cigarette. Shaking his fingers, he extinguished the flame and took an inhale.

How the hell did I end up here...

A sigh escaped him as he pulled the cigarette away, exhaling the smoke softly. "I didn't bounce on your damn bed. I was thrown in here." He didn't know why he was argueing. Dreams never did. "So.. Whatever." He inhaled again before looking at the redhead, looking rather confused for once, one eyebrow raising.

"I didn't bring-"

The cigarette actually from his mouth as he heard the voices. Violet eyes widened as he listened to the voices, strangely defenseless. For the first time in the kappa's life- even if it was just a dream- Sanzo actually seemed to show some form of pain.

No.. It can't be...

The brief moment of vulnerability was gone, his eyes narrowed, though the pain was still there, deep inside.

Koumyo Sanzo is dead. So is Shuei. I saw both of them die. God damn it, wake up, you son of a bitch!

"I didn't bring anyone. What kind of fucking nightmare is?" It had to be that fucking fox. Turning, he gazed around the room before turning his gaze upwards.

"Stop messing with my head, you decietful BITCH!"

[Anesidora The Wicked]

"How the hell would your fat butt get thrown into my bed? I doubt Hakkai or Goku would sit there and do it...Well, I dunno about Hakkai. Apparently he thinks we have some sexual frustration shit-Who the hell are you yelling at?" Gojyo stopped in mid ramble when Sanzo started yelling at the ceiling. The redhead gave him a bewildered look. Why was he yelling at the ceiling? As if he could see what had Sanzo in such a fit, he too looked up but saw nothing.

'Why? I'm showing you what a wonderful life you can have...'

"Well..." Not seeing anything, the redhead rubbed his stomach as he started to feel hungry. Whatever, let the crazy monk yell at his house for all he cared. "Fuckin' weirdo..."

Walking past the blond, Gojyo opened his bedroom door and strolled on through towards the kitchen. At the table were seated two individuals that he didn't recognize in the least. One was Koumyo, who didn't look like he had aged a day since before he died and was wearing his Sanzo robes with the Seiten scripture neatly set on his shoulders. The other was Shuei, dressed in something somewhat casual for an abbot, a button brown shirt with the sleeves rolled up and jeans. He looked more like he had aged over the years and more like himself then when Sanzo last saw him.

"Who the fuck are you two?" Gojyo demanded, ignoring Hakkai's laugh at his bluntness.

'Wouldn't you like to see them alive again?'

"Koumyo Sanzo." The elder man didn't seem all that fazed in seeing a hanyou, instead he smiled calmly, sipping the refilled coffee mug.

"Shuei. What, Kouryuu forget his manners and not tell you about us?" The other man teased lightly, leaning over just slightly to see if said ill-mannered priest was visible.

'Hanging out with your new companions you care for more than you let on...'

"He does do that from time to time." The healer agreed.

"Are they done? Can we eat now?" Goku demanded anxiously, as Hakkai came back over to make sure the monkey wasn't burning anything. Gojyo shot the new pair a dubious look before he shrugged his shoulders and took a seat for himself.

'I can tell you what you can do to have this...It's remarkably simple. It would take a much different trip than what you had in mind but it would ultimately be so much more rewarding then what the Aspects have to offer.'

[Genjo Sanzo]

Great. Now the Gojyo in his dream thought he was a blathering idiot. A grimace touched his lips, but he refused to be pulled into the cloyingly sick feel of the dream, even if Gojyo's pissiness was rather spot on.

Of course it's spot on. The bitch is pulling it from my mind.

A wonderful life he could have? That was the biggest lie he had ever heard if there was one. He might not be completely averse to the idea of happiness, but he was also acutely aware that happiness more often then not involved people. And frankly? He wasn't a people person. He hated people. And he didn't want some fairytale story about love and happiness and everyone living a Brady Bunch reunion. The hardships in his life had built him, even if he had never forgiven himself over them.

This was, however, giving him a peculiar sort of insight into the situation. As the voice spoke, with his attention split between her thoughts and the sounds coming from the other room, he narrowed his eyes, frowning. The mention of the Aspects gave her away.

So she's one of the ones behind. Perhaps even the source of all the problems. But why is she making a motion towards me personally?

That was rather easy to explain in and of itself. Without him, the others wouldn't even know about the threat, or possibly even give it a shit. All of his companions had good intentions- as much as it pained him to admit it- and weren't bad sorts- for demons- but they did need a push sometimes.

She gets me out of the way, then she takes out four of her enemies altogether, and possibly gains four powerful allies.

His faith in deities and in otherworldly powers might be lacking, but Sanzo was a priest to his core. He might be an asshole, but he wasn't going to condem the world just for the chance to get his beloved mentor back.

Koumyo would kill me himself if he learned I was doing something like that. So would Shuei. They placed their faith in me, and I won't let them down. Not again. They can't be brought back. There's something she didn't count on... I'm heartless, according to Gojyo.

The bitter thought stiffened his resolve, as he regretfully threw temptation out the window. Someday, he'd wonder what it would be like to have his mentor back... But sure as rain fell from the sky... Koumyo was never coming back. Neither was Shuei.

"Man, you are one cliche bitch." Sanzo spoke outloud, ignoring the dream-voices of his companions and past in the other room, as he inhaled deeply on the cigarette. "Offering me the restored life of two people who are just maggot-filled corpses in the ground? Sorry, but not that interested. I'm not stupid enough to fall for a demon's bargain. I won't give you the chance to stab me in the back with my own knife and a smile on your face."

Pausing to exhale, sending a cloud of grey smoke in the air, he tilted his head back, violet eyes focused on the direction that he 'sensed' the voice at.

"Here. Let me say it simply so that your brain doesn't stumble over the big words. Go fuck yourself with a broken glass pitcher. I'm going to follow the orders of those stupid floating heads, and you can just take it like a good little bitch."

Letting that sink in, he added the cherry on top.

"And when I meet your fucking ass, I'm going to enjoy watching your plans crumble out from under your feet. In fact, I think I'll have a good smoke and enjoy a pitcher of Tokyo Rose while I watch you beg for mercy and another chance at your feeble attempt of a sinister plot."

[Anesidora The Wicked]

It was evident early on that he wasn't buying into the dream world...

But this arrogant little pissant had the nerve to make empty threats to her and mock her? He had no idea who he was messing with and what hell she could bring him. As her irritation at his refusal to cooperate grew, the dream world faded out and was nothing but a black void. She would see to it that he never had a pleasant dream for the rest of his little pilgrimige-nay, his whole life.

Not caring whether he knew what she truly looked like or not, Anesidora materialized in front of him, the form of her more shapely humanoid form present. She was decked out in her gold embroidered purple and dark mauve ensemble with her Magic Jar tucked under her arm against her hip. She seemed to be smiling in a pleasant mood, if it weren't for the telltale twitching of her brow betraying the fact that she was annoyed.

Normally, she didn't grace her prey with her actual presence, but this was a rare case. It wasn't like he'd be able to hurt her anyway. If she were dumb enough to consider the dream world as real as the physical plane, then there would be something to worry about. But she was hardly the simpleton his demon friends were.

"A selfish human who makes an unselfish choice is odd. But I wonder...How well your friends can fight off my visits in the dream world? Would they turn me down too? That monkey and the kappa would be in quite a bind...They're so stupid. Unfortunately, I have plans for the one, so I can't be doing that to him. Yet." She tapped one long nail on her pale pink lips. Why was she divulging such information? Because she fucking could, that was why. Sanzo would likely figure out who she was thinking about, but he would have no idea what she had planned or how it would come to be till too late anyway.

In a flash, Anesidora got right in his face, barely an inch between their noses. "You're going to regret not taking me up on my offer...After all, I wouldn't have to do the deed to revive them. All you would need to do is find those silly orbs friends like that Vegeta of yours go hunting down." Perhaps if she dangled a much more credible piece of meat in front of the monk, then maybe he would be more inclined to consider his options. But it didn't matter. He had decided to insult her and now she was going to make him pay for it.

The demoness leaned back and held up the jar. It was ancient and made of a thick clay from deep in the underworld. Strange, demonic runes were etched in blood around the various rings circling the container. "I'm going to pay your dear master a visit in the Other World and he's going to stay with me for a while...I may nibble on his soul while you drag your uncaring carcass across the world. Or maybe his old friend will help me stuff his sorry soul into some rotten construct for you to kill again."

[Genjo Sanzo]

Well that pissed her off.

The blond priest never blinked as the dream world faded from around him, listening as the voices faded away. Part of him wanted to hold onto the sound of Koumyo speaking with his companions.

But it's only a dream. It wasn't real, no matter how real it seemed.

And the fact that it was some bitch trying to mess with his head kind of spoiled the whole deal for him anyways. It was fake, a sham, a parody, and an insult to his master's memory. All it was in reality was a demoness trying to play mind games with him, using that which was close to his heart to try to sway him. And he wasn't going to be swayed.

There was one highlight to this. As the bitch appeared in front of him, she seemed to be perfectly calm... Except for a telltale twitch at her brow. That almost made Sanzo smile, but he kept his expression neutral, watching her with narrowed eyes. It was such a satisfaction to piss her off... And it was no wonder why. Immediately... He didn't like her. Not at all. And not because she was messing with his head. There was something so wrong with her that he could have had his feathers flared if he was some kind of bird. Even if he had never dealt with her before, he would have instantly distrusted her.

Oh, yeah. He was going to enjoy pissing her off.

Every word that she said was getting memorized, and stored away to study as he woke up. As always, he found it sickeningly amusing that she barely knew him. His usual shitty attitude often had everyone around him surprised when he pulled a grain of logic or a seed of truth out that was relevant to the situation. It was easy for his companions to forget that he was a holy man, even if the fucking monks never let him forget.

And she didn't seem to know his friends that well, either... But what the hell was she talking about? Using Gojyo?

The day in Shangri-La...

The thought flashed through his mind as he watched her, lifting a hand to pull the cigarette from his lips and calmly blowing the nicotine smoke into her face.

She's confident, to tell me all of this... She thinks that I can't do anything about any of it, or she wants to rile me up. One or the other, or both. Add arrogance to that. ... And what the hell are these orbs?

Yeah he made a note to talk to Vegeta about that. It felt like there was something there he was supposed to know... Something about a dragon and some old fairy tale?

Sanzo's violet eyes glanced to the jar as he took another drag, blowing the smoke in front of him, and into her face again, if she was still too close. Somehow, he managed to keep himself from ripping her to shreds.

Not going to give her what she wants.

"... Just so you know, you're going to get indigestion." Sanzo finally spoke after letting her rant away to her desire. God, was she a windy old bag... "Seriously. Have fun with that." It was almost surprising how calm his voice was. But he knew that she was trying to rile him up. And after the fucking display with the dream, he was determined to piss her off in every way he could, and ruin her fun.

"After about two hours you're going to throw him back and never want to be near him again. Don't believe me? Well. You'll find out soon enough. As far as putting him in a 'rotten construct'? Better make sure you've got some headache medicine with you."

Though who was this old friend she was talking about...?

[Anesidora The Wicked]

Anesidora could tell he was trying to piss her off with his 'cool as a cucumber' attitude. And yes, she was growing more and more irritated to the point where she wanted to dump him into the more realistic and horrible nightmare she could muster and attempt to kill him off now and then...However, she knew that would have a limited chance at success. Since he was completely aware of her presence, he would know she was making another attempt to fuck with him no matter how shocking the nightmare would be.

No, she would save that for later. The typical villain, as he claimed that she was so cliche, usually put of another round of torture to let the first round settle in. Well, she would hit him again back to back and see how he liked that? And for added shits and giggles, his nights of sleep would go interrupted for as long as he was on his trip, she would see to it. Unlike him, she didn't need to worry about rest!

"I don't get indigestion easily. Besides, Ukoku will be the one that has to deal with him on a regular basis once I corrupt him, not me."

She knew the pair had met before, so she opted to use the dark monk's true name rather than the new one he had adopted once he started to work for her. Why? Maybe to leave Sanzo with more questions, to make him go 'What the fuck?' or just because she could. All of the above worked.

"Now I have lives to ruin, dreams to haunt and a soul to steal...But don't think this will be the last time you and I have a little talk." The vulpine demon smiled at him, almost looking disgustingly cute for such a little hellraiser. The jar was tucked back at her waist as her spheres appeared around her, floating in the air lazily. She ran her long fingers over the surface of one of them as it glided by. "I'd dismiss any ideas that you're going to stop me or heaven forbid tear me apart...You'll never get within spitting distance if Ukoku has anything to say about it. Now...Wake up, baldy!"

Taking the sphere in hand like a ball, she tossed it at him, successfully nailing him in the forehead with surprising and realistic force to knock him back into the waking world. That may or may not give him a good headache, if he didn't already have one.

---

Back behind the Heights door, Anesidora woke up...

And she pitched an unholy fit.

"That snot-nosed little fucking..." The demoness broke a few trivial items as she went on a rampage and screamed a few colorful things as she stormed about. It took her a considerable amount of time before she could bring herself to calm down. She exhaled deeply and let her rage subside for the time being. Well, time to make good on her threats. Waltzing into Heaven was never the easiest thing to accomplish, oh, but it would be well worth it.