Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Happy Birthday, Baby ❯ A Birthday Celebration Beyond Compare ( Chapter 4 )

Title: Happy Birthday, Baby [part 4/6]

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}}

*****

A quiet sense of peaceful anticipation spread across a small clearing as two handsome, thoroughly masculine lovers lay together each admiring the other's attractive nude form bathed in a ray of sunlight that had found its way past the leaves overhead.

Hakkai found the cool sensation of grass against his back wonderfully pleasant and Gojyo lay on his side with his head propped up on one hand so that he could gaze down admiringly at his beloved companion.

Running a hand from long brown bangs, down a smooth cheek, across a pale chest, and then down to where a scar disfigured an otherwise smooth torso, Gojyo sighed appreciatively then caressed the puckered skin with the pad of his thumb. He had already placed his now traditional butterfly kisses across it the moment it had been revealed and to his utter delight, Hakkai actually didn't tense up or even seem to mind the fact that the evidence of his old injury was in full view. This thought brought a slow, contented smile to the scarlet-haired man's face which was mirrored on that of his partner.

It had taken almost all of the three years that they had lived together for Hakkai to begin to put some of the past behind him so that he could find strength in the relationship that he and Gojyo had shared far longer than he realized. Whenever the rain beat down mercilessly he was still reminded of the most painful day of his life yet during this sunshine-filled moment the healer could set the old sadness aside and enjoy fully the time spent with the one his soul was bonded to for all eternity.

Not remaining idle by any means, Hakkai had already begun to toy with a pair of dusky rose-colored nipples that graced a powerfully muscled chest whose warm suntanned skin seemed to radiate good health. His intention was to taste them as soon as his lover seemed done taking a much needed good long look at him, something he truly didn't mind since he was doing the same in turn.

The few times they had been able to get away from their traveling companions most recently for even a brief intimate rendezvous had all occurred under cover of darkness and they had longed for a chance to see one another's handsome figures and faces during an act of passion. Granted, they agreed that any time at all that they could steal for themselves was worth it. The feeling of bringing a cherished partner's throbbing arousal to climax in one's hand without being able to see the loving face that went with it, however, was nowhere near as satisfying as it could be otherwise.

Equally daunting had been the need for near silence on several occasions and Hakkai rightly wondered how on earth Sanzo could possibly believe that he had cut himself when he'd been forced to bandage a hand injured while stifling a scream. He was also grateful for the high-collared shirt he always wore which had covered a telltale love bite when Gojyo had gotten too carried away when they broke yet another taboo at the temple where the young novitiate had chastised them for drinking, smoking, and playing mahjong. [1]

With a pleased sigh, Gojyo said, "You look damned fine like this, 'Kai." A rueful smile touched his lips and he added, "I almost forgot how exquisite you are in the buff, baby."

Nodding as he continued to tug lightly on the hardening bits of flesh trapped between his thumbs and forefingers, Hakkai replied, "I feel the same way, Gojyo. It has been dreadfully difficult to limit ourselves to stolen moments in the darkness."

"True," the crimson-haired man agreed, then let his hand slip from his lover's abdomen lower to the firm erection that thrust up from its nest of coffee-hued hairs and he tangled a fingertip in the short tufts. As he tugged at the tiny tresses, he mentioned playfully, "But it was kinda fun to suck you off in the driver's seat when Hakuryu needed sleep that night when almighty Sanzo-sama refused to sit still and wait for it to get some rest."

Stifling a moan due to the fact that Gojyo seemed intent on driving him crazy, Hakkai chastised gently, "Ah, but it was a good thing Goku went with him and then made so much noise when they returned because it was too dark to really get anywhere." His cheeks flushed attractively as he said with a chuckle, "The look on your face when I had to prematurely stop 'returning the favor' so to speak was quite priceless, however."

Groaning with recalled discomfort, Gojyo replied with slight bitterness, "It was a damned good thing that they both believed we were in the middle of an argument and didn't ask any questions when I stormed off and you followed to 'apologize'." Laughing wryly, he dropped a kiss onto the lips of the man laying beside him and before the conversation could continue wandering away from what they had come there to do, he asked very quietly, "are you comfortable, 'kai? i'm sorry, babe, i should've asked sooner."

Offering a gentle, reassuring smile, the brunette nodded slightly then reached down to move the teasing fingers over onto his heated length, pressing them firmly against it and causing himself to moan with desire before he replied, "i am now, love." Dropping one of his own hands lower to do the same to the monumental arousal that pulsed pleasantly under his palm he urged, "please, gojyo, let's not waste another moment."

"sounds good to me, baby," the crimson-haired man responded and began to slowly, lovingly, massage the thickness he could barely resist the desire to suckle upon.

Gojyo's initial assessment that the taste of Hakkai's manhood and release were going to be addictive to him was quite correct and if they weren't under any time restrictions, he would've gladly taken the opportunity to do so at that point. However, there was a greater goal to attain first and to achieve that he knew they needed to remain focused on the ultimate act of passion they'd waited so long for.

Moaning quietly, Hakkai let his eyes slip halfway shut as he centered his thoughts on the man whose substantial arousal throbbed against his hand. Stroking it up and down as if it were an animal that he was petting, he recalled the various pieces of advice Tonpu had given them which he knew would be invaluable as Gojyo offered him the finest birthday gift imaginable. He felt deeply grateful that not only was their bisexual friend so wonderfully open and candid with them but also that he had plenty of experience in both seme and uke roles and could therefore advise them equally.

A random thought crossed the former teacher's mind and he wondered if the well endowed half-breed that he was currently fondling might someday wish for a reversal of roles between them, but he seriously doubted that would ever happen. Then again, Hakkai wasn't entirely sure he had the confidence to take the dominant role over his magnificent partner so it was probably just a waste of time to think about it at all.

Wrapping his hand fully around the slender stiffness he had been enjoying playing with and slowly pulling it from base to tip, Gojyo was rewarded for his efforts with a low, tremulous groan of pleasure as the first glistening droplet of precum oozed delicately from the tip of Hakkai's cock.

"Gods! Gojyo!" The brunette moaned loudly, instinctually arching into the firm grasp that held him prisoner in the best possible way. He was distantly aware of how nice it was to express his enjoyment without fear of being overheard, but that was a minor matter compared to the amazing man toying with him.

With a darkly satisfied smile on his face, Gojyo ran the pad of his thumb through the slick moisture he'd worked to attain and then, after making sure Hakkai was watching, he lifted his hand up and sucked it clean with a smirk. "Mmm, delicious!"

Panting for breath and desperately trying to slow the frantic pace of his heartbeat, Hakkai gazed up at his lover and with a whimper, he begged, "Please, Gojyo, I need more!"

Somewhat apologetic for his teasing, the scarlet-eyed man leaned down and brushed a tender kiss to the invitingly open mouth before assuring, "Of course, 'Kai. I want to give you absolutely *everything* you want, lover." To lend weight to his words, he reached past his partner's handsome face to retrieve the shining silver tube he'd left in open view and within easy reach.

As Gojyo flipped the cap open before pressing out a generous dollop of lubricant, he noticed a hunger in passion darkened, nearly forest-hued eyes that he'd longed to see there since June. [2] Warming the slick gel as he spread it onto the fingers of one hand, he reminded tenderly, "Just relax, baby. I know this is going to seem like I'm going too slow for you, but be patient, all right, 'Kai?"

Lifting a trembling hand and caressing his partner's cheek with it, Hakkai smiled as reassuringly as he could as he answered honestly, "I'll try, Gojyo, but I've wanted this so badly. It's been sheer torture to have waited for so long."

"Yeah, I agree," Gojyo sighed as he moved to gently trace his companion's inner thighs with the back of his hand, silently asking Hakkai to part them and offer himself to him.

With a shudder of anticipation, the brunette went one better than what Gojyo had in mind as he lifted one knee before leaving it bent as he placed a foot flat against the grass exposing his previously hidden entrance almost wantonly.

It was Gojyo's turn to groan with sudden need as he moved to sit up and give himself a better view of what was being offered to him. He licked suddenly dry lips and it was all he could do to keep from saying how incredibly gorgeous his partner was this way, something that was doubly difficult when Hakkai released his hold on his arousal before tucking both hands behind his head in a position of trusting submission.

Deciding that you could never have too much of some good things, Gojyo quickly applied a thick layer of lubricant to the small rosette of muscle he knew he needed to spend substantial effort to stretch prior to claiming his incomparable prize and then began rubbing it in. The sweet gasps and moans of pleasure this simple act brought forth from the man beneath him were music to his ears and without hesitation, he slowly eased just the tip of one finger into the tight opening to his lover's channel.

Biting his lip to hold back a demand for his partner to hurry up, Hakkai felt his eyes fluttering shut when the small thickness inside him resumed its inexorable motion slipping in to the hilt and then pausing again as the walls around it clenched a few times before relaxing. As the welcome presence flexed slightly beginning the process of preparing him, he forced his eyes back open and smiled encouragingly at the man who was gazing at him adoringly.

No words were spoken as Gojyo eased a second digit deep within the willing body then twisted the pair of fingers back and forth urging the muscles to relax enough for him to begin scissoring them open and shut. Once again he received the kinds of sensual vocalizations that never failed to leave him rock hard and wanting, but he eased some of the urgency from his own erection with the practiced stroke of a firm hand which came away predictably wet.

Interrupting his own exploration and preparation of his near-virginal partner's inner recesses, Gojyo withdrew the pair of fingers that had been giving his lover such wonderful pleasure so that he could add more of the lubricant to them. Unhappy whimpers reached his ears as his cherished companion felt suddenly empty and bereft, so he offered the brunette the hand that glistened with precum to suckle upon if he so desired, gently resting sticky fingertips against Hakkai's lips and finding them taken in eagerly.

Glad for the distraction, Hakkai moved to gently grasp the wrist of the hand in his mouth and he lost himself for a moment in the act of faux-fellatio. Each droplet was lapped up, then the fingers were drawn into his mouth one by one for a treatment similar to what he had offered as well as received so often since November of the previous year.

Groaning since he hadn't expected such enthusiasm for a simple diversionary tactic, Gojyo forced his eyes away from the erotic image of his lover giving his hand a blow job. Instead, he gazed at the glistening entrance which he was once more pressing against as it beckoned to him in the early morning light.

Three fingers in concert penetrated the gradually loosening ring, sinking in slowly and letting their inexperienced recipient adjust to their presence before resuming the dance.

In his mind's eye, the crimson-haired man recalled the look of extreme discomfort on his beloved friend's face that hot summer night when he'd attempted to claim him the first time and with that unhappy memory as a reminder, Gojyo continued to proceed at what seemed like a snail's pace. The trio of fingers moved in and out, back and forth, rolling and twisting, and basically making them both all the more eager for the real thing.

For his part, Hakkai was having equal difficulty in being patient as well as in staying relaxed. He, too, was remembering their misfortune in June. Even though they had tried not to assign blame for the failed merger, he still felt responsible and cursed not only his virginity in that regard but also the fact that he had caused Gojyo to feel as if he was lacking in some fashion.

With a sigh that was also a moan of pleasure, the two men were brought from their dark thoughts by a glancing brush against something irresistible hidden deep inside the emerald-eyed healer and in spite of himself, Hakkai begged, "Oh yes! Hurry, Gojyo, I need you inside me! Please!"

"Shh, baby, shh," the taller of the pair hushed gently and ran a hand lightly across a trembling thigh hoping to help his partner calm down a little even as he continued to probe and stretch him. "You're not quite ready yet, 'Kai, and I don't want to hurt you again. Just try to relax, lover, you'll have all of me soon enough."

"I-I-I'll try," Hakkai forced himself to promise with a stutter, then groaned as that hinting touch flashed past his prostate again and made him want to scream with frustration.

The pair knew from the experience gained in their numerous enjoyable rehearsals for this moment that the healer's so-called "sweet spot" wasn't within reach of Gojyo's fingertips. If it hadn't been for the unexpected effect of an overly large dildo that was the closest they'd found to a match for the half-breed when he was fully aroused, Hakkai wouldn't even have known how fabulous that small gland truly was.

Since the couple feared discovery of their true relationship by their traveling companions, their small assortment of erotic aids had been left safely locked in their apartment and thus it had been far too long since the brunette felt that delicious explosion of sensation. Now, however, as verdant eyes roamed down to the mammoth erection that jutted up eagerly from a thatch of coarse red silk, Hakkai shuddered with desperation for the stimulation he knew it could provide.

The noise of the burbling spring nearby wasn't loud enough to cover the moaning wail that escaped the submissive man's throat as his lover added a fourth and final finger to the invading mass. Sweat had broken out in tiny droplets across his skin as Hakkai writhed where he lay impaled by Gojyo's strong and capable hand, pleasure and pain mixing equally with both being welcome since this was the final phase of preparation as they had agreed upon previously.

Only once had they taken the act of stretching to the extreme and neither was willing to repeat it. Quite frankly, both of them had been taken aback by the very concept of fisting when Tonpu described it, yet the act seemed quite a bit worse. Hakkai had been sore for days, Gojyo felt so guilty he was hesitant to even sleep next to him, and ultimately it had taken Hakuryu's intervention once again to get them back together.

The small dragon wasn't about to let the two youkai ruin their chances for happiness and five days after the unpleasant experiment, it had basically nagged them both into bed together then left for its usual nest atop the refrigerator where it slept when its friends needed privacy. Foregoing any penetration at all, the couple had engaged in a rare mutual exchange of fellatio and by the time morning came, they had to agree that 69 was most likely their new lucky number.

Watching his lover's face for signs of discomfort and finding them present yet completely overshadowed by those of desire and desperate need, Gojyo thrust his hand firmly against the delicious heat that had begun to actively press back. Smiling with relief since he had feared they might not be able to regain the level of confidence in one another to be able to achieve this level of readiness, he gave into the urge to bring the damp fingers of his other hand into play. He ran them across his lover's weeping erection that now offered a nonstop drizzle of precum indicating its eagerness for completion.

Eyes whose pupils had dilated to the point that the green irises were almost nonexistent sprang wide open and Hakkai abandoned his wordless begging as he cried out, "Now!! I must have you *now*, Gojyo! Please!!" He shifted his hips against the welcome intruders within himself and added urgently, "I shall surely go insane if I don't feel you inside me *now*!!"

A lustful flood washed over Gojyo and despite having heard similar words from countless faceless women throughout his adult life, never once had they sounded so sweet or so compelling. After one last thrust of his hand in a successful effort to brush against his lover's inner core, he carefully extracted his fingers and reached once again for the tube of lubricant.

A keening whine of need spoke of the sudden horrifying emptiness the former teacher felt as he lay there bereft of the warm presence within him that he craved. Hakkai's legs lay widely spread, his body wantonly begging to be taken by the man who was stroking a more than generous amount of gel onto his own aching hardness as quickly as humanly possible.

Once he felt there was enough lube to do the job, Gojyo finally reached for his lover and raised him up slightly, encouraging him to roll over onto his stomach and thereby offering him an easier position for penetration than the admittedly more romantic option of being face to face.

Hakkai gasped for breath before following the instructions, carefully arranging himself so that the weight of his upper body rested against his forearms on the grass and his ass was raised in the air, hips canted apart and the well prepared entrance to his depths in plain, sexy sight.

"Goddamn!" Gojyo muttered appreciatively. They'd never taken their practice sessions to this final stage since they agreed a little bit of the previously unexplored would help to make it all the more intense as well as memorable. Yet to see his usually modest lover displayed so lusciously made him ache with the desire to simply slam in and bury himself to the very root in a single vicious thrust.

"Take me, Gojyo! Please!!" Hakkai pleaded, looking back over his shoulder at the huge erection that had been readied for his pleasure as it shone with lubricant in a beam of sunshine.

"Yes, baby, yes!!" The eager seme agreed, pressing the broad tip of his cock against the slick rosette he'd worked so hard to loosen for this very moment. Taking a firm grip on Hakkai's hips and holding them steady, he began to slowly press in, listening to the gasps of delight this brought forth fearing the sound of pain.

Shuddering and shaking beneath his careful partner's capable hands, Hakkai tried to suppress a wail of discomfort as the huge head forced its way inside of him, opening him much farther than even four fingers ever could. As the widest point finally sank past the circle of muscle with a grunt, he lost control and screamed, "GOJYO!!"

Freezing and yet not withdrawing since that would hurt even more, Gojyo stayed still and murmured as if to a frightened animal, "Easy, love, take it easy, 'Kai." His partner's labored breathing rang loudly in his ears and it was a damned good thing he couldn't see the twin trails of pain-laden tears that coursed down the other man's face before being swallowed by the grassy ground beneath them.

Stifling the sounds of his weeping so his partner wouldn't know that he was in agony, the brunette nodded and kept his face averted knowing the clenching muscles clasping around the too-large, bulbous object within him would say what needed to be said. The rim of the head had barely passed into him and the sensation of being held open yet not being truly filled was excruciating.

As he moved to soothingly stroke the well muscled flanks that he had been holding in place, the half-breed belatedly realized he didn't know his own strength and there were the first hints of ten tiny bruises where he'd gripped his partner too firmly. Shaking his head with self-disgust, Gojyo was about to inquire if they shouldn't give up on this entire effort and learn to be content with the many ways they had expressed themselves sexually before this point. His lover, however, had other plans.

Pressing his hands firmly against the ground to give himself the leverage to do what he felt needed to be done, Hakkai carefully shifted slightly so that he was pressing back against the man kneeling behind him forcing in more of the astounding shaft that was partially inserted into himself. Another trembling wail left his throat even as he demanded hoarsely, "More! I want *all* of you, Gojyo!"

Eyes the color of the sun as it sets flew wide and in a horrified voice, Gojyo demanded, "What the *fuck* do you think you're doing, 'Kai?!" He tried to regain the control he'd lost by releasing the other man's hips and failed even as he pleaded, "You're going to hurt yourself doing that, baby!!"

"No. I. Am. *Not*!" Hakkai ground out between his teeth and then finally turned his head to allow his lover to see not only the shimmering tracks of tears down his cheeks but also the fiery determination that filled his eyes. As he glared at the person whose huge, throbbing manhood was now buried halfway inside him, he pleaded, "I can take *all* of it! I know I can! Please, be my lover in the truest sense of the word and share yourself with me fully, Gojyo!"

Reaching out and brushing fresh tears from dark chocolate eyelashes, Gojyo realized he could deny this magnificent man nothing whatsoever the least of which being what he, too, wanted so badly he could join in the tears being shed at the very thought of ending their merger prematurely. With a voice choked with emotion and a sense of gratitude that despite the obvious pain, Hakkai wanted more, he answered, "Then that's what you'll have, baby." Carefully, he pressed in another few centimeters then withdrew by an equal amount, letting his thickness begin to massage the inner walls he knew had to be aching because of its presence.

"Ah, yes! That's it!" The impaled man moaned softly, then pressed back to take the length in more deeply than before and he sobbed with joy that some of the pain was fading as the pleasure grew.

Gojyo rocked back then pressed forward sliding his manhood back and forth while allowing Hakkai to set the depth at which he was penetrated. All was going well when suddenly a scream ripped through their bower like a lion roaring over a fresh kill.

"GODS!! YES!!!" Hakkai's head snapped up as he screamed his pleasure again and again when the large, hot crest of Gojyo's arousal compacted his prostate far more perfectly than any cold, lifeless plastic replica ever could.

No longer afraid, the half-breed gave himself over to their passionate act fully, pulling almost all of the way out before slamming back in with steadily increasing force. In response, the man beneath him shouted and celebrated the long awaited act of joining with such abandon that he hardly seemed to be himself any longer. Instead, Hakkai seemed like a long-haired marshal from long ago who loved nothing better than to be filled beyond capacity by his beloved general's generous presence.

The two youkai heaved and pressed against each other back and forth, forth and back until the glade resounded with the slap of skin against skin as well as the wails and moans of animalistic pleasure that they were sharing.

When their frantic motions were as easy and smooth against each other as one might possibly imagine, Gojyo made a key decision and did what at first seemed to be the unthinkable. He withdrew completely from his lover's body and sank back onto his heels.

Fury-filled forest green eyes flashed as Hakkai glared over his own sweaty shoulder and uncharacteristically cursed, "What the *hell*, Gojyo?! Damn it all, why did you *stop*?!?" [3]

Reaching for his lover with one hand and the almost empty tube of lube with the other, the half-breed begged, "Roll over, 'Kai, please! I want to see your face when you come for the first time with me inside you! Please!" He was already applying a last coating of gel to the pulsing, angry flesh between his thighs and if Gojyo had thought for one minute his request would be denied, he might not have done what he had.

Luckily, Hakkai had wanted the exact same thing and as anger was replaced by love on his face, he eagerly turned over and lay on his back once more, legs spread wide as he reached out a hand invitingly and urged, "Hurry!"

Gojyo had no intention of making him wait and in less time than it takes to say it, he was poised above his beloved partner who quickly wrapped strong legs around his waist thanks to a soul-deep memory of one way to make this position incredibly good. The lube-coated hand wrapped itself around the bobbing arousal now trapped between them and as he slid it down firmly, he sank back into the heaven that was reserved for him alone, going to the very root with a single thrust.

Clinging to restraint by only a thread, Hakkai felt the most phenomenal build up of tension deep inside himself and he knew the time had come for them both as he felt the twin spheres pressed hard against his buttocks tightening. There was only time for a few more firm strokes of a slender cock and two more deep thrusts of a thicker one before the air was torn asunder by synchronous screams of sheer delight.

Both youkai attained climax at precisely the same moment and they stared deeply into one another's eyes as vivid bursts of color flashed past their fields of vision threatening to interfere with the opportunity to witness the transcendent beauty granted them both by orgasm.

A fountain of heated wetness showered Gojyo's hand before spilling onto them both as Hakkai's seed raced from deep within himself in an expression of previously unattained joy. A similar though vastly more voluminous release was at the same time flooding the shorter man's bowels, filling the brunette with a sense of fullness and warmth that was indescribable. The feeling of pulses of white hot seed flooding through his body brought back the tears to emerald eyes as Hakkai discovered first hand how unbelievably wonderful it was to be filled by his lover's essence the way that he was meant to be filled from the beginning of time.

Sobbing, shuddering, crying, rejoicing, and seemingly sailing across the sky the way that Hakuryu did so easily, the couple trembled against each other as climax wended its way through them both separately and together.

Eventually, as his lover's capacity was overwhelmed by the volume of his release, Gojyo felt hot stickiness oozing from his partner's channel before flowing out and down into the thirsty grass beneath them. It was all he could do to keep from grinning like a fool when Hakkai moaned sweetly, "Ah, Gojyo, you were magnificent!"

Leaning down and giving the man who he remained deeply seated within a tender kiss, Gojyo replied, "You're not bad yourself, baby." Moving to sweep sweat-soaked chocolate bangs that were blocking some of his view out of the way, he added more tenderly, "Thank you, 'Kai, for insisting we keep going. I've never felt anything like that before in my entire life."

Reaching up and draping a tired hand across a suntanned neck, Hakkai offered a heart wrenchingly earnest smile as he agreed, "Neither have I, love, yet somehow it felt familiar." He tugged lightly on the nape of the crimson-haired head and was pleased when Gojyo stopped trying not to collapse onto him. The healer grunted appreciatively as the slight change in body position placed finely muscled abs straight on top of his semi-hard erection and then sighed when he discovered this, too, felt marvelous.

In the glorious state of post-coital delight, Gojyo nuzzled his lover's sweat-sheened neck and lapped at the saltiness he found there before commenting in a mildly confused voice, "You know something, I felt the same way. As if this wasn't the first time we'd done that together and yet I know full well that it was. Weird, isn't it?"

Massaging stiff back muscles with strong fingers even as his legs loosened their grip on Gojyo's body and fell to the ground tiredly, Hakkai shrugged slightly as he commented in a sated, pleased voice, "Either way it was the most wonderful thing I've ever felt, Gojyo." His partner stopped his almost feline licking to turn and smile at him as he added gratefully, "Thank you for my birthday present, love. It was unforgettable."

After placing a tender kiss to his beloved companion's lips, Gojyo answered, "You're more than welcome, 'Kai." He sighed sadly and added, "But I haven't a clue when we'll get another opportunity like this one. It's going to be a damned long trip if we can't make love together more often."

"I know," Hakkai replied with a sad sigh of his own. Then he shook his head and remarked, "But Sanzo and Goku need us, Gojyo. We can't leave them on their own."

Snorting softly with unexpected amusement, Gojyo agreed, "That's for damned sure! That crazy blond would just get himself severely injured again and the monkey would go berserk if we weren't there to run interference for them." With a gentler tone, he amended, "Plus, they need *you* there to keep them sane. I'm just the muscle of the group, but you're the brains of the operation, baby."

"Ah, you sell yourself short, dearest friend," Hakkai chided gently, then with a mischievous smile he let his eyes slip partially shut as he turned his focus inwards and did something Tonpu had whispered to him one evening when he was sure Gojyo wouldn't hear.

As inner walls he could've sworn would be too tired and too pained to do such a thing suddenly clenched around his half-rigid cock, Gojyo's eyes flew wide and with a gasp, he exclaimed, "Why, you little devil!" Moaning as the arousing action repeated itself, he asked incredulously, "What are you trying to do, 'Kai?! Make me hard again right where I *am*?!"

Chuckling softly as he gazed at the one he adored above all others, the brunette replied seductively, "Why not? I'm going to be dreadfully sore as it is, why not make it more than worth it?"

Frowning since he was indeed responding predictably to the unsubtle tease as well as the fact that even though he knew his now properly deflowered lover would be in pain after their successful union, Gojyo asked worriedly, "Are you even going to be able to drive Hakuryu today, 'Kai? You know Sanzo's apt to be all gung-ho to get on the road as soon as we get back to the inn."

Momentarily uncertain, Hakkai thought it over briefly before shrugging insouciantly as he admitted, "I'm not really sure, Gojyo, but I'll do my best." He decided to grab something for the pain when they returned, then placed a gentle hand on his lover's scarred cheek as he said hopefully, "Besides, love, if this morning has to last me for quite some time to come, I want all of you that I can get." To emphasize his point, he lifted his hips slightly and pressed his own rapidly reawakening arousal into Gojyo's stomach with a soft, sexy moan.

"Oh, fuck me!" Gojyo laughed helplessly in appreciation for the unexpected depths of sensuality his roommate of three wonderful years was demonstrating. But when he caught the astounded expression in emerald eyes as Hakkai interpreted the oath literally, he laughed again and added, "That's just a figure of speech, baby! I figured it was a little better than saying what I really wanted to do which is to fuck *you*, of course!"

"Of course," his partner acknowledged graciously and let himself begin seducing the taller man more completely using the tired muscles within himself in a fashion he never would have dreamed of on his own.

As Hakkai enjoyed the feeling of the ponderous organ buried within himself growing larger and larger by the moment, he missed the thoughtful expression that passed through ruby-hued eyes as Gojyo tried to recall whether or not he himself had ever been taken by one of his male school friends.

Strangely enough, the former lady's man wasn't certain of the status of his own masculine virginity. However, before Gojyo could contemplate whether or not this might be giving him ideas as to what he might want from his lover for his own twenty-third birthday, the delicious crushing pressure on his rapidly reawakening arousal lured him back into action.

The couple would indeed find their way into the heights of ecstasy once more in short order, the fact that they hadn't separated initially having left them both exquisitely sensitive to one another's incomparable charms.

*****

After coming down from their second bliss-induced high, the nearby spring provided them both with refreshing cold water to drink as their systems demanded replacement of the assorted bodily fluids so flagrantly spread within, between, and around them.

With only a slight amount of embarrassment, Hakkai then recommended the use of his soft cotton undershirt as a towel of sorts after they used some of the icy water in an effort to wash away the heady scent of sex that clung to them both.

Gojyo wisely refrained from commenting that he preferred that they sit together so he could enjoy watching his attractive partner dry naturally in the dappled sunlight of the clearing since time was running short.

There was more than a little care taken as they gathered their garments together and put them back on to avoid watching one another for fear that they would never make good on the decision to return to their traveling companions. Since he was having a very hard time of not watching Hakkai's every move, Gojyo distracted himself with a few hi-lites, smoking them without much thought and carelessly leaving the butts in the grass near the stream.

Once they were dressed again in their usual traveling apparel, the two men paused and kissed deeply for what they thought would be the last time before leaving behind an idyllic spot that would live forever with deep affection in both of their minds.

As the taller of the two drew their lips together almost sadly since their rendezvous was now over, the shorter one placed a hand firmly over his lover's heart and remind him silently that this was only a beginning for them, not an ending. Neither had any idea whether they would survive the challenges that lay ahead for not only themselves but also their two travelling companions, yet now was not the time to doubt Kanzeon bosatsu or the Sanbutusin regarding their fates.

When the kiss ended, instead of stepping apart, they pulled themselves closer together and within the tender embrace, Hakkai dared yet again to step past a barrier that had been silently erected between them. Without risking looking up, he nestled his face into the soft crimson tresses that danced in the cool breeze and said very, very softly, "i love you, sha gojyo. forgive me if you do not wish to hear it, but let me say it just this once, please."

For all the many moments of intimacy the couple had shared, the fact that they had never once plainly stated their feelings might have seemed strange, but the fears Gojyo had felt regarding losing all those he loved prevented it. He dreaded admitting that affection was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg that was his overwhelming love for his green-eyed roommate and since Hakkai's keen intuition had picked up on this, he, too, had remained silent.

However, after such an amazing, life-altering union, there was no longer any way the shorter of the pair could leave this simple fact unsaid and it was all Hakkai could do to remain silent as he awaited his lover's reaction to his declaration.

Feeling his throat tightening almost painfully as emotions he hadn't expected raced through him, Gojyo needed a moment to realize why his beloved companion had said what he had. Then, with a shake of his head, he reached down and tilted the other man's face up so that they gazed at each other eye to eye as he answered equally softly, "i love you, too, cho hakkai. forgive me for being too superstitious to have been willing to say it first."

"i can forgive you anything, love." Hakkai stated softly, believing it to the depths of his soul without ever once wondering if he could make good on the promise if something truly hideous came to pass and he found himself faced with a painful decision because his redheaded partner occasionally acted without thinking. Whether or not this frightening eventuality would come to pass depended on forces neither man could imagine which was just as well, their love-filled hearts didn't need the foreknowledge of a sorrow that could tear them asunder.

After one last kiss, they stepped apart, adjusted their clothing once more, and then carefully exited the copse of trees which had borne silent witness to their acts of passion.

As the musical sounds of the babbling brook faded behind them, Hakkai did his level best not to wince as the true depths of discomfort resulting from their strenuous romantic encounter began to make themselves known to him, but it did no good.

Gojyo longed to wrap an encouraging arm around his increasingly miserable lover's waist and pull him close, or simply pick Hakkai up and cradle him in his arms as they walked which would be even better, yet he did neither. The former teacher had as greatly developed a sense of pride as he himself did and it simply wouldn't do to announce quite so plainly that the brunette was suffering from a surfeit of sensual delights granted by a merger with a well endowed half-breed such as himself.

Instead, the two youkai walked along close together yet without touching, each lost in thought about not only how this momentous morning might change their lives together but also how it might impact their relationships with the other three beings who were awaiting their return with worries of their own.

There was at least one last shocking twist for the couple to deal with if not more, though, and Hakkai's birthday was far from over.

*****

To be continued.

Author's Notes:

[1] Can you imagine how that uptight chibi-monk in episode 3 would've reacted if he walked in on Gojyo and Hakkai during an act of blatant yaoi passion? I rather believe his poor little bald head might've exploded.

[2] Regarding phrases about "passion darkened eyes" and human physiology, did you know that when sexually aroused, a person's pupils dilate and thereby reduce or even eliminate the appearance of color from their irises? Strangely enough this is entirely true and I thought I'd mention it here since I use this quite often and apparently confused at least one kind reader who asked about it recently.

[3] Have you ever wondered what it might take to cause our usually calm and collected former teacher to lose his cool enough to use less than gentile language? Well, I have, and it seems to me that this is definitely something that might upset Hakkai enough to get him to curse openly. As to what else might garner a similar reaction, well, let's just say that Melpomene can think of several terribly cruel things that could be done to the brunette's lover but I won't let her mention any details for fear she'll want to write them into a fic later.

[4] Um, no, you didn't miss a bracketed number earlier that requires explanation all the way down here, I just decided to put the dedication honors for this chapter into an author's note that wouldn't get lost when this chapter was re-edited and uploaded to mediaminer.org. This lemon-fest is hereby dedicated with love and huggles to a dear friend currently far away in the Land of the Rising Sun, the one, the only, the darling Yanagi-sen! This wonderful lady is in great part single-handedly responsible for my being able to keep going when things get tough fic-wise. She sends me the most fabulous feedback imaginable and part of the reason I allowed myself the freedom to set aside my other Saiyuki fics to write this one was because I knew she wanted to read a lemon scene for these two from me. I hope this chapter has lived up to or exceeded her expectations, something that might be pretty tough to do considering how much she liked the threesome lemon scene in "Turning Point" awhile back! Hmm. Threesome. That's a thought. Too bad Hakuryu doesn't have a bishounen mode as well as a Jeep one, ne, Yanagi? {wink}