Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Never No Answer ❯ If anyone gets close to me ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: Saiyuki and the characters used in the following belong to Kazuya Minekura.

And if you still want to sue, beware: my roommate is the mock trial team captain!

Gojyo stared down at the unopened beer Goku had refused with his hand frozen over the little metal circle on top, hesitating to open it. He didn't expect the dumbass ape would get all quiet and angry when he offered the kid a beer. He thought a little alcohol might do the monkey some good tonight, since he would otherwise want to stay by Sanzo's bedside until he couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. It was a favorite pastime of the little brat's, but Gojyo wasn't about to share the already cramped bed with Goku too if the idiot tried falling asleep in here.

At least the kid hadn't seen Sanzo before Hakkai had healed him. Goku probably would have gone completely crazy. Gojyo and Hakkai had finally found Sanzo in that creepy abandoned mansion, the first thing that came to his mind was nothing could be alive after bleeding that much. Gojyo was used to seeing youkai bleed all over the place when they lost an arm or two, but that didn't prepare him for the sight of Sanzo so drained of blood that he could see fine, blue veins underneath pale flesh. He'd never be able to forget how… broken the monk had looked when they had first found him and knew that Goku would have probably berserked if he had seen it.

Still, having Sanzo bedridden and unconscious again didn't feel any better. It was obvious that Hakkai was so damn tired even his conversation wasn't worth shit, and Gojyo usually depended on the brunette to smooth things over. Gojyo supposed that was why he'd gotten the can of beer thrown back in his face before Goku stomped out the door like so many other women had done before. However, Gojyo hadn't come close to scoring in the past week, but he still wasn't desperate enough to tackle anyone in this tidy little group. Gojyo glanced over at the bed, bitterly reminded of his duty as bed warmer to the all-fucking-mighty Genjo Sanzo.

It was a damn miserable task no matter how Gojyo looked at it. He would usually have looked forward to a bed partner, but Sanzo might as well be a rock for how much he was moving around, and just as cold. Gojyo could only hope that the little bitch would be out for the rest of the night, because he was in no mood to deal with those snide complaints he knew were coming the moment Sanzo was conscious. The only good thing was the shitty priest wasn't awake to spit out insults, letting Gojyo fully admire the sleeping Sanzo's face.

Well, Gojyo planned to get as smashed as possible before settling in for another night with the thoroughly beaten and unresponsive priest. He had already worked his way through the six-pack and had finally paused to stare at the unopened top shining dully in the light. It was funny how he couldn't stop thinking about how Goku's face had looked over to Sanzo's bed before he'd stormed out of the place. The kid had looked like he'd been hurting, a real and physical pain in his heart, because Sanzo was unconscious and bandaged up. All it took was a few bruises for Goku to forget how badly Sanzo treated him when he was awake.

He popped open the beer, not wanting to think about these things anymore. He already had enough nightmares as it was. The beer fizzed and hissed as foam rose out to cover the circle top of the can. He took a deep breath and blew all the bubbles off, not caring as the foam splattered the used dishes covering the table. At least he could always depend on alcohol and cigarettes holding the worst of it at bay, but Gojyo never wanted to see Sanzo that fucked up ever again.

Cigarette butts were now piled high on various plates after Gojyo had smoked both his and Sanzo's remaining packs. The selfish bastard would probably kill him later when he woke up and found all his cigarettes gone. Gojyo wasn't about to wake the priest up to ask if it would be all right with him, so he'd stolen them from dresser where Hakkai had saved several packs for when the blonde woke up. He needed to smoke, finding that half a pack wasn't going to cut it tonight. Hakkai had accused Gojyo of chain smoking because how nervous he was over Sanzo.

Screw Hakkai. Gojyo really couldn't give a shit about that highbrow monk. Sanzo ordered them all around like they were no better than animals. At least he and Hakkai deserved a bit of respect and decency. Goku was a dumb beast, so Sanzo could call the stupid monkey whatever he felt like. Gojyo felt like Sanzo had forgotten his name, calling him 'bastard,' 'asshole,' or 'the other idiot in the backseat.' In fact, the only person that Sanzo was slightly civil to was Hakkai.

He had told Hakkai these same thoughts after being pushed too far by Sanzo yet again. Thankfully the brunette had managed to catch him before Gojyo had kicked the shit out of the priest. Hakkai had forced Gojyo to sit down and talk about it, listened to him, and told him some things as well. Apparently Sanzo had a lot of bad things happen to him at the monastery he had grown up in. Hakkai had even divulged how Sanzo had a 'pure heart' that caused him a lot more pain than the blonde would let them think. Gojyo had left Hakkai and forgot about murdering Sanzo as he considered what he'd been told and tried to compare that to the real thing.

Gojyo ended up not believing a word of it two days later. Sanzo was an asshole, through and through. He didn't have some secret bleeding heart inside that still could feel any sort of emotion, be it sadness or happiness. All Genjo Sanzo felt was bitterness, anger, and the desire to commit homicide. So who gave a flying fuck if the priest had a bad time growing up? They all had their own wounds from their youth, Gojyo especially. If Sanzo thought he was special just because he had some angsty past, he was dead wrong.

What the hell did Hakkai know? He wasn't worried about Sanzo, not in the slightest. If anything, Gojyo could only feel pity for the haughty blonde right now. How could he not when Sanzo was so very still and fragile looking now that his eyes were closed and his mouth was shut? For being the toughest piece of shit alive, Sanzo couldn't take a solid punch worth a damn. He bruised like a woman and was just as easy to toss around. It was just a matter of landing the first hit; otherwise Sanzo could beat the crap out of the best of them, despite being so thin.

Gojyo took a long swallow of the beer, refusing to look over at the bed as he tried to finish the whole thing off. He didn't want to see how Sanzo's weak breathing barely lifted the sheets. It felt like he was in the same room as a dying man, even if Sanzo was probably going to make a full recovery. He always had before and had been full of spit and acid when he fell out of bed this morning. Gojyo had felt bad the monk bit his lip but thought it just about fitting punishment for the rude bastard.

And yet, felt ashamed for thinking like that as well. Sanzo had an incredible amount of damage inflicted on him in the short time they had been separated. The youkai had cut him open like an animal for slaughter and Sanzo had almost bled to death before they had got to him. It had been so damn close this time. One fucking second later and Sanzo wouldn't have survived long enough to try dying a second time in the back of the jeep. He didn't know how Hakkai had managed to get the priest's heart beating again, but it still felt weird to sleep next to Sanzo when he should have been dead five times over.

Gojyo shook his head and rubbed his chin, gauging the empty side of the mattress he would soon have to get on. That is, if he chose to sleep… He could pull an all-nighter and never have to touch the hard-ass monk. Except, Sanzo might decide to die in the middle of his sleep just to spite Gojyo. Hakkai had warned him that they were by no means in the clear and that Gojyo would have to make sure Sanzo didn't take a chill during the night. It sounded like something he would do, and there was no way he'd be able to last through a fever on top of everything else.

No matter what he thought of, Gojyo was going to have to face it like a man and sleep with Sanzo tonight. He was being childish about this. There was nothing to be afraid of. Well, it wasn't that he was scared. Gojyo usually didn't care when people called him things, more than used to it. But, there was something about the way Sanzo sneered when he called Gojyo 'half-breed' that pissed him off like it was the first time anyone had said it. Sanzo didn't even pretend to be grateful after people helped him, and throwing insults left and right with enough venom to make a snake jealous. He didn't need Sanzo's verbal massacre first thing in the morning.

Nobody would ever accuse Gojyo of being proud about his heritage. He knew his birth was taboo. Everybody fucking knew. If the long, red hair wasn't a big enough hint, there'd be no doubt once they looked at his eyes. His mother should have killed him long ago. Sanzo just managed to say things that worked through the armor Gojyo had put up and still hurt. Gojyo would never forget that he was a bastard of a cursed love, so he damn well didn't need Sanzo to remind him all the time.

Gojyo took another sip of what should have been Goku's beer. He didn't even know why he had offered the monkey a drink. Hakkai had left Gojyo with a silent warning to not even think about offering the kid alcohol. Gojyo just couldn't stand the kid's sad face when looked at the bed wishfully, even though it was so damn obvious Sanzo wasn't going to wake up any time soon. Just like Hakkai had said: Goku should be getting a good night's sleep, not worrying about a monk that didn't give a damn if people stayed at his bedside or not.

He snorted at his thoughts, a self-condemning smirk on his face. Sanzo had been dead only nights before. Even if Gojyo did personally dislike the priest, he was still a comrade and… acquaintance. They had traveled together, fought together, ate together, drank and smoked together. Sanzo's conversation may be worth shit most of the time, but every now and then he would anonymously leave a pack with one lone cigarette left inside when Gojyo ran out. He knew better than to thank Sanzo for it and accepted it just as silently, knowing the priest would deny ever doing such a thing and would likely never do it again.

Smoking was the only activity that still gave Gojyo any joy these days. A strong breath of tobacco in his lungs made everything else not so important. He didn't have to worry about going to sleep with Sanzo, or Goku leaving the room so suddenly; he just to draw in the slightly warm smoke into his lungs and hold it there. Gojyo had finished off every cigarette in the room and he was left with the only regret that he had gone through them all and a faint sick feeling from so much tobacco.

Well, he wasn't helping matters any by finishing off the last beer in a final swig before he slammed the empty can down on the table and swallowed. Sanzo's voice didn't yell at Gojyo for such a display like usual. The blonde wasn't making a single noise or so much as twitching an eye at the loud noise. How much longer would he stay this way, confined to a bed and lifeless? Was he really going to bounce back like Hakkai had promised?

Was Sanzo going to remember what had happened?

That question bothered Gojyo the most. He had seen Sanzo's face when Hakkai had carefully asked if he remembered. It may have seemed like his usual deadpan and bored expression, but Gojyo had noticed the way Sanzo's eyes had widened ever so slightly and his lips tightened for just a moment. Gojyo was used to reading the small changes in others' faces, being able to tell what felt good and what didn't by the bat of an eye. It was important to instinctively know how to adjust to a lover and the face usually explained what Gojyo should do, more than words.

He knew that Sanzo didn't remember. He could tell the priest was lying. If Sanzo had recalled what had happened, he wouldn't have acted as cool and unaffected. Nobody would be able to pull that off, not after what Sanzo had been through. The monk was tough as nails, but he had to be upset. Nobody was invincible and Gojyo couldn't picture even the great High Priest shaking this one off. They had done a lot worse this time than simply try to eat him like the usual crazy youkai they ran across.

When Sanzo gained full consciousness, Gojyo knew there was going to be hell to pay. He could almost feel sorry for the youkai Sanzo was going to kill, except for the fact that they deserved every bit of it. He hoped that Sanzo didn't simply shoot the demons that had done this to him, but instead figured out the slowest and most painful way to die. Gojyo would gladly help whenever Sanzo figured out how he wanted to take revenge.

They were going to have to find those youkai first. Judging from the state of the rooms they had searched in that place, it had to be very easily more then a few dozen. Gojyo doubted any youkai would stay there long after they came across all of their comrade's remains. The unfortunate youkai that had been out at the wrong time didn't even have a clue to what was happening when Goku rushed out of the woods. He and Hakkai had been right behind the monkey, but Goku had already ended the fight in a single pass, defeating a number that even Gojyo would be wary of taking on all at once in a matter of seconds.

It was times like that which reminded Gojyo exactly whom he traveled with and called 'a dumb ass ape.' Goku could turn into a deadly fighter, one with no mercy or weaknesses. Shit, the kid enjoyed fighting. Gojyo had barely been able to hold Goku off the last time the monkey went crazy. It had been embarrassing to be knocked on his ass by someone that didn't even measure up to his shoulders. Son Goku was a brutal fighter, vicious and wild as an animal…or the demon that he really was.

And yet the kid had been ready to cry in this very room only a few minutes ago. Only Sanzo was able to make Goku feel that bad. The stupid monkey took his responsibility to protect Sanzo very seriously and Gojyo could see it was tearing the kid up inside. Goku felt like he should have been able to change things somehow, like it was his fault in the first place Sanzo had gotten involved in a fight. The monk never asked for their help. He downright refused it and took care of himself without a single thought for their welfare. Goku didn't have a single good reason to feel like it was his fault, except the fact he worshipped and adored the ground the priest walked on.

Gojyo scratched at the back of his neck, sighing at these heavy thoughts. What could he say to Goku? He had been hoping that one beer would be enough to get the kid drunk and send him off to bed without worries of another sleepless night. At least Goku had still eaten enough to fill three people. Hakkai had made some interesting designs with his food in his plate, but had barely eaten a thing himself.

Maybe they should stay here a little bit longer than planned. Everyone could use a chance to rest and stay off the road for a while. All of them were starting to get irritable from driving all day long, Gojyo himself included. It would be nice to have a chance to gain his breath and enjoy a bed for a few more nights. Camping out in the jeep was a pain in the ass that Gojyo made no effort to rough out. He was a man of comfort, of beds and pretty young women, not a shitty and unconscious monk.

Which reminded Gojyo that he should be trotting off to warm High Priest Sanzo's sheets. Hakkai was damn clever about getting Gojyo to agree before he even knew what was going on. He did not want to sleep with Sanzo again. Gojyo had planned on getting his own room tonight and finding the first decent thing on two legs. Sanzo was a sour bed mate, especially when he was wrapped up in bandages. The last time Gojyo had shared a bed with the monk, he ended up on the floor with a sheet given out of the kindness of Sanzo's heart. Gojyo had to beg a pillow from the prude and haughty priest.

Sanzo may be beautiful, but he had 'hands off' written all over him and a gun to back it up. The priest rarely ever had to go for the Smith and Wesson, managing to do enough damage with his smart tongue alone. Sanzo had yet to meet anyone who could match wills with him. Gojyo had seen many a youkai drop on their knees before the monk. He had also seen a whole fuck lot more of youkai turn red in the face before trying to kill Sanzo. Gojyo couldn't blame them after the list of insults Sanzo went through with poignant meticulousness. How could one stay calm when your family, friends, country, fighting skill, clothing, hair, and penis size were gravely insulted in under a minute?

Gojyo had never seen Sanzo get any friendlier than lukewarm water. He had a foul temper on the best of days and had never wanted to be around them. Sanzo made sure they all knew, bitching twenty hours a day and smoking the other four. Gojyo had tried at first to get past that attitude, he really had. He could only take so much verbal abuse before his patience snapped. Sanzo had managed to get under his skin from day one with that arrogant, contemptuous sneer, which was almost impossible to resist punching. Gojyo simply couldn't stand Sanzo's bored, droopy-eyed gaze that looked down on everyone in the whole damn world.

Sanzo was asleep though, and Gojyo doubted if he was warm enough in the sheets. A person needed a bit of fat to work up any kind of heat and Sanzo severely lacked any. He was thin and lean, only muscles and bones left on the sharp figure that was shown off by the close-fitting top under the robes. Sanzo had to know how good he looked in the arm warmers, the milky-white curve of his shoulder standing out so much more because of that tight, black getup. If those were a regular priest's robes, Gojyo was a three-toed prostitute. No way did a bunch of celibate monks pray in such a sexy outfit.

Gojyo decided it was time to hit the sack when he thought of Sanzo as 'sexy.' It was damn hard to deny it, though. Gojyo wouldn't be at all averse to a long, hard round of fucking with Sanzo, because the priest just had to finally shut up when he got a dick up the ass. Right? If that mouth stayed closed, Sanzo wouldn't be a bad bed mate in the least. Gojyo considered himself to be quite the judge on human flesh, and Sanzo was prime, unclaimed territory. If he wasn't such a major, bitching, pain in the ass all the time, there might have even been something between them. But, Sanzo was a complete jerk, never giving an inch and didn't ever forgave any of them, a monk or not.

He stood up from the table laboriously, hiccupping and staggering like any drunk would and unable to help it. The room was spinning far beyond his control and it was all Gojyo could do to make those last few steps to the bed where Sanzo laid unconscious. He was used to much more awake and responsive bed mates, not blondes that flipped Gojyo off whenever he tried to make their relationship any more than simple friendship. He had given up a long time ago when he found Hakkai to be a much more understanding and by far easier lay. At least Hakkai knew it was just sex and didn't expect anything more. Sanzo had yet to let Gojyo say 'good morning' without biting his head off.

Gojyo was aware of the numbness of his fingers and the ultra-sensitivity of his bare feet against the floor as he looked down at the occupied bed, but most of all, he focused on the tunneling, spinning center of his world that was the back of Sanzo's head. Gojyo tried to deny for a moment, insisting to only himself that it was just something to focus on because he was so drunk, but Gojyo knew better. He knew himself. The more unattainable the goal, the more he wanted it. Sanzo might as well be under the strongest lock and key the world had to offer, and it only made Gojyo more determined. It was sick, in a way.

"You're justY a shitty monk," Gojyo slurred, drunker than he would ever admit as he tried to ignore, deny, and pretend that Sanzo wasn't in the same bed that he was going to sleep in. Gojyo probably wouldn't be able to control himself otherwise, and Sanzo had already been through enough of that. Gojyo fucking hated to use Goku's words, but Sanzo didn't need some perverted half-breed after a piece of ass.

So, instead of fucking like there was no tomorrow, like Gojyo would have liked to do with anyone that had two legs, even Sanzo, he only pulled back the covers and fell onto the old, lumpy mattress. It might as well of been made from clouds for how good the bed felt underneath Gojyo's back. The past couple of days had been rather rough, dealing with Goku being depressed as all hell since Sanzo was unconscious, Hakkai barely up to conversation after wasting so much energy trying to heal the damn, ungrateful monk, and Gojyo left by himself to wallow in misery. It was a fucking lovely state of affairs, enough to make Gojyo want to hang himself.

He rolled his head to look over at the profile of the sleeping priest and wondered if perhaps he could steal a pillow and blanket. He could sleep on the floor and nobody would be the wiser. Sanzo was more than capable of making his own warmth. Everyone did it, just by being alive. Why did he have to keep Sanzo breathing when the monk would kill him if he ever found out they slept in the same bed? The only reason Goyjo was alive now was because Sanzo had been too damn weak to even ask for his gun.

Sanzo was sleeping on rather peacefully for how much blood he had on his hands, the slightly-parted lips drawing in air. Amazing to think that Sanzo had almost died twice before they even got back to this backwater shit town. The thin man was like a cockroach, even more than Gojyo himself, because he survived through anything, even this. Gojyo couldn't say for sure what he would do if he was in Sanzo's place, but more than likely he would have killed himself long ago, before Hakkai even had the chance to heal him. Sanzo probably just wasn't coherent enough to try suicide yet. Gojyo didn't doubt that it was coming, though. Sanzo had to be at the end of his rope, if not already.

It wasn't like Sanzo didn't make it clear as day that he would rather eat nails than travel with them. To Sanzo, this was nothing more than a laborious, thankless, inane trip to the West that he would have rather sat out on. If it wasn't for the Gods demanding that Sanzo stop the resurrection of Gyumao, the priest would probably be wasting his days in some isolated temple with a fantastic store of cigarettes and booze. Gojyo couldn't even imagine what it must be like to have all the Gods of Heaven watching him, but Sanzo didn't even give a fuck. He cursed, smoked, drank, and killed without a care, even though all of his favorite hobbies were completely opposite of what a holy, spiritual individual should strive to be.

Gojyo moaned and slapped his hands over his face, realizing that he was trying to figure out the unfathomable. Nobody understood Sanzo, not even Hakkai, who probably had the deepest conversations with Sanzo out of all of them. Gojyo wasn't trying and Goku didn't have the faintest notion that he should be the slightest bit worried about Sanzo's bad attitude. The stupid ape worshiped Sanzo day in and day out, willing to take all of the abuse the priest dished out with a smile. Gojyo didn't understand why Goku wasn't screaming in frustration right now with Sanzo's constant cold shoulder. The priest had never warmed up to them, except when he pretended to be slightly civil to Gojyo so he could mooch a cigarette.

"Fuck it," Gojyo moaned, giving up on this whole endeavor. Why the hell should he put life and limb on the line just because Sanzo had finally gotten his just desserts? The little bastard deserved everything that came his way for how he treated them, when everyone was trying their hardest just to be his friend?

…except, nobody deserved what Sanzo had gotten. It wasn't divine punishment or karma, but just brutality. It was nothing more than proof of how violent and insane youkai could really be. Gojyo tried to think of youkai as above human, faster and stronger than weak human beings, and yet they had done this. Even humanity was above this act of pure violence. Sanzo almost died and the youkai hadn't even cared, not even given it a second thought. The youkai probably would have thrown Sanzo's body out into the snow like trash if they had been a minute, even a second later in getting there. Hakkai had barely been in time to save Sanzo, and Gojyo didn't wish to go through something that frightening ever again. The ride back still gave him the chills. Gojyo hated the forest blocking their way right now. Something just wasn't right about it.

"S'rry, Hakkai, I'm on the floor tonight," Gojyo slurred, liquor making it hard to speak now that he had finally laid down on the so soft mattress and sheets that were already starting to warm up. He knew Hakkai would be pissed as all hell that Gojyo didn't stay in the same bed with Sanzo like some kind of slave, but Hakkai's anger was loads easier to handle than the bullet Sanzo would put into Gojyo's heart for staying the night. Gojyo would prefer to live long enough to see this stupid trip through to the end and get back to normal things like his favorite bar, favorite drink, favorite girls. He didn't even have the chance to be a regular anywhere because by the time Gojyo found a satisfactory place, they were already on the road again. He hated it with a passion.

Gojyo grabbed his pillow and tossed it to the floor without a single look, already going for one of the many blankets piled up on top of the bed for Sanzo's sake. He didn't want to stay on the same mattress as the blonde for any amount of time, hating every moment where he could only imagine what Sanzo would yell when he woke up and found Gojyo next to him again. Sanzo had thrown himself out of bed and suffered a bloody lip just to get away. If that was how Sanzo dealt with everyone that had been a bed partner, Gojyo didn't have to wonder if Sanzo was celibate or not, like a monk should be. He had wondered a few times since Sanzo was the complete opposite of a serene and humble priest, but found that Sanzo did follow a few of the teachings, mostly the ones that had to do with abstinence and remaining irritatingly silent whenever asked a question.

One cold hand reached out, the barest hint of ice-cold fingertips on Gojyo's arm. Sanzo was cold as death, just as Gojyo would have thought him to be. Without saying a single word, not even a simple moan to indicate that Sanzo was even alive; the shitty priest was begging Gojyo to stay with him. Gojyo had wanted to crawl out of the bed and get as far away from Sanzo as possible, but now he was reminded that the monk was freezing to death by the chill underneath his palm coming from Sanzo's upper arm. If only Hakkai hadn't insisted that Gojyo spend the night with Sanzo, he could have been drunk and fucking a reasonably pretty girl by now.
So, Gojyo stayed there, pissed as all hell that he had been saddled with the job of making sure Sanzo lasted through another night. Gojyo couldn't stand Sanzo with all his religious superiority, but here he was getting close to the blonde to warm the poor thing up. It wasn't much different than taking pity on the occasional stray orphan that they managed to attract in every other village.

With a deep breath, Gojyo cautiously moved closer, one hand lifting Sanzo's arm out of the way to press his much warmer body against Sanzo's freezing-ass-cold and bony one. Was the monk this damn frigid all the fucking time? It was a wonder Gojyo's dick didn't fall off against the burning coldness of Sanzo's body. Goosebumps broke out all over his body and his nipples tightened painfully. All Gojyo could do was shift in discomfort and hope that the monk would hurry up and absorb some body heat already.

This was not Gojyo's first choice nighttime activity. No matter how pretty Sanzo's face could be, even with the pale-blue hue of a rotting corpse, it didn't warm up Gojyo's balls. Sanzo was starting to warm up a bit in the tight hug Gojyo had made, so he decided to not give a damn anymore and wrapped one leg over Sanzo's thin and long ones. His toes felt like they were going to fall off against the ice of the priest's feet and the chill of the sheets. The further west they traveled, the rarer it was to have nice things like a heater or a hot pad. It was starting to get even less common to have a fireplace in the room, just like this little hellhole Hakkai had opted for. Gojyo didn't understand why they didn't spend more money on housing. After all, Sanzo had a gold card from the Gods.

By now, Sanzo had started to finally heat up from sapping Gojyo's own body warmth. He wasn't so stiff anymore, the tense and wiry muscles relaxing as the priest began to warm up enough to have a peaceful sleep. Gojyo could be good for some things, especially if it had to do with a bed. He could just pretend that he was holding anyone else other than Sanzo, because the priest was going to shoot him the next time the prickly, little bitch was coherent. Gojyo knew better than to expect thanks from the shitty monk, other than the form of a bullet.

Gojyo would have preferred one of the girls he had spotted in the main room when they had first entered with Sanzo coughing up a lung in Gojyo's arm. He hadn't been able to flirt with any of them since he was stuck carrying the surprisingly light monk for how big and tough as shit he seemed to be. He could always try to see if there was anyone worth wild next morning, but until then, the night was painfully long and only going to get longer. Sanzo was gonna kill him when he found out just who he was sharing a bed with. The priest hadn't been at all pleased during that dazed exchange after Sanzo split his lip open like the floor had been made of knives. Why would it be any different when he woke up…next.

Hakkai had been wavering and unclear when Gojyo asked just how long Sanzo was going to be out for, avoiding the questions like a pro. Goku was dumb as dirt, so there was no use in asking the ape. Gojyo was stuck with wondering and just hoping that the stupid monk didn't die on him. Sanzo would do that sort of thing if it made someone else suffer, especially if the someone else was a youkai. And Gojyo was warming the sheets of the self-centered hypocritical bastard.

He wished that he hadn't thrown the pillow earlier, wishing for it now as Gojyo's neck started to cramp at such a flat angle. Sanzo had one of his own, a soft wave of pale golden hair spread out on the pillow. Again, Gojyo wished that Sanzo wasn't such a prick, because he had a damn lovely face most women didn't have. If that foul and acidic mouth could stay shut for an hour, Gojyo might then consider bedding with Sanzo. He wondered if Sanzo would stop complaining even during the middle of sex.

Stop. Right. There. Sex with Sanzo was out of the question. Gojyo was way too tired, drunk, and irritated to think about these sorts of things right now. He could wait for the spinning to slow down until he passed out, which would hopefully be soon. Tomorrow, Sanzo would probably be up and about, being the indestructible dick that he was and out to find revenge with the Smith and Wesson smoking. Just for tonight, Sanzo would be out of commission from hunting youkai down like animals and forced to hold onto Gojyo for dear life.

Gojyo didn't deserve this sort of shit, not when he had been in the middle of such a nice, drunken haze. He didn't like to pass out with men, even if Sanzo was mistaken for a woman half the time. Gojyo had lost count of how many stinking, drunken, horny, old farts had asked what the monk was like in bed. Gojyo usually told them Genjo Sanzo was as approachable as barbwire, but now that was out like a light.

In fact, it was comfortable enough that Gojyo could finally close his eyes and stop thinking. His breathing slowed and his mouth opened lazily, falling into just as deep as sleep as the prickly monk next to him.

And Hakkai thought they couldn't get along.

* * *

Goku was swarming at Gojyo's elbow, anxiously staring down at the load in his arms. Sanzo had coughed up new blood to splatter down his smeared face after Gojyo had moved him from the back of the jeep.

Mei even had all but one of their old rooms open, taking them in without a single question when she saw Hakkai's weary and drawn face. She gasped when she saw the blood on Goku, mostly from youkai, and the red stains on Hakkai and Gojyo, which was more from Sanzo. The priest wasn't heavy at all to carry, even with the blankets making him an awkward bundle. His lips were so pale they were almost translucent now. Mei blinked, recognizing the red charka on Sanzo's forehead, even if his robes were long gone, ripped to shreds back at that place.

At least Hakkai had found the Sutra and Sanzo's gun, which were now tucked safely away inside Hakkai's shirt. Gojyo knew the damn monk was going to raise hell when he found out the robes were ruined, but even worse would be the loss of two perfectly good packs of cigarettes. Mei started to shake, realizing that the High Priest must have been through something awful if they had returned after leaving only the morning before. So little time, and yet so much shit had happened, Gojyo wasn't even sure what was going on anymore.

"Oh...my Gods. Are we gonna be cursed? Hakkai? Are we gonna be cursed?" Mei asked frantically as she came around from behind the counter at the front to come closer to the unconscious monk in Gojyo's arms. Even from this distance she could tell that Sanzo was hurt, and very badly. Goku looked uncomfortable, but it was just as likely that he felt bad about being covered in demon's blood. Personally, Gojyo was glad that someone had taken a few of them out while Hakkai and he had been concentrating on getting Sanzo out of that horrid mansion in the middle of nowhere...

Gojyo didn't want to think about the bodies back there, or how close Sanzo had come to joining them.

"No, Miss Li, it's all right. Sanzo just got in an accident. If you could bring up fresh bandages, linens, anything will do," Hakkai requested politely even though they had just driven through hell. He turned back to check Sanzo's color with that white dragon a motionless lump in his arms, exhausted from the push through the snow. Gojyo wished he knew more about human bodies and how they worked, so he could somehow tell how bad Sanzo really was by himself. Hakkai wasn't saying anything, and that probably meant bad things, or that Hakkai was exhausted as well.

ADon't you want a doctor?" Mei asked in confusion, finally tearing her gaze away from Sanzo's pale face in the slightly sodden blankets. Gojyo wanted to get the monk out of sight as soon as possible. People were mumbling as they started to gather in the hallway, close to the door that led into the main room, probably drawn by Mei's loud voice. They were interested now, recognizing the fabled party of High Priest Genjo Sanzo and his nameless companions that were just as frightening, whispering rumors that made Gojyo laugh out loud when he heard their descriptions.

ANo, we don't need a doctor. But, if you have a first aid kit? I'm somewhat of one myself," Hakkai lied badly, being the only one in their group with any knowledge of how to help heal a body, beyond the right dosage of aspirin or number of shots it would take. Mei sighed excitedly, impressed with Hakkai's talent and already going goggle eyed like a stupid, baby calf. She had a first aid kit under the counter; the first lucky break they had all fucking night long. She passed it to Goku, who grabbed it with hands covered in dirt and drying, brown blood. There was another gasp at the evidence of violence on Goku's hands that none of them paid attention to. They were all used to women gasping helplessly around them, and Mei was no different as she coughed and tried to cover up her shock.

AThen, here are the keys to your old rooms. I haven't had time to change the sheets yet," she warned. Hakkai shook his head as he accepted the keys with one hand, the other cradling Jeep close, more than happy there were two rooms still open. It didn't help Sanzo' health at all to have Goku in the same room with him, the ape prone to start poking at Sanzo experimentally in good nature, trying to see if there was something Goku could do to make him better. Goku didn't understand that Sanzo needed a hell of a lot more than a good meal to fix his problems.

AThat's fine," Hakkai agreed and was already heading down the hallway, coughing politely as the crowd didn't disperse, covering his mouth with a hand stained red with Sanzo's dried blood. The drunks noticed that and Goku bounded up behind Hakkai, full of energy, with the front of his shirt splattered in violent streaks of blood. The crowd fell back at the sight of the boy rushing at them, letting Gojyo walk behind with Sanzo at a rushed pace, while Hakkai stood in front of the entire crowd.

AExcuse us," Hakkai offered as Gojyo headed down to the baths at the end of the first floor, meaning to dump Sanzo into a tub of hot water before going to their own private room to recover. Sanzo was trembling again, slight shivers in his shoulders and legs that Gojyo felt in his arms. They couldn't afford to take the time to get settled in another room while Sanzo froze his ass off. Goku jogged alongside Gojyo, looking at Sanzo in worry, his usually carefree face scrunched up as he watched Sanzo laboring to breathe.

AOpen the door, ape," Gojyo demanded while Hakkai came up from behind, always taking the time to be polite, even to a bunch of idiot villagers who wanted to be able to go home and say they had seen a High Priest Sanzo. Goku didn't even say anything back, far too concerned with Sanzo to argue with Gojyo as he held open the door for him, the metal medical kit dangling from one hand. Hakkai followed behind and Goku slammed the door shut after everyone was in. They wouldn't want any more company now.

The bathing room was decent for such a small village with a tiled floor. The walls were smooth and white with water beading on the tiles from the steam in the place. It was sweltering hot, perfect for their needs now. There were several pools, the main one with a blinking, drunk, middle-aged man in it, the water roiling with bubbles and heat. Gojyo didn't even tell him to get out; leaving that up to Hakkai as he dropped the blankets without heed for the precious modesty Sanzo clung to, despite wearing a tight, black tank all the time that left nothing to the imagination. The heavy, stained, and wet sheets dropped to the floor that had puddles everywhere from the moisture that built up in here. Didn't the place have proper ventilation?

Gojyo stepped into the heated pool with his boots on, and Sanzo still wheezing pitifully against his chest. The drunk, blue-haired man blinked as he finally realized that Gojyo was carrying the priest into the steaming hot water. His pants helped Gojyo from feeling burned by the water, but Sanzo started to tremble immediately. Gojyo didn't even get to the middle of the pool before Sanzo opened two, droopy eyes and blinked up at Gojyo's face.

Then, Sanzo was alive with all the fury of a cat being forced to bathe, with arms and legs flying. Gojyo let go of Sanzo as Hakkai yelled out a warning. The brunette didn't understand what it was like to try to hold onto Sanzo when the skinny man was fighting so damn hard. Gojyo planned to live a long life, thank you very fucking much! Sanzo's blonde head dropped underneath the water as Gojyo let him loose, the steaming and bubbling surface rolling for a moment before becoming calm.

"Sanzo?" Goku called out hesitantly, as Hakkai groaned as he put two fingers to one temple, probably trying to fight off a headache. Goku plopped down at the edge of the pool and sat the first-aid kit next to himself calmly. The stranger screamed and backpedaled against the wall of the bathing pool, probably thinking they had just killed a man. Gojyo scratched his neck, a little uncomfortable as the pale blur under the water refused to come back up immediately. The stranger excused himself and hastily ran out of the pool butt naked, only stopping to grab a towel and not even put it on until he was safely out the door. Goku stared after the man in curiosity until the door slammed shut after the drunk.

Just when Gojyo was about to reach down and try to fish the blonde out of the water, Sanzo broke the surface. He started gasping for dear life as he sucked in big gulps of air greedily, finally awake. Pink rivulets of water and blood poured down Sanzo's face and out from his hair as the priest struggled to stay afloat, failing miserably. The scrapes under his eyes and the gash on the side of his mouth were bleeding again. Gojyo reached in and pulled Sanzo back toward the edge of the pool, trying to be careful of the mangled left arm, despite the blonde's struggling and splashing

AGojyo! You might have killed him!" Hakkai admonished into Gojyo's ear as Sanzo moaned and retched in the pool with only Gojyo's hands on his shoulders holding him upright. Gojyo winced, realizing that his hand was covering the open, red wounds on Sanzo's upper arm. The priest wiped his mouth shakily, and then tried to shake Gojyo off furiously when he realized just who was holding him upright. Gojyo lost his grip on the wet monk and Sanzo almost fell back in the water if he hadn't made another grab for the pissy little bitch. Immediately there was a definite growl from Sanzo that didn't bode well at all for Gojyo's personal well-being, and he couldn't care less as he shored the blonde up in the water.

"He's the one throwing a damn fit!" Gojyo roared back, not about to take that shit from Hakkai right now. He had been trying to help Sanzo and ended up with a mouthful of bath water and criticism. Goku and Hakkai sighed at the same time in answer, both looking very fed up with Gojyo. What the hell had he done wrong? Was he supposed to let Sanzo drown? The monk could barely hold himself up, held up above the water by the single grace of Gojyo's hand on his bony arm.

"Gojyo, you don't need to yell at me," Hakkai said in a cool voice through gritted teeth that barely held in the anger. Gojyo forgot sometimes that even the ever-smiling Hakkai could get pissed. One visible green eye was narrowed down in deadly silence as if the brunette was trying to decide which limb to tear off first. Gojyo couldn't be angry in the face of that barely reigned-in fury, a little more worried for his life than interested in continuing the argument.

"Let go," Sanzo demanded in a raspy voice, even with his eyes unfocused and teetering toward unconsciousness again. Gojyo just snorted, half considering dunking the shitty priest under the water again to cool that hot head. Sanzo could always manage to be the biggest pain in the ass, regardless of how close to death he was. How did such a complete hypocritical bitch end up as the holiest of holy servants? What a load of bull.

"Here, Gojyo," Goku offered a bar of soap as he leaned over the edge of the bathing pool. The ape had probably stolen it from that drunk, but Gojyo took it without a second thought. Goku used the suds left behind to wash off the blood on his small hands, rubbing them together dutifully as Hakkai had instructed the kid many times before.

"Don't you…fucking dare," Sanzo snarled uselessly as Gojyo turned on his battered and soaking body. Gojyo used the grip on Sanzo's arm to push the blonde toward the side of the pool. Hakkai understood what he was trying to do and moved around the edge to grab Sanzo's shoulders when the skinny-assed priest drifted close enough. Sanzo looked absolutely livid at them both as Hakkai pressed the man down on the seat. The blonde winced in pain from his bleeding arm that couldn't be hidden before biting his lip to regain composure.

"I'll kill you."

The surface of the water was barely brushing Sanzo's chin as he glared with narrowed violet eyes that promised a long, painful death later. Sure enough, Sanzo made his trademark threat. Gojyo didn't doubt that Sanzo would have followed through much earlier if Hakkai wouldn't have been peeved at his death. Gojyo was ready to give up on ever understanding why Sanzo hated him so fucking much and was always so pissed. It was just a fact of life, like the sun in the sky. That didn't mean it didn't irritate Gojyo any less.

"Goku, why don't you go get some clean towels?" Hakkai suggested calmly, managing to smile even now as he turned to the stupid ape. Goku blinked up from staring anxiously at Sanzo to look at Hakkai with big, blank eyes for a moment. Then, the kid seemed to understand and nodded once before straightening up and running out of the room to find towels.

There was one awkward silence where all three of them waited for the creak of the door as Goku exited. Sanzo was glaring over to the side of the pool as if he was trying to melt it down by the power of his gaze alone, not pleased at all with Hakkai's hands forcing him to stay sitting in the water. Sanzo was still trying to get his arm out of Gojyo's hand as he jerked and yanked, but it didn't do shit as Gojyo just minded the open wounds. The struggling started to diminish as Sanzo realized the futility of his actions, and then all together stopped.

"Sanzo? Are you all right?" Hakkai asked as the blonde suddenly started to sway, losing whatever momentum pure anger had given him. Hakkai held Sanzo steady as the shitty priest started to slip back into the water with his eyes rolling. Gojyo didn't doubt he had gotten one too many hits in the head with the way Sanzo kept slipping in and out of consciousness. Gojyo let go of Sanzo's arm then, and it only floated limply slightly below the steaming surface of the water.

"Let's clean him up before the ape comes back," Gojyo suggested with no qualms about taking full advantage of Sanzo being unconscious. Hakkai frowned and nodded as he adjusted his hold to underneath the priest's arms. Gojyo held the soap in his hand, hesitating now as he realized he'd have to clean the blonde. He stared down at the blurry form of Sanzo's body, the ripples in the pool offering enough distortion to hide his nakedness. Gojyo still wasn't very comfortable with it. Sanzo had a damn fine face and more than complying attitude once he was drunk enough, but that didn't really factor in right now. He was a man no matter how thin and lovely he looked, because underneath the nice package was someone who didn't have a single problem with putting a bullet between Gojyo's eyes if he ever found out about this.

"Gojyo? Before Goku comes back?" Hakkai reminded him when Gojyo only stared down at Sanzo's groin like an idiot. Of course they'd want to get the blood between Sanzo's legs when Goku wouldn't be there to watch and ask questions. Gojyo wasn't ready to explain this to the kid, probably wouldn't ever be. It burned to admit it, but sometimes youkai were no better than animals when they did shit like this. This just wasn't right. Sanzo was a high priest, after all. It chilled Gojyo to think that Sanzo might have actually followed a vow of chastity; that this might have been….

"Shit," Gojyo cursed, not about to think any further on it. He shouldn't be worried about this right now, not when they needed to patch Sanzo up first. Hakkai glanced up with a bit of confusion at Gojyo, making him feel even worse. Hakkai probably could tell what he was thinking easily. The brunette had a way to read people, especially those he knew well. It was damn irritating at times.

Gojyo put a hand under one of Sanzo's knees and averted his gaze up to the ceiling uncomfortably. This wasn't the way he wanted to get a chance to touch the shitty priest. He'd have to be pretty drunk and lonely to start contemplating a night with the scrawny ass monk in the first place, and Gojyo didn't have the grace of either right now. It just felt wrong to be doing this right now, behind Goku's back, out of respect for Sanzo's privacy. Because this sort of thing wasn't supposed to be talked about.

"Don't… Get off. Shit," Sanzo cursed miserably, his eyes fluttering open as Gojyo put the bar of soap to the inside of the monk's thigh with a grimace. He supposed it was his own damn fault for jumping into the pool with the priest, but Gojyo still wished that Hakkai would trade places. Gojyo wasn't so familiar with the men, though there had been a few curious dabbles on some evenings… That he would never speak about to anyone again, not even Hakkai.

"It's all right," Gojyo whispered, because he wasn't sure what else he was supposed to say. Hakkai nodded, letting his hands loosen mostly because the blonde had passed out again with his head slumped against the side of the tile around the edge of the water. Again with the uncomfortable silence as Gojyo worked the soap in an unsteady circle on Sanzo's leg. He knew that there was blood down there, but hell if he wanted to touch it in front of Hakkai. His mouth twisted in distaste, glancing over at the brunette to

"He's got a pretty bad lump on the back of his head," Hakkai told Gojyo as the man ran a hand clinically through Sanzo's wet hair, his eyes fixed on the skull as he searched for head injuries. Gojyo could tell that Hakkai was saying it more to fill the quietness, because the brunette knew how uneasy Gojyo was about this. Gojyo only grunted at that as he inched closer to a dangerous area, fixing his gaze on the roof yet again.

"At least they didn't try to eat him this time."

It was a horrible joke and Hakkai knew it. Gojyo still couldn't help smirking at it, remembering all the times youkai had tried to eat a High Priest's flesh for eternal life. Most of them had wound up eating a piece of hot lead, or Sanzo's own fist depending on the level of insult. What the hell was he getting so worried about? Of course Sanzo was going to recover from this, find some fresh youkai to kill, and he'd be back to normal in no time.

"There isn't enough damn meat on him to eat," Gojyo remarked back as he hoisted up Sanzo's bony knee and took a deep breath before dipping down and swiping Sanzo's bottom with the soap hesitantly. Hakkai chuckled as Gojyo winced and closed one eye, trying not to think too deeply about what he was doing right now. Sanzo was simply too fucked up to do the job himself, so Gojyo had to, just like the happy little servant he was.

He hated the priest so fucking much at times.

And other times, he just felt sorry for the wretched man. Whatever little scraps Gojyo caught about Sanzo's childhood didn't paint a pretty picture. Sanzo had learned to be tough as nails from day one. Even in a monastery a kid couldn't had a happy life. It was all a damn shame, because if Sanzo had a personality to match his face, Gojyo might not have found this to be so awkward. All he could look forward to was a quick death rather than a slow and painful one.

Gojyo didn't look down once, didn't say a single damn thing, as he gingerly worked around Sanzo's privates briskly. He wasn't about to let a hand linger anywhere on the priest, regardless of what he was thinking about, with Hakkai watching him. Gojyo used short swipes and didn't really give a damn if he didn't get the skin squeaky clean again. That would require more attention and touching than Gojyo wanted to do right now.

"I got some towels!" Goku cried out as he slammed the door open. One arm was full of white terry cloths likely from the front desk. Gojyo pitied the employee Goku had run into to get all of those towels as the boy rushed into the room with a pleased grin plastered all over his face. Gojyo jerked his hand out from between Sanzo's legs and started to innocently scrub at the good right arm with a little more attention. That turned out to be a damned smart move soon enough when Hakkai turned around to congratulate Goku and dropped Sanzo at the same time.

"Thank you, Goku-"

"Hakkai! Fuck! Are you trying to kill him?" Gojyo roared right over Hakkai's own words as he grabbed Sanzo around the waist to hold the priest up above the water. Sanzo's head sagged back like a doll with the stitches torn out, his neck covered in purple and yellow bruises. He looked half dead already and the mishandling wasn't helping matters. Hakkai winced, for once being in the wrong, and turned away from Goku to hold Sanzo under the arms again.

"I'm sorry. Let's hurry. Sanzo shouldn't be in the water for too long," Hakkai announced with a sudden urgency that left a cold feeling in Gojyo's stomach. He couldn't explain it, but Hakkai's words filled him with a dread that left a bad taste in his mouth. Gojyo realized then that the arm he held was still very cold despite the heat of the water. Of course Sanzo would be some inhuman ice-cube. Hakkai's eyes were worried for the priest, and Gojyo felt like he should be too.

"Hakkai, is Sanzo going to be okay? Is he okay?" Goku repeated himself as he twisted one fist up in the towels nervously. The kid wasn't being any help, yet again, just hovering around the edge behind Hakkai as Gojyo cleaned Sanzo's good arm. Gojyo didn't listen to the answer the brunette gave the kid, knowing that it would be a blatant lie. He could see for himself that Sanzo wasn't in good shape.

At least Hakkai had healed the horrible claw wounds Sanzo had covering his chest and back. He had looked like a piece of meat that had been forgotten half-way through being prepared to cook. Now Sanzo just looked a step away from death, which was his normal skin color anyway. It was better than the alternative of Sanzo dead back in that filthy bed, but Hakkai was exhausted now. That was why he had dumped Sanzo in the pool only moments ago.

Gojyo cleaned up Sanzo in as calm of manner as possible while Goku kept on asking if Sanzo was okay over and over, even though Hakkai explained that the man would be fine by tomorrow morning. Gojyo tried to be gentle when he washed the bruises and cuts, but the monk still flinched away and hissed in pain when the soap got into the raw and open flesh. Only Sanzo would be able to get this fucked up and live through it.

Hakkai washed Sanzo's hair with water from the pool, running his fingers around the priest's skull to check for any more nasty bumps. The youkai had been sure to beat Sanzo thoroughly, aiming for soft and sensitive areas that could kill a man from the inside out instead of concentrating on breaking bones. Sanzo did have his share of those too though, Gojyo reminded himself as he recalled the ribs and arm. He wasn't sure if Hakkai had been able to heal those or not.

He dropped the soap to the bottom of the pool, not really caring to save the rest of it for anyone else to use. Gojyo didn't know how he should feel about this, disgusted at the youkai that had done it and the hypocritical self-reliance shit Sanzo was going to spit out the moment he was coherent. He put hands on Sanzo's thin and bony waist to hoist the monk out of the water into Hakkai's ready arms.

Goku was already covering the pale and soaking wet body with the towels, rubbing the cloth a bit to dry Sanzo off. The priest didn't stir at it, probably because even in his unconsciousness the shitty monk was aware that it was Goku. Gojyo knew he'd get a fist crammed up his nose if he had tried to dry off Sanzo. Hakkai and Goku were fine though, because the two of them were playing mother to the shaking blonde without a look back.

Again, Gojyo was completely ignored. He roughly twisted shirt to squeeze out some of the water, seething but not even back to say a word. How many times had he saved Sanzo's hide from getting taken out by some cheap-shot youkai coming up from behind? And just how many times had Sanzo told him to 'fuck off' when one would expect at least a 'thank you' for saving a man's life? Gojyo didn't really want to even think about it now. Sanzo was the toughest piece of shit Gojyo had ever come across, and this was not that much different from all the other times. It wouldn't be.

So, he climbed out of the water with his clothes soaked up to the chest. Was Hakkai even going to offer him a towel? This was just miserable now. Gojyo could have really killed something then when Goku and Hakkai didn't even notice him making a small puddle behind them, dripping wet and without a word of thanks.

Between Hakkai and Goku, they managed to haul Sanzo close to the wall where the floor would be drier. Gojyo sighed at it all, wondering why Sanzo had picked this time to let his ass get kicked in by a bunch of wild youkai. He grabbed the first-aid kit, figuring that they'd have to patch Sanzo up before he started bleeding again and ruined all the good the bath had done.

The towels were spread out in a little more orderly fashion underneath Sanzo as Gojyo approached slowly, his boots squishing with every step. Gojyo was already regretting jumping in the water with the priest, but he had already been so soaked from melted snow that it didn't really matter any more. It was Sanzo that they needed to worry about, shivering and tossing his head on the ground fitfully.

Even Gojyo could tell that the blonde had taken a fever. Hakkai sighed at this, slumping over in visible weariness. Sanzo didn't have the strength to fight off sickness right now, and there was no way in hell Hakkai would be able to try healing him again for at least a few days. Gojyo wasn't even sure why he handed Hakkai the medical kit, thinking that maybe this time they should just let Sanzo die and get released from this misery. No human being deserved to go through this.

"Hakkai? Can I help? Is Sanzo going to be okay?" Goku demanded all at once in Hakkai's left ear while the brunette sort of fell to the ground. He made it look like he'd only been going to his knees by Sanzo's side, but Gojyo could read the exhaustion in every line of Hakkai's body. Even the brunette's hands were shaking as he reached out and accepted the first aid box from Gojyo.

"Just sit there, Goku," Hakkai managed to make it sound like a polite suggestion, but the irritation was poorly hidden. Goku winced at that and settled back on his heels silently. Even the ape wasn't so dense to not notice the dangerous tone in that voice. Hakkai was dead on his feet, continuing on only for Sanzo's sake. They couldn't let the precious High Priest die as long as they were supposed to be the man's protectors.

Shit job they had done this time.

"Hakkai? You all right?" Gojyo said it softly, even though Goku would be able to hear him no matter what when they were so close together. He settled down next to Hakkai warily, dripping wet, but not feeling clean in the slightest. He was just tired and frustrated and so goddamn worried about Sanzo. He didn't like that feeling in the bottom of his stomach like all his emotions had turned into a physical pain. There wasn't a single damn good reason to worry about that selfish, hypocritical bastard, but even Gojyo felt a sense of dread when Hakkai was silent for too long.

"Can you get his face? I'll wrap his arm," Hakkai ordered after taking a heavy sigh, obviously put-upon to even keep his eyes open. Still, Hakkai would be the best choice for wrapping the broken and bloody arm with his gentle touch. Gojyo knew he ended up being rough despite best intentions, but this time he would take extra care in bandaging up Sanzo.

"I'm going to drink so much after this," Gojyo grumbled as Hakkai opened up the metal lid to take out a roll of clean, thin bandages. The brunette didn't even dignify him with an answer, heavy bags under his eyes as Hakkai stretched his neck in preparation before leaning down over Sanzo's left arm. Hakkai wasn't inviting any conversation as he lifted up Sanzo's bruised arm and carefully held the end of the bandage down with his thumb before wrapping it snugly.

"I bet you're hungry, ape," Gojyo snorted as he pulled out a sealed package of medical tape and ripped open the wrapping. Goku didn't answer Gojyo either, uncharacteristically silent as he stared forward at Sanzo with those damn eerie, golden eyes. Gojyo didn't like their silence, uncomfortable and out of place as he used the scissors in the kit to cut a small rectangle for the corner of Sanzo's mouth.

"I don't see why you two are so damn worried. He's been through worse," Gojyo argued as he pressed the small strip against the ripped and bloodied side of Sanzo's lips. Hakkai paused in bandaging the priest's arm to stare at Gojyo in complete disgust that he had even dared to say such a thing. Goku didn't shift his gaze away from Sanzo's flushed face as the monk struggled in his sleep to simply breathe. Gojyo ended up feeling like a complete ass, again, and neither of them had said a fucking word.

"Gojyo, please try to be serious about this," Hakkai growled through clenched teeth. That infinite patience was at its end as the brunette looped the roll around Sanzo's arm over and over. The white fabric was already turning pink in some dark, splotchy areas. The youkai hadn't given a thought to how easily a human body was torn by claws, the signs of rough handling were everywhere across the priest's body. He couldn't make light of this, not when Sanzo was hurt so badly.

"I'm so…" Gojyo started out before trailing off, realizing an apology wasn't going to do a damn bit of good here. Hakkai finished up the whole roll of bandages before holding his hand out expectantly. Gojyo looked down lamely at the medical tape in his hands, realizing that Hakkai wanted a strip to secure the bandage. He picked up the scissors again and held them up to the tape before thinking better of it.

"Goku, come here and cut up the tape for us," Gojyo demanded gruffly, trying not to make it sound like he was thinking too much on the ape's behalf. Goku looked away from Sanzo's face at that, the kid's expression changing from misery to delight at finally being given a use. Hakkai blinked at that before smiling with only one corner of his mouth, too weary to look any happier.

They worked in a tight chain like that with Hakkai bandaging up the worse while Goku cut little strips of tape for them and opened up band-aids for Gojyo. The worst of it were the tender spots Hakkai had healed, because those had a tendency to rip open and get even worse if strained. They would have to worry about Sanzo rupturing what Hakkai had repaired on the rest of all the other little wounds and complaints that could end up killing the priest.

They must have chosen the right time to use the bathing room, because no one else entered as they finished up patching Sanzo together. They ended up running out of bandages and band-aids before all of the various scrapes and injuries were covered, but at least the worst of it had been treated. All they could do now was hope that Sanzo would pull through this time as well. Gojyo hated waiting for the priest to wake up most of all.

"Gojyo, will you carry Sanzo up the stairs?" Hakkai asked politely as he checked the towels around Sanzo's body to make sure the priest was decently covered. Hakkai gave Goku an assuring smile and patted the boy on his shoulder in a silent suggestion to back off. Funny thing was, Gojyo wasn't really sure if he wanted to carry Sanzo again. The damn priest would just as soon freak out than tolerate being carried by him. It just wouldn't do to have his holy body touched by some half-breed youkai. He knew that Goku and Hakkai just didn't have the strength to haul Sanzo up the stairs without breaking both of their demon limiters. It was one nice, fucking mess that Gojyo didn't like at all.

If Sanzo hadn't been shaking like a wet kitten and moaning helplessly in pain, Gojyo would have never agreed to it. But the priest was shivering in the towel with trembling lips that were bruised and swollen. He didn't look tough anymore, just abused and cold. One look and Hakkai hadn't even needed to ask Gojyo to hoist the light man up easily. Sanzo weighed just as much as the type of woman Gojyo usually ended up in bed with, even though the priest was only a little bit shorter than him. It was amazing how such a prickly, temperamental priest could still look so utterly vulnerable sometimes.

"Hey, ape, go get the door," Gojyo demanded as he adjusted the limp bundle in his arms. Hakkai wiped at his forehead with the back of his hand, obviously relieved now that they were going to finally get Sanzo to a bed. Gojyo might have been carrying another person, but it was Hakkai who staggered behind as they passed through the door Goku held for them without complaint. Hakkai had the right to be the most exhausted after having to save Sanzo's life several times tonight.

Thankfully, the hallway was free of any other patrons as they moved back to their rooms. If anyone had seen the High Priest being carried around like an invalid, there'd certainly be questions. Gojyo was sick of dealing with the dazzled villagers who couldn't get past their reputation and always hanging back in reverence. All Gojyo wanted was to play a game of cards, get reasonably drunk, and have a good long fuck at the end of the night. He didn't like to spend the night worrying if Sanzo was going to live through it or not.

Gojyo didn't have the hands to open the door, so he tried to wait patiently for Hakkai to come along with the keys. The brunette looked tired and he swayed as he pulled out his keys. Gojyo hoped Hakkai could make it to his own bed tonight, because he really didn't want to carrying around another fucking person. He was only holding Sanzo now because the blonde looked so damn young and helpless that it struck a chord within him, a desire to protect other people, because nobody had ever come to rescue him when he was younger until it was much too late. Sanzo always bitched at Gojyo for it, calling his weak emotions and sickening compassion simply a damn liability, but right now Gojyo was the one hauling Sanzo's sorry ass around.

"Gojyo, can you take Sanzo for the night?" Hakkai asked as soon as he unlocked the door that was already familiar. Gojyo supposed after being on the road for so long, anything he saw twice seemed like a kind of home. He glanced back at Gojyo curiously, along with Goku who was peering up at the smiling man suspiciously. Hakkai was much more tired than he was letting on to. Now that Gojyo was taking a long look at the man, he could see Hakkai was barely managing to stay upright.

"No problem. Goku, make sure Hakkai doesn't die in his sleep either," Gojyo tried to make it sound like a joke, but it was all too likely a possibility. The ape looked confused, never being entrusted with taking care of things very often. It was for a good reason, but Gojyo figured that the kid would be able to handle it. At least their room had two beds. There was only one in the other room left open.

"Thank you, Gojyo," Hakkai whispered gratefully before he turned to make the trip back to his own room. Goku followed at the brunette's side as Hakkai took one uneven step after the other. He was more drained from the driving and healing than he would ever let on, but Gojyo could tell. Hakkai eventually handed the keys to Goku as the ape ran forward to open up their door.

"Don't get any ideas, you shitty priest," Gojyo growled down at the unconscious form in his arms as he sidestepped through the door, mindful of Sanzo's bare feet. There wasn't even a noise from the blonde. No doubt he wasn't able to even argue at this point with waxy cheeks and clenched teeth, even though Sanzo was unconscious. He wouldn't know 'relaxed' if it hit the man in the face, despite how he looked like he didn't give a damn half the time.

Sanzo moaned and shook his head when Gojyo kicked the door closed behind them, the first move he had made since getting out of the bath. Gojyo paused, wondering if this was a good sign or not. He was not looking forward to trying to carry Sanzo if the blonde decided to struggle like his life depended on it. Sanzo could be damn hard to keep a hold on, especially with the harsh right hook the deceptively thin man had. Gojyo had gotten a taste of the fist several times when Sanzo decided that a warning bullet just wasn't enough.

At least Hakkai had confiscated the Smith and Wesson for now. Sanzo wasn't very dangerous anymore, covered with towels and groaning in pain with every step Gojyo took. He would never admit to being the gentlest person, but the shitty priest couldn't really be hurting that much each time. He was actually trying here! Damn Sanzo for being so sensitive and delicate.

Gojyo might as well punch himself. What the hell was he thinking? Sanzo had all the delicacy of a rock. He shouldn't be taking it easy on the tough little shit just because he'd been given a particularly thorough beating this time. He was probably going to die of a chill too, just like Hakkai had predicted. Gojyo sniffed, finding the whole thing rather sour. Hakkai was the one overreacting. Gojyo could remember when things had been a hell of a lot touchier and way too close before this.

He put Sanzo down on top of the covers first, still swaddled in towels like some child. Sanzo was going to go on a fucking killing melee if he ever found out about this. Gojyo knew just how touchy pride was with that blonde pain in the ass, but damned if he understood a bit of it. It only made things harder, because now Gojyo would have to find clothes for the monk. Going to sleep naked with the monk might as well be the same as pressing his forehead against the muzzle of the gun to make things easier for Sanzo.

Gojyo looked around the plain room a little desperately before he noticed a thin, white piece of paper on the table in center of the floor. He left Sanzo to lay by himself in the towels to take a quick detour to the table. There was writing recognizable in the darkness. Gojyo supposed he had the demon blood to be thankful for, because his good eyesight saved the trip to the light switch to read the note.

'I left clean bedclothes in the dresser. You can leave your clothes in the hallway and I'll take them to the wash. Miss Li.'

God bless her simple, kind, little country heart. Gojyo was so moved he almost wanted to walk down and thank the girl in person. Almost, but he was too damn tired to take the stairs after carrying even a light-weight like Sanzo up them. She must have gone to their rooms ahead of time while they had been in the bath. Gojyo went to the dresser and sure enough there were two plain, medium sets of white boxers and long pants. Gojyo put on a pair of boxers and took the pants for Sanzo. He was most comfortable sleeping naked next to another, but Sanzo would probably have both of Gojyo's balls if he tried it. There were also two, white, short-sleeved shirts and even white, sleeveless undershirts. Gojyo pulled on the former gratefully and grabbed one of the shirts as well for the priest. Sanzo was likely to raise hell about Gojyo's choice of wardrobe just to have something to bitch about, like usual. He couldn't expect anything else from the blonde. Gojyo didn't want to dress the monk because he'd get bitched out later for it.

Still, he went back to the bed, managing to not quite stomp across the floor. He shouldn't wake Sanzo up now when he was already sporting a fever, a concussion, and wasn't too damn far from going into shock. Goku and Hakkai would never forgive him if he let Sanzo slip off during the night. So, that meant being on his best behavior and doing his damnedest to make sure the priest lived. Fuck the sharp-tongued, little bitch's pride and modesty!

Strengthening himself up with those thoughts, Gojyo pulled the towels apart like unwrapping a bizarre present. It was a little too much like a dream he'd had one night that left him lying in a bed soaked with sweat and an midnight woody that Gojyo hadn't experienced with such painful intensity since he was fourteen. He was determined not to look at the priest's face and concentrated on not disturbing the bandages around his neck, because Gojyo knew he wouldn't be able to think about anything else.

He knew Sanzo was aware of his good looks and also hated them with a livid passion as had been revealed in a conversation held over three bottles of whiskey. When the blonde was too drunk to even stay upright and could only sway to the left and right, he was actually quite pleasant and could even be funny, in a dark and cruel sort of way. It was the fact that underneath the priestly veil was a sense of humor even after all these years of acting like the world's most silent and bitchy human being. Hell, sometimes Gojyo had doubted Sanzo could even be considered human when he could be so damn merciless and completely bound to duty despite that sour mouth.

Gojyo tried to be gentle as he separated the towels, rubbing them every now and than on still-damp skin. Sanzo looked like he had been systematically put through the grinder, but Gojyo couldn't banish the first time he'd seen Sanzo in that bloody bed. By all natural law, Sanzo shouldn't even be alive right now, but his chest was still moving with his breath ever so slightly, trembles running through the thin but muscular frame. He was covered in bruises and angry red lines from youkai's claws, but it was still better than when they'd first found him.

Even though Gojyo wouldn't ever be able to forget what Sanzo had looked like, it didn't prepare him when he pulled away the towels from around the thin waist, laying them aside across the bed, underneath the pale white body. The band aids did a pathetic job, the evidence of misuse far too apparent. Sanzo had been…taken advantage of, and Gojyo was going to find those youkai bastards and tie them up for the priest when he recovered, because nothing Gojyo could do would ever be able to satisfy Sanzo's honor. He'd have to kill them himself, hopefully with a lot of pain involved.

"Sorry," Gojyo felt like he had to apologize to the unconscious man for staring. It was just…so awful to see. Gojyo hadn't really thought about the crueler side of sex, being used to having fair and uncomplicated one-night stands. He was always trying to find the perfect woman, but none had managed to catch his attention for long. It was just as well since he'd have to leave town before he'd ever have the time to make a real and lasting relationship.

Gojyo took out the pants for Sanzo and slipped one thin ankle through one of the pant's leg. This close, Gojyo could see that Sanzo had the lightest bit of leg hair on skin that was much softer than he would have ever expected. On the other hand, Sanzo had grown up in some secluded monastery and had probably never done an honest day's work in his life. He did pull more than his own weight when it came to killing youkai when they attacked, and because of that deadly skill, it was hard to call the monk on his high-brow and selfish remarks.

He pulled on the pants and tied the string around the waist in a nice bow, high on the curving and dipping hips. Sanzo was still an eyeful, even after getting the utter shit beaten out of him. It was almost a shame that Gojyo had to dress the man, because the best way to stay warm would always be pressing flesh against flesh. The shirt followed over the trim, but bloody and tender shoulders with Sanzo's head lolling about miserably. He was nothing more than a limp doll, which made it even fucking harder to handle him.

It only took a mediocre amount of wrestling, but Gojyo finally had Sanzo dressed for bed. There was no way the shitty priest could wake up and tear into him if they were both fully clothed. Gojyo dug out the damp towels from underneath Sanzo's body and threw them to the floor, except for one to rub softly on the wet, blonde hair, careful of the lump visible even through the curve of his hair. Sanzo had somehow survived falling into that freezing-ass-cold river, but it was clearly taking a lot out the smaller man.

Sanzo was trembling and a hand on his forehead told Gojyo that the monk's fever had likely gotten even worse. His skin was inhumanly hot, but only slightly clammy, leaving a faint dampness on his palm. The usually tightly stretched lips were open and a yellow-blue. It was not a good sign, not the least bit. Hakkai would have his ass if Sanzo died tonight. He couldn't call for help, not now, because Gojyo knew exactly what he had to do. 'Keep him warm' was a lot easier to say than to do.

Sanzo was still too damn cold and was getting even weaker because of a fever. All he had to do was crawl into bed with the man and keep him warm. Gojyo had done it more times than he could count, though he was only using it as a guise to get between the set of legs next to him. Gojyo was usually more than happy to jump into an occupied bed, except when it held the one person that made him hesitate.

Hakkai had better well stop the shitty priest when Sanzo woke up and tried to put a bullet between Gojyo's eyes while he slept. He wouldn't put it past the bitter and resentful monk, who never forgot even the smallest little fuck-up. Ever. Sanzo was probably going to bring this up all the time to bitch about non-stop in a public place just so there was a guarantee Gojyo couldn't kill him immediately without dealing with a crowd. Sanzo was a calculating and manipulative bitch for being so stubborn.

Gojyo leaned over Sanzo to pull up the sheets on the other side of the bed, close to the wall. It took a little bit of yanking to get the covers free of the tight folds, but Gojyo managed to open up the bed and deftly crawl over Sanzo without even dipping the mattress. He'd learned how to maneuver in and out of bed that had the lightest of sleepers, so a scrawny, weakling monk with a bump on his head a bit bigger than an egg was not going to wake up at Gojyo laying down next to him.

He tried to make it smooth and easy, but Gojyo couldn't call it anything else as he dragged Sanzo close to his side and off of the sheets. The man didn't even stir, so still that Gojyo had to lean over that set of beautiful, transparent and pale lips and listen for the slight breath rattling in his lungs. Gojyo felt relief then, not about to sleep with a dead or dying person as he pulled the sheets up around them. Gojyo didn't think he could face the day if Sanzo died on his watch. The thought of Sanzo simply being gone was too massive to even consider.

Fuck Sanzo for making me worry like this! You're being just as pathetic as he thinks you are! Gojyo snarled at himself as he flopped down on the pillows angrily. Gojyo stretched his neck, glaring up at the ceiling for an angry moment before rolling to his side and putting an arm up on the pillows. He used the other one to hold Sanzo across the chest and pull that bony and bandaged body closer. Gojyo lifted a leg and wrapped it over both of Sanzo's chicken legs, wishing desperately that the priest didn't feel so comfortable and nice even though he was as cold as the snow outside, the fever sucking out all of his body heat. Sanzo's and chest were shaking every now and than instead of the constant trembling he'd been doing before. His body was starting to get too weak to even shudder.

He may hate the priest and want to punch him in the face more often every time they 'talked,' but he was still a little slice of heaven walking around on long legs. An absolutely killer body was hidden under the robes some of the time, other times covered in that tight, black top that made the outline enough to get a hard-on, but still not revealing the smallest scrap of skin beyond the curve of his shoulder between the tank and the high sleeves.

Gojyo was almost as angry as Sanzo would be about the loss of the outfit, though he'd never say it out loud. It was mind-bogglingly sexy to travel with a man who wore fingerless gloves except for the narrow strap that wrapped around his middle finger. It was likely the main reason Gojyo had tailed along for this long haul, because there always was the faint chance in hell that Sanzo would finally cave in and agree to getting his brains fucked out. Except, this wasn't the way Gojyo wanted to get in the same bed as Sanzo, and it would be a damn long time before he could connect sex and the blonde together without feeling sick. It was still his duty tonight to keep Sanzo alive, not to feel guilty about taking the occasional drunken flirting a little further. He had waited, and now Sanzo was…ruined.

It didn't feel right to hold Sanzo so close, but it was doing the thin monk some good as the trembling slowed. His body wasn't so tense, relaxing slowly, part by part. Cautiously to avoid any wounds, Gojyo rubbed Sanzo's arms and back to help the blood warm up and flow again. It reminded him of petting an animal, so simple, mindless, and damn hypnotic. The curves of Sanzo's back underneath the shirt were enough to lull Gojyo into a sleep of his own, clutching the sour, little bitch closer as the shock of being in the same bed faded into a grey nothingness.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I don't know! I'm so nervous about doing Hakkai next because he's so… laid back and cool. I feel like I'm not doing anyone justice, but if one thing's for sure, Gojyo would cuss a lot. Well, moved into a new place, fanfiction.net locked up my account for being explicit, and I got a kitty. But hell, this was a long time coming anyway! … So, sorry about the grammar if there are problems, but I'm always ready for another beta-reader.

I'm so sorry! Don't hate me! I had to concentrate all my energy to finishing my Weiss story, and it is (finally), so I can work on this now. Cross my heart I'll work on this.