Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN ANY CHARACTERS OF SAIYUKI! They are property of Kazuya Minekura.
The Characters of Hakkai, Priest Sanzo-sama, Alanna Icewaters, and Ace Edmonds are all property of their respected owners.

Story 1: Old Bar, New Owner, Old Couples, New Affections…Same Great Taste

Well, I suppose it is impossible for me to tell you these tales without first explaining how things came to be the way they are. You see, At this point in time I’m standing behind a bar, surrounded by my sister and strangers to me. I’m not much of one to be afraid of strangers, so I’m rather calm and friendly, being a smart ass as usual. I’ve got two red headed water sprites, two Buddhist priests with guns, my ice manipulating sister, a priest with a very distinct accent and broad black hat, and a very calm demon with a pet dragon. Let me guess, very odd situation? Trust me, the explanation clears things up, I hope…

My name is Ace Edmonds, and I’m a human host for a full breed demon named Kurai Raikou. You see, I took a joke a bit too far and killed a man tonight, that man being the sole proprietor of the bar/inn that all of these strangers and myself are standing in. By my own stupidity, I killed a man who had an “Heir or Assailant” plan…which is exactly what is sounds like. Either his blood heir, such a son or daughter, would take over the bar if he died of natural causes…however, if he was murdered his murderer would own the bar. So, due to my dumb luck, I am now the sole proprietor of a bar that, from what I could tell, hasn’t had a hell of a lot of customers. In fact, it has “30 days or closure” deed attached to it. If I can’t pay off the mortgage for this place in 30 days, it is shut down…and it isn’t that bad o f a place in all honesty…just a little shabby. It’s a fixer upper to say the least.

Well, you’ve been informed on my situation, but now…what do to get enough money to afford this place. Granted, I stole a gold card from the Sanbutsushin as they insulted me for being “Slow handed, slow minded, a doofus…” among other things. However, it can only pay for food, drink, or staying AT an inn. Well, it helps in the fact I don’t have to buy my own supplies with the income money.

“Well, I guess I own this place now…so…anyone want a drink?” I said, projecting my voice above the bruhaha from the crowd of people. This crew was…well…different, to say the least.

“What do you gotta do to get a beer around here?” said one of the red headed kappa’s. Convenient for me, his name WAS Kappa.
“Nothing more than ask.” I said, tossing him one from the fridge behind the bar. “Does anyone else want one, or do I have to start just throwing them and clockin’ people in the head?”

“I’ll take one damn it…” came from a voice in  the crowd. I scanned the crowd to find the owner of the gruff, harsh voice. My eyes fell upon one of the Sanzo Priests…and to not confuse myself, I simply called him that, Priest.
“Here you go.” I slid one down the bar to him along with a pack of cigs.

I began to sift through the cabinets, finding everything from cigarettes to tea bags. As I opened on of the cabinets, I found a simple supply of tea bags, but they were labeled CRT, and when I began to boil them, they smelled of chocolate. You’re kidding me…he had chocolate raspberry truffle tea? That stuff is like…rare as gold! Was my first though, which was quickly interrupted by a tap on my shoulder.
“Excuse me, but could I possible get a cup of the tea you are making? It is one of my very favorites.” Said the man who was standing behind me. On his shoulder sat a small but long light blue dragon. He wore a monocle over his right eye and smiled at me. I came to know him as Cho Hakkai, a man who became a demon by slaying 1000 demons, just like in Japanese legends. He was by far the most normal of the group, and someone I could relate to easily. I poured him his tea as it finished boiling, and then heard an angered bellow from the other end of the bar. It was the other red head and priest in a heated argument. I came to know them both, after giving each a beer and cig, as Sha Gojyo and Genjo Sanzo respectively. I was slowly but surely getting through everyone and coming to know each by name. The tall priest with an accent and hat was Hazel, of course the ice manipulator and Sake fan was my sister Alanna Icewaters (don’t ask about the last names…long and complicated story), and then there was finally him…
He looked young, a few years shy of me, and he was full of energy. He was bouncing around the bar like one of those super bouncy balls little kids play with. His brown hair was in frump upon his head, and his eyes were golden like the sunrise. I found myself star-struck when I looked at him. I asked him if he wanted anything, and he said no thank you to all drinks, but once food was mentioned…I feared for my hand as I handed him the bowl of Ramen noodles I cooked.
“My name’s Son Goku, who are you?!” He said between chop-sticks full of Ramen.
“My name is Ace…and I’m kinda the new owner of this place…but the bad thing about it all is, if I don’t make enough money to finish paying the mortgage on the building, this bar will be shut down. I don’t know how I’ll pull in the money, I mean…you guys are all great people from what I can tell, and I’m not charging you for the items you’re buying or for the rooms I’m renting out to you all…but…for gods sake, I don’t even have a house band!” I said out loud as I bowed my head and ran my hands through my dark, thick locks of hair.
“Well, do you have instruments?” Goku said as he finished off his bowl of Ramen. Damn, could that kid eat…
“What’s this about instruments? I’m curious…” Hakkai said as he began to wash his own tea cup in the sink behind me. Hakkuryu chimed in behind him with a simple ‘keu’ sound.
“Well, you see…I need to pay off the mortgage for this place by the end if February, if I don’t it is shut down. I like this bar, though my owning it did come about in a very unlikely turn of events. I don’t know how I’ll get the money,  I don’t even have a house band. Goku then asked if I had instruments, which…as a matter of fact, the previous owner has 2 Keyboards, 2 guitars, one bass guitar, one drums set, and three microphones on the supply list so…I suppose we do.”
“Well, I heard Priest singing before, I know for a fact Gojyo can play guitar with rhythm, I’ll do my best… but I’m really good on drums!” Goku said, making a wild drumming motion.
“Hey, wait a second there Monkey, what are you volunteering me for now?!” Gojyo said slamming his empty beer can down on the bar counter, it was his 9th can already.
“I am fairly decent on the bass guitar, if you truly wish for me to join.” Hakkai said as Hakkuryu wrapped itself around the synthesizer keyboard.
“Looks like he likes the keyboard…but who else will play it with him. A little dragon can only do so much.” I said, looking at him attempt to hit the keys with his tongue and tail.
“I*hiccup* will take the job!” Hazel said, his accent slurred to his obvious drunkenness. Well, my mother always told me to never look a gift horse or drunk man in the mouth…
“Well…what can he do you Goku?” I said, pointing towards Kappa. I knew their names, but little did I know of their talents (other than drinking and eating me out of bar and inn…)
“Oh, Kappa? He is a guitarist, and like I said, Priest sings.” Goku said, holding his bowl up in a ‘more please’ fashion.
“Alright…and I can do back-up vocals so….hum…that only leaves the keyboard…” I said, slowly turning to look at my loving sister Alanna.
“ How am I getting involved in this?” was her only response. I wasn’t slow minded as the floating heads said I was…I had a plan.
“Do you like sleeping in a bed?” I asked, smiling.
“ What do you think?” Was her like was smart-ass response.
“Yes…and look what I have.” I said, holding up the room key to her room in the Inn section of the Bar.
“ You’re an ass…” was all she said, giving me ‘the look’.
“ And you’re a keyboard player!” I said, tossing her key to her. “Now mind you, I can change the locks if you change your mind…”
“…I hate you.”
“Love you too Sis!” was my only response. I smiled, I had made the band…and with any luck at all it would draw in some new customers and word would spread…
“Wait one fuckin’ second!” Gojyo sounded up. “Why in the hell are we doing this to begin with? What is in it for us?”
“Free food, drink, cigarettes, and boarding…unless you don’t want that Fire Crotch. I mean, you can leave…but it looks like Priest, Kappa, Hakkai, Goku and the rest like my offer…take it or leave it Cockroach…”
“Grrr…don’t call me a bug you bastard…fine, I’ll do it. I won’t like it, but I’ll do it.”
“You normally do things you don’t like for me…” Hakkai said, chuckling.
“Shut up damn it!” Gojyo said, his face turning as red as his hair and eyes.

as I looked over the group and then looked at the time, Hazel fell over onto the bar, I made an executive decision that it was indeed time to turn in, for everyone.
“Alright guys, someone carry Hazel up to his room, and take your own happy asses to your rooms. I’m going to clean up and go to sleep myself.” Was all that I said, uncertain of how much of a lie it would be.
“I’ll carry the damn drunk to his room…pain in my ass.” Sanzo said, picking up Hazel and slumping him over his shoulder. “Damn it, Goku eats more and Hazel weighs more, something about this is wrong…”
“It’s simple Bar Physics really…” Hakkai said, walking up the stairs accompanied by Gojyo. Priest and Kappa walked up the stairs hand in hand, and Alanna took herself up behind them…but not before giving me one more sister love glare.
“Um, well…if you need any help cleaning up…” Goku said, looking at me and smiling before handing me his empty Ramen bowl again.
“No thank you Goku, you can go ahead and go to bed, though you don’t seem like you need it…ball of energy.” I said, chuckling while turning off the burner on the stove. The tea kettle was empty, much due to Hakkai.
As Goku walked up the stairs, he smiled back at me one last time. “Good night Ace!”
“Pleasant dream…” I said, holding back the urge to either call him Goku-sama or Monkey boy. As I finished cleaning, I found myself not thinking of the prospects of this new bar or the band I had just formed in a mere night amongst it’s walls…I found myself thinking of someone.
I walked up to my room absent-mindedly, not quite noticing when or how I got in the door, but knowing I did. I removed my now alcohol drenched shirt and laid in the bed, not caring about tight fitting jeans or how uncomfortable they would be to sleep in. Some part of me knew I wasn’t going to be sleeping tonight…far too many things ran through my mind. One of my thoughts was far clearer than any other though…a smile.
Such a simple smile, perfectly straight teeth and just slightly gleaming from the light hitting the saliva on them. Golden eyes just above the smile haunted me as well. I was never one for falling, in fact I was known for nearly perfect balance…but him…he knocked me off balance. I was feeling inertia, vertigo, lightheadedness…what the hell was wrong with me? I couldn’t bring myself to sleep, for if I did I feared of what dreams may have come. Damn it all to hell…a new bar, a new band…and new love interest all in one night. Things did not seem right, but perhaps they were…

END OF STORY 1