Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Teaching Goku ❯ Confession ( Chapter 5 )

 

 

Title: Teaching Goku: Confession

 

Author: Quirk othe Trade

 

Category: Fan Fiction

 

Genre: Lemon, yaoi--- angst and romance?

 

Rating: 17 and up; mature minds

 

Comments & Constructive Criticism: quirkothetrade@yahoo.com I want to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time out to review or rate my work. It means a lot to me. Also, it's okay to raise points y'all think are off or something. Every time you do, it helps make me a better writer because it makes me think. ^_^ Besides, I don't know everything about Saiyuki. It's all right to correct me.

 

Archived: AFF.Net, MediaMiner--- I think I figured it out!

 

Disclaimer: All these wonderful characters belong to Kazuya Minekura and a few other people. I am just a lowly fan girl who worships at their feet.

 

Warnings: Implied Goku and Gojyo, implied Sanzo and Hakkai, Gojyo and someone else, and a kiss between Hakkai and Gojyo.

 

A/N: Where to begin?? I've been ill, lost about five pages of work, and have been a bit stressed out while trying to work on three different fictions on top of everything else. As I finished this, I was listening to the first Evanescence CD, and unfortunately I think it shows… everyone feels OOC all of a sudden to me. I apologize in advance. Review responses are at the end of the chapter. AFF, y'all have over three thousand hits! WOW! To my reviewers at MediaMiner, I've finally caught up! (Hopefully) Sorry for making y'all wait for your replies. Y'all have over three hundred visits. Thank you! The energy meridians mentioned are the heart and small intestine meridians, whose metaphysical lessons are `inner joy', the pericardium meridian whose lesson is `growth through communication and relationships' and the triple warmer meridian, whose lesson is `communication and growth in relationships'. This information is from `The Healer's Manual', by Ted Andrews. Everyone, enjoy; sorry for the wait.

 

Beta: Unbeta-ed

 

Key: (thoughts)

 

Synopsis: Gojyo comes clean…

+++

 

Gojyo pulled his hair out of the back of his collar and regarded himself in the mirror. He looked a little pale, a little tired, but other than that, he was looked okay. The borrowed white tee shirt and black sweatpants he had dug from the chest of drawers fit him well enough. With the rest of his clothes in the wash, he didn't really have much choice. He was about to go wake Goku for a little talk, and he didn't want the scratches from this night's escapade to be staring the younger man in the face.

 

(`And I'll let it go this time, but you're not allowed to sleep around any more.')

 

“What the hell does that mean, monkey?” He muttered, turning away from the mirror on the wall and heading for his bedroom door. It didn't take him long before he was standing before the door he was almost certain belonged to Goku, hand hesitating on the knob. (Am I certain I want to know the answer to that question?)

 

(Hell no. But I need to know.)

 

Turning the knob as silently as possible, he peered in. Yep, it was the monkey's room; he could see him sprawled out across the disarrayed bed. Slipping in, he shut the door behind him and padded over to the bed. In the time it had taken him to get clean, dry off and find clothing, Goku had gone back to sleep. “Goku, wake up. We need to talk.”

 

No response. Growling softly, he leaned over and planted one hand on the bed, the other finding the cute little nose and pinching it closed. His mouth opened to take in air, and he shoved the edge of his hand in the space. After a moment, gold eyes snapped open, and Gojyo snatched his hand away just before the other had a chance to think of biting him in retaliation. “Wake up, monkey, we need to talk.”

 

“Gojyo?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

The brunet sat up and rubbed at his eyes. “What the hell, Gojyo, I was asleep.”

 

“Like anyone could tell with the bed all torn up.” He snorted, and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Look at this mess. You're not like this when you sleep with me; why---”

 

Startled gold eyes met crimson, and they stared at one another on that note, wide eyed. The words lent a heavy air to the conversation, somehow made the secret side of their--- relationship--- seem startling real for a moment, with more importance than it might be worth. The redhead huffed finally, and ran a hand through his hair, looking away. “You know what I mean. That night at the last inn, when you crawled in my bed to sleep--- you were fine until I got out of bed to answer Hakkai at the door, and then you had the covers all over the place.”

 

“Um... I don't know. It just feels good to stretch out, you know? But why are you here?”

 

“We need to talk, about what you said downstairs. What did you mean by that?” Goku stared at him, and he tried asking more questions. “Why am I not allowed to sleep around any more? Do you mean be exclusive, or what? What do you want from me?”

 

“Think about it, stupid---”

 

“Would you stop calling me stupid, that's like the third time tonight---”

 

“---STUPID KAPPA, you ran off and had sex with some woman and you let her scratch you up. You've never been violent with me, why are you letting someone be violent with you?” Goku glared, gold eyes accusing.

 

Gojyo opened his mouth to answer then shut it as soon as he realized he had no quick come back or a good answer.

 

“Everything you've taught me so far is that sex should be about mutual enjoyment, that it's supposed to feel good. How did letting her hurt you feel good, Gojyo?”

 

How did the redhead explain this? At the time the feel of her nails digging into his flesh had been a satisfactory reaction, a sign that his actions had had the desired effect, which was he was good enough for her to demand more. It had been just like her moans, her whispered pleas for harder, her hips moving to meet his thrusts, her hands seeking out and exploiting the sensitive spots of his body that she had discovered.

 

“I know Hakkai said something to set you off. I heard him talking to Sanzo when I was in the bath before dinner. But that's no reason to run off and let some strange lady mess you up. Is--- is this some weird mother thing?”

 

At that, crimson eyes narrowed. “Watch it, monkey.”

 

Gold eyes turned stormy and looked away. “You have all these secrets. I hate that. That's not fair. I don't have any secrets like you do, and I don't understand. All I know is that they hurt you. I asked Hakkai about Jien--- Dokugakuji--- and he told me, and that's the only way I know about it. I hate it!”

 

“...Goku, it's not any of your business. Besides, it's the past, and you can't change the past.” Gojyo reached for the youth's face, large hand cupping his cheek. He tilted his head up, so that their eyes met. “Maybe I just want to wash it all away and get on with my life. And as for you--- maybe I don't want it touching you. You ever think of that? You're like my little brother.”

 

His hand moved from his cheek to the crown of his head, and he rumpled the brunet strands a little, his head bowing under the pressure. He wasn't sure he would be able to complete his train of thought, wasn't sure he's be able to get his point across even if he did. “If I can be like your big brother, then... maybe… What did you mean, Goku? About not sleeping around--- besides that.”

 

“... Besides that? Ah... Sanzo and Hakkai... they have someone. I don't know if they really like each other or what, but they have each other. So why can't we have someone, too--- why can't we have each other when we need to?” A small hand plucked his from rumpled chocolate silk and held it tightly in his lap. His face remained down turned.

 

“So you don't mean be totally exclusive.” Mixed disappointment and relief warred inside him.

 

“I'm not talking like boyfriends or something like that.” He looked up long enough to make a face. “Geez, when you put it like that, I imagine us holding hands while we're in the middle of a fight or something.”

 

The redhead suppressed a shudder and a snort. “Then what do you mean? And what about the lessons?”

 

“I want the lessons. I want to know everything you can teach me, even if it's not what Sanzo and Hakkai are doing. It's not like we know what kind of relationship they have, if they like each other or if they're just doing it to be doing it, anyway.”

 

“I don't think Hakkai is into casual sex.”

 

“Yeah, but let's talk about that later, okay? My point is, I guess I want... lovers? For us to be lovers?” The diadem gleamed dully in the vague light of the unlit room as he looked up from their hands, eyes enormous and hair sticking out all over the place. The look struck that spot inside Gojyo, the one that seemed to melt whenever the monkey did something that affected him. “Even when the lessons are through, I think I want to have sex with you because it feels good with you, and I know you and stuff. And I don't want you having sex with violent women any more, either. I don't want that for you.”

 

“So you're saying I shouldn't have sex with anyone else but you?” (Some days, he's really not just a monkey. He thinks an awful lot… and that's damned scary…)

 

“That's not what I mean. I mean--- look, while you're teaching me, don't sleep around, okay? And if afterwards you don't want to have sex with me, that's fine, just---”

 

Gojyo clasped a hand over the other's mouth. “Who knew a monkey with nothing but a stomach for a brain could think so much about something besides food?”

 

The youth glared and pulled away. “I'm not a monkey, and food happens to be very important to me! What's your excuse for thinking only about women, you pervert kappa?”

 

“I don't just think of women!”

 

“Yes, you do!”

 

“It's none of your business!”

 

“See! There you go with the secrets again!”

 

“It's not about secrets! I just need a minute to think about what you said!”

 

He watched Goku draw breath to speak, his mouth open, and saw his own hands come up to clasp his face and draw him forward as he moved to meet him. Funny, he reflected, how everything seemed to suddenly be in slow motion, like a movie, as their mouths met. Small hard hands fisted in the cotton of his shirt as heat unexpectedly exploded between them. It lasted for a second or three, and then Goku pulled back just long enough, lips hovering against the kappa's, to get up on his knees and loop his arms around the other's neck. Gojyo hid the slight flinch that tried to come forth at the brush against his wounds, and slid an arm around his waist, his free hand settling on one of his hips. The gold-eyed youth offered his mouth to continue the kiss, and the redhead took him up on that offer, mouth sliding over his and tongue coaxing soft lips to part. It was hot and intense, and by the time they pulled reluctantly away due to lack of oxygen, they were shaking slightly in each other's arms. That brunet head rested against his shoulder, and he rested his temple against the chocolate silk as they both panted.

 

(He wants to continue the lessons. He's concerned about me having sex with `violent' women. He likes having sex with me. He's not comfortable talking about Hakkai and sex. He wants us to be there for each other. He wants us to be lovers.)

 

(He wants us to be lovers.)

 

“Tell me… why you don't want… to talk about… Hakkai and sex…” He panted out.

 

He sighed and answered without hesitation as best he could. “Because I think… about the noises… I've heard… and I think about… making Hakkai… make those sounds… and then I think… about him drawing those sounds out of me…” The youth sighed again, heavily. “And I get hot… thinking about it… and I don't want that when I'm talking to you.”

 

“Tell me what… you mean again.”

 

“I like having sex with you… because I like you and I know you… and it feels good with you… and I want to do it with you even after you're finished teaching me… so we're there for each other…” He nuzzled his cheek against the shoulder he was lying on. “Maybe if you're having sex with me, you won't be out with violent women, too.”

 

His hand tightened on his hip. “You really do think too much for a monkey.”

 

“Shut up.” Goku yawned.

 

Yawns are contagious; the older man found himself stifling one behind a hand. “Come on, time to get back to sleep. I'll help you straighten out the covers.”

 

Between the two of them, they managed to wrestle the sheet and blanket back into place after a few moments of untangling and smoothing them. “Alright. Crawl in, monkey.”

 

(Tell me that wasn't as affectionate as I think it sounded…)

 

“What did you decide?” he asked as he settled down on the bed.

 

“I'm still thinking. Night, monkey.”

 

“Stay with me.” He caught his wrist.

 

“Don't you think that's a bit dangerous?”

 

“I don't care.” He frowned sleepily up at him.

 

It was the look that had been his downfall, he decided later as he stared up at the ceiling through slitted eyelids. He just knew it had to be similar to the look that got Sanzo to buy him steamed buns. That was two looks he was going to have to watch out for now. The youth now was sprawled over his chest and side, a leg hooked over one of his own. His breath puffed warmly against the underside of his chin. The previous speculation about Goku's sleeping habits would have to be discarded. It was like the chimp had relaxed or something; maybe he hadn't felt secure enough before? Not that he was any better, really. He had shifted to accommodate the extra weight and had an arm slung around slender hips, a couple of fingers hooked in the waistband of his shorts. It felt appropriate, somehow.

 

(Hakkai's not going to like what he sees when he comes to wake the monkey in the morning…)

+++

 

It felt like he had just closed his eyes when he heard the knock on the door. He didn't move or open his eyes but remained where he was as the knob twisted and the door opened. “Goku? Breakfast will be ready in---oh.”

 

He felt the youth shift, small hands bracing against his chest as he sat halfway up at the magic word. “Breakfast?”

 

Gojyo decided to open his eyes, and stretched a little. The monkey looked more rested than he did, even as sleepy as he was.

 

“Yes, in ten minutes. Goku, why is Gojyo sleeping in your bed?“ The emerald-eyed man stood in his usual sleep ware, clutching the doorknob, light reflecting off his monocle.

 

The brunet was forced to sit up all the way as the redhead sat up on his arms with a yawn. Kicking the covers out of the way to the bottom of the bed, Goku rubbed at his eyes before stretching. “Because I asked him to.”

 

“Ah. Gojyo?”

 

He was too tired to wince at the overly polite tone. “After breakfast, Hakkai. We'll talk after breakfast.” (And I'm pretty sure you're not going to like it every much…)

+++

 

The meal was quiet, or as quiet as it ever got as they ate in their sleep clothes, feet bare, only the usual food grudges causing chaos. Hakkai cast only the occasional curious look at them before feeding a tidbit to Hakuryu or calming Sanzo. The priest wailed on them with the fan only a handful of times, content to let them fuss and fight so long as they weren't too loud or intruded into his space. But there was definitely something off this morning, an expectant air of some sort. By the time the tea was served, it was too quiet, and the redhead was aware of the monkey giving him little sideways looks that attempted but not quite made the covert list.

 

He took a few sips of his tea and put it down, hands curled around the heat loosely. “We need to talk.”

 

Hakkai set his tea down, and Sanzo looked at him over the edge of his cup, violet eyes narrowing. The monkey rested his tea on the table, mimicking Gojyo's pose, eyes large. Hakuryu tilted his little head inquiringly and Gojyo got, not for the first time, the impression that the dragon knew what was going on.

 

“Hakkai, Sanzo. Goku asked me to teach him about sex, and I have been. He's also asked me to stop sleeping around, which I am, so… we'll be considered a couple for a while, I guess.”

 

Sanzo paled horribly, then flushed furiously as he set his cup down, violet eyes going violent as he rose from his seat. Clad in just his jeans and silks, the fine tremors of rage were more readily visible than usual. The kappa saw Hakkai settle a soothing hand on the dragon's back across the table as the tiny animal skittered away from the priest's rage, but couldn't see Goku's reaction to his immediate left. He braced himself to dodge a barrage of bullets, all his attention focused on the blond that stalked around the table.

 

The harisen came down on his head in a flurry of heavy, hard blows instead. “You damned kappa, first you think you're getting away with something, and then you open your mouth and fucking say something like that!!”

 

Protecting his head with his arms, he squirmed in his seat to avoid the blows, refusing to move and give up ground. “Piece of shit priest, we can HEAR you two behind closed doors! Did you think he wouldn't notice and ask questions?! And just who the hell was he supposed to ask when you two are so fucking wrapped up in each other, huh?! Like I didn't TRY to tell him `no'?!” He grabbed Sanzo's silk clad wrist, halting the rain of hits, and glared up at him, eyes scarlet and flashing. “Goku's not really a kid, he's over five hundred fucking years old! And he's not a damned pet! He fucking thinks and he fucking feels!!”

 

(Oh shit, oh shit, I just dared to touch the great Sanzo Sama---)

 

Sanzo wretched his arm out of Gojyo's grip and brought the harisen down on his head HARD, hard enough that his vision went white for a bit. He clutched his head with a pained hiss as the older man turned and stepped away, draping his paper weapon over a pale shoulder. He stopped behind Goku's chair, and the redhead turned at the sound, vision still paled out, trying to anticipate what would happen next.

 

The blond dropped a hand on top of Goku's head as he spoke lowly. The youth jumped slightly at the contact, expecting the harisen to fall on his head as well instead of just an empty hand. “I knew. I knew when your voice changed the first time, and when it changed the second.”

 

(Voices? I wish he would explain that shit more clearly. I've heard him talk about it before, but he always clams up before he makes anything clear. All I know is that it's some sixth sense thing where Goku's concerned.) Shadows and shapes began fading in; he could see Sanzo's back and arm, muscles encased and defined in darkness and light, hand limpid on the monkey's head as if he couldn't bring himself to do more than that. More came back, and he saw more clearly the youth's still silhouette, lids closed, as if he didn't dare to move. Tears flooded his eyes as all the color suddenly rushed back in a gush, and he blinked them away, trying to maintain his sight.

 

“You made this choice on your own, Goku?” Hakkai asked from across the table, voice containing that same tone of threatening and sharp that usually showed up in his gaze.

 

“Yeah.” His voice was unusually hoarse as he answered Hakkai's question.

 

He saw the strong silk clad back stiffen.

 

“He did try to tell me no, too.”

 

“And you're okay with this?”

 

“Yeah. I thought about it before I asked. Sanzo's always telling me to think things through before I do stuff, and it would have been too weird to ask you or Sanzo about it.”

 

The redhead saw the blond's fingers tighten slightly in his hair then forcibly relax. He didn't dare look at Hakkai. Hakkai had probably known just as long as Sanzo, which had to have driven him up the wall. Goku was the one he mothered the most, after all. He was lucky the man hadn't handed him his head on a silver platter earlier, or some other equally precious body part.

 

“And--- he's really good. He's been really slow and gentle. We haven't even gone all the way yet.” The brunet began speaking quickly, eyes flying open, as if trying to get everything out before it burst out of him. “But last night he came back all scratched up, and I could smell blood and stuff on him and I asked him why he got so rough. He said he didn't but she did, and so I told him he's not allowed to sleep around any more and I thought he'd get mad so I ran off. Then he woke me up later and we talked about it and stuff---“

 

“Breathe, Goku,” Hakkai admonished.

 

“---And then we got tired and I asked him to stay after he helped me with the covers and that's why you found us like that this morning. But I didn't know he was going to say we're a couple. He didn't tell me anything. He said he was still thinking about it, and anyway, I didn't ask him to be my boyfriend or anything.”

 

He saw Sanzo twitch at the `b' word.

 

“I told him I think I want us to be lovers.”

 

He saw him twitch twice as badly at the `l' word. (Maybe--- the priest doesn't feel as fatherly toward the monkey as I thought he did… that, or it's that galling that I'm his in law, so to speak.)

 

“It's just that--- Sanzo and you are there for each other like that, and I want that, too. Why can't I have someone like that? And Gojyo--- he can't stay away from violent women---”

 

“Hey!” Head forgotten, he glared.

 

“Well, you can't!” He turned to him, eyes snapping. “And I don't care if it's a mother complex---”

 

“It's not a mother complex, da---”

 

“That's enough!” Sanzo sounded strained. “Goku, do what you want. It's not like I can stop you, anyway. Kappa, mess up and I won't miss. We're still heading west, and if anything happens to delay us, I'm taking it out of your worthless hide.” His hand bounced a couple of times, a simile of a pat on the head, and Goku's eyes widened with a flicker.

 

“Sanzo?”

 

“I'm not saying I approve.” He dropped his hand and moved toward the stairs. “Goku, go get me today's newspaper. It seems to have stopped raining for a while, maybe the bridge will open soon.”

 

They watched him ascend the stairs in silence.

 

“Oh, my.” The emerald-eyed man sighed, hands stroking absently over his dragon. “Goku, there's a newspaper stand up the street. There's money in the dish under the window there; go get him his paper, please. Gojyo, help me clear the table, please.”

 

“Okay,” Goku chirped, and bounced out of his seat over to the window.

 

“You might want to go change first---“

 

“Nah, it's just up the street, right? It'll be fine.” Money in hand, he slid into Gojyo's slides and was gone, watery sunlight creeping through the door for the moment it took him to pass.

 

“Well, I must say, you've got you're hands full, Gojyo.”

 

The redhead mumbled a response and started to stand, only to sit back down in a slump, his balance off and headache returning in force. He cursed and covered his eyes. “Give me a minute, okay? I feel like crap.”

 

Rising after a final pat to Hakuryu, Hakkai ventured around the table and laid a cool hand against his forehead. “Do you feel nauseous? Woozy?”

 

“You mean concussion? Maybe. That asshole kept hitting in about the same place pretty damned hard.”

 

“Gojyo, are you really going to go through with this?” A warm glow filled one elegant hand; he traced the energy around his head, concentrating on the imbalance in the kappa's chi.

 

“Yeah.” A surge of sudden nauseous bit at the back of his throat and receded, leaving the bitter taste of bile in his mouth. Grimacing, he held as still as possible and closed his eyes. “I would have quit anyway when it came down to it. I wouldn't bring that kind of shit to his bed. He's better than that.”

 

“Ah. He has a point, you know. You should stay away from violent females.”

 

“Cheeh, not you, too.”

 

“Ah ha ha. Though, you probably wouldn't have been with that woman in the first place if I hadn't talked to you, right?”

 

The ache in his head was lessening, and Hakkai move to his right side, tracing the energy meridians in his body there. “It's not your fault. I don't usually run away like that. You were just checking up on him. You're like that. You wouldn't be Hakkai if you didn't.”

 

“Still…”

 

“It's OKAY. It's the monkey, man; I know what you were thinking. Hell, I'd be suspicious of myself. I know I'm not good enough for the monkey. Thanks, Hakkai, that feels better.” He opened his eyes and smiled at him before reaching for his forgotten, cooling tea to rid himself of the taste in his mouth.

 

The other man stepped back away from him a bit, energy fading. His eyes were serious as he regarded him silently for a moment, hiding whatever he was thinking. Then he spoke. “Show me those wounds Goku was talking about.” He waited for the redhead to comply, watched as he gingerly lifted the fabric over his head. “Are these all?”

 

“ Front and back. There are some under my hair.” Gathering the strands in one fist, he pulled his hair over his shoulder out of the way and braced himself on the table a bit with an elbow. “They shouldn't be too bad. I bet they're half healed already.”

 

A gentle finger touched one. “I'm sorry, Gojyo.”

 

“Like I said, it's not your fault.” He felt the glow against his skin and tried not to shiver as it brushed against erogenous zones. He wasn't wounded badly enough to be distracted from who was healing him. “Hakkai, don't waste your strength, just put some stuff on them. I can heal these on my own.”

 

“But these are because of me. They've caused the two of you pain.” The minor injuries closed up in seconds, the energy ticklish against his spine as it trailed up to the scratches low on the nape of his neck. They were gone like that.

 

“Trust me, I enjoyed it while it was happening.” He sighed and leaned back, letting the brunet have his way. He just had to keep from reacting. He concentrated on a knot in the wood above them in the rafters as that elegant, long fingered hand trailed across his abdomen and up his chest to his shoulders.

 

“… Gojyo… You're worth more than that, you know.” That hand settled on one of his shoulders, glow fading, and he locked eyes with the brunet at the low, intimate tone. “Perhaps Goku can teach you that.”

 

Emerald and all its variations suddenly filled his world, and a soft pair of lips brushed against his. Beyond the taste of tea was something bitter, regretful and half longed for, and if Hakkai hadn't pulled away just then, he wasn't sure he wouldn't have deepened the kiss automatically just so he could try to figure it all out.

 

“Take care of him. We'll be watching you.” He whispered, and his cool hand slipped away across his skin.

 

He watched him gather the dishes closest to him and stack them neatly before moving on to the rest, leaving the teacups. “Hakkai…”

 

“Stay seated for a bit. I'm going to make more tea. You need to drink more fluids after healing, and no doubt Sanzo will want a cup while he reads the paper.” His tone was even and pleasant but not overly pleasant, the one he used every day. Dishes in hand, he wandered away toward the kitchen, his voice carrying over his shoulder. Hakuryu sailed after him, tail flickering just out of sight. “I've already started doing laundry. I discovered a set of clotheslines on the back porch, so I'll be able to catch everything up quickly as long as the weather holds out.”

 

He stared after him wide eyed, feeling his heart pound madly in his chest. How could the other man act as if nothing had just happened? “Hakkai?”

 

The door opened, and Goku yelled `good bye' over his shoulder at someone before he entered, the newspaper in hand. “I'm back!”

 

The redhead couldn't make himself move or speak, and he couldn't help that the hitched breath he took sounded almost panicked.

 

“Gojyo?” There were quick, light footsteps then a small hand twined in his hair and tugged gently. “Are you alright? You don't sound like it. Hakkai healed those scratches?”

 

“Ah. You better take Sanzo Sama his paper. You know he hates waiting any longer than he has to.” Reaching for his shirt, he tugged it over his head and attempted to shake the whole mood off. (I can't tell the monkey what just happened. I'm not even SURE what happened. Just what the fuck is up with those two?)

 

“I'm going! You shouldn't have blurted it out like that. Sanzo makes paper HURT, you know. You're lucky he didn't break your head. And why didn't you tell me that last night?” Heading for the stairs, the monkey spoke over his shoulder, his disapproval clear.

 

“It was just one of those things. Hey, bring me my cigarettes.”

 

“Hell, no. Those things stink. Get them yourself.”

 

“Cheeh! Stupid monkey…” He buried his head in his arms. (What the fuck have I gone and done now?)

+++

 

TBC…

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Reviews! ^_^ Thank you! Thank you for taking your time in telling me what you think. You guys are the best! ~Q

 

To Azurepoet San: Thank you very much! Ah, your praise makes me all floaty. I'll try my best!

 

To Stephanie San: I think Gojyo can go exclusive if he tries, though we'll have to see how long this lasts, ne? I'm trying very hard to keep them in character, but I think I totally failed this chapter--- forgive me! And I hope the natural progress that seems to be taking place works out for everyone in this unusual fiction. I don't know about Hakkai and Sanzo's relationship; they haven't told me yet, though something certainly seems strange, hmm? Hakkai is Hakkai; I noticed in the manga, he seems to delight in torturing Gojyo and Sanzo occasionally, and because of the way he does it, they can't retaliate without coming off as asses because he's usually RIGHT. He does seem to take it a little easier on Goku. I'm glad the old lady part amused you; I was thinking, `what the hell?' when she popped up along with the other Mary Sues, but that seems to be the way this town is. Go figure. I guess that's all right as long as they don't take over and stuff, ne? Thank you; I'll try not to get too bogged. But that goes for you and everyone else, too, ne?

 

To kirameki San: Thank you! But only because we have such wonderful characters to work with, don't you think? (pauses to kowtow at personal Kazuya Minekura shrine) I know Goku's not REALLY eighteen, but the manga lists him at the current age of eighteen. It also says Sanzo and Goku met Hakkai and Gojyo three years ago. So, when they all meet, Sanzo's twenty, Hakkai and Gojyo are nineteen, and Goku's fifteen. To me, Goku looks like he's maybe fourteen or fifteen when Sanzo fetches him from Mt. Gogyou (mountain of five elements) assuming he was imprisoned at nine or ten and aging only about a year for every hundred years he's in there. That makes Sanzo about nineteen and the others eighteen, wherever they are. Sanzo and Goku already seem familiar with each other in the manga and anime flashback, which means they've had time to get used to each other, maybe… five months to a year at most? @_@ Sorry… number overload--- I'm not good with them at all… okay, I'm moving on before I hurt my brain… Goku's real age--- I think it shows. It shows in every little thing he does, even his fights with Gojyo and when he whines for food. He tries not to take any of his life for granted, and he says it himself when Kougaiji challenges him for the flying dragons in the desert in volume six: `I don't wanna lose that.' So, I hope I've been able to convey that so far by keeping the guys in character. Though, like I said before, I think I totally missed the point this chapter… Giggles are good. I hope you enjoyed this piece. ^_^ Thank you!

 

To Shadow San: Ooooo, more praise! More floatiness!! Thank you! I'll try my best, okay?

 

To KaosD San: That is a loaded question/ statement. The fact that he decided to be nice at all is sweet indeed. Sanzo Sama likes to be difficult, I think. Gojyo… that man has ISSUES. I agree, I think he wants to be claimed. But I honestly don't think the monkey is what he had in mind… ^_^;; Thank you!

 

To Sorchafyre San: (bow, bow) Thank you so very much, that's high praise indeed. Sanzo--- he's difficult. I admit I wasn't totally satisfied; the one side I didn't express but wanted to was his self control. I don't think I can clearly express my thoughts on that, so I won't even try. Goku, Gojyo--- thank you. The characters themselves are fascinating (Hakkai and Sanzo, too), and that, I think, is what is mainly driving this entire line of writing for this unusual pair. (eyes gleam) Tell me what you don't completely agree with! I WANT to hear it; I would like to consider different directions. That's half the fun, you know? Constructive criticism is good for you! It keeps things fresh. I look forward to anything you--- and all of my readers--- send my way. I'm glad you're enjoying the read, too, though. That's what it's about. Thank you for your wishes; I pray they're returned three fold.

 

To TenshiKaitou San: Ahhhhhh, floaty! Nope, no explicit sex `cause it wasn't Goku and Gojyo but Gojyo and someone else. I just thought that wouldn't be right. However, if it pleases anyone, they are welcome to insert themselves in her place. ^_~ Thank you!

 

To Silverone San: The thought of the confrontation drives me nuts, but… it seems to be necessary. V_V Thank you, though I feel this chapter is a failure in keeping the guys in character. I blame it on Evanescence, and myself for switching to their album. The music behind this fiction has always been the PS2 game Kingdom Hearts' theme `Simple and Clean', and not the pop techno mix. This one line always stands out, `and maybe some things are that simple'. Weird, I know. (lol) Thank you!

 

To Paisley San: Thank you for reviewing! ^_^ I love the mental image you give me with that sentence. It makes me laugh and feel floaty all at once!

 

To Devious Lil Devil San: (glomp) Hiiiiii! You have reviewed so consistently; it makes me happy. Thank you so very much!! I don't think Gojyo was expecting it in the least. Hmm, I think things are going to be a bit more open now, at any rate. That should make it a bit easier. ^_^

 

To MangaChild420 San: I'm glad you like it! Sorry for the long wait--- I still haven't quite gotten the hang of things yet. Thank you!

 

To Jeda San: Sorry for the wait! More floatiness… I might take a while to come back to earth! Thanks for the review!

 

To Kiba-Chan San: Thank you. Goku and sex tends to make me uncomfortable, even now. I have honestly no clue as to where this is going, so there is no telling what Sanzo's going to end up doing to Gojyo. Okay, that came out SO wrong… I kind of like the drugstore part myself, though I never expected to have any Mary Sues in here. As long as they don't take over, it's fine, I guess. Sorry for the wait!

 

To Devil n blue San: I'm glad you like it. ^_^

 

To Mala Darkling San: (bow) Thank you very much. The girls were just kind of there; as long as they don't take over, I think it'll be okay. I'm trying to keep the guys in character, and if there has to be Mary Sues, I guess they ought to be at least a bit personable. And I think Hakkai is such a mother hen! If anyone's sick, who's taking care of them? Hakkai. If anyone needs to be needled into place, who does it, and without being dragged into a fight? Hakkai. The man has mad skills. Goku… he's my favorite. Even the art of him covered in blood makes me smile. How strange is that? (lol) I'll try not to leave y'all hanging. Thanks for the review!

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