Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Never No Answer ❯ And it chills me to the bone ( Chapter 2 )

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

Once again, in case it’s not already painfully obvious, I don’t own them.

Mei smiled before closing the door softly behind her, finally leaving them alone now that the food was served and she had calmed down a bit after screaming over Sanzo fainting. Some things were better after they had cooled down a bit, like egg rolls. But, Goku liked his rice to be steaming hot and it wasn’t half as good when at room temperature. That was more than enough reason to stop worrying about Sanzo being unconscious in a bed. The monk was sleeping and so he wouldn’t yell at Goku’s lack of table manners.

Steaming plates full of different dishes brought up fresh from the kitchen made life worth living. They would definitely need to order seconds, but Goku would be all right for a while. Goku looked down at the spread on the table, so happy that he could almost forget about Sanzo collapsing only moments ago. Who could be upset when there was this much food in front him?

Goku had only tried to get Sanzo to eat an egg roll when the blonde had blinked once before falling out of his chair. Goku could only stare in surprise at Sanzo being that clumsy before he hit the floor at the same time Goku dropped the egg roll on his empty plate. He had called out Sanzo’s name once before Hakkai and Gojyo even noticed something was wrong with the monk.

Gojyo had ignored Mei screaming out questions at them about why Sanzo wasn’t moving on the ground. He had picked Sanzo up with an ease that was just as worrying as the sudden faint. Really, Sanzo should eat more. He was way too thin, and Goku knew that when people didn’t eat, they were cranky. That was why Sanzo yelled half the time. Goku didn’t mind Sanzo when he was angry too much, except when the blonde called him stupid. That wasn’t true at all and he usually argued with Sanzo then. That got him hit by a fan. But, why think about that when there was food starting to cool?

"Ah! This is so perfect!" Goku cried out helplessly at the platters in front of him. One was a home-cooked specialty chow mien with a mix of meats. It looked like pork cutlets and beef strips with a hint of shrimp as well were mixed in the thin noodles. All of his favorites in one! Strips of carrots and green onions glistened in the chow mien, all of it covered with a special sauce. It could be soy or teriyaki or maybe something entirely new!

I’m. In. Heaven.

"Really, the ape always thinks with its stomach!" Gojyo growled as Goku snapped the wooden chopsticks apart with the usual loud grace. It was the good kind of chopsticks with pointy ends instead of the squares ones. Those tended to splinter and ruin an entire mouthful of food with wet chips of wood.

Hakkai sighed as he moved away from Sanzo’s bedside. He had been there since Gojyo put Sanzo in the bed to check the monk for any new injuries after such a heavy fall. The brunette finally joined them at the table, looking tired and worn out. Jeep chirped anxiously, fluttering by the man’s head and knowing something was wrong.

Hakkai worried entirely too much. How could someone be upset when there was a large plate of vegetable fried rice in front of him? The rice was a perfect golden brown and the small square carrots and scallops with another kind of vegetable in it that Goku couldn’t tell from across the table. He couldn’t wait for that to get passed around to him!

Gojyo sighed, smoking over the round bamboo baskets by his elbow. There might be meat buns in there. Goku hadn’t had a good meat bun in days and days and days. He hoped it was barbecued pork. That was his absolute favorite, but if it were another kind of meat, he’d eat it anyway. Goku was not one to be picky when it came to anything edible.

"Well, what do you think?" Hakkai asked Gojyo in a soft, serious voice as he clasped his hands together with his elbows resting on the table. Jeep chirped as he settled on Hakkai’s shoulder, noticing that the smile was gone without a trace. Jeep crooned and waited not so patiently for his master to start eating so the dragon could be served as well. Except, Hakkai didn’t look happy even though he had a full bowl of white rice on his left.

Goku looked down at his own bowl in front of him, wondering if there was any soy sauce to put on top of his rice. He didn’t see the usual small dish full of it that always came with egg rolls. There wasn’t a single bottle of soy on the table, not even a shaker of salt to flavor the dishes.

Damn.

"Can you pass the sweet and sour?" Goku asked Hakkai, not caring if he interrupted Gojyo or not. Goku had spotted the orange sauce glistening on a large pile of deep-fried something and wasn’t thinking of anything else. He didn’t know what Hakkai had ordered, so it could be pork or. . . or. . . Well, it didn’t matter yet. It was sweet and sour! It was hard to go wrong with that.

"Certainly," Hakkai said, the smile fixed back on his face to hide his worry. Goku could tell that Sanzo was worrying the brunette with all of his fainting and constant getting in trouble with youkai. Sanzo seemed to have a lifetime’s worth of bad luck, going through everything except actually dying. WellY Sanzo had almost died the evening before last, but Goku could think about that later.

Hakkai picked up a sweet and sour platter and handed it courteously to Goku. He took it greedily and tilted the plate so the curved edge would pour the sauce from the dish into Goku’s bowl of rice. If he couldn’t find any soy sauce, he would find something else to use. Plain rice was just so boring to eat.

Gojyo tisked at Goku’s lack of manners, but it was nothing compared to Sanzo yelling at him. Gojyo sighed at the interruption before serving himself from the dish behind the steaming bamboo baskets. The kappa had beef and broccoli in a thick, heavy brown sauce. It looked divine in the light of the room and Goku prayed that Gojyo wouldn’t manage to eat it all before it got around to him.

"He’s taking it…well," Gojyo said in a way that made Goku think he meant the exact opposite thing. Sanzo had been acting weird when he had been awake, but Goku didn’t think Gojyo was smart enough to catch it. Goku had been around Sanzo long enough to be able to tell what the monk was thinkingY most of the time. Sanzo had been looking confused the whole time, lost as Gojyo and Hakkai talked to each other like they were the only people in the room.

"Sanzo’s tough, butY but this?" Hakkai was having trouble finding the words. He sat down the bowl of plain white rice without taking a single bite. Hopefully he was just saving the rice for later. Casually, Hakkai served himself a very small amount of the vegetable fried rice before handing it over to Gojyo. It wasn’t enough to feed both him and Jeep who was looking down in distinct disappointment at the miniscule servings on Hakkai’s plate.

Not only Sanzo, but also now Hakkai didn’t feel like eating either. This was probably why they were both so easily depressed all the time. Goku didn’t like it all, but he didn’t say anything. It could be that just tonight Hakkai didn’t feel like eating. Goku had seen the brunette eat with a usual, healthy appetite before. Sanzo only ate when he finally couldn’t even stand upright from the hunger.

A cloud of smoke curved around Gojyo’s face as he looked up curiously at the offered plate. Hakkai smiled and waited for him to take the dish as Jeep flapped its wings and left Hakkai’s shoulder to make a lazily circle above the table. Goku hunched over his food protectively, eyeing the white dragon warily. Jeep was not going to steal any food from Goku’s plate tonight!

"I don’t think he remembers. I didn’t see it in his eyes," Gojyo declared as he accepted the fried rice from Hakkai. The kappa served himself a liberal portion before putting the dish on the table without even asking Goku if he wanted any. Gojyo was rude, but at least he still had a healthy appetite. However, it was threatening to devour half the food. Goku still hadn’t even started to eat yet!

"Sanzo wasn’t awake yet," Goku explained to them as he handed the sweet and sour to Gojyo. Goku was nicer than other people when it came to food, after he had served himself, of course. Gojyo took the plate irritably as he glared at Goku stirring the sweet and sour sauce into the rice with his chopsticks. Hakkai only stared at them and Goku’s rather observant remark in silence while Jeep landed on the table in front the empty chair next to Gojyo.

Goku took an experimental first bite of his rice as Hakkai served himself some of the mixed meat chow mien. It wasn’t bad with the sweetness coating the usual taste of rice. Maybe with a little soy sauce or salt to add a bitterness that would make it even better. But, since they didn’t have those condiments at the table, Goku would have to make due.

Jeep shot out and snapped a large mouthful of beef and broccoli from Gojyo’s plate in between small little teeth. Gojyo yelled and tried to hit the little dragon that was already flapping a safe distance out of the kappa’s range. Jeep fluttered safely to the back of Hakkai’s chair, chewing and purring with contentment as the dragon finished off its stolen meal.

"Damn dragon. He needs a damn cage, Hakkai!" Gojyo yelled as he shook a fist at Jeep who swallowed loudly. Hakkai only chuckled at Gojyo’s anger as he passed the chow mien to Goku. Goku took it eagerly and served up a large amount on his plate next to the sweet and sour. He had enough room left on his plate for one more dish, and then it would be time to start eating.

"Don’t be so mad, Gojyo. He’s hungry too," Hakkai admonished Gojyo as he turned in his seat to pet Jeep on the neck. Gojyo snarled something not complimentary and took the finished cigarette moodily out of his mouth. The kappa stabbed it out on the white tablecloth next to the pile of ashes from Sanzo’s earlier smoking.

Goku offered the chow mien to Gojyo, who took it with a growled ‘thanks.’ Goku didn’t think the man really meant it. Jeep was looking quite happy with himself, saving Hakkai from sharing the painfully small serving on its master’s plate. Jeep had pissed off Gojyo too. Amazing how smart that little dragon could be sometimes.

Hakkai held up a cubed carrot from the fried rice in his chopsticks and Jeep snatched it eagerly now that the little dragon was done with what he had stolen from Gojyo’s plate. Jeep probably was still hungry from the mad dash they had done only the night before last with Sanzo dying in the backseat.

But that was something that Goku shouldn’t think about now. He couldn’t change what had already happened. So, Goku opened up one of the steamed baskets instead of thinking sad thoughts and paying attention to Gojyo and Hakkai’s sour attitudes. Goku peeked under the lid to see four round, steaming white buns sitting there. Four cuts in the top had been pinched together to form teardrop-shaped buns that still had small beads of water from the steam.

"Wahoo! Meat buns, meat buns, meat buns!" Goku cheered, not believing his luck. He had wanted them so much and now there were several baskets full. Four buns each, five trays stacked tall… Seventeen meat buns! Goku calculated quickly, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. He was going to have to take down that number quickly.

"Goku isn’t too worried about Sanzo. Maybe he is just fine," Hakkai argued softly as he took the beef and broccoli from Gojyo’s side of the table. Gojyo froze in the process of grabbing a meat bun to look back at Hakkai in disgusted shock that the smiling brunette would even dare suggest such a thing.

Goku took the chance to greedily grab three meat buns before Gojyo could eat them all, two for his plate and one to shove in his mouth and take a large bite. It was barbequed beef! Goku had wanted barbequed pork, but at least he had gotten half of his wish! What more could he ask for?

The beef had its own favorable strong flavor and was tough to chew, letting Goku savor the barbeque sauce longer. He chomped on the sweet dough happily, quite content with his plate for now as he dropped the meat buns on top of everything else. Hakkai and Gojyo no longer even paid attention to how fast Goku ate, quite used to food disappearing as soon as it got around him.

"Goku’s eating. He wouldn’t care if someone killed him right now," Gojyo returned. True. Goku wouldn’t mind dying right now as he finished off the first meat bun. Gojyo took one bun with a glare and set it on his plate with a grunt, disappointed in Goku for stealing the rest of the buns in that basket.

"But Goku does know Sanzo the best," Hakkai pointed out. Goku agreed with Hakkai full-heartedly but he didn’t say anything. They had yelled at him before for talking with his mouth full. Sanzo had even shot at Goku once for talking to him with food in his mouth. That had been all the warning he needed to at least think about chewing.

There were times when Goku didn’t understand Sanzo at all. Like why the monk forced himself to walk across the room when he couldn’t even sit in a chair. Why hadn’t Sanzo told them that he wasn’t feeling well? People didn’t suddenly swoon and fall to the floor without good reason. Sanzo was more delicate than he would ever care to admit, but he rarely ever let that stop him.

Goku wouldn’t mind asking to have someone serve him while he stayed in bed. Sanzo refused to eat lying down like an invalid, even though that was what he was half the time. Goku didn’t care so much about pride or crumbs in the sheets as Sanzo did. The blonde man would rather die. One time Sanzo had broken two fingers and couldn’t even hold a spoon. He stopped eating instead of facing the humility of someone feeding him.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Gojyo snapped, the two long hairs on the top of his head pointing up in irritation as he fixed on Hakkai with a murderous look. Hakkai only shrugged at Gojyo’s loud yelling and added another small serving of the sweet and sour dish on his own plate. Hakkai handed the platter to Gojyo to finish the circuit around the table as Goku spotted a saltshaker underneath their arms.

"I don’t fight with Sanzo all the time like you, pervert," Goku returned as he reached over the vegetable fried rice to grab the salt. Hakkai sat back quickly to avoid Goku’s lunge across the table and laughed at his lack of manners while Gojyo yelled for Goku to sit down like normal person. Jeep remained quiet, waiting patiently for Hakkai to serve him again.

"Is that really coming from your mouth, you dumbass ape?" Gojyo asked in disbelief. Goku nearly choked on the meat bun he was eating, not about to be called a ‘dumbass ape’ when he was enjoying a meal! Goku had to deal with the smelly, womanizing drunk’s insults all day long, and he wasn’t about to let him ruin such a good dinner before Goku even had a chance to try anything.

"Do you wanna make something of it, you damn red cockroach?!" Goku yelled back at Gojyo, standing out of his chair. He wasn’t going to let the kappa get away with it this time. Goku would beat the crap out of Gojyo if the stupid half-demon didn’t take the hint and shut his mouth! Gojyo stood up as well, more then ready to start a fight with Goku.

"Come on, now, both of you! Sit down and eat. You’ll wake up Sanzo if you keep fighting," Hakkai snapped rudely, not needing to raise his voice to yell at them. Goku opened his mouth and then clenched it shut as he glanced over to the very still person under the sheets in the bed. Jeep imitated Hakkai’s disappointment for their lack of manners as well with its red eyes staring at Goku and Gojyo. That was enough to make Gojyo stubbornly take his seat.

Goku followed suit and sat back down as well, though he glared at Gojyo just to show that if Sanzo didn’t need his sleep right now, Goku would still be fighting. It was just because he was concerned about Sanzo that the red kappa was being let off today. Gojyo didn’t look pleased with being stopped in the middle of what could have been a wonderful fight either.

"It’s probably better he doesn’t remember anyway," Gojyo sighed as he stared down at his plate. Goku didn’t listen. He didn’t want to hear it again. Goku blocked Gojyo’s voice out and sprinkled some salt on top of his sweet and sour rice specialty. He took another bite as Hakkai nodded thoughtfully and chewed politely with his mouth closed. Gojyo didn’t look happy with both of them ignoring his comment, knowing that it was very true. Goku didn’t want to talk about it right now, taking a bite of his rice instead.

"Wow! Perfect! You got to try it, Hakkai!" Goku yelled out, astonished at the taste. The sweet and sour sauce was starting to soak into each grain of rice because of the long wait while Goku finished serving himself. The salt was a sharp contrast and made the whole bowl of rice taste all the more better. It was perfect! Goku could have cried with joy.

"Shit. I don’t know why I try to have conversations with you," Gojyo cursed as Goku started to shove the rice into his mouth with his chopsticks. He glanced up over the rim of the bowl and paused for a moment, wondering if he should get angry with that or not. They had just been forced to stop fighting only seconds ago. Goku decided he wanted to eat more than fight right now.

He concentrated on shoving the rice into his mouth, the taste better because he could barely chew all the rice he had stuffed in his cheeks. ‘Properly chewing your food’ meant very little to Goku. It only took up more time to get food down and try something else. Goku swallowed his mouthful to clear room for the last bit of rice into his mouth before setting the empty bowl down on the tabletop.

"Hey, Hakkai, will Sanzo be all right? He wasn’t even supposed to wake up yet," Goku asked as he guiltily glanced over at the silent mound in the bed. Goku supposed he might try to be proud of Sanzo for managing to recover so quickly but for some reason it just wasn’t very comforting. Seeing the golden-hair man fall on his face made Goku think Sanzo was not healed yet.

"Sanzo’s strong. I’m sure he’ll be walking around again in no time," Hakkai assured Goku as he held up a small piece of broccoli for Jeep. The dragon was eating more than its much larger master. It took the whole broccoli in one bite and threw its head back to swallow, even ruder about eating than Goku.

"Okay," Goku nodded, more prone to believe the words when he was busy shoving another meat bun in his mouth. He didn’t think Hakkai was telling him the complete truth half the time. Goku would have a hard time trusting what the smiling man said about Sanzo’s state of health after that night. Hakkai hadn’t been honest when he said ‘everything was fine,’ because Sanzo had stopped breathing after that. Why would he be telling the truth now?

Goku tore off a hunk of the bun with his teeth and put the mangled leftover on his plate for later. He didn’t need to finish it off right now unless Gojyo opened up the second basket of meat buns. Then, Goku might have to stuff himself and take more so Gojyo wouldn’t have them all. It was only fitting revenge for the kappa being so mean to him during dinner.

"Sure, he’ll be walking. It’s the sitting that will cause some trouble," Gojyo snapped darkly, poking at his serving with his chopsticks. Jeep chirped rudely at the suggestion his suspension in automobile form was less than perfect. Hakkai glared at Gojyo’s bluntness, his one visible green eye narrowing dangerously. Goku didn’t like the words that had been said just now, not one bit.

"Perhaps," Hakkai said dangerously, his politeness only scary right now with that furious look in his eye. Gojyo took the hint and said no more, popping some of the beef into his mouth moodily. Hakkai kept fixed on Gojyo with his angry gaze, just daring the half-youkai to say something.

"Well, at least I don’t have to warm the damn monk’s sheets anymore," Gojyo grumbled, still pissed about being assigned as a bedmate while Sanzo had been shivering with the cold that almost claimed his life. Goku raised an eyebrow as he finished off the last half to his leftover meat bun. Gojyo hadn’t seemed this upset when he had to do the deed two nights ago. There hadn’t been even half this much complaining. It was irritating, almost ruining the taste in Goku’s mouth. Gojyo pouted even more then him, and Goku was very vocal when it came to be uncomfortable. Or in pain. Or the worst of all: hungry.

"Oh, you’ll stay the night again. Someone needs to make sure that Sanzo doesn’t die in his sleep," Hakkai ordered Gojyo to sleep in the room again. It was probably because Hakkai didn’t want to go down and ask for another room. The added cost to the hotel bill and having to deal with that Mei Li girl were more than enough reasons to have Gojyo share a bed with Sanzo another night.

Besides, Goku liked having a single bed to spread out on. Whenever they had shared rooms, he had either been forced to stay on his side which was exactly even with Hakkai’s. Or, Goku would wind up on the edge of the mattress with Gojyo’s foot in his face. Or, he would sleep on the floor and hope that Sanzo would remember to toss him a pillow.

"What?! I’m not sleeping with that cold bitch one more fucking night!" Gojyo yelled loudly and slammed a hand down on the table to make his point. Hakkai ignored him and took his first bite of the sweet and sour. Gojyo stared as his argument was clearly ignored. Hakkai had a way of telling people to shut up without saying a single word. Goku stuck his tongue out at the stupid kappa and finished off the sweet and sour on his plate as well.

"It’s good, isn’t it, Goku?" Hakkai asked as Gojyo gaped at him across the table, clearly not allowing arguing with the sleeping arrangements. Goku nodded as Gojyo flipped off Hakkai’s turned head. Goku would ignore the kappa just like Hakkai did with his unbreakable smile. Goku wondered if he should take seconds or try the beef and broccoli.

"Too bad Sanzo’s out. He should eat some of this," Goku moaned, looking down at the wonderful full dinner. Sanzo was going to miss this whole meal because he had insisted on acting tough. If the monk had been feeling so faint, he should have said something instead of quietly drinking and smoking away any trace of health.

"If you don’t eat it all, ape, we could save some for him," Gojyo growled around his mouthful of meat bun. Goku glared at the man and looked back to Hakkai, wondering if it might actually be a good idea or not. Jeep perked up as well, sharing the same irritated look with Goku over Gojyo’s attitude. It was even harder to deal with than Sanzo in a bad mood. At least Goku liked Sanzo. He wasn’t fond of Gojyo at all right now.

"Don’t worry about leftovers, Goku. We can order something fresh for Sanzo when he wakes up," Hakkai assured him with a smile. He was telling Goku to not get his hopes up about Sanzo waking any time soon. Goku knew better than to expect impossible things. Sanzo was strong, but he was human in the end. Human bodies didn’t take damage very well and heal right away.

"All right," Goku agreed in a muffled voice as he stuffed his mouth full of chow mien at the same time. The noodles were just right, soft but not mushy, thoroughly cooked but not burned. It was absolutely delicious and tasted as good as it looked. Goku had never had food this good in weeks! It had been so long since the inn had a decent cook in the kitchen. He was determined to enjoy this meal, whether or not Sanzo was unconscious in the same room.

"I wonder when the bastard will try to crawl out of bed next," Gojyo drawled rudely as he took a bite of his meat bun. Goku growled at the kappa warningly, unable to do anything else with his cheeks full of chow mien. Jeep joined him, peeping and squeaking angrily at Gojyo’s words.

"Settle down, you two. Gojyo, please, let’s just eat," Hakkai begged, raising up both hands to calm Goku and Jeep. Goku was more than ready to follow that order as he finished off the last of his chow mien and reached out at the same time to grab the beef and broccoli. He couldn’t wait anymore. He had to try this dish!

"Fine, Hakkai," Gojyo spat back in an unfriendly tone. A silence descended upon the table as Hakkai started to eat a little more seriously, the food the only thing keeping Hakkai from yelling back at Gojyo. Hakkai looked very mad and displeased with Gojyo as he delicately finished off the fried rice. Goku didn’t know how anyone could keep eating so neat. He licked grease from the chow mien off his lips to let it mix with the beef and broccoli now stuffed in his mouth. The paired taste was great for one blissful second before the faint flavor of chow mien faded into the sauce covering the beef.

Gojyo watched Hakkai eat instead of enjoying what was on his plate. Goku didn’t care about the rest of the group’s appetites anymore. He couldn’t worry about three of them all at the same time. Goku wasn’t a bad eater, and that was why he reached for the sweet and sour again to fill up his recently emptied plate.

"Leave some for the rest of us, you fat ass ape," Gojyo snapped as Goku glanced up from emptying the platter. Who took the time to use the serving spoon anyway? Food was a matter of who got to it first. If the kappa wanted more, he could order a fresh dish. Goku was not sharing with a half-breed youkai that called him a fat monkey!

Jeep caught on and nipped at Hakkai’s ear to beg for more food. The dragon always got anxious when he saw Goku swallowing down half of the dinner table before Hakkai even got around to finishing his first serving. At least Gojyo wasn’t eating like usual and Sanzo wasn’t awake so there was more to share than usual.

"There’s plenty left, Gojyo," Hakkai sighed and rubbed his forehead in irritation with his hand tiredly. Gojyo didn’t look like he believed Hakkai as the man stood up and went to the small refrigerator in the corner of the room. Jeep hopped off the back of the vacant chair to the edge of the table so it could start on the sweet and sour pork still left on Hakkai’s plate while his master was gone.

"Shoo, you ugly piece of shit," Gojyo waved his hand in Jeep’s face like it was any other pet. Jeep looked up and growled over Hakkai’s plate, feeling threatened over his food. Immediately a small, effective, little fireball belched out of the dragon’s mouth and scorched Gojyo’s hand before the man could even hit the dragon.

"Ow! That fucking hurt!" Gojyo yelped and snapped his hand back to shake out the burn painfully. The kappa deserved it for being so rude to everyone during dinner. Goku smiled and nodded to Jeep, both of them very pleased with Jeep’s little attack. Hakkai didn’t even say anything like ‘calm down’ or ‘stop it,’ so Goku glanced behind to see Hakkai pull out a six-pack of beer that had been stocked in the mini-fridge.

Goku was surprised to see Hakkai drinking. The man usually never touched alcohol. Hakkai and Gojyo were worried over Sanzo. They shouldn’t think about such sad things over dinner. Goku knew better than to fret right now when there was food in front of him. He would have plenty of time to stare at Sanzo and think about how it was his fault for not protecting the fragile, beautiful monk.

"Sanzo’s fine. He said so," Goku insisted loudly. Two sets of eyes widened at his statement, Hakkai frozen in mid-stride as he pulled a can of beer from the plastic rings. Goku looked back at them, confused why they looked so surprised. Gojyo stared at him for daring to say what was so obviously on their minds. Neither of the men was as unreadable and ‘cool’ as they thought they were.

"Goku, do you think Sanzo knows. . . remembers what happened?" Hakkai asked Goku quietly after he recovered. Hakkai walked back to the table and handed one beer to Gojyo. Jeep jumped back to his spot on the chair innocently despite Hakkai’s plate missing a large amount of food. Hakkai chuckled at Jeep pretending that nothing was wrong as he pulled a beer out for himself and set the rest on the table.

"He said he did," Goku argued weakly. He wasn’t so sure. Goku didn’t know what Sanzo thought half the time. He knew how Sanzo would act sometimes only because the monk followed a pattern. Mainly, kill whatever was in the way as quickly as possible. Sanzo wasn’t going to change his routine.

Hakkai didn’t say anything back to Goku, choosing to be very quiet and not try to eat anything more. Jeep was silent as well, looking over Hakkai’s shoulder with its long neck to see why its master was upset. Hakkai may have an emotionless face on right now, but Goku could easily tell that Hakkai was worried about Sanzo, a lot more than usual.

"Can I have a beer, Hakkai?" Goku asked as Gojyo popped open on his own. Foam bubbled out and Gojyo blew it off the lid before taking a large swallow. He was drinking now just to rub in the fact that he could and Goku still had to ask if it would be all right. Some things just weren’t fair in life!

"No. You know what Sanzo thinks about underage drinking," Hakkai admonished as he snapped the ring back on his own can and shook his head. Sanzo wasn’t even awake right now! Goku sighed, knowing that Hakkai was a hard person to argue with, but he still wanted to anyway. It wasn’t fair that he had never tried this drink that they all guzzled down like water.

"I’m not a kid!" Goku grumpily argued. He was over five hundred years old. Who cared if his body hadn’t matured yet? At this rate, he wouldn’t get to drink until he was a thousand years old! That was just waaay too long to wait. As a lover of food, Goku had to try everything edible, drinkable, anything that could be digested. Why were they saying he couldn’t try a beer?

"Absolutely not," Hakkai snapped firmly, sending a firm look to Gojyo that said ‘agree with me.’ It was a dirty move to make sure Gojyo wouldn’t give Goku a beer when he got a little bit more drunk. Now how was he going to get to taste some beer? Goku sighed, chasing away his troubles with finishing off the sweet and sour. It was just the right temperature now, a little cooled off now after being left alone on the table for so long.

"Try the tea, Goku," Gojyo suggested coldly as he turned away from Hakkai. Well, there he had it. Both of them were awful cold-hearted bastards, even more than Sanzo. And it was really hard to be even less uncaring than Sanzo. Didn’t their mothers teach them how to share? … Well, at least Hakkai’s mother should have taught him those basic lessons.

"Pass the meat buns," Goku demanded as he held out his hand. If he couldn’t get beer, than he would make them regret not eating faster earlier on. Hakkai took a small sip from his own beer and looked over the can at Goku’s rudeness. He didn’t even say a word as Gojyo glanced over at Hakkai. Jeep was starting to nibble at Hakkai’s ear to beg for more food again. It was annoying see a pet so shamelessly affectionate with its master. At least Goku didn’t fall over Sanzo like Jeep did with Hakkai.

"Where’s the ‘please?’" Gojyo asked and Goku barely managed to keep his mouth closed. Don’t say anything, don’t say anything, Goku chanted to himself, trying very hard not to yell. He couldn’t fight with Sanzo sleeping in the same room. He didn’t want to wake up Sanzo. Goku just had to ignore the pervert.

"Pass it, please," Goku ground out, holding up his hands. He didn’t want to risk getting his sleeves in the food if he reached over the table. Goku didn’t care so much about his clothes except for getting a thread or something in the meal. Gojyo’s eyebrows rose at the request and he did hand the next steaming basket over without a word, so shocked that Goku had actually said ‘please.’ He took it happily with a smile for Gojyo.

"Thank you, you stupid, goddamn, ultra-perverted, rude, red, cockroach kappa!" Goku rattled it all out at once before popping another meat bun in his mouth. Gojyo’s mouth dropped open, his eyes wide at the rush of insults. Hakkai said nothing as he set his can of beer down, though the slight smile on his face was the most honest one he had worn in a while.

Goku happily chewed on the soft dough for the second time, mixed with the slightest hint of barbecue. He hadn’t taken a big enough bite to get to the center where the meat was. This taste was just as enjoyable and he felt very satisfied as Gojyo made a few choking noises at not being defended.

"Hakkai," Gojyo snapped when Hakkai wasn’t being fair in telling them to be quiet. Goku should be yelled at for insulting Gojyo after they had just finished fighting, but Hakkai said nothing. Instead, Hakkai picked up another piece of broccoli with his chopsticks for Jeep.

"That’s damn unfair! How come the ape doesn’t get into any trouble?" Gojyo demanded, stirring his fried rice around on his plate moodily. Hakkai sighed and held out his hand silently to Goku for a meat bun. He handed them to the man graciously, very thankful that Hakkai had taken his side. Goku didn’t make people say please or wait any longer then necessary over food.

"Because Goku doesn’t cause it on a regular basis, Gojyo," Hakkai explained pointedly as he put his chopsticks down on the plate. Gojyo winced, but let the argument drop as Hakkai gentlemanly pointed out his faults, dropping down to crouch over his plate and start to eat with a fierce concentration. Good thing the kappa’s long hair was back in a ponytail or he would be eating it off his plate.

"That’s right!" Goku agreed around a full mouth of sweet and sour, beaming at the compliment as he went for the third meat bun. Gojyo moaned at the small chunks of food that fell out of Goku’s overstuffed mouth. He couldn’t chew everything he had shoved in and talk at the same time without making some room just for air to breath.

"Just try once to eat like a normal human being," Gojyo growled at Goku’s loud eating. Goku glared and took the time to actually chew what was left in his mouth and swallowing before even trying to open his mouth. He wasn’t always a rude eater. He was just very hungry a lot of the time.

"What’s that supposed to mean, kappa?" Goku snapped back. Gojyo took a long drink from his beer instead of responding to Goku politely. It irritated him to be ignored, but at the same time it meant Gojyo wasn’t saying anything else to keep a fight going. So, Goku stuffed his face instead with the last speck of food on his plate, wondering if he should lick off the sauce or not.

"Goku, don’t be mean. Let’s just eat nicely, all right?" Hakkai tried to mediate lamely as he put the can of beer down. Only one eyebrow was visibly raised on Hakkai’s face, the other hidden by the fall of his bangs. He picked at his food, finally starting to make some damage in the chow mien. Both Gojyo and Goku sighed at the same time over Hakkai’s constant ‘pretend like nothing’s wrong’ act.

"It’s good," Goku tried to change the subject back to the food. How could anyone start fighting about eating? Gojyo went back to scarfing down his food like usual now that conversation time was deemed over. Hakkai chuckled and started to eat with a little more vigor, even if it was still not as much as Goku would have liked. Sanzo slept through it all, no matter how loud Goku started to argue with Gojyo over the last serving of chow mien. Gojyo and Hakkai drank through three six-packs without Sanzo even stirring under the heavy blankets they had piled up on him just in case the man decided to freeze to death while they ate dinner.

When the meat buns were gone, along with the beef and broccoli, Jeep burped loudly before sluggishly lifting off Hakkai’s shoulder and flying heavily into the bathroom. The dragon was probably going to lie down on some towels until they decided to go to their separate rooms. Jeep knew better than to try sleeping in the same bed with Sanzo. The dragon had nearly gotten both wings broken before Hakkai had come to the rescue.

Gojyo was probably going to have to sleep in here with Sanzo again because there were no other open rooms in the hotel right now. Even Goku and Hakkai were sharing a room with two small, uncomfortable beds. But, it was a bed that was all to Goku by himself and he wanted to keep it that way.

Hakkai and Gojyo finished off another pack of beer and the vegetable fried rice. Goku was only half full, so he took care of the white rice. He tried using the sauce from the bottom of the empty beef and broccoli dish to drench his plain rice and found himself pleased with the results again. This time he had needed no salt for it.

"Well, that was a good meal," Gojyo said as he took out a new cigarette and slapped the pack down on the table. He lit up over the table full of empty platters and plates, serving dishes left with only traces of crumbs, looking content for the first time since they had gotten back to this village.

"I’m still hungry," Goku insisted even if Gojyo looked like he had his fill. Hakkai laughed and shrugged, saying something about how the kitchen was likely closed at this hour. Goku couldn’t hear it, so devastated at the thought of no food until morning. He would have to go through the entire night without anything else to eat? He was going to die before midnight!

"Well, I suppose we should just call it a night," Hakkai said, stretching his arms out in front of him. Gojyo scratched at his nose and took another deep drag from his cigarette like he was trying to be thoughtful. Goku knew that Gojyo wasn’t really thinking about anything beyond the cigarette in his mouth, otherwise the kappa would be complaining about having to stay another night with Sanzo. Instead he was staring off at the wall and ignoring them.

"I’m not gonna be able to sleep tonight if I’m this hungry," Goku moaned, putting two hands down on his belly in mock pain. Unless he got some sort of dessert, Goku was gong to drop dead from starvation right now! Hakkai sighed and crossed his arms in disappointment that Goku wasn’t full over the meal he had ordered. It had been good, but the food just hadn’t been enough!

"Well, Goku, you’ll just have to be tough. You can get something from the kitchen first thing in the morning," Hakkai promised as he stood up and walked to the bathroom with amazing balance for how much beer he had drank. Goku sighed, glancing over at Sanzo’s bed. He couldn’t stand the sight of the blonde haired man so still.

"Come on, Goku, let’s go to bed," Hakkai said softly, pulling Goku’s eyes away from the back of Sanzo’s head. The green-eyed man had Jeep in his arms, the dragon dozing on even though he had been moved from whatever spot he had found to sleep in. Gojyo blinked, blowing several rings of smoke out before suddenly realizing what Hakkai meant.

"I’m sleeping with him again?" Gojyo roared loud enough to shake the china on the table. Hakkai blinked up from Jeep in surprise that he hadn’t already made it clear enough. Even Goku knew that Gojyo was sleeping with Sanzo and he fell asleep whenever Hakkai started to talk for a long time. They already had this discussion a lot of times along lines of: "No, Goku is not sleeping with Sanzo. I’m not either, you volunteered."

"Of course you are. Now shut up. I’m not risking Sanzo dying if he gets cold in the middle of the night," Hakkai ordered in a very calm, matter of fact voice that didn’t allow any argument. The usually nice and polite man locked glares with Gojyo silently, not at all concerned that he had been rude to Gojyo.

"I want to stay here with Sanzo a little bit longer," Goku said softly. He couldn’t leave Sanzo like this, passed out after falling out of his chair. He wanted to stay with Sanzo and make sure that the priest really would be okay. What if Sanzo got really sick during the night? Goku felt bad for the priest, knowing it was his fault that Sanzo was laid out in a bed. He should have been paying attention instead of getting caught up in fighting.

"Are you sure, Goku? Sanzo probably won’t be awake for a while," Hakkai told him. Goku nodded solemnly. It didn’t matter to him if Sanzo was awake or not while he sat next to the priest. Goku just didn’t want to leave Sanzo’s room yet. It was already so quiet and lonely with Sanzo sleeping in the bed. He wasn’t yelling or smoking as he looked out the window or at the newspaper.

Goku hated it when Sanzo wasn’t up and screaming at him for being a stupid ape. It was times when Sanzo was unconscious or injured when things would start to get really silent, even if Hakkai and Gojyo were there. The world just sort of darkened when Sanzo wasn’t there. No matter how rude and nasty the monk was, he had a familiar light about him. It was something Goku was determined to follow.

"Well, if that’s how you feel," Hakkai sighed before continuing out the door with Jeep in hand. Goku didn’t say ‘good night’ or ‘I’ll be there in a while.’ He didn’t like to lie. It couldn’t possibly be a good night when Sanzo was in this bad of shape. Goku didn’t know how long it would take before he felt like he could finally part from Sanzo’s side. Hakkai closed the door without a sound; unlike Mei Li had done earlier in the night.

Gojyo was lighting up a new cigarette and finishing the last beer on the table without a word. He was already drifting off into his own thoughts, ignoring everyone else to moodily stare off into his memories. Goku glanced back at Sanzo, his stomach feeling bad even though he was full. He just felt so guilty for allowing this. Goku had been fighting and forgot about protecting Sanzo.

How could he have missed all the signs that were saying something was wrong? He should have realized that there were more opponents than usual. The screaming shouldn’t have driven him into a fighting fury so he could ignore those calls. He should have noticed that Sanzo had been surrounded. Goku had missed all the signs, just like the dumb ass ape Sanzo called him all the time.

"Goku," Gojyo called suddenly, breaking him out of his thoughts. Goku looked up in confusion, wondering why the kappa would want to talk to him. Now that Hakkai was no longer playing babysitter, Gojyo could be as rude as he wanted. Was Gojyo going to yell at him for not getting over to Sanzo quicker back at the riverbank? Goku had been closest to Sanzo. He should have been there sooner. Reluctantly, he turned away from the lump on the mattress that was Sanzo. He couldn’t bear to look at the blonde man anymore. It was his fault that this had happened.

"Get me a pack of beer," Gojyo ordered, the last words Goku had ever thought he’d hear right now, coming out loud and clear. Goku stumbled in the middle of walking because he was so shocked Gojyo would even talk to him, much less command Goku around like he was Sanzo.

"Please," Gojyo said as an afterthought. Goku glanced back at the kappa, wondering what had driven the man to be nice. Gojyo was never polite to him unless he was feeling either really sad or upset about something. But, what did he have to be depressed about? Gojyo wasn’t responsible for Sanzo’s personal well being. The person responsible was Goku, and he had failed miserably. Sanzo probably wouldn’t even want him for a servant when he woke up.

Goku opened up the mini fridge with these heavy thoughts, grabbing a six-pack and closing the door mindlessly. He didn’t even know why he was doing this for Gojyo, but he couldn’t think about anything else to do right now. Without Sanzo telling him what to do, Goku was lost. Ever since he had met Sanzo, Goku had found himself thinking of a lot of the things he did that were bad when before Goku wouldn’t have even known he was doing something wrong. Sanzo had shown him the difference.

"Here," Goku said, holding the pack out to Gojyo. He should try and be nice to everyone while he could. Sanzo was gonna wake up and say that Goku shouldn’t follow him anymore. Maybe if Goku reminded Hakkai and Gojyo just how good and useful he was to have around, they would let him stay. Two could even outvote Genjo Sanzo.

"You’re acting funny, ape," Gojyo observed honestly as he took back the beer and opened it for himself. Gojyo took another drag of the cigarette before following it with a deep swallow from the can. Then, the kappa opened his mouth to let out perfect little circles of smoke drift around the room.

"I guess so," Goku laughed, watching the smoke pass through the air. He wished Sanzo was smoking. But the monk wasn’t, he was unconscious and still hurting real bad. He could tell that much from the way Hakkai and Gojyo were acting. They were waiting for him to start to break down from worry over Sanzo. But, Goku wouldn’t do that. He was much stronger now.

"Have one," Gojyo offered, snapping a beer off a plastic ring and handing it out to Goku. He took it slowly and stared at the can in his hand, the can not quite as cold as Sanzo had been that night when they had finally found him after Sanzo was thrown in to the river with that other youkai. The ride back was something Goku never wanted to remember, but his eyes were locked on the metal ring on top of the can as he helplessly thought back.     * * *

"Sanzo! Sanzo! Hakkai, didn’t you heal him?" Goku screamed in the front seat as Sanzo spasmed in the back, one hand flailing as he tried to fight his way out of the blankets they had wrapped him in. Gojyo had only thrown some sheets around Sanzo from back… there, not having the time to do a thorough search in that house when there wasn’t a trace of Sanzo’s clothes. At least they had found the sutra set out on top the dresser very carelessly for the scroll being such a powerful, spiritual item.

Gojyo tried to hold onto the blonde’s shaking and struggling body, wrestling Sanzo down to the seat as Hakkai drove grimly forward at a breakneck speed through new heavy snow. They had to get back to town before the storm broke loose. It was already a losing battle as fresh snowflakes showered down on their heads. Goku didn’t know how Hakkai could tell where a clear path through the trees was in this weather. He couldn’t even see beyond the few feet of illuminated falling snow in the jeep’s headlights.

It was like they were traveling through blackness, snow hitting Goku’s face unexpectedly. The snow muffled all the noise in the forest, even Sanzo’s labored panting in the backseat. It was nighttime, but morning wouldn’t be too far off. He hoped it wasn’t too much longer in coming. Goku could only feel the time with the heavy grey clouds, snow, and mist blocking out the sun and moon alike.

"He’s freezing. I can’t heal that. Goku, get in back. You need to help Gojyo keep Sanzo warm," Hakkai ordered as Sanzo let out a mangled roar of anger, struggling in the seat like a wild animal as Gojyo fought to hold him down. Sanzo managed to strike Gojyo good twice across the face, the scar-faced man’s lip starting to bleed lightly. Gojyo tried to catch the flailing wrists and elbows while Sanzo bucked and bit at the air where a neck had been only a moment ago, trying to get Gojyo any way possible.

Goku didn’t know how Sanzo even had the strength to lift his head. The priest’s face was always pale, but now it was so chalk white Goku could see light blue veins underneath the skin. Blood had dried around the corner of Sanzo’s mouth where green-black bruising was starting to come in. Sanzo’s lips were a purple color as he shivered helplessly, his muscles too cold to be controlled anymore. He only trembled and screamed at Gojyo wordlessly, in a frenzy.

"Damn it, Sanzo!" Gojyo screamed into Sanzo’s scared, wide-eyed face before slapping him across the cheek with the back of his hand. Goku yelled out, not believing that Gojyo would hit Sanzo right now. Sanzo couldn’t take that blow when he was half-dead with the cold. Just because he was panicking didn’t mean Gojyo could hit him.

Gojyo sighed heavily, obviously not pleased with hitting Sanzo but finding no other way. They didn’t have time to wrestle Sanzo down until he realized that they were his friends. The thin priest was already sagging against the seat, his eyes rolling up into his head. Gojyo lifted Sanzo’s unconscious frame up from the seat, shouldering the bony man up against him until Goku climbed back.

"You didn’t have to hit him," Goku yelled angrily at Gojyo. Sanzo was already in bad enough shape as it was. Hakkai had managed to heal the worst of it, mostly the mysterious inner wounds that killed as organs ruptured inside the body. He couldn’t save Sanzo from hypothermia now that they were back out in the cold. Hakkai hadn’t even wanted to move Sanzo, but they needed a doctor desperately.

Goku unbuckled his seatbelt even though he didn’t want to leave Hakkai alone to drive right now. Hakkai’s profile unreadable as he swerved, the familiar smile gone as the brunette delicately steered around several trees that came rushing at the front grill. Maybe Goku would be better off in back if Hakkai hit a tree. He crawled awkwardly into the backseat, the wind whipping at his clothes and the snow blinding Goku as he tried not to get in the way of Hakkai’s driving while crawling between the two front seats.

Goku fell next to Sanzo heavily, pinning the priest between him and Gojyo in the small backseat. He wasn’t sure what to do, looking at Sanzo in confusion. Goku didn’t know how he could possibly help keep him warm. He had to keep the priest alive until they got back to the village they had only left this morning. It was easy for Hakkai to say. Hakkai could heal anyone. Goku was used to breaking bones.

"What should I do?" Goku asked nervously when Gojyo didn’t say anything back. Usually Gojyo had plenty of smart comments to say no matter how bad the situation was. He was never silent like this as he adjusted the blankets around Sanzo and dusted some of the snow from the priest’s hair. Hakkai had promised Goku that Sanzo would be all right. Hakkai wouldn’t lie to Goku if it were serious enough for Gojyo to look worried.

Would Sanzo really die? Goku looked at the priest with sudden dread, noticing just how badly Sanzo was shaking with the cold. The priest’s face looked very drawn as his weakly tried to stay awake; his eyes fluttering open and closed. Hakkai had said that Sanzo would be fine. If that was true, why was Gojyo looking so grim as he roughly handled Sanzo between the both of them?

"Just keep him warm, dumb ass ape," Gojyo snapped back to Goku impatiently. Gojyo unwrapped several of the blankets, pulling the folds aside until Sanzo only had one blanket around his naked body. The kappa unbuttoned the front of his coat and held the jacket apart to pull Sanzo up against his chest, wrapping his arms around Sanzo’s shoulders and looking at Goku to do the same.

"But," Goku protested helplessly for a moment. He shouldn’t be the one doing this. Sanzo wouldn’t want him to. It was Goku’s fault that this had happened. He should have been watching Sanzo closer and not getting so wrapped up in fights. If only he hadn’t been thinking about how much fun it was to have so many enemiesY

"You want him to die?" Gojyo hissed, forcing Goku to look at the angry man. Goku couldn’t look away from those red eyes that were boring into him, making Goku squirm in the seat. Why did Gojyo have to ask him such awful questions? He shook his head, both of them knowing the obvious answer. Goku would not let Sanzo die if there was something he could do to help.

Gojyo nodded like Goku had finally done something right as he pulled back some of the blankets on his side of Sanzo. He felt like Sanzo was going to turn around at any moment and yell at Goku for daring to keep him warm. Only, Sanzo didn’t do it at all. He was coughing weakly against Gojyo instead, rousing before Hakkai swerved suddenly to avoid a tree. Goku felt the pine bristles rake through his hair as they passed dangerously close under the branches.

Goku had enough sense to grab the bottom of the seat and get one fist in the blankets around Sanzo before the jeep launched over the side of the mountain at a sickeningly sharp angle. Goku felt his stomach fly up into his throat as he held onto the seat for dear life and used his body to shield Sanzo from the trees and snow. The jeep slanted near completely vertical when the front tires slammed down to the ground before Goku even had the chance to start screaming.

Hakkai didn’t say anything back to them as the jeep took off with the back tires swerving wildly behind. They straightened out and were flying through the creepy forest even faster than before. This place was even worse at night with the snow and fog hiding the trees. Goku wouldn’t want to be caught out here alone. The place just smelled bad and gave him a weird feeling.

Goku leaned back, finally letting go of the death grip he had made in the blankets. The blonde ended up more horizontal than vertical after that jump Hakkai had pulled. Gojyo adjusted Sanzo and pulled the blankets tight around him and Sanzo again, pressing himself against the priest without any kind of shame. Goku supposed he should just follow suit and press himself up against Sanzo’s back.

He wrapped the blankets around him and Sanzo before Gojyo took his edge of sheets and tucked it into between him and Sanzo. The priest was trembling with the cold, the chill of his body felt even through the layer of blankets. Goku started to feel like he was freezing too. Holding Sanzo was like hugging an ice cube.

"Hakkai! We have Sanzo here in back, remember?!" Gojyo roared as the tires squealed in mushy snow. Gojyo reached into the blankets and pulled out Sanzo’s blue and white hands. The kappa cradled them between his own hand with a gentleness few saw and started to blow hot breaths on the palms and rubbing them between his, trying to save Sanzo from losing his fingers. Sanzo didn’t even grunt at it, his eyes closed and lips no longer purple but blue.

Goku didn’t know if that was good or bad. Sanzo could either be regaining some color to his skin or getting even worse. Goku just didn’t know. He didn’t think about this kind of stuff. Gojyo seemed to know was he was doing as he continued to blow on Sanzo’s hands. Goku didn’t know what to do, only knowing that Sanzo was dying and it was his fault. He just didn’t want Sanzo to die.

"Sanzo, wake the hell up. You can’t sleep right now, you dumbass monk," Gojyo insisted loudly in the silence of the snow, his breath steaming over Sanzo’s damp hair. If Sanzo fell asleep now when his body was so cold, it was very likely that he would never wake up again. Gojyo shook at Sanzo’s shoulders while Goku held on around the blonde’s waist, not wanting to let go. Sanzo just couldn’t freeze to death in the backseat of the jeep. It was too awful to even happen, so it wouldn’t. Right?

Yeah, that’s right. Goku couldn’t wallow in his own misery. It wouldn’t do any good, no matter how responsible he felt for all of it. Right now, he had to concentrate on keeping Sanzo alive. Hakkai would get them to a village in time. How could they not when Hakkai was speeding through the forest like this?

The monk shook between them, his flesh not so cold anymore as Gojyo and Goku started to warm Sanzo. Maybe Goku was good for something. He could at least share body heat correctly. It still didn’t seem to be enough though. Sanzo’s face didn’t change from that deathly pale color in the slightest. Why didn’t Sanzo look any better yet?!

"Sanzo," Goku cried, trying to bring his friend out of whatever faint he had fallen into. Sanzo would have to be strong enough to last to the village. The priest was too proud to die this way. Goku knew that Sanzo would be cursing and screaming in the afterlife if he died freezing to death. He wouldn’t allow that to stain his reputation. At least Sanzo hadn’t drowned in the river.

Sanzo coughed again, stirring as Gojyo kept shaking him roughly. His head lolled about on his neck like a doll that couldn’t hold itself up, blinking at the snow hitting his face. Gojyo grabbed the back of Sanzo’s neck and pulled him back down into the cocoon of blankets they had made around him without a word, like Sanzo was a misbehaving pet.

"Don’t fucking touch me," Sanzo moaned, his voice soft, but still irritated at them both. The kappa smirked as he yanked a blanket over Sanzo’s head to shield off any more snow. Goku could have cried in relief that he had spoken again, laughing as he squeezed Sanzo tight in joy. Of course Sanzo wouldn’t faint like that! Goku should have known better than to worry.

The priest coughed and gagged before Goku remembered about the injuries Hakkai had just healed, letting go of Sanzo quickly. Why am I always so stupid?! Goku raged at himself, feeling like he was clumsily handling a glass doll and breaking it into a thousand pieces by accident. He didn’t want to break Sanzo. Hakkai had healed the broken ribs and worst cuts on Sanzo’s sides, saving the monk from bad scarring. Sanzo would probably rage up to the sky that some stupid youkai had marred his perfect skin.

Goku held onto Sanzo gingerly, praying that the priest’s pride would be enough to keep him alive until the next village. He obviously wasn’t making it with any of Goku’s help. He was going to end up killing Sanzo at this rate. Why was he so clumsy? It was a good thing Hakkai couldn’t look back in the mirror right now, because he’d notice what a bad job Goku was doing.

Gojyo looked over at Goku curiously, not saying anything. Why are you so stupid? We don’t need a dumb ass ape like you. That was probably what was going through Gojyo’s head right now. Goku waited for the kappa to start yelling at him or call him names, trying to think of something to say back beforehand. He wasn’t as clever as the rest of them were so proficient in turning back insults right away.

"We’re almost out of the forest," Hakkai announced in relief from the front seat. Goku looked around at the snow swirling around them, only seeing more trees and mist. How could Hakkai even tell if the forest was ending or not? He was probably lying again, just like how he had lied to Goku about Sanzo being okay. Goku hated it when people lied to him. It wasn’t fair. He could handle the truth, which was a lot better than some cooked up story. Goku didn’t like it one bit, and what made it worse was that he couldn’t even tell when Hakkai was lying. Those smiles always made Goku trust the man completely. What a fool he was.

"Sanzo, are you listening? You better stay alive. Damn it, monk, you’re more trouble than you’re worth," Gojyo growled angrily at the monk hidden in the blankets. Goku didn’t think that was very fair, knowing for a fact that Sanzo was more than worth the time and effort needed to save him on a regular basis. The monk had a knack for falling into trouble all the time, attracting it like a magnet. It was their job to rescue him.

"Go to hell," Sanzo growled weakly from under the blankets, his voice not having its usual sting. Gojyo didn’t look at all happy at Sanzo’s voice, anger all over his face that the blonde could barely even make a sentence right now. Goku didn’t know what to say, he was afraid to move in case he broke Sanzo, and mad that Gojyo was making Sanzo waste precious energy to fight with the stupid kappa. Sanzo was hurting, bad, and they needed to get back to a village in order to save him. Gojyo shouldn’t keep teasing Sanzo when he knew the monk was already out with the loss of blood and cold. In fact, Sanzo slowly stopped trembling against Goku’s body. He had probably fainted again, and they couldn’t allow that. Sanzo needed to stay awake until they found a place that had a doctor. If he fell asleep in this snow, he was probably not waking up again.

"Sanzo? SanzoY Shit," Gojyo cursed vehemently as he dug Sanzo out of the blankets just as quickly as they had managed to get him all bundled up. Sanzo’s shoulders were pale and bruised from Gojyo shaking him, small red flushed spots that would likely turn into incredible colors later. Gojyo worsened the wounds that Hakkai had carefully managed to heal only minutes ago.

"Hakkai, he’s not breathing," Gojyo yelled as Sanzo’s mouth hung open. The monk’s chest was motionless, the breath gone from the body. His eyelashes didn’t even move. Goku’s arms loosened as he realized Sanzo wasn’t moving anymore. He wasY he was holding a corpse. Sanzo wasn’t breathing.

Hakkai slammed on the brakes as Gojyo shook Sanzo by his shoulders again, heedless of the bruises forming. There was no response from the silent and unmoving monk. Sanzo was cold and very, very still except for Gojyo slapping him lightly on the cheek several times.

"Sanzo?" Goku asked quietly as Gojyo started to slap Sanzo harder and faster, starting to look scared. The jeep slowed and curved as snow flew up from under the tires and hit the tree trunks that spun past. The small car lurched into a complete stop and Hakkai yanked the emergency brake up. The snow continued to fall down, cold and wet as Hakkai unbuckled his seat belt and turned around.

"IY I can’t heal him right now," Hakkai stammered, either with the cold or fear Goku couldn’t tell. That scared Goku. It made his stomach cold and heavy inside. His lungs were starting to feel funny. SanzoY wasn’t moving. Not breathing. Not even twitching when Goku dropped his arms completely from around Sanzo’s waist in horror.

"Don’t you dare even try, you crappy monk," Gojyo swore loudly as he tossed Sanzo back hard against Goku. He fell against the edge of the seat, the metal on the outside digging into his back with Sanzo smashed on the other side him. Goku squirmed out from between Sanzo and the backseat as Gojyo forced Sanzo to lie down flat, the blankets tangled around the thin hips. The bony lines of Sanzo’s ribs didn’t move from the lungs filling with air. He wasn’t breathing.

Sanzo looked paler than usual, his lips blue and his eyes bruising purple. Despite Hakkai healing the worst of theY wounds that had been on Sanzo’s chest and torso, the priest’s skin was still stained pink with blood that had dried on him. Gojyo’s breath steamed out in the cold, dark night before he clenched the palm of his other hand and started to pump Sanzo’s bloody chest expertly. Hakkai had given them all training in basic ways of saving people if they had drowned or were choking, two things that seemed to happen whenever he left the three alone for a long amount of time.

"Oh, fuck, Sanzo, don’t do this," Gojyo roared like Sanzo was trying to die on purpose. He leaned harder into pounding Sanzo’s chest, like the more strength he used would change things. Why wasn’t it changing anything? Why didn’t Sanzo move while Gojyo yelled and tried to pump the priest’s quiet heartbeat himself? Goku didn’t want Sanzo to die right now. He couldn’t stand the thought. Goku couldn’t imagine what life would be like without Sanzo. ItY wouldn’t be a life at all.

"Get out of the way, Gojyo," Hakkai snapped, pushing Gojyo back from Sanzo. Gojyo tumbled and fell all the way out into the snow, giving Hakkai enough space to crawl into the backseat with Sanzo.

"You probably broke his ribs," Hakkai snapped darkly. Goku stared at Hakkai, not sure what he was going to do, but scared at the determined look in that one visible eye. Hakkai put his ear down to Sanzo’s mouth and two fingers under the pale, thin jawbone expertly to listen for a heartbeat and any sort of breathing.

Goku couldn’t move for a moment, dreading if Hakkai’s eyes suddenly widened. He knew that Hakkai was going to pull away with a sad look and try to tell Goku that it would be all right. He didn’t want that. He wouldn’t be able to stand it. Goku shivered in the snow, not nearly as chilly as Sanzo’s skin right now. Nothing was that cold, not even ice.

Hakkai lifted his ear away from Sanzo’s mouth but didn’t say a word to them. He quickly tilted Sanzo’s head back and squeezed the priest’s cheeks until Sanzo’s blue lips finally parted. Goku opened his mouth to ask if Sanzo was dead when Hakkai took a deep breath and plugged Sanzo’s nose.

"What ar-" Gojyo asked as he stood up to look in on the back seat from his place in the snow.

Hakkai was already locking lips with Sanzo in his last moments. The world was very dark and silent around them as the snow fell heavily. Gojyo and Goku were both caught with their mouths wide open, gaping as Hakkai stayed with his mouth pressed over Sanzo’s. With another deep breath, Hakkai leaned back and put his own hands over the monk’s heart and began to pump at Sanzo’s still chest.

Goku couldn’t ask Hakkai if he was really going to be able to save Sanzo. Was Hakkai refusing to let Sanzo die, even if it was hopeless? Goku didn’t care how long Sanzo’s heart had been stopped, as long as Hakkai managed to get it started again. Hakkai would be able to save Sanzo. He had to save Sanzo.

How long had he been not breathing? Why hadn’t Goku noticed something sooner? He had been holding the priest when he stopped breathing! Hakkai put an ear to Sanzo’s bare chest. Goku held his breath to stop any noise at all that might cover up the faintest heartbeat. Gojyo shifted his feet in the snow, watching Hakkai with a worried gaze.

Again, Hakkai took a deep breath and tried to force air in Sanzo’s lungs, efficient and cool even though Goku thought he might start to cry at any moment. Goku couldn’t stand Hakkai’s silence. Why wasn’t he telling them if Sanzo was dead or not? Was he trying to save a corpse? Sanzo was dead. Sanzo wasn’t even moving.

Suddenly, Sanzo coughed and twisted his mouth away from Hakkai, coughing and shuddering helplessly. Hakkai sat back away slowly; his hands visibly shaking now as Sanzo sobbed for breath on the backseat like aY dying man. Except, Sanzo wasn’t dead. He wasn’t dead. He was alive again.

"Sanzo," Goku cried, tears in his eyes. He was just so happy that Sanzo wasn’t dead. The priest didn’t even look at him, just curled up into a small, miserable ball as the snow fell down on his bare skin. Hakkai was moving back into the front seat to start off again, leaving Sanzo in Gojyo and Goku’s poor care.

Gojyo grabbed the edge of the jeep and swung himself up over the side and next to Sanzo before Hakkai even turned the key again to start the engine. Gojyo lifted Sanzo back up into a sitting position in the middle of the seat with the blankets sagging around his hips. Gojyo dragged the blankets back up to cover Sanzo decently, tugging them over the lolling blonde head. Goku quickly sat down, pressing himself against Sanzo desperately.

"Don’t put your dirty paws on me," Sanzo moaned, his comment not as acidic as Goku was used to. The usual strength in the monk’s deep voice was gone, leaving only a squeaky and muted sentence. Goku didn’t like it, but he ignored Sanzo, knowing that they had to keep the priest warm right now no matter what he said. They couldn’t let him die... again.

"Stop your bitching," Gojyo snapped back in a voice that shook as he gathered the blankets up close around the monk’s body. Goku could tell that Sanzo nearly dying had affected even Gojyo. The priest tossed his head angrily, but lacked the strength to do anything more then start to tremble again. He had lost whatever energy he had summoned up, starting to black out again.

"Sanzo!" Gojyo snapped, adding a slap that was heard over the tires ripping into the snow as Hakkai seemed to soar through the forest. Goku didn’t care this time as Gojyo slapped Sanzo hard, because his eyes fluttered open and Sanzo groaned at being forced to stay awake. Keeping him aware meant keeping him alive right now. Goku would forgive Gojyo for forcing Sanzo to stay with them.

"We’re almost there," Hakkai promised as the jeep hurtled through the trees, the trunks whistling by in pitch-blackness. Hakkai was driving like he could see further beyond the headlights. It was dark and scary and Goku could only squeeze Sanzo tighter, hoping that he would be enough to keep the priest warm until they reached the village.

"Don’t touch me," Sanzo moaned, not at all pleased with Gojyo’s rough handling as Goku held on around his waist again, pressing himself against Sanzo. The priest coughed between them, trying to move out from their sandwiching, but failing miserably. Gojyo easily held Sanzo back with a firm hand on his shoulder. Goku didn’t want to hold on tighter to Sanzo’s sides, feeling like he was going to break him if he squeezed any more but fearing that the monk would freeze to death if he let go.

"Hakkai, how much longer?" Gojyo demanded an honest answer, ignoring Sanzo as he looked to Hakkai. The brunette didn’t say a word, only the back of his seat visible to Goku right now. He couldn’t even imagine what Hakkai would look like as they drove through this forest hell. It was frightening to go through the trees at this speed. Goku didn’t think they could have possibly managed to go any faster, but the snow didn’t look like it was moving in the air as Hakkai pressed the jeep harder than ever.

"We’ll be there very soon. Keep Sanzo talking," Hakkai said in a manner of fact tone that meant ‘don’t bother me again.’ Hakkai was concentrating on driving and didn’t have the attention to spare to repeat himself. Goku realized Sanzo had been silent for a few seconds while they talked. The trembling was starting to slow down now, not so violent as it began to fadeY

"Sanzo!" Goku screamed, shaking the priest before Sanzo even had a chance to think about dying. Goku wouldn’t allow it right now. They would get to the village, there would be a doctor there, and Sanzo was not going to die tonight. The priest moaned again, his lips a fantastic blue color in a wan face as he tried to push Goku away from frantically squeezing his sides.

"DonY " was all Goku could catch as Sanzo’s lips moved, but the monk couldn’t voice the words. Sanzo looked like he was made out of stone with his skin even paler if it was possible, his blonde hair darkened with sweat and tangled strands matted with blood. Sanzo was trying to stay with them but simply lacked the strength to speak out loud. Gojyo’s eyes narrowed as he noticed this as well.

"Come on, Sanzo," Gojyo coaxed, shaking the priest’s thin shoulders again, a bit more gently this time after Hakkai had yelled at him. Goku pulled at the blankets, trying to wrap them even tighter around Sanzo as the trembling started to get stronger. Sanzo was still cold though not as bad as before. He was finally starting to warm up between them, but it was probably not by any grace of Sanzo’s. Goku and Gojyo’s own healthy and warm bodies were warming the human ice cube between them

Sanzo felt like someone had switched his body for a frozen dessert. Genjo Sanzo was known for being cold, but this was ridiculous. Goku was going to get stuck to the monk if he pressed against him any longer. It couldn’t be helped though. Goku had to keep the thin man alive until they reached the village. Hakkai would never forgive them if Sanzo died during this ride.

Not that it would matter much, since Goku wouldn’t be able to forgive himself for not getting to Sanzo before that youkai had taken him into the river with him. Goku had been the closest. He should have stopped that attack from ever happening. Goku knew it was his fault, no matter what Hakkai said. Hakkai was a liar, as Goku had found out tonight. Sanzo had almost died. That was not ‘fine.’

One of Sanzo’s hands slipped out from between the blankets and grabbed at Gojyo’s coat to haul himself up face to face with the kappa by sheer will alone. His eyes blazed with anger and pride, refusing to ever admit to a weakness. Goku couldn’t even believe that Sanzo was able to be move this much. He should be dead right now. He had been so only a few minutes ago!

"Don’t touch me," Sanzo hissed again with deadly seriousness even though his voice was barely more than a whisper. Sanzo made it audible over the engine and the heavy snow and Goku’s worried panting as Sanzo was rigid for a moment as he glared at Gojyo with eyes that promised death surrounded by heavy purplish bruising.

Then Sanzo collapsed against Gojyo’s chest, helplessly coughing as he started to shake again, unable to pretend any longer that he was the toughest person alive. Actually, Sanzo was freezing cold and way too thin for how much fighting they got into everyday. He should eat more. Goku should have forced Sanzo to eat a full bowl of rice last night.

"There it is," Hakkai cried back to them and Goku looked up wildly in hopes of seeing the village lights in the middle of this storm. Instead a tree branch nearly hit him in the face and Goku barely had time to throw himself on top of Sanzo as it hit his back. Gojyo got the branch to his face as the back tires squealed in protest at the sharp turning and swift braking. Goku just gritted his teeth and held on for dear life, not about to let Sanzo fly out of the seat with Hakkai’s driving.

There was no village, but a clear road that spun by for a sickening moment as Hakkai slammed the gas petal all the way down. Gojyo blinked, still a bit shocked with his face red with the mark of sharp leaves and chunks of ice caught in his hair. The usual bandanna was gone, taken off by the branch and lost forever back there in the woods. They didn’t have the time to turn around for it.

Goku shook most of the pine needles out of his hair as he sat back up and let Gojyo gain a hold of the backseat so he could hold up Sanzo. The back of his cape had taken most of the damage and he had barely felt a thing, so caught up in protecting Sanzo. The priest was thankfully unharmed, but looked dazed. His eyes were half open slits as he moaned, the blonde head lolling as he tried to stay awake.

Gojyo ran a hand through his hair to tuck it behind his ear before they pulled Sanzo back up. Goku threw the rumpled blankets back around the thin, white body between them. He didn’t want Sanzo to get any snow on him anymore. He was already way too cold. Would he ever be warm again?

"Sanzo, stay awake. You’re a real pain in the ass, sometimes. Do you like getting the shit beaten out of you all the time?" Gojyo demanded, pointing out that yet again it was Sanzo who had gotten the worst injuries. Whenever they walked away from fights, it was always Sanzo who wore the most battle wounds. Some of them were scrapes or punches the priest was more than able to avoid. Gojyo had accused Sanzo of liking getting beaten up more then once.

Goku didn’t say anything and he wished Gojyo would shut up as well. Hakkai was silent in the front, not caring to discuss anything now that they had found the road. He was too busy driving in the right direction because Hakkai just had to know which way to go despite the snow that hid anything for several feet.

"Don’t… Don’t hit me anymore," Sanzo begged very softly in a voice that Goku had never heard him use anymore. It was probably because he had barely escaped freezing to death. Sanzo sagged against Gojyo’s chest with his eyes clenched closed as though he was in physical pain. He probably was with the way Goku had tightened his arms around Sanzo’s sides again now that they were settled back into the blankets. He was delusional; he had to be, because there was no way Sanzo would say something like that otherwise.

A Just stay awake," Gojyo said gruffly, for once not cursing at the monk. Even Gojyo had to feel sorry for the priest when he had sounded that small and weak. Goku was glad that Gojyo didn’t insult Sanzo right now. The monk couldn’t handle it. He was in no shape to do anything more than try to keep his eyes open.

Goku wished Sanzo were fatter. If Sanzo had eaten more and put just a small bit in his stomach, he would have been stronger. He wouldn’t have gone down when that youkai attacked him. He shouldn’t have been taken out that easily.

"Hakkai, how much longer?" Goku asked, knowing that Hakkai was trying to concentrate on driving and he shouldn’t distract him, but wondering how the fuck the man could have found a road in this impossible storm. Gojyo wanted to hear that they were almost there and they actually had a chance at keeping Sanzo alive, that the monk would have just enough luck to survive until they reached the village.

"Is Sanzo warm yet? Start rubbing his arms, it gets the blood flowing," Hakkai demanded, not glancing back in the rearview mirror once. His eyes were fastened to the small bit of road that he could see covered with snow as the jeep’s headlights cut through the night. He wasn’t answering Goku’s question at all. Goku wanted to yell at Hakkai, but wisely decided not to. He shouldn’t force it right now. Saving Sanzo came first.

"Sanzo, you warm yet?" Goku asked, trying to keep Sanzo talking like Hakkai had said earlier. He didn’t care if Sanzo hit him with his fan or if Sanzo would yell how stupid he was for hours and hours. Goku would love to listen to Sanzo yell, because that would mean that he would live through this. Hearing the priest be angry was almost funny sometimes. Sanzo had the shortest temper in the world and got mad about the smallest things, like he probably would be over Goku talking to him right now.

Sanzo didn’t answer Goku though, not even with an order to shut up. He shivered against Gojyo’s chest and looked only slightly less like death rolled over. Now Sanzo looked like he was seriously ill. It was sad that it was an improvement.

Gingerly, Goku started to rub his hands up and down on Sanzo’s upper shoulders underneath the blanket. Maybe he would be able to get some heat going in the priest’s arms. If Hakkai had told him to do it, there was likely a very good reason. Goku could try and redeem himself for failing so miserably earlier that morning.

"Come on now, you stubborn bastard," Gojyo swore as he started to rub Sanzo’s hands together again, reminded that he should try to save the other man’s fingers. Goku wondered if it was even possible. Sanzo’s nails were blue and his skin looked like it was becoming ice, cold and clear so you see all the way through to his muscles. He was going to freeze to death for the second time tonight.

Sanzo didn’t answer Gojyo; his head slumped forward between his shoulders and arms. Goku grabbed the edge of the blanket and drew it over his head and Sanzo’s to shield the wet blonde hair from more snow. Gojyo was left on the outside and Goku didn’t really care if the kappa figured out to cover his head or not. Goku cared more about Sanzo staying dry and warm.

"Sanzo, you just have to stay awake until we find a doctor. Then you can sleep for days if you want, okay?" Goku promised quietly under the cover of the thick blanket, hoping that he could bribe Sanzo into staying awake just a little bit longer. He couldn’t drift off to sleep now, not so soon after Hakkai had managed to get him breathing again. If he went to sleep, Sanzo would die this time for real. There wouldn’t be any miracle.

Goku wouldn’t be able to live without Sanzo. Sanzo had to know that by now. Even he wasn’t so cold-hearted that he would leave Goku all alone in the world! Sanzo had promised to take care of him! Sanzo was the one who had taken Goku out of that cave. He wouldn’t leave him alone again, would he?

"Goku?" Sanzo asked in a weary voice, the monk just now realizing who was with him under the blankets. Goku sighed in relief, biting his lip to keep from crying as Sanzo opened up one eye to look back at his face in irritation.

"You can yell at me all you want later, if you just stay awake for a little bit longer, Sanzo. Okay? Okay?" Goku tried to bargain with the priest’s angry face. He would be ready to hear Sanzo curse him all day long if he just stayed awake. Goku rubbed Sanzo’s arms harder, hoping that he would be able to keep him warm in this snowstorm.

"Okay," Sanzo agreed with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth that was covered with dried blood. Goku nodded enthusiastically, happy that Sanzo had agreed with him. He wouldn’t lie to Goku, not like this. He could believe Sanzo’s word. He hadn’t lied to Goku and he never would.

Gojyo’s hands reached under the blanket and raised it up to blink at whatever conversation Goku was having with Sanzo. Gojyo only stared at Sanzo for agreeing with anyone in the first place, like it couldn’t possibly be in the priest’s nature. It just went to show how little Gojyo knew about Sanzo. Sometimes Sanzo could be just as nice as he was supposed to be, being a Buddhist who carried a loaded gun.

"How is he doing?" Hakkai yelled back, finally feeling like he could take the time to see if Sanzo was alive or not anymore. He still wasn’t saying how much longer until they got to the village. Gojyo threw the blanket back down to cover their heads again. Goku grabbed at the flapping blanket, trying to keep the cold wind from blowing in between the sheets.

All Goku had to do was pretend and it could almost be like they were in an actual bed. Sanzo panted weakly, his skin only lukewarm. Goku was starting to sweat under the blankets even if they were in the middle of the worst snowstorm he had seen in his life. He would have to bear it. Hopefully the sweat would turn into steam and he could make a little personal sauna for Sanzo.

"Living, I think. He’s like a damn cockroach," Gojyo answered, the sneer visible even though Goku couldn’t see the kappa right now. He could hear it in Gojyo’s voice, confident and rude even though Sanzo had almost died. Goku’s face crinkled with anger as Sanzo grimaced, both deeply insulted that Gojyo would dare to call the monk such things.

"That’s funny, coming from you," Goku snapped despite the blanket between him and Gojyo. He didn’t care if Gojyo couldn’t see him right now. Goku wouldn’t let the stupid, over-sexed kappa make fun of Sanzo. Gojyo was the one with two antennas swinging around on his head.

"Say that one more fucking time, you useless monkey," Gojyo roared. He didn’t even try to lift the blanket up so he could yell at Goku. He knew that Gojyo wouldn’t try it when they were trying so hard to keep Sanzo dry and alive. Getting snow on his head would not help matters at all. Things were touchy enough already.

"The village is coming up," Hakkai promised. It sounded like he wasn’t lying this time. Goku couldn’t resist a quick glance out from under the covers to see, careful not to let any more snow fall on Sanzo’s head. He looked through the tiny hole in the blankets to see house lights barely more than a few feet away. They really were back in the village.

The tires squealed as Hakkai hit the brakes, snow splattering up on the walls of the buildings as the jeep came to a full and complete stop. Goku threw the blankets off entirely to look around at the buildings in amazement. It was almost too good to be true that they had made it back in the storm.

"You weren’t kidding," Gojyo said in an awed voice at the speed in which Hakkai had gotten them back. He had the luck of the devil sometimes. That was what made him such a good gambler. Even Goku knew better than to try outguessing or fooling Hakkai. The brunette could read anyone’s move, probably having done it before.

Hakkai didn’t answer Gojyo back to jump out as quickly as possible. The green-eyed man put an arm up to block his eyes from the swirling snow as he looked around at their surroundings in confusion for a moment, trying to figure out where they were in the village. It looked familiar. Goku was pretty sure they were back in the town they had left only this morning.

"Goku, help Gojyo get Sanzo out of jeep," Hakkai ordered, taking control very easily now that their leader was shaking badly in the backseat. They could trust Hakkai’s judgment until Sanzo was back on his feet. Goku was always a quick one to follow commands, learning from having Sanzo as his master. He threw off the blankets wrapped around himself, but was careful to make sure that Sanzo was still covered before jumping out of the side.

Gojyo drew the discarded blankets around Sanzo’s trembling frame as he worked himself out from the sheets. The half-demon wrapped Sanzo up tightly like the monk was a piece of luggage before climbing out over the side of the jeep to join Goku and Hakkai at the backside in the snow, waiting for the taller man to carry the monk. It was understood that Gojyo was always the best person to carry another one of them around, being the strongest one of them all. Goku was just too short to lug around someone as tall as Sanzo.

Gojyo reached in and picked Sanzo up under his knees and back like he was a small child. He probably weighed about the same. It was sad to think so, but Sanzo wasn’t the healthiest of eaters. Goku couldn’t even tell if Sanzo was moving underneath all of the blankets, unable to tell if Sanzo was moving or if it was Gojyo’s juggling that made him look alive.

Hakkai recalled the jeep into the smaller, white dragon that chirped weakly as snow battered its wings, trying to fly wearily against the wind. Hakkai held out his hands and caught Jeep to pull the dragon close to his chest, just like Gojyo was holding Sanzo. Jeep was a small, white lump in Hakkai’s arms, probably exhausted from Hakkai asking him to go so fast. Jeep did anything Hakkai asked with joy, but he was hardly able to fly right now. The pet was very loyal.

"Follow me," Hakkai ordered Gojyo as he started to jog against the snow toward what Goku recognized as the inn they had stayed at the night before. Goku and Gojyo followed behind with Sanzo barely breathing against Gojyo’s chest. They were going in for another stay. Hopefully people would be awake at this hour to help them.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: I know Jeep could also be called Hakuryuu, but that’s just so much longer to type. I’m lazy at heart. And, monk, priest, I know they’re not the same thing but hey, I needed more descriptive nouns. I didn’t want to say Sanzo over and over. All the ‘z’s looked funny so close together. Hmm, will this story be as long as the Weiss Kruez fic? Hopefully… no. That thing’s going to be like 600 pages when it’s finished. Ouch. At least this has structure! There’s a plan to how I’m writing this (I know, I know, it’s a shock).