Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Happy Birthday, Baby ❯ A Pleasant Memory from a Momentous Day ( Chapter 1 )

{{For reasons which are utterly beyond me, this fic vanished from MediaMiner.org recently and I am re-uploading it now since quite a few folks were enjoying the lemony goodness. I sorely miss the reviews it already had as well as the hit counts, but there's nothing I can do about it and the administration here is unresponsive to inquiries at the moment about much of anything.}}

Greetings!

Welcome to the first chapter of my newest story, a somewhat lengthy yet soon-to-be *very* lemony piece for the bishounen of Saiyuki!

Strangely enough, for reasons that I won't bore you to death with, this is actually a sequel to the incomplete fic "Fateful Encounters" which is archived in its entirety at fanfiction.net and is in the progress of being reedited and is posting here slowly but surely. You don't have to have read all of that story to appreciate this one, but if you run into things that confuse you endlessly might I recommend you glance at it?

One last thing before I let you get started on the fic itself, if you read this and enjoy it *please* take a few minutes and use the review/comment feature at the end to leave my muses some supportive words of encouragement. Feel free to skip that hokey "grading scale" thing since we aren't in English class and it takes too long. Just a sentence or two to let me know what you liked best will improve the chances that you'll get more of the same in the future and will work just fine.

Thanks in advance for reading and reviewing my humble offering and I hope you'll enjoy a mostly non-angsty sexual adventure for these two deserving bishounen!

~~~Enigma~~~

(who can't help but wonder why folks tend not to leave reviews for lemons since hentai writers need support as much as dramatic or humorous ones do, but such is life, ne?)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Title: Happy Birthday, Baby [part 1/6]

Book 2 of the "Encounters Arc"

Author: Enigma

Series: Saiyuki

Written: September - October, 2002

Rating: NC-17

Main Pairing: (Gojyo x Hakkai)

Category: Yaoi, Romance, Angst, Lemons, Sap. AU-OOC.

Archive: mediaminer.org [author: "E-sama the Llama"]

Warnings: yaoi, very sweet romance, midlevel angst, multiple graphic and highly detailed lemons as well as numerous mini-citrus explosions (including manual, oral, *and* anal sex scenes), a major role for a little white dragon, coarse language as per the anime, transient animal injuries, sap, and tiny hints of humor. AU-OOC.

Spoilers: This story is set between episodes 7 & 8 of the anime and contains minor spoilers for several incidents that occurred prior to the group's first encounter with Chin Iisou as well as the Gaiden era plus events I assume took place before the beginning of the journey west. There are also a few spoilers for "Fateful Encounters" after chapter 21, but they are negligible.

Disclaimer: "Saiyuki" is the property of Kazuya Minekura, et al. This unauthorized work of unpaid fanfiction is intended for entertainment only; please do not sue me.

Lemon Disclaimer: Kindly note that in the Real World, "safe" sex should be practiced at all times. However, this is an "Enigma Yaoi Romance Lemon" and all bishounen in question are hence magically protected against the dangers of sexually transmissible diseases, therefore they can skip the condoms -- and they know it!

Advisory: Whenever dialogue is written in all lowercase letters, it is to be read as if it is spoken very softly, possibly in a whisper, a gasp, or in a tone not meant to be heard by those nearby.

Notes: After living together for over three years, Gojyo wants to finally give Hakkai the ultimate pleasure on his birthday, but while searching for him to do so, he recalls vividly another tasty first from his own birthday that changed their lives forever.

{{flashback delineators}}

*****

On September twenty-first, the sound of early morning birdsong filled the small bedroom of an unnamed inn in a small village where three men who were on an epic journey together slept, rousing one of them and making him aware that a certain someone was absent. [1]

"where's hakkai?" Gojyo asked himself in a very soft voice, not wishing to awaken Sanzo or Goku. However, the younger of the two sleepers was snoring so loudly that his words were certain to go unheard, or so the half-breed thought.

The crimson-haired man grabbed his blue vest and pulled it on over his usual white tank top, tucked an important item into a pocket of his beige pants with a secretive smile, then prepared to go in search of his missing lover. As he stepped from the room lost in thought and already contemplating how best to use the limited time they might have alone together to celebrate Hakkai's birthday before resuming their travels as usual, Gojyo missed the fact that behind him violet eyes had opened ever so slightly.

An unreadable expression crossed Sanzo's face as he correctly assumed that if both of the men who naïvely assumed the depths of their true relationship was unknown were out of the shared bedroom together it would be awhile before they returned. With a melancholy sigh, he rolled towards the wall and tried to get back to sleep while pretending it didn't make any difference at all to him what was going on between his companions.

"of course it doesn't matter to me if they fuck each other senseless," the blond grumbled to himself under his breath, then added in unnecessary justification, "as long as we leave here on schedule." With a second, deeper sigh, he closed his eyes and tried diligently not to wonder which member of the unlikely couple took the dominant position in their lovemaking, something Sanzo regretfully contemplated far too often since it only emphasized the fact that he had no such partner.

Sanzo would have had to have been blind to miss the many theoretically hidden glances and unconcealed brief caresses Gojyo and Hakkai shared. Both of them had also taken actions during the course of the journey to protect and defend the other at greater risk to himself than necessary yet they foolishly assumed their occasional intimate rendezvous had gone undetected.

Snorting softly to himself as this thought occurred to him, the priest began to drift back to sleep glad that the youngest member of their group was ignorant of the actions of the other two youkai. Goku may have technically been well over five hundred years old, yet emotionally he remained a child and his innocence was a precious part of him that his guardian wished to protect.

Even as Sanzo was wrestling yet again with a growing sense of distraction caused by the lovers, Gojyo was whistling softly as he made his way down the stairs and into the remarkably empty dining area of the inn.

"Well, this is weird," Gojyo commented unhappily. "I was certain Hakkai would be down here having breakfast or coffee or something. Oh well, I guess we start the day playing hide-and-seek." He chuckled slightly and shook his head before adding with only a slight hint of regret, "It's not as if we haven't played that game before."

Memory washed over the half-breed and for a moment he was lost in reverie.

Three years and several months prior, Gojyo had left his favorite bar en route to nowhere like usual, merely walking through the rain trying to forget the pain of his tedious life. What happened that night, though, changed everything and before he knew it, he'd gained a roommate who would become best friend, confidante, and eventually a partner in the best sense of the word.

After over two years as roommates, the pair transitioned very, very slowly from chaste embraces and kisses to gradually more intimate forms of contact. The first time they had truly made love together had also been a birthday, one Gojyo would never forget.

{{begin flashback}}

On November ninth the year before joining Sanzo and Goku for the journey west, Hakkai had left the small apartment that they shared intending to get the things he needed to create a celebratory dinner for the handsome man who had become the world to him. When he was late getting back, though, Gojyo wasn't the only one worried about him.

"Kyu?" Hakuryu keened softly where it perched on a window sill and gazed out into the street in front of their home. The mysterious creature was a forbidden blend of magic and science that had come into their lives during a strange encounter, but now that it had formed certain bonds with Hakkai and Gojyo both, it was as much a member of the household as the two men were. [2] The dragon turned its snowy head towards the crimson-haired man nearby and repeated in a concerned tone, "Kyu?"

Shaking his head sadly, Gojyo answered, "I ain't got a clue what's keeping Hakkai so long either, Hakuryu. Maybe we ought to go check on him?"

"Kyu!" The little dragon agreed firmly and then rose into the air on its long leathery wings, fluttering about until Gojyo opened the door to release it. Outside, it immediately converted itself into its Jeep form and sat, engine idling anxiously.

"What's this?" Gojyo asked in astonishment. "You want *me* to drive?"

"Kyu!" Hakuryu insisted, trying not to rock back and forth on its tires anxiously in its desire to get going.

Ordinarily the magical vehicle didn't allow anyone other than Hakkai to drive it, but in an emergency such as what it feared its dearest friend was facing, it more than gladly allowed the less accomplished driver to take over. Then again, it could guide itself if need be, but Hakuryu knew the tall half-breed had a better field of vision than it did in this form and trusted Gojyo to get them to Hakkai's side more efficiently than it could itself.

Climbing into the driver's seat where he almost never sat, Gojyo placed his hands on the wheel and said with a sad smile, "You must really be worried then. All right, Hakuryu, let's go find your master!"

"Kyu!" The Jeep agreed without clarifying the way it viewed the relationship it shared with the brunette as being one of friendship as opposed to one of owner and pet.

Without further discussion, they headed towards the marketplace and shopping district at a slightly faster rate than usual. There were very few motorized vehicles in the small village they lived in and thus they typically moved through areas where they might encounter pedestrians with great care so as not to injure anyone.

Gojyo glanced from side to side hoping to spot a familiar head of coffee-brown hair wandering amongst the shoppers that were out and about that afternoon, but he had no such luck. With a soft curse, he commented, "If I didn't know better, I'd think he was playing a game of hide-and-seek with us, Hakuryu. I don't see him anywhere."

"Kyu," the Jeep moaned unhappily, neither knowing nor caring what the game the half-youkai had mentioned even was, all Hakuryu wanted was to find his missing friend and see to it that he was safe and sound.

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully for a moment, Gojyo contemplated his options and then suggested, "Why don't we circle around the outside edge of the village? Every so often Hakkai goes on one of his 'nature walks' and it's possible he did that and just lost track of the time."

The vehicle made a noise to indicate agreement and then they headed away from the populated section of town. Gojyo doubted his companion would've allowed himself to be distracted on a day when he had specifically planned on doing something special, but it didn't hurt as much to believe this might be the explanation for Hakkai's absence as opposed to thinking he might've somehow become injured again.

Following the outskirts of the village took longer than one might've thought since the terrain was a bit uneven, but the searchers were determined to find their absent friend even as the shadows began to grow long on the ground as the sun sank towards the horizon.

Passing the spot in the woods where Gojyo had rescued the almost fatally injured Gonou caused a brief twinge of pain in the scarlet-eyed man's heart. The sorrow of recalling how close to death his friend had been at the time slipped away quickly as they left the forest behind and moved towards a small stream where Hakkai often found solace from the darkness that occasionally haunted him. Sadly, the banks of the quickly flowing water were unoccupied and the brook babbled away merrily before as well as after Hakuryu's tires splashed through it continuing the search.

"This really sucks," Gojyo complained worriedly. "We've got to be almost all the way around the village by now and there's *still* no sign of him!"

"Kyu," Hakuryu keened forlornly and kept going, its tires crushing long narrow leaves as it entered a large stand of bamboo which was shared by the villagers and the wildlife in the region. Both humans and animals enjoyed the abundant growth which provided food for them all as well as building materials for the people whose incomes limited their ability to purchase imported woods for their homes.

Visibility was drastically reduced by the many stalks which grew far enough apart that Hakuryu could get past most of them with only minor difficulty, but Gojyo wasn't satisfied with trusting his eyes and began to call out in a loud voice, "Hakkai?! Are you out here, babe?! Hakkai?!?"

At first the only answer was the rustling of the bamboo plants and the occasional animal cry, but after the tenth time he'd called out, an exhausted voice responded, "Gojyo? I'm over here."

Hakuryu came to a dead halt and Gojyo had only a moment to scramble from the driver's seat before the vehicle transformed and in a flash of white, the dragon vanished into the greenery intending to find their missing friend and then guide the half-breed to Hakkai if necessary.

Racing after the winged creature and arriving only a moment later, Gojyo found his roommate sitting tiredly propped against the base of a particularly large bamboo plant and cuddling the snowy dragon whose garnet-colored eyes peered at him with concern.

"Kyu? Kyu?!" The magical creature inquired worriedly when it detected signs of weariness that seemed out of place and it swiveled its head on its long, furred neck trying to see if Hakkai was injured or not.

"I am terribly sorry for having worried you, Hakuryu," Hakkai was saying to the dragon, petting it reassuringly even though it was clearly hard for him to raise his hand to do so. Realizing they were not alone, he looked up into equally concerned eyes the color of rubies and added, "Ah, Gojyo, I am truly, truly sorry to have made you come looking for me this way on your birthday."

"Fuck that, baby," Gojyo replied with a tenderness such coarse words rarely carried, then knelt beside his roommate to ask, "What happened to ya out here, 'Kai? You had me and Hakuryu scared half to death when you didn't come home on time." The fact that he had slipped and used a nickname reserved for the quietest of moments shared between the pair who were in the process of becoming lovers proved how worried he was and Hakkai was well aware of it.

Moving the same obviously exhausted hand from the dragon's warm little body over to a scarred yet still attractive cheek, Hakkai stroked the pad of his thumb across Gojyo's skin silently asking for forgiveness. With a soft, rueful laugh, he answered, "I came out here hoping to harvest some fresh bamboo shoots for dinner, but what I found was something quite unexpected. See that patch of crushed stalks over there?" He pointed towards a spot that was a small distance from where he sat and indeed there were not only damaged plants but also a substantial pool of blood drying in the afternoon sun, its coppery aroma faintly tainting the afternoon air.

Frightened by the unexpected sight, Gojyo nodded then turned back and ran his eyes worriedly over the brunette fearing a slip of a knife or worse had injured his dear friend even as he answered, "Yeah, I see it, but thankfully you don't seem to be hurt. What happened, baby?"

"Well, as I was looking for the right plant to harvest, I heard a terrible crashing noise and then heard a sound like a child crying, Gojyo," Hakkai explained and felt Hakuryu cuddle it's silken head against his throat anxiously after sensing the taller youkai's fear. While petting the dragon gently, he continued his tale, "A young panda that had been feeding on a plant that wasn't strong enough to support it had fallen and one of the bamboo stalks failed to break beneath it, piercing the cub instead and causing it to bleed rather badly. It clearly needed help or it would die and since I've been wondering if my healing powers would work on animals as well as on humans and youkai, I wanted to give it a try." [3]

"Oh, baby, you always were a soft touch for kids and cuddly things," Gojyo said with a fond, grateful sigh. He reached out and adoringly pressed a hand against his roommate's cheek before brushing fingers through chocolate silk hair and asking hopefully, "So? Did it work, Dr. Doolittle?"

Hakkai chuckled softly and let his tired verdant eyes slip shut as he nodded with a warm, genuine smile on his lips, "Yes, it did, Gojyo. But I can only heal them, *not* speak to them like that fictional character could."

Before Gojyo could comment, their small housemate made a decidedly annoyed noise and remarked flatly, "Kyu."

Knowing full well that this was as close as the milk-white creature could come to saying what he himself was thinking, Gojyo laughed and remarked, "Yeah, I agree, Hakuryu. That's bullshit, Hakkai, and we all know it!"

"Kyu!" The dragon repeated more firmly and nodded its head before regarding the two men with what passed for a smile on its lips even as it inquired, "Kyu?"

Feeling quite appreciated by both of those he shared his home with, Hakkai nodded slowly and replied to the dragon, "I'm sure I'll be fine, Hakuryu, but healing the little panda cub tired me out rather more than I had expected it would." He frowned since the ki-channeling powers that he'd used were fairly new to him and commented, "I believe it takes a great deal more of my life energy to mend complex tissue damage than mere surface injuries. Apparently the poor thing had punctured some internal organs I was unaware of at first. Perhaps I ought to work with Dr. Long or Dr. Zan sometime to try to determine what my limits truly are so I don't face this problem in the future."

Snorting softly and wondering how this self-sacrificing man could claim to have a "small heart" when he could give so freely of himself to an animal who couldn't even thank him for the effort, Gojyo changed the topic of conversation entirely. In a gently teasing tone he asked, "So, my dear one man animal rescue squad, can you walk? Or do I need to carry you out of here so Hakuryu can get us all home again?" Granted, at the start of their acquaintance, carrying the then injured man everywhere had been a necessity, but Gojyo had sorely missed the special feeling of the warmth they shared that way and he was almost ashamed of how much he hoped that service would be required now.

"Um, well," the fatigued former teacher stalled unnecessarily and then gave a helpless smile as he admitted, "if I could have walked, I might have been a little easier to find, now wouldn't I?"

Chuckling softly since he'd not really thought it through enough to realize this, the relieved half-breed answered with a mock-pout, "Gee, that's too much logic for a simpleton like me, sensei!"

Giving his companion a gentle pat on the head, Hakkai remarked tenderly, "Now, now, only Goku and my other students need to call me that, Gojyo." [4] Allowing a hint of regret to enter his voice, he added, "But I doubt that I will have the energy to tutor any of them for a few days. I feel as if I could sleep for a week right now."

"Nothing wrong with doing that if you need to, baby," Gojyo said gently as he moved to gather the slender man into his arms, lifting him easily and turning back towards the path that was wide enough for Hakuryu to use in his Jeep mode. The delight that filled the taller man's heart as his shorter partner molded automatically against his body as if he had been intentionally created to be held this way was almost overwhelming and the grin on Gojyo's face spoke volumes.

The small dragon took wing and flew ahead of the two men, making happy noises to express its relief that they were all together again before transforming into Jeep mode and running its engine eagerly once more.

Nestling closely against the strong chest of his one-time caretaker, Hakkai sighed unhappily and remarked miserably, "But I don't want to sleep, Gojyo. It's your twenty-second birthday after all. We ought to be commemorating it somehow."

Exhaustion caused verdant eyes to slip shut and he missed the fond expression on his friend's face as Gojyo replied, "C'mon, relax. You saved a life today, babe. That's pretty damn cool and enough of a celebration for the moment, all right, 'Kai?"

Dragging exhausted eyes open slightly and peering up through the dark brown fringe with a grateful gaze, Hakkai replied sleepily, "you are too good for me, sha gojyo. far too good indeed."

Equally softly since his companion was clearly dozing already, Gojyo replied quietly, "not true, baby." Settling his slumbering friend into the passenger's seat of the magical vehicle and making sure he affixed the seatbelt correctly so Hakkai wouldn't fall out, he brushed a kiss across the brunette's forehead and added with a wistful sigh, "ah, cho hakkai. how can i possibly resist my desires for you for much longer? you're generous, caring, intelligent, tender, and all in all far better looking than any man has a right to be. no wonder i want *all* of you so badly."

Sighing wistfully as he slipped into the driver's side, Gojyo contemplated some sage words of advice their friend Tonpu once shared with him that if the two youkai were meant to be together sexually he'd know it and to stop worrying so much about gender issues. This was advice they'd acted on to a limited extent already but the well endowed half-breed wanted so much more. As he drove back to the apartment that he gladly shared with healer and dragon alike, he recalled a few other choice words of advice the bisexual had shared with him.

In the back of his mind, the former lady's man wondered if he shouldn't have already invested in a few items that his blue-haired friend had told him were absolutely essential should they decide to take their relationship in certain directions. At the time the subject of lubrication had first been raised, Gojyo had been surprisingly ignorant. Yet considering the fact that his limited homosexual experimentation had been accomplished with male school friends who were as innocent relatively speaking as he was, they'd not known how to make the intimate experience better for one another.

Now, though, thanks to the plain-speaking advice Tonpu had given him, Gojyo knew better and not only was he aware that they eventually might need lube, he also had a working knowledge of its application. There was an odd half-smile on his lips as he belatedly realized that not once in the many discussions the two gamblers had shared about romance as well as sex had Tonpu even suggested that he teach Gojyo any of these skills firsthand. Somehow, the dark-eyed man knew before Gojyo did that there was only one person who belonged in that role, the same green-eyed man who had been the first--and would be the last--man the scarlet-eyed half-youkai took to his bed.

Gazing at the person sleeping so peacefully nearby, Gojyo shook his head slightly and silently thanked Tonpu even though he correctly assumed it would be awhile longer before those skills would be needed.

The trip back home was over quickly, and after pulling up in front of the small apartment, Gojyo patted Hakuryu's steering wheel affectionately and said quietly, "Let me see if I can get Hakkai inside without waking him, okay, Hakuryu?"

The Jeep acknowledged the request softly then sat patiently as Gojyo gathered the slumbering man into his arms, cradling him close and carrying him inside easily. The dragon transformed readily and followed through the door left open in clear invitation before alighting on the headboard of the brunette's bed. Its snowy head swiveled this way and that, peering about as Gojyo unexpectedly placed Hakkai onto his own bed across the room.

"Kyu?" The dragon asked, baffled as the crimson-haired man placed a finger to his lips.

"Shh, Hakuryu!" Stepping over and closing the front door quietly, Gojyo added with a smile, "I want to get Hakkai's shoes off and then pull down his covers so he'll be good and comfy. Saving that panda really took it out of him, so I want him to be able to sleep until tomorrow if that's what he needs."

Nodding, the little creature made a soft noise of agreement then decided to help out.

Lifting into the air easily before fluttering down to the bed, Hakuryu took the bedspread in its mouth and tugged it down as far as it was able before moving to do the same to the sheet. Flying over to where Gojyo was setting aside his roommate's shoes and then loosening Hakkai's shirt so it wouldn't be binding while he rested, the dragon quietly commented, "kyu."

Glancing across the room and seeing that the magical creature had provided a turn-down service most four-star hotels would be proud of, he complimented, "nice work, hakuryu." Reaching out to caress the being's silken head he added with a wink, "we make a pretty good team, don't we, pal? at least where hakkai's concerned."

The dragon nodded and then quietly resumed its place on the headboard of Hakkai's bed looking somewhat like a draconic guardian angel awaiting the one it existed merely to protect.

In point of fact, Hakuryu had no problems with the two males being oh-so-obviously in love with one another but it did find fault with the way the pair seemed to be too slow to acknowledge their soul-deep connection. Of course, the inexplicable yet endearing creature also traced its soul's path back to that of a mysterious dragon-like military figure who felt he had failed those around him significantly, but that was neither here nor there at this point. [5] Instead, Hakuryu felt a deep affection for the current incarnations of Tenpou and Kenren, two celestial warriors whose love for one another had been accepted more readily and embraced more fully.

After adjusting his companion's clothing to allow Hakkai the greatest possible comfort as he rested as well as carefully removing the monocle that allowed him to see from his once nearly destroyed right eye, Gojyo carefully hefted him into his arms once more. While carrying the former teacher over to the bed which the dragon had readied, the crimson-haired man relished the feelings of warmth and weight in his arms which would not be his again for quite some time.

After settling the sleeping man into the welcoming cotton sheets and adjusting the bedspread for him, Gojyo gently nuzzled Hakkai's cheek with his nose and whispered, "sleep well, baby. i'm damned proud of you even if this does mean my birthday's a bit of a nonevent."

His only answer was a soft sigh of contentment as Hakkai turned towards him in slumber then drifted deeper into the realm of dreams, a place where two ancient spirits could more freely rejoice in their love than their modern forms could at this point.

Straightening and glancing at a pair of glossy blood red eyes that peered at him inquiringly, Gojyo asked quietly, "can ya keep an eye on him for me, hakuryu? i'd better get my ass down to the market and get us something for dinner so you and me don't go hungry."

"kyu," the dragon replied equally softly, then fluttered down from its perch on the headboard and curled up beside the exhausted healer, nestling close and sharing his tiny body's warmth with him.

Running a hand gently over the creature's soft, furred head gratefully, the crimson-haired man said, "thanks a bunch. i'll be back in a jiffy."

The magical being merely nodded, then laid its head atop Hakkai's stomach as if guarding him while especially protecting the site of an injury which was well healed yet would continue to cause pain whenever heavy rain brought back unwanted memories.

With a tender smile, Gojyo left the apartment behind and would eventually return with not only Hakuryu's favorite assortment of take-out foods and some cold Asahi, but also some other items after contemplating Tonpu's words of advice. He doubted any of them might be needed any time soon but despite the fact that he was certainly no Boy Scout, he knew it was best to be prepared.

The evening would slowly ease itself into darkness, the moon would replace the sun, and Gojyo and Hakuryu would find the quiet companionship they shared as they kept watch over their sleeping housemate wasn't disagreeable in the least.

*****

To be continued.

Author's Notes:

[1] As usual, my reference for the spelling of certain names as well as dates-of-birth, etc, is the "Saiyuki Official Fan Book". Sadly, it only covers the first season and if anyone out there knows of a similar volume which includes info on Homura, Xenon, Shien, and the events that occurred after episode 22, please let me know.

[2] The truth about the way that Hakuryu came into the lives of Hakkai and the others is steeped in mystery and therefore unknown to me, but I'm sure this rather vague sentence can't be too far from the truth.

[3] I haven't a clue as to when or how Hakkai discovered his ability to channel his ki to allow him to heal those who are injured, but it occurred to me that he would've wanted to determine the extent of his abilities and this seemed a logical extension of that. By the way, the panda cub was chosen as the "patient" in this scenario by my chibi-girls who thought something cute and cuddly would be a good choice.

[4] An as yet unrevealed plot development that is to occur within "Fateful Encounters" is the revelation that after Hakkai moves in with Gojyo, the former teacher will want to find gainful employment and he will do so as a tutor. Granted, his most important as well as time-consuming student will be Goku for reasons that will be revealed when that portion of the story is published, but for now, please accept my apologies for adding a spoiler for an unfinished fic.

[5] The idea that Hakuryu could be the modern incarnation of the elegant, red-eyed, white-scaled, dragonesque warrior's soul from the Gaiden period is certainly not something I came up with on my own, but like many fanfiction writers, I tend to think this is a strong possibility. I've also been told that Minekura-sensei mentioned this is indeed the case in the character designs for him in Backgammon but I can neither confirm nor deny this.