Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ A Simple Kiss ❯ Laughter and Wet Footprints ( Chapter 13 )

Title: A Simple Kiss - Chapter 13: Laughter and Wet Footprints

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Sanzo looked down at the young man lying in his arms. Goku was sleeping soundly, unaware of the carnage that surrounded him. It was hard to believe that just a short while ago the monster that his diadem held in check had been very successfully battering them all to death. Sanzo shuddered, and his dislocated shoulder screamed in pain. This was not an experience he ever wanted to repeat. He shifted the demon to one side, away from his injury. At the adjustment, Goku stirred, grabbing a handful of Sanzo's robes and burying his face in the monk's chest. Too exhausted to protest, Sanzo rested his chin on the boy's head.

Gojyo and Hakkai still hadn't moved, breathing heavily as they sat on the dusty road. No one had said a word since Kanzeon had left, and the only sound was the dry wind that blew down the street, ruffling their hair. Gojyo collapsed onto his back and finally broke the silence. "Well, fuck." He began to laugh, a low deep rumble straight from his chest. His friends stared at him, but Sanzo could tell that Hakkai was having a hard time fighting a smile. Finally giving up, the healer joined in the half-breed's laughter, his quiet and soft, just a tad higher in pitch, but no less relieved.

Sanzo stared at his two companions, whose laughter quickly escalated into uncontrollable gales, ringing out loud and strong. He waited until they had calmed down, both of them lying on their backs, wheezing as they attempted to catch their breath. "Are you two done?"

"Awwww, come on Sanzo, it's over, and we're alive. We're all alive." As he said it, Gojyo suddenly sobered. "I wasn't sure, there towards the end. I really thought we might not get him back." The redhead slowly crawled to Sanzo and Goku, ignoring the blood dripping from his arm. He reached out that arm, but winced and drew it back when he felt the wound. He extended the other arm and laid his hand on Goku's hair, tousling it slightly. "Glad to have you back, kid," he said softly.

Sanzo studied Gojyo curiously, and recalled the half-demon's anger as he forced his gun down, not letting him shoot. Gojyo had cared enough about Goku to refuse to let Sanzo give up when he had been swallowed by despair. Was this what true friendship was? Depending on each other not just for survival, but for help when the darkness grew too thick? Lowering his eyes back to Goku, he called the half-breed's name. "Gojyo."

The man looked up at him, face for once devoid of his trademark smirk, instead reflecting weariness and pain. "Yeah?"

"Thanks." It wasn't something he had ever thought he would say.

Gojyo looked surprised. "For what?"

"For stopping me. For forcing me to see that there was another choice."

Gojyo smiled a little. "You're welcome, but I didn't do it for you. I did it for him." He inclined his head towards Goku.

"I know," Sanzo acknowledged.

Hakkai crawled up to them and peered closely at Goku. "It doesn't look like he's hurt badly, just a few scratches and the lash on his cheek."

Gojyo snorted. "He wasn't the one getting beat on. We're a damn mess!"

The three of them were covered in bruises and blood, most of it their own. Sanzo was outwardly the best off, sporting nothing more than cuts and scratches; but below the surface he endured the dislocated shoulder, as well as a dull throbbing in his side that told him he had some bruised ribs… Not to mention a massive headache. For a moment he wished Goku was awake to heal the migraine, but banished that thought. The young man needed rest after his painful transformation.

Hakkai and Gojyo were both bleeding from multiple wounds, though the blood had slowed to a trickle from most of them. Hakkai had slashes across his chest that Sanzo could see through the rents in his shirt, and the cut on his forehead had made his face a grotesque red and white mask. The healer had also taken a vicious blow to the calves which may have broken a bone. He was sitting there now with his hands on his head and a grimace on his face that told of a headache as bad as Sanzo's. Gojyo had split his scalp when he was kicked against the building, and drying blood clumped in his hair and coated his neck and shoulder. His worst injury was his torn arm, where they could all see the white of bone at the bottom of the deep slash. The half-breed was pale from blood loss and pain, and looked ill.

Hakkai tended to Gojyo's wound first, despite the man's vocal protests that he was wounded himself and shouldn't worry about them. The healer slowly got to his feet, dizziness making him grasp Gojyo's shoulder for support. As soon as he was upright, he oriented on the water bucket Gojyo had brought earlier and headed towards it. Though he limped, his stride was steady, indicating no broken bones. Grabbing the bucket, he returned to pour it over Gojyo's arm, effectively shutting him up. The man hissed at the pain and his face paled further, but he didn't pass out. Hakkai used just enough ki to stop the bleeding and partially heal the deep wound, then quit.

Sanzo was not planning on letting Hakkai tend to his wounds, but when he shrugged off questions about his health, the healer touched his shoulder lightly. Even the light touch was enough to send shockwaves up his arm, and he gasped.

"That's what I thought," Hakkai murmured. "It's dislocated, isn't it? You should have said something."

Sanzo still said nothing, gritting his teeth against the throbbing pain.

"This is going to hurt," Hakkai warned.

"Then do it already!" Sanzo growled. A quick jerk to the side and a pop, and the arm was back in its socket. Though his face was white and his breathing ragged, Sanzo found he was no longer in pain - at least not from the arm. Everything else was minor and could wait until later. "That's enough, Hakkai. We'll be fine. You need to take care of yourself."

Hakkai nodded and proceeded to wash as much of the blood off his face as he could from the small bucket. Gojyo had already returned to the well and was using a spare bucket to clean himself off. Sanzo looked around him, taking in the blood-splattered walls and the numerous dead bodies. It was a good thing this was already a ghost town, because they had just added a whole bunch more. Tilting Goku's weight back against his chest and slipping his good arm underneath the young man's knees, Sanzo struggled to stand. A strong hand caught his elbow, helping to steady him. Sanzo's automatic response of 'Get your hands off me,' died on his lips as he looked into Gojyo's concerned eyes.

"Do you want me to take him?"

Sanzo shook his head. "With that arm? I can handle him."

Gojyo let go of his elbow, and Sanzo shifted Goku to a position that did not strain his shoulder. "Let's get the hell out of this fucking place."

There was no argument from either of the others, and they slowly made their way down the road to the end of town. Hakkai called for Hakuryu, and the little white dragon appeared from wherever he had been hiding. Kyuuing plaintively, their transportation landed on the healer's shoulder, rubbing his head against the man's cheek. "It's okay, we're fine," Hakkai soothed him. "Please transform so we can get to the next town." The dragon fluttered to the ground and became the familiar green jeep.

"I'll sit in the back with Goku, Gojyo, since I've already got him. You take shotgun." Sanzo did not quite know why he felt the need to make excuses.

"Sure" Gojyo made certain they were all in the jeep and settled before hopping into his own seat. Hakkai took off at a fairly fast pace, and no one complained. They were all eager to get to an inn for some much needed rest.

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It took them only a few hours to reach the nearest town on the map, just as the sun was setting. Hauling themselves wearily from the jeep, Sanzo let the other two take the lead as he carried Goku. They booked a large single room with four beds, none of them wanting to be alone after the day they had just lived through. It did not have an attached bathroom, but there was one just down the hall, a small price to pay for the ability to keep an eye on each other. Gojyo placed a room service order for dinner - "Beer, I need beer!" - and they retired to their room.

Sanzo gently laid Goku on a bed, trying not to disturb the young man as he pulled his robe from his clenched fist. Goku whimpered a bit at the sudden chill and curled into a ball, but did not wake. Sanzo pulled off his boots, tucked the blankets around him, then paused to study his face. They had come so close to losing each other today. If Gojyo had not thought to call Kanzeon, one of them would probably be dead, the other living with the guilt of having caused that death. He raised his head to look at Gojyo, lounging in a chair, feet up on the table and a cigarette in his hand. Hakkai was lying on the bed nearest him, eyes closed, but not asleep as he talked quietly with his friend. Despite their wounds and tired bodies, they both looked content… almost happy. Why? Was it truly as Gojyo had said earlier, because they had all lived? That spoke of a concern for each other stronger than their concern for themselves. Having spent so much of his life looking after only himself, the thought was alien to Sanzo.

Gojyo looked up as Sanzo crossed to the table and sat down, drawing out a cigarette and lighting it. "How's he doing?"

"Still asleep."

"Good." The redhead looked towards the bed where Goku was resting. "Think he'll sleep through the night?"

"Probably." Hakkai got up and joined them at the table. "He normally does after becoming Seiten Taisei."

There was a knock at the door, and Gojyo got up to answer it. It was their dinner, and after the serving girl left, the three began to eat quietly, reflecting on the events of the day.

"I'm glad Kanzeon showed up when she did. Things could have turned out very differently," Hakkai mused.

"Yeah. By the way, how did you get the Goddess to come?" Gojyo posed the question to Sanzo.

"I just… asked for help." It was difficult to admit, and he expected a smart-ass comment from the half-breed, but none was forthcoming.

Gojyo looked at him with something in his eyes Sanzo had never seen before. Respect and gratitude. "That couldn't have been easy for you."

It was true; asking for help from others was not something he would normally do. But he was not as uncomfortable with the thought as he had been. Had being around these three changed him so much? Had he begun relying on them so much that asking others for assistance was not as unthinkable as it had been before? Realizing that Gojyo was still watching him, waiting for a response, and unable and unwilling to put his thoughts into words, he just grunted and took a swig of his beer.

Gojyo looked at him a moment longer, and a ghost of a smile flashed across his face before he turned back to his meal. His crimson eyes said that he knew what Sanzo had not said. Changing the subject, to the monk's relief, he asked, "So are we heading out early tomorrow as usual?"

Sanzo opened his mouth to reply in the affirmative, but Hakkai beat him to it. "No. We are in no shape to travel."

Sanzo glared at their driver. "Dammit, we lost enough time today. We need to get back on the road."

Hakkai was firm. "No. If we get attacked like we did today, the only one that is going to be able to fight is Goku, if he's as unhurt as we believe he is. Gojyo's arm is badly wounded, and your shoulder needs time to recuperate… and your ribs if I'm right about why you're moving so stiffly. We all badly need a day to rest."

His tired body agreed with that statement, so Sanzo did not argue further, but for appearance's sake he scowled at both his companions. "Fine. That means we leave all the earlier the next day."

Hakkai smiled his thanks and they sank into silence again. As they finished eating, there was quiet yawning all around the table, and in unison they stood up.

"Damn, I smell like blood." Gojyo's face twisted in disgust. "I'm going for a bath before bed." He grabbed his bag and threw it over his shoulder, then walked out the door.

"That sounds like a great idea," Hakkai murmured. Grabbing his bag as well, he went to check on Goku before leaving. Seeing Sanzo's eyes on him as he straightened, he said softly "Don't worry, he's fine. How's your shoulder?"

"A little sore, but it's fine. Go on, enjoy your bath. I'll stay and watch him."

As the door closed behind the healer, Sanzo lit a cigarette and went to stand by the window. He would go for a bath as soon as Hakkai and Gojyo came back. He supposed he could go now, but did not like the idea of leaving Goku alone. It was silly, really. The young man was asleep, and it was doubtful he would wake before morning, but Sanzo did not want to take the chance of his charge waking and finding himself alone. Goku was always remorseful after becoming Seiten Taisei, and it would not help matters for him to think he had been abandoned by his friends.

Sanzo shrugged out of the shoulders of his robe, wincing slightly at the soreness in his shoulder and side. He could see the beginnings of a deep bruise where Nyoi-bou had hit him, and he scowled at it. Goku would not react well when he saw it. But when did he start to care what the saru thought? Pondering the question seriously, he answered it himself. He did care, and had for awhile. He realized that extended to the others as well. He cared what they all thought now. Thinking back on their journey thus far, he wondered when it had become true. Unable to pick a specific defining moment, he let the thought go. It was enough that he cared, it did not matter when it had started.

Sanzo turned back to look at his charge. They were not the only ones that needed a bath; the young man's face was covered with blood and dust. A pitcher of water had been left with their dinner, and a basin and towel sat on a shelf by the door. Sanzo dipped the towel into the water, and wiped away the blood as best he could. He was careful of the lash mark on Goku's cheek, not wanting to wake the sleeper. There was not much he could do about the bloody clothes - not even Goku would sleep through being undressed - but he did gently remove the shoulder armor and cape, leaving the youth in his t-shirt and jeans. Satisfied that he had done what he could, Sanzo returned to the window.

He was still standing by the window, smoking, when the others came in, looking clean and refreshed. "Okay, Sanzo-sama, your turn. Don't worry, we'll watch the monkey." Gojyo's irreverence did not irritate him as much as it usually did. Refusing to respond to the man's taunts, he picked up his bag and headed towards the baths, casting one last glance in the direction of the sleeping earth child.

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Sinking into the hot water, Sanzo felt himself relax for the first time in what seemed like days. He breathed in the swirling steam, letting the heat fill his whole body. Choosing to take his time, he sunk lower into the water, his golden hair fanning out behind him. What a disquieting day today had been, and not just because they had had to fight Seiten Taisei. The whole experience had forced him into admitting things he thought he could not feel. Not just his concern for his charge, but his caring for his companions. Ever since Koumyou's death and his subsequent flight from the temple, he had built walls around himself, refusing to allow anyone to get close to him. Close relationships equaled pain, that was his experience. Sanzo thought he had been effective at keeping people out, but somehow these three had broken down those walls without his even realizing it. And he found that he was actually grateful for that fact. Yes, today the thought of having to shoot Goku had devastated him, but it was the strength of those around him that had given him another alternative. Without that support, he would have lost something dear to him. It was almost funny how an event that had come so close to ending all their lives had given him insight into what he stood to lose.

Sanzo sighed as the water cooled around him. Grabbing a cloth, he washed off the remains of dirt and blood, taking special care to clean his hair. Leaving any indication of the events that had transpired would only cause Goku more pain. Not that there was much to be done about the bruises and scratches that marred his skin. Finally clean to his satisfaction, he stood and wrapped a towel around his waist. Getting out of the bath, he caught sight of himself in the mirror. With his hair slicked down and back, the chakra on his forehead stood out in startling contrast to his pale skin. His mark of being close to the gods. He scoffed at the thought. Despite the help of the Merciful Goddess today, he still did not feel close to the gods. The gods were the ones that had gotten them all in this bloody mess to begin with.

Sanzo paused in his drying as a sudden thought occurred to him. Without this journey, he never would have had the opportunity to really get to know his three… friends; would never have gotten to observe their strengths and weaknesses and see how much stronger they were as a group. He felt that he finally understood the order of the Sanbutsushin to 'trust the eyes of your heart.' Feeling oddly lightened, he finished drying and put on a clean pair of jeans and a loose shirt. Wrinkling his nose at the state his robe was in, he considered whether to attempt to clean it or just get rid of it. It wasn't like he didn't have a spare robe. Looking it over carefully, he noticed that it was mostly just dirty, not torn as he had thought. Since they were going to be here another day, he might as well drop it off to be cleaned. Throwing it over his shoulder, he padded down the hallway to their room, leaving wet footprints in his wake.

When he slipped into the room, it was quiet. Hakkai seemed to already be asleep, but Gojyo was slouched at the table, cigarette in hand. Seeing the monk return, he snubbed out the smoke and stood, giving Sanzo a small salute before dragging himself to bed. Light snores drifted up mere moments after his head hit the pillow. Sanzo let an amused smile through his defenses as he looked at the sleeping half-breed. Quietly setting his bag down, he found that while he was tired, his mind was too active for sleep. Stopping to make sure Goku was still sleeping peacefully, he slipped into Gojyo's abandoned chair and lit up. Putting his bare feet up on the table, he dropped his head back against the top chair rung. He stared at the ceiling, violet eyes taking in the cracked and worn boards, and the small fan that rotated slowly. It was a room like so many they had shared these past few years, but tonight it felt different. Tonight he was not bemoaning the loss of his privacy. Tonight he was relishing the warmth of being surround by friends.

Sanzo raised his head and looked at the first bed that came into view. Hakkai. The one who was probably the closest to him in background and general temperament. They certainly shared the same dislike of rain, and similar reasons for it. Hakkai was the peacemaker in their group, always stepping in when things between the rest of them got too heated. Sanzo could not count the number of times that he had been stopped from burying a bullet in Gojyo's head by Hakkai's calming words. The healer gave of himself completely, choosing his companions safety and comfort over his own. No matter how badly hurt he was, he always tried to help the others first. Hakkai best understood his pain of losing someone close to him. And despite that, the man-turned-youkai still encouraged him to find happiness with Goku. Why? Was it the death of Cho Gonou and the rebirth of Cho Hakkai? Had that given him some insight into how unexpected life really was? That you never know what's going to happen, so it's important to take things when you can? That the benefits of being with him could outweigh the risks involved? That was what Hakkai had said, and Sanzo thought he understood a little better now. But it was not true just for Goku, it was true for them all. The benefits of being close to his friends did outweigh the risks involved. He had seen that today.

Turning his head slightly, he caught sight of the next bed. Gojyo. Before today, he would have described the half-breed as nothing more than a pain in his ass. The man went out of his way to annoy him and to press the boundaries of his temper and his personal space. But there was more to him than that. His skill in battle was unquestionable - that even Sanzo would willingly admit. But beyond that, surprisingly, of the four of them Gojyo was probably the most loyal to the rest. His day-to-day actions hid the little things he did that made it obvious he was devoted to his friends. While his teasing and fighting with Goku drove Sanzo to distraction, he was also quick to offer compassion to the young man. He could not be sure, but given the change in Goku's attitude after a night rooming with Gojyo, the redhead must have said something comforting. And his support of Hakkai was obvious. Even with his own bleeding wound today, his concern for Hakkai had been first and foremost in his mind.

A final turn of his head, and the third bed came into view. Feeling the need to be closer, Sanzo got up and straddled the chair near the bed, chin resting on the top rung. Goku. The object of both his irritation and, lately, his desire and confusion. He could not understand why he was so attracted to someone who annoyed him so much on a regular basis, but Sanzo found that he could not imagine life any other way. Life without Goku would be… boring. The young youkai exhibited a spirit and determination that kept them all going whenever they got discouraged. He had an incredible love of life, after having been denied its pleasures for so long. It was one of the things that attracted Sanzo to him. And his new maturity was intriguing. With that maturity had come a new level of responsibility and power… the earth child was powerful, that was certainly true. More powerful than they still knew, most likely, and frightening as well, as they had seen today. Only time and further learning would give Goku the knowledge he needed to fully control it. Thinking about the events of today made Sanzo shiver. The despair that had filled him when the sutra had rebounded off Seiten Taisei's ki shield had frightened him as much as anything he had ever faced. He had never been so close to giving up. He had not thought he was the type to ever give up. But the thought of having to lose Goku like that… Sanzo shook his head, trying to drive the thought out of his mind. It was over, it hadn't happened, there was no reason to dwell on it.

Sanzo lit another cigarette and found himself thinking instead about the reasons for it. Seiten Taisei had emerged because of Goku's fear for his life. Not for his own life, but for Sanzo's life. It was the one thing that could truly frighten the fearless fighter, the thought of losing his sun. Wouldn't their having a relationship just make that fear worse? Would being closer to Goku make the young man even more protective? Was it possible for him to be more protective? And what of himself? Was there something he could do to stop this from happening in the future? Their road was a dangerous and bloody one, and he was only mortal. Despite his best intentions, it was doubtful that they would reach their destination in the west without his being hurt again. How could he reassure Goku that he wasn't going to leave him when he himself did not know if it was true? Sanzo pondered the question for a while, and realized that it was a key point in his decision of whether or not he could allow himself to return Goku's love. Would allowing this to happen cause future pain or future happiness for Goku? For himself? He depended on Goku's strength in battle, and on his own strength of will. Goku depended on him for… well, for everything, really. He was the bringer of light, of freedom, of happiness for Goku. How could he not respond to that kind of adoration? But was it simply adoration? Or had adoration long ago deepened into love? The ramifications frightened him.

Sanzo tried to think things through without allowing emotion to cloud his mind. Goku loved him, that was a fact. The young man had admitted it last night, though the monk had known it before that. And himself? He cared deeply about Goku, he had admitted that to Hakkai. Did he love him? Sanzo was still unsure. There were so many connotations to the word that confused and worried him. Goku had allowed him to make the choice of where things went from here. So what did he want to do? Could he allow himself to pursue a relationship with someone he cared about and who cared about him? Why couldn't he? Because of a fear of loss? With Goku's skill in battle, it was more likely for Sanzo to fall. The rare times the young man got hurt were normally due to his protecting Sanzo. Would that really change if Sanzo refused him? Probably not. Goku was likely to be devoted to him until his death. Goku would not grow up and leave him. So the only other possible loss would be to Seiten Taisei.

A new idea began to grow in the monk's mind. Could loving Goku actually help him keep from losing control? Sanzo gazed down at the sleeping young man. They already had an unbreakable bond, and love could only strengthen it. Would that stronger bond allow him to reach Goku during time of crisis, to reassure him? To become an anchor of sorts? And if it did not, how could it make things worse? The circumstances that allowed Seiten Taisei to reach the surface could still happen whether he admitted love or not.

Sanzo got up from the chair and sat on the edge of Goku's bed. The youkai slept like the dead; there was not much chance of waking him. Running his fingers lightly through the young man's hair, Sanzo contemplated the relaxed face in front of him. Such childlike innocence and peace, even in sleep. He gently traced the lash mark marring that smooth face. Feeling the touch even in deep sleep, Goku stirred and pressed into the contact. In a voice so quiet that Sanzo had to lean in to hear him, Goku spoke a single word. "Sanzo." There was nothing but love in the saying of his name. It was that simple word which finally gave Sanzo the answer he had been seeking. How could he refuse a partner who had so much love for him even during sleep? He could not, it was that simple. The decision filled him with tranquility, and he leaned forward, pressing a light kiss to Goku's forehead. Resolving to talk to the young man as soon as they were alone, Sanzo rose and went to his own bed. Getting comfortable under the blankets, he found himself feeling as Goku must each day, filled with the joy of the future. Sanzo closed his eyes and slept.

* * * * * *

A/N:

Ahhh, finally settled in (If an air mattress and the computer on the floor can be considered settled in), and I got my high-speed connection today, so I'm back in business! Sorry about making you wait a little longer than I would have normally, believe me, not having a connection for 3 days was just torture! But enough of that, here's the next chapter. I love Sanzo here. There are so many images of him that just make me drool all over my keyboard. Something about him and bare feet just sets me off.

Stitcher2ficcer, my thanks as always.

My God, we are almost to 250 reviews! You guys loved ch.11 and 12 as much as I did! Thank you, each and every one of you.

SD: Sentimental? I'm not sure about that one. Maybe sappy at times, but I can't help it! J

Me-Nuriko: Yes! I am back, I am connected again, and I will email you tonight! I hate being out of touch. I'm glad you liked the chapter, and I'm glad you liked Kanzeon, she was important to what Sanzo needed to learn.

Zek Majiri: I agree, he really does need to ask for help more often. It was fun to humble him a little! The evil things we authors can do!

Nikki: Thanks! I love them in bed, but I like them fighting as well. They are sexy that way! I'm glad I took you by surprise with the way I ended things, I was hoping I would. We will have to wait to see if there is a happily ever after, though it wouldn't be much of a SanzoxGoku fic without one, would it? I think this chapter gives you a little insight into what will happen.

SuGaR aNiMe FrEaK: Poor Goku, hiding from Ran! I can't image why he'd want to hide from a sugar-hyped Ran. And you actually got Sanzo to agree to be there! That's pretty good negotiating skills. I'm looking forward to more.

Mei Yanohi: Holy Jesus Shit? That's not one I've heard before, but I appreciate the thought behind it. I'm happy you liked 12, I was pretty proud of how it came out. I'm waiting to see your review on this one. You recognized the scene you drew for me, right?

Eclipse45: I'm glad you liked it. When I'm writing this I can see what's going on in my head, so knowing that I'm doing a decent job of allowing my readers to do the same makes me happy.

katie: I'm glad Seiten Taisei scared you, that means I was doing my job!

Pervasive Threnody: I very much enjoyed the Pocky, thanks! I have to admit, I started watching Saiyuki dubbed, so Greg's voice is the one I hear in my mind. I actually love the show subbed or dubbed, and I try to watch each episode both ways, just to see the difference. I can't get enough of our beautiful bishies!

Stitcher2ficcer: Now, now, be nice. It's not nice to torment the other readers with what you know. I hope your right about them loving it, though!

Silver on the Tree: Despite their encounter at the beginning of this story, I felt they both needed to do some growing and thinking before they could reasonably commit to a real relationship. Sanzo especially needed to come to terms with not only how he felt about Goku, but how he felt about all of them. Don't worry about repeating things, I always love to hear them!

Nozomi Anshin: <hehe> Maybe you're right, but then it wouldn't have been as much fun! (For me at least!)

Bleedformeee: I want to hear all about FanimeCon. I presume it must be this weekend? What are you cosplaying as? I've got an idea for a costume for next ACEN, we will have to see if I get energetic enough to actually do something about it.

Mitsko: Have you seen any more Gunlock? I have 8 downloading right now. 7 is pretty funny, Sanzo gets turned into a tree! God, I love these guys!

Merf: I'm glad you liked it, and I hope you don't think I got too sappy/OOC with Sanzo here. He has to get a little sappy in order for this all to work out, but I'm trying to do it in character with the development of the story.

Phoe-chan: Seiten Taisei is just deliciously chilling, isn't he? Hope you liked this chappie as well.

Crimson1: I can't believe how many people were worried that I was actually going to have Sanzo shoot Seiten Taisei. Not much romance involved if that had happened! I can't promise he won't be angry with himself when he wakes up, he normally takes what he does as ST pretty hard, and now that there is a deeper relationship growing with Sanzo, he probably isn't going to be too happy.

Saiyuki G.H.S.G: Thanks! I loved the way Gojyo stepped in to stop Sanzo in ch.12, he can be such a great guy when he wants to. Writing him has definitely made me love him more.

huh: I'm glad you are liking my characterizations. I'm trying to stay as true to them as I can. You'll have to wait to find out about Goku waking up until next chapter, but I hope this suffices in the meantime.

NemKess: Wow, that's quite the compliment. I had so much fun writing it, I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.

rhoda: I'm not scared of Sanzo, he owes me for what I let him do later. He was fun to humble, though!

chibisanzo: Yeah, that was pretty unusual for him, wasn't it? He had to face that he couldn't do everything by himself.

KazeShinai: A little fluff here, not too much though. Just wait, it's coming.

Shelley: I love to hear from readers who have been following my story. I hang on every review, wanting to know what you guys think. I'm happy you are liking this so much. I can't wait to get your glowing reviews! (Sanzo and Goku in wedding dresses? Now there's a pic I'd like to see!)

gallatica: I can't believe I got to meet them either. It was soooo great! And I will never forget Greg saying that line, I think of it when I'm writing! I've been trying to email you, but it says your hotmail account is full. Send me an email when you get it cleared a little, I want to stay in touch!

Klee5: Don't worry, I haven't forgotten you! I'm looking forward to more chapters, but you just can't put Tenpou and Goku together! Poor Sanzo!

Bakasaru Boi: Yeah, they stopped him, but there is still a price to pay, at least for Goku. And that's all I'm going to say about that for right now. Hope with the summer here you have more time for Saiyuki fanfics!

Am1-13th: Nice to have you back again. No lemon here, be patient.

Kisariko: Thanks for the compliment. Hope you like Sanzo here. (Is wonderfullizm a word? If not, it should be, it's fun!)

Forsaken^On3: Any time Seiten Taisei shows up, you know it's going to be bloody and violent. I'm glad you thought it was interesting.

Dragon keeper: You go from threatening me to being my loyal fan? LOL! I'm happy to have a loyal fan! I am your source of life? O.O That's quite the compliment. You are a sweetie. I love blueberry muffins, and they go great with lemonade. I'll enjoy them while I'm writing! No stars, but here's a hug. Gives dragon keeper a big hug

Stranger: Your review made me laugh. You must not have read very many Saiyuki fics if you are asking that question. Easily half of the fics involve the guys together, and the pairings are numerous. We just love to put our beautiful bishies together, they are great that way. I don't really think of them as being gay (though I don't have a problem with it), I think of them as loving someone they have a deep and abiding connection with. But that's just me. I hope you try out and enjoy the many great Saiyuki fics out there, both gen and shounen-ai. If you want some suggestions, send me an email, I've read most of the ones on ff.net.