Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Teaching Goku ❯ What Relationship? ( Chapter 9 )

Title: Teaching Goku: What Relationship?

 

Author: Quirk othe Trade

 

Category: fan fiction

 

Genre: yaoi lemon, romance, angst?

 

Rating: Adult or mature minds.

 

C&CC: quirkothetrade@yahoo.com Thank you in advance! >kiss<

 

Archived: aff.net, MediaMiner.Org, soon to be archived at Fan Fiction Now.

 

Disclaimer: These awesome characters belong to who they belong to, which sadly isn't me, and I'm making no money off this, though I'm trying my best to give money to who does.

 

Warnings: Ugh… a suggestive situation? Spilled reasons? If you've read this far, I think you know about the Gojyo/Goku and implied Hakkai/Sanzo couples…

 

A/N: Sorry I'm late, everyone! The home computers are out of commission--- both of them, which includes the old back up---no, I didn't do it, either. So things are hit and miss right now as I try to figure out what to do while going slowly insane. Sin, I miss you. This chapter was longer by a fistful of pages, and it won't stop, so… I'm breaking it up where it looks okay to stop before I lose any more progress. >sigh< I hate to say it, but this chapter just feels blah. Tons of things have happened since the last time I updated, most especially hurricanes, so I hope everyone is all right. I'm praying that it is. Everyone, y'all are amazing!! Aff.net, you're at hits, and MediaMiner.Org, you're at hits! Also, the muse wants opinions because everyone seems evenly divided on keeping the pairings the same and dividing them up as `normal'. >is hit in the head with a dead pen< Oh! And she wants to know what everyone's opinions are on creating a foursome of the guys. (whispering) Be careful, y'all, I think she's plotting something wick---

 

Beta: As yet unbeta-ed.

 

Synopsis: An early morning light show results in a late day movie.

+++

 

Something kept wiggling against him, and Gojyo opened his eyes blurrily. Spiky hair filled his view, and he blinked before looking further down. Goku was awake and frowning as he shifted his hips slowly, and the red head realized in the light of the forgotten lamp that the monkey was in pain. Last night's activities automatically snapped to mind. (Damn it, there might not have been any blood but he's got to be fucking sore from where I let loose. Stupid... What time is it?) "Goku?"

 

Stilling, pained gold eyes looked up at him.

 

"It hurts, doesn't it?"

 

Goku's mouth tightened, eyes sharpening accusingly. "You said I'd be a little sore! It hurts, you lying bastard!"

 

"Sorry, sorry--- here." Gathering the brunet up against his chest, he flipped them both so that Goku was on his back. The younger man groaned as he carefully stretched out. Settling beside him, Gojyo adjusted himself on his side before placing a hand on Goku's abdomen, fingers slowly massaging and kneading. The flesh underneath was tense, and the kappa dug in as much as he dared. "Try to go back to sleep. Rest is the best thing for you right now, besides a soak in a hot bath."

 

Goku flushed in an embarrassed, wide-eyed way. "Gojyo---"

 

"What? Doesn't it feel good?"

 

"Y---yeah."

 

"Then relax. I'm not going to jump you while you're like this. Cheh. Just what kind of person do you take me for?" Fingers drifted lower as Gojyo shifted position onto an elbow. Goku's body was unknotting too slowly for the kappa's taste, but at least it was relaxing. He couldn't tell what time it was with the small wall clock lost in a random shadow, but it was too early--- too soon--- for Goku to be awake. "It occurred to me earlier that you might need to be touched more anyway. You're a monkey after all, and they've proven it in studies with monkeys that touch is important."

 

"I'm not a monkey." The protest was without its usual heat however, and Goku's eyes were starting to droop. "Gojyo? Don't stop."

 

Brushing a kiss over his coronet, he replied, "I'm not. I've got you, remember?"

 

A shiver ran through the body beneath his touch, and Gojyo would have perused such an interesting reaction if a sudden streak of colored lights hadn't flared across the shadowy far wall through the open window. The words popped out of both of their mouths at the same time. "What the hell was that?"

 

It came again, a flare of bloody red dancing across the shadows followed by a rambling of multiple colors, and Gojyo crawled over a now wide awake Goku to get off the bed. Energy was beginning to hum along his nerves, the kind they usually found in battle, and as he looked out the window over the desk, in the far distance multi-colored light shot into the air beyond the edges of the houses. Murderous red flared behind it in the air then disappeared. A sound like a woman's shriek carried faintly as the wind picked up.

 

A tiny sound from inside the room drew his attention, and he turned his head in time to see Goku sitting slumped on the bed's edge, an arm clutched around his lower torso. "Stupid monkey, don't get up!"

 

"Shut up and help me, damned kappa!" Goku snapped, and gritting his teeth against a retort, said kappa helped him to his feet and over to the desk enough to peer out the window. A strong, cold gust of air slapped them both in the face, the heavy scent of fire and scorched, burned things stinging their eyes like some cloying perfume as they coughed on it. Gojyo reached back for the blanket and draped it around Goku before reaching for a clean pair of pants. As he stepped into them and pulled up the zipper, he watched the brunet drag a corner over his mouth and nose as a screen, the other hand holding the folds closed around him. The younger man's voice was muffled as he watched the lights play out. "It looks like it's outside town."

 

"It could be youkai.” Gojyo answered.

 

A knock on their door made them both turn, and Hakkai's voice came through clearly. "Are you guys awake?"

 

"Yeah. You want to see some fireworks?" Gojyo called, and the door opened to admit the other two people in their party, Hakuryu fluttering ahead of them to land on the desk. They were dressed in their usual night attire, the priest in his pale jeans and black silks, Hakkai in his khakis and white long sleeved shirt. For a moment the red haired kappa thought about the stuff on the floor in plain sight, then decided to ignore it. (Let them know. It's not anything new to them. Just as long as they don't kill me...)

 

Sanzo took one look at Goku draped concealingly in the blanket, glared narrowed eyed murder at Gojyo, then turned and stalked out of the room. Footsteps stomped down the stairs to the lower level. The emerald eyed man smiled after him as Goku looked on anxiously and Gojyo glowered. “Don't mind him. He just needs a cigarette.”

 

“He needs a lot more than that,” Gojyo muttered, running a hand through his hair. “Whatever. It looks like there's a fight on outside of town.”

 

“So I see,” said Hakkai. Gojyo turned to follow his gaze, and there was a brilliant flash that threatened to blind them. The three crowded over the desk to look outside. “I don't think that's youkai attacking. An alarm would have sounded by now.” There was a sudden succession of thumps that pounded across the roof, showering a fine dust down on them from the rafters before they left. Out the window, white clad forms landed on the lower neighboring roof and raced on, heading for the source of the lights. “Ah, those must be medical personnel.”

 

Gojyo motioned the other two aside and lifted the study lamp from the desk to the floor. Then he carefully shoved the desk and chair sideways until it was out of the way and in the corner, the white dragon squeaking a frantic protest as he scrambled for purchase on the polished wood. Holding onto the sill and frame, the red head leaned out the window as far as he dared, scanning the other rooftops. Blobs of paleness were bobbing through the available light and accumulated gloom, all aimed in the same direction. More thumping hit their roof and he looked straight up in time to catch three people NOT clad in white make their way down to the next rooftop. Withdrawing inside the room, he looked over his shoulder at the others. “Something's the fuck up, Hakkai. Not everyone's a medic out there. I think we better get dressed and join the party. ”

 

Green eyes went abruptly sharp like knife points. “Are you sure Goku should be out of bed right now?”

 

Goku flushed, a half angry, half upset expression on his face that he usually reserved for when the red head had stolen a particularly coveted piece of food. Seeing it on his face at this particular point in time did not make Gojyo happy. Narrowing his crimson eyes, he answered the other brunet in his calmest manner. “Actually, I was about to suggest Goku sit this one out. He got a prize for winning a bet yesterday, and he's worn out from all that playing. You know how it is with kids and new toys.”

 

Hakkai paled and swallowed almost intangibly, the sharpness suddenly vanished as if it had never been. He turned and made for the door. “Ah. I'll get Sanzo. Hakuryu, stay with Goku, please.”

 

The door closed behind him, and as he ran his hands through his hair Gojyo realized he felt like slightly sick. A confrontation with Hakkai was never pretty, but this one made him feel even worse for some reason. A hesitant hand on his arm snagged his attention, and he looked down into Goku's face, his gold eyes unhappy. “Don't worry about it, monkey. They knew we were going to do it sooner or later; we came clean. We're not hiding anything.”

 

“But still---”

 

“Goku, it's okay. We already knew they'd give us shit, right?”

 

“Yeah.” His tone was mournful. “But it doesn't feel good to fight like that with them. It's Hakkai and Sanzo.”

 

Slinging an arm around the youth's shoulders, the kappa drew him against his side in a half hug even as he looked away. “If they're going to take pot shots at us, I don't mind give them back. Just stay here and rest, okay? We'll go check it out.”

 

Turning Goku loose, he reached for a tank top from the clean clothes atop his travel bag and shook it out to find the bottom. The monkey and dragon watched him silently as he tugged it over his head. The lights clashed and danced in a dizzying aerial display, and for a moment the red haired kappa wondered why so much energy was being used. (Whoever started the attack has a lot of energy to burn. Whoever's defending is being forced to use huge amounts of energy just to block.) “Don't you think whoever it is, they're wasting energy like that?”

 

Goku turned just enough to watch both Gojyo and the window, distracted from focusing on either. “Yeah, I guess so.”

 

There was a brief rap on the door, and Hakkai peered in around the door. “Someone stopped and told Sanzo to get in the house and be alert. Apparently a succession battle is taking place and everyone is being encouraged to stay inside.”

 

“Succession battle?” Goku asked. “Why? What's that?”

 

“I don't know why, Goku. Most succession battles are to change the balance of power in a group or organization. This one is taking place outside the city, so it's a mortal battle, if you recall what we heard this afternoon. Someone is going to be dying tonight.”

 

Gojyo made a disgusted sound. “Stupid ass shit. How do you want to handle this? Someone has to stay up and keep an eye on what's going on.”

 

“We'll keep an eye on things from the room next door and wake you if we need to, if that's all right with you. Just stay here with Goku.”

 

“Like I trust those morons over there? I'm staying up, too, Hakkai. They're nothing but a bunch of damned show-offs throwing their energy around, anyway. Bang on the wall if you need anything.”

 

“Ah. Just make sure Goku rests, okay? Hakuryu, are you coming or would you like to stay?”

 

“Kyuu!” Launching himself into the air, Jeep made for the door Hakkai opened farther for him. “Good night, everyone.”

 

Goku and Gojyo waved them out the door. Then the red head turned his attention to his lover as he made sure his smokes, lighter and ash tray were within reach, then pulled the chair over to the window and sat. “You get some sleep, monkey. I'll wake you if anything happens.”

 

The monkey made an agreeing sound and shuffled over to the bed, his gait anything but normal. It made Gojyo wince just looking at him, and he mentally resolved to not loose control like that again as he propped his unshod feet on the sill, ankles crossing, and went through the motions of lighting up. Turning his attention out the window, he tried not to pay attention to the bed and its occupant but being continuously stared at by slitted gold eyes was driving him nuts as seconds and minutes ticked by. The monkey seemed forlorn curled up in the blanket, his toes sticking out from the bottom childishly, and it was too distracting. “Goku! Go to sleep.”

 

Goku shifted, curling up further into a ball. “I can't now.”

 

The lights flared then clashed outside the window. Gojyo tried to ignore his peripheral vision as he stubbed out his second cigarette and wished for a beer. “Close your eyes, breathe deeply and count meat buns.”

 

Limber toes tucked themselves dejectedly out of sight. “But it's our first time… shouldn't we…?”

 

Gojyo sighed. “Let me guess. Those girls said something like, `I want to be held all night long'?”

 

“She said he held her the entire night afterward.”

 

The lights faded and the sky went dark except for a faint glow rising straight up like heat off a sweltering paved road. More footsteps pounded over the roof above them like a herd of elephants. (Cheh---damn girls. A chi barrier? To protect the town...) “Man. Are you sure they weren't talking about some movie or romance novel or something?”

 

“I've never read a romance novel so how should I know?”

 

“Shit on a… come here then.” Feet hitting the floor, the kappa stretched. On the bed, Goku uncurled enough to sit up carefully, eyes blinking. “You won't be as comfortable in my lap, but it's better than nothing, right?”

 

Goku slid off the bed and came to him, albeit at a snail's pace, and Gojyo drew him down on his lap, blanket and all, arms wrapped firmly around him before his feet went back to the sill and crossed at the ankle. The brunet's weight curled up in his lap and rested against his chest with an undisguised sigh, hair tickling the underside of his jaw with the wind that came through the window. “Now go to sleep, chimp.”

 

There was no answer save for soft breathing, and he turned his attention back to the edges of town. The lights hadn't come back yet, but he didn't think it was over. The eerie glow of the barrier was still there, which meant the battle was still going on. That barrier had to be huge, though, he noted, if it was stretching up above the houses and then across that far as well. If the medics--- ah! (Fireworks are back on.) Even as the lights moved furiously, flaring as they collided, he decided his situation wasn't so bad. Goku curled up asleep with him as he watched some cool fireworks--- well, it beat fighting youkai at least.

+++

 

Something draping over his legs woke him up some time after the light show had finished, crimson tipped lashes fluttering. Goku was sprawled against him, though HOW without falling was beyond his sleepy comprehension at the moment. Forcing his eyes to open and focus, he caught Hakkai smoothing the blanket. “Hakkai?”

 

“You fell asleep, and I couldn't decide whether or not to wake you. So…”

 

“Ah. You caught the entire thing, right? Don't know what it looked like from the frontline but from back here it looked like a fireworks festival. It was nice.”

 

“The shielding faltered several times, though. It was worrisome. You know what chi blasts can do.” An elegant hand patted Goku on the head, long fingers combing slightly. “He couldn't sleep without you?”

 

“…I guess not.” The same hand slid through his hair once, a gesture most unlike Hakkai, and he blinked up at him. “Where's our great and worldly priest?”

 

“Sanzo's gone to bed. You two should turn in for what's rest of the night as well. Chairs aren't comfortable to sleep in, and it looks like tomorrow will be a late day for us all, anyway.”

 

“Yeah. You know, I meant to tell you this earlier: if Sanzo's not treating you right, I'll kick his ass just on principal.” He grinned crookedly up at the emerald eyed man. “Not that I think you couldn't take him yourself, but just in case you want back up for a tea break or something.”

 

Hakkai smiled back at him, a genuine smile that Gojyo only saw rarely. “I'll keep that in mind.”

 

There was a pat on his shoulder and then the other man was gone, the door clicking closed behind him. Gojyo turned his attention to the younger man asleep in his arms, looked at the suddenly far away bed, and sighed. Setting his feet on the floor, heedless of the blanket, he let it fall as his grip on the bundled monkey tightened. The red haired kappa shoved to his feet, hoisted his burden and stepped over the puddle of cloth to lay the brunet down on the bed. Stooping back for the blanket on the floor, he shook it out and layered it on top of Goku, then slid under it still clothed. The monkey wiggled and snuggled back against him, and he found himself wrapping long arms around the youth before he closed his eyes and slept.

+++

 

“Go~jyo.” There was a gentle fingertip tracing over his eyebrows and lashes, then tapping on his cheek and down his neck. Realizing he was in that spot that was between waking and sleeping, he thought hard and longingly about going back to sleep before a nose bumped against his playfully. “Gojyo, wake up. Wake up!”

 

He grunted and tried to roll away from the soft but insistent voice he recognized as Goku's. He only got half way there before Goku halted the kappa on his back and pinned him in place by sprawling on him. “Gojyo, I'm hungry. Wake up already.”

 

Grunting out another response the monkey could take any way he wanted, he scrunched his crimson eyes closed.

 

“Gojyo! Come on, let's go see if Hakkai's gotten up and made anything to eat. I'm starving.”

 

“I don't want to.” Was he forgetting anything? Ah… “Stupid monkey.” Then his eyes flew open. “Wait, I thought you were sore from last night. Why are you bouncing around now?”

 

“I'm stiff,” Goku admitted, sitting back on the red head's hips and taking the covers in the process. “But I'm not hurting like I was last night.” His head cocked to the side then, puzzled by the red head's expression. “Gojyo?”

 

(I forgot we started out naked last night. I'm fucking screwed if this is my reaction when I see him first thing in the morning…) Pure heat threatened to overwhelm his senses for a moment, lust biting sharply at him. Goku nude in the shadowy light of his--- their--- room was just as enticing as it had been last night, sharp angles and flat planes in perfect harmony with the soft sheen of skin, tousled hair and large eyes. Despite what they had done last night, the young man looked untouched and it contrasted with Gojyo's memories of last night, of heated kisses, an even hotter tightness and pupils slitted in a climatic scream; how did Goku pull it off? It made the red head want to tumble the gold eyed youth on his back and do it all over again yet hang his head in shame for such thoughts all at once. His hands moved for the edges of the blanket and tucked it modestly around the brunet from the waist down. “I want to eat you alive right now, you know that?”

 

Gold eyes went wide in alarm, and crimson narrowed. “NOT that kind of `eat', stupid. I want to fuck you again. On your back, or your hands and knees… when you look like that, I want you all over again. I want to touch you. I want to kiss you and taste you, and make you moan. Do you understand? Goku?”

 

One of his hands rose to touch Goku's cheek, thumb tracing over moist lips as Gojyo watched the younger man's expression soften, gold eyes slowly going molten. A small, mysterious smile quirked the younger man's mouth. “I think so. You really are a perverted kappa, Gojyo.”

 

Gojyo surged up and forward with a low growl, hands locking on Goku's shoulders as their positions reversed. Limbs jumbled in the descent but it didn't matter as long as the red head got to kiss him, and the brunet whimpered as he had yet to experience Gojyo at full lust. They squirmed against each other trying to get untangled and Gojyo found himself back in the cradle of Goku's thighs, knees clutching at his sides and hard hands latching onto his elbows as he kissed him senseless. (Thank you, thank you--- that I'm wearing pants… Control… We did it just last night and he's not ready for another round so soon… Control…)

 

Goku pulled away with a gasp, and Gojyo continued down the slope of his throat with scraping, nipping kisses and languid swipes with his tongue to sooth the abused skin. Hands and knees clutched at him trying to draw him closer. The brunet's voice was questioning and aroused all at once as he spoke. “Gojyo?”

 

“Nothing's going to happen. You're not up to it.” Burying his face against Goku's throat, the red haired kappa sighed harshly. (Control… Exercise self control… He's not used to any of this…) A hand touched the back of his head and slid through the long strands, causing him to hum softly, shortly in appreciation. The gesture was repeated, and Gojyo kissed the side of his lover's neck. Goku's knees lowered then let go, and his arms moved to loop around his neck. “Besides, Hakkai at least is probably awake waiting for you to holler `I'm hungry' and you don't have any clothes in here. I need to go get your stuff unless you want to flash everyone.”

 

Goku turned him loose with a groan, and the red head feathered kisses over his jaw before sliding away from him. Rolling to his feet and scratching at the back of his neck, he swept the chaotic, disarrayed room with a critical eye. He'd have to put everything to rights before Hakkai had another chance to enter the room. Hakkai was tolerant of his messier habits only up to a point before he flashed the smile of doom and made him clean up by whatever means necessary. Stumbling to the door, he was halted with his hand on the doorknob by the monkey's voice calling him from the bed, and looked over his shoulder with an arched eyebrow. “Hmmm?”

 

“Can we really do it on our hands and knees?” Body turned at an awkward yet graceful angle, the sheet draped just so from hips to mid-thigh, large gold eyes still tinged with heat looked at him sideways and upside down.

 

(Control. Control, control, control…) Gojyo swallowed. “Ah.”

 

“Then let's do it that way next time, okay?”

 

“Ah.” Twisting the knob, he escaped with his libido screaming demands and protests into the hall and slammed the door behind him. Gojyo didn't think he could remember the last time his face had gone red with a blush, but his face felt just the slightest bit hot. (Shit on a stick, what was that saying about innocence and aphrodisiacs? Fuck, I don't know, but the monkey's---)

 

“Gojyo? Is everything alright?” He whipped around to face Hakkai coming up the stairs, looking tired but cheerful. “I thought you two were still asleep; I was just about to call everyone to the table.”

 

“We forgot to grab the monkey's stuff from his room last night and he's whining about food. So… clothes. Yeah. Um, we'll be down as soon as possible.” Turning away, he escaped to the upstairs toilet to conduct business and get a grip on his hormones. Almost slamming the door behind him, he leaned against it and closed his eyes as he took one deep breath after the other. (It is not possible to want the monkey like this. It's the monkey, damn it! Goku is not that--- okay, I'm NOT thinking that word and Goku in the same sentence…but still. Fuck, I need a smoke...)

+++

 

After having breakfast for lunch and consulting the newspaper, everyone agreed to go see a movie over post meal drinks. “There are four movies showing: `William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet' in English with subtitles, `The Grudge' original Japanese version with subtitles, Jackie Chan's `City Hunter' and… `Resident Evil Two', both dubbed or in English with subtitles.” Hakkai read aloud from the spread newspaper leaves before him on the table. “Hum. Most of these aren't very new. I wonder why?”

 

“We're lucky to find a theater at all, much less one with anything half way decent,” Gojyo replied and took a swig of his beer. He stubbed out a stub of a cigarette in the ashtray situated between himself and Sanzo. The meal had made everything go back to normal, the urge to jump Goku gone as the gold eyed youth lolled happily in his chair with an overstuffed belly beside him. Of course, that may have been superseded by Sanzo going straight for the gun this meal time; even Gojyo had to admit being shot at pretty much killed all urges except the one to duck. “Just no subtitles, okay? We're paying to see a movie, not spend time reading.”

 

“Ah. `Romeo and Juliet' is a romantic tragedy, `The Grudge' is horror, and `City Hunter' is action-comedy-drama. `Resident Evil' is action-horror.”

 

“I'm not watching Romeo and Juliet,” Sanzo said, an eyebrow twitching, and set down his beer. “And Goku's not watching any horror movies. This whole trip is one big horror film.”

 

“Then `City Hunter' it is.” Hakkai watched Gojyo pull the paper over in front of himself, and picked up his tea that had been cooling at his elbow. “The next showing is at three thirty. We have about an hour and a half to get dressed, find the theater and purchase tickets. Is that all right with everyone?”

 

The red head frowned down at the listings. He was more in a mood to watch things blow up, and the only thing that offered anything like that had been vetoed on account of zombies. (Maybe I can `get lost' or something…) Folding the paper, he checked the date on the headline. “Chan's fine. This is no good, it's yesterday's paper.”

 

“So get off your ass and go get today's,” Sanzo glared.

 

“Shut up, you corrupted monk, it was just a comment. There's nothing on last night's fight.” Gojyo glared right back.

 

“Now, now, everyone has five minutes to get ready and then we'll go.” Hakkai rose to his feet and smiled pointedly, insistently at the two oldest trouble makers.

 

It actually took everyone ten minutes instead of five to get ready and out the door. Once they hit the street, they found a steady crowd of people moving in and out of the inn next door, knots of gossip mongers scattered and blocking traffic.

 

“---some of the scouts are back but they're having to report to the adjacent---”

 

“---little snot. I hope they hang him by his ears---”

 

“We all knew he didn't like her, but to challenge the brigadier general like that and then---”

 

“Tough crowd.” The red head mumbled as they edged past the restless natives and headed for the square, Hakkai in the lead with the map. “Just what the hell happened last night?”

 

No one answered him, and he didn't ask again. There were no newspapers left at the one news stand they passed, and Hakkai only stopped once to check directions with a passerby. The theater was on a quiet little side street, and when they finally found it, they discovered it to be an old two story thing that looked recently renovated, a listing of movies in oversized frames to either side of the door. Inside the crowd wasn't that dense, tickets were cheap, and Hakkai and Goku went to stand in line at the concession stand while Gojyo went back outside to smoke, Sanzo on his heels. Striding to the far end of the building, he leaned against the wall only to find the blond a foot away from him, a cigarette already burning between his fingers. “What do you want, O great Sanzo Sama?”

 

“Shut up.”

 

Digging through his pockets for his lighter and Hi-Lites, the kappa snorted. “If you've got something to say, say it.”

 

The priest ignored him in favor of his cigarette.

 

“Fine, if you won't say something, I will. Why did you and Hakkai sneak around? It was just Goku and me, and neither of us would have cared or said anything. Well, I would have said something, but just the usual stuff to piss you off.” The lighter clicked and he inhaled as the tobacco end lit.

 

A few children barely old enough to be out on their own rounded the corner and pelted down the street, aiming for the cinema doors. Sanzo didn't reply until they had made it inside. “It's none of your---“

 

“Yes, yes, none of our business.” Waving a hand, Gojyo dismissed the answer he was starting to hate. “Like I buy that when we all know Goku hates secrets and you two being together without telling us counts as one.”

 

“Hakkai and I aren't together. Thus, it's no one's business. Even if we were, it's no one's business.”

 

“You are together. You two have been having sex for a long while now.” Tilting his head, he gazed sideways at the monk through broken strands of red, silently daring the other man to open his mouth.

 

A baleful violet eye squinted back at him, the tone of his voice mocking. The blond dropped the stub of cigarette to the sidewalk and ground it beneath his heel. “We've been having sex, yes. But we're not a couple like you and Goku.”

 

“Hakkai's like Goku, he doesn't do casual sex---“

 

“Hakkai started it, and leave Goku out of it.” A young couple, flustered and flushed, approached and slipped past them into the old building.

 

Whirling as soon as the coast was clear, the cigarette was gestured out of the red head's grip, crimson eyes flashing. “You brought Goku up first, you shitty priest, and Hakkai doesn't do casual sex.”

 

“Hakkai started it, and neither of us has declared ourselves like you, you fucking moron.”

 

“That's bullshit. SHE was his first and only, and now you're his second ever. You better fucking appreciate that fact because if you don't, I'll be there to trash your sorry ass.”

 

“Don't you dare threaten or judge me, you waste of skin. Clean out your fucking ears and listen to the answer to your damned question: It's none of your business because Hakkai and I AREN'T a couple.” Turning the full brunt of his murderous glare on the kappa, Sanzo's mouth twisted as though tasting something bitter. “Hakkai initiated the entire thing. You had three years to nail him before now. It's your own stupid fault if you haven't.”

 

“That's my best friend, you bastard---“

 

“That's why you weren't told, you and your fucking sentimentality---“

 

“Ahem.” Sanzo spun, robes and sutra fluttering, and Gojyo felt the brush of the cloth against his body as he jerked his head up. Hakkai peered at them from behind the door unsmiling. “Goku and Hakuryu are waiting in line if you're ready.”

 

“Hn.” Stalking forward, the blond priest ducked around the emerald eyed brunet into the lobby, hands tucked into his sleeves.

 

Gojyo tilted his head back and looked at what sky was available past the buildings. “Is what he said true?”

 

“…What did he say?”

 

“That you two aren't together, that it's casual sex. That you started it.”

 

Hakkai stepped past the door and allowed it to close behind him. He started towards Gojyo, and the red head turned and leaned back against the building, his hands tucking into his pockets. The green eyed man stopped beside him and faced the street, elegant hands folding behind his back. They both gazed at the shops across the street as though they were the most interesting things they had seen a long time.

 

“…Would it surprise you if I say yes?”

 

“For real?”

 

“For real.”

 

“Shit, Hakkai. It's just… it's SANZO, and it's YOU…” A hand dragged itself out of a pocket to tug through Gojyo's hair. “You never struck me as the type for casual sex. There was just, you know, HER before, and …”

 

“Well, Sanzo needed it.”

 

“So you became his fuck toy?” Crimson eyes widened at the words that popped out of his mouth. (Okay, that could have been worded much better…)

 

“…I suppose so.”

 

“Sorry. I didn't mean it like that.”

 

“I know.” There was the sound of weight shifting from one foot to the other. “Sanzo was struggling. I approached him and he accepted. It's consensual intercourse. Sanzo needed it… and maybe I did, too, to offer such a thing. I imagine we're not unlike Goku and you in the beginning.”

 

“Maybe.”

 

“I'm sorry if I've disappointed you.”

 

“There's nothing to be sorry for. I'm not disappointed, more like shocked.” He looked at the older brunet finally and half smirked. “I mean, if you think about it, our situations would be better if they're reversed. You're relationship material, so to speak, and I'm… well, not.”

 

Hakkai met his expression with an unusually gentle smile. “Is it really so hard?”

 

“…Honestly? Not so far. We figured we'd take it one day at a time.” The buildings across the street were suddenly intriguing to Gojyo again as he looked away.

 

“Ah.” The green eyed man's tone was amused. “Sanzo nearly came after you two last night. I suggest you double check your lock next time just to be safe when you get a little noisy.”

 

“Heh. Thanks for the tip.” Gojyo grinned at him and pushed away from the wall. “Man, you and Sanzo… it just boggles the mind, you know?”

 

“Don't put unnecessary strain on such a delicate organ, Gojyo, you might hurt yourself.” One of Hakkai's mischievous, slightly malicious half grins was turned on the red head, the ones he wore when he was perfectly aware he had said something rather inappropriate. It made Gojyo feel better, if only a little, and he gave another grin. Things weren't totally right with his world, but… this was close enough for now. “I'll still kick his ass if you need me to, Hakkai.”

 

“The offer's still appreciated. Shall we go inside now?” Turning away towards the door, the monocled man looked over his shoulder. “The film should be starting soon, and the others are waiting.”

 

“Yeah.” The idea of going inside sounded good, and it brought with it the urge to see his own brunet lover's cheerful face. Following his best friend inside, they paused to scan the crowd for familiar faces.

 

“Gojyo! Hakkai! Over here!” Goku called, waving one arm. He was behind a vinyl rope, Hakuryu perched atop his head, and the other arm was overloaded with snacks. Sanzo stood before him, hands still tucked in his sleeves.

 

“What the hell did you do, chimp, buy out the concession stand?” Striding over to them, he stepped over the rope one long leg at a time, then unhooked the clamp for Hakkai to slip through. Glares for cutting in line were duly ignored. “We just ate, for crying out loud.”

 

“It's a little snack for the movie!”

 

“That's not a LITTLE snack!”

+++

 

TBC…

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Yay! Reviewers! Forgive the informality, please!

 

To angelicyoukai: I was wondering when someone would comment about the category thing at mm.org. The following is taken from the mm.org forums' problem list and is used without permission--- my apologies in advance to Moderator Lady Macbeth and Administrator Fanilia. I haven't figured out if each story has to be reported or what, so I'm waiting to see what happens, like if I need to reload the fictions after they get through or what. If I may ask a question, though, and give a comment? I can't tell if you are pointing out what you think is a mistake or being critical; I'm taking it that way, but could you be a little clearer, please? Also, I can't tell if your overall rating is applied just to the category mistake, or to the fiction; please clarify that, too. If I'm making a mistake somewhere, I'd like to correct and learn from it, but sometimes I'm a little slow, so I want as much detail as possible.

 

“It is a bug and the webmaster is working on it. As of this time, I don't know of any fics for Howl's Moving Castle, but if you or anyone has one, please make sure that it's categorized there. There are currently several categories affected by this bug.

 

Thanks for letting us know.

 

-Lady Macbeth, Fan Fiction Moderator”

 

“We used an overwriting process to remove duplicate anime titles. We found out when we got the first report that Saiyuki fictions were appearing as Howel's moving castle; that the fiction associated with the duplicate titles were also being converted in the overwriting process. The webmaster had to create a tool for us to fix these. As of last night we have the tool and will be them. Sorry for the inconvience and thank you so very much to take the time to report what you found.

 

I also merged the two threads about this.

 

Fanilia

Administrator”

 

To Ryoko-onee: Hello again! Thank you so much; for all of it. The further I go with this the more out of character everyone feels. I think it's because the manga and anime are about the journey and not yaoi, so I have no hard core examples I feel safe with on basing Gojyo's more tender mannerisms. I'm glad you like my writing style, too. ^_^ Ah- also, your name seems a little familiar to me; do you have any fictions out there? Like in the Gundam Wing fandom or something? Just curious, and if I'm mistaken, sorry.

 

To jarm: >blush< I know!

 

To TenshiKaitou: Hi! >offers tissues and a paper sack< Thank you very much; I'm glad you enjoyed it. :D

 

To Atocha: `Lo! I think everyone's glad they finally had sex! >slaps self for stupid comment< And I hope you have fun killing things on Diablo! Aren't video games awesome?

 

To Dragon_Phyre: I wouldn't do something as mean as that, at least not on purpose. I'll try to be clearer, okay? Don't worry, there will be more! The muse demands it! Also, should I call you Dragon_Phyre or Angel? I like both; they're cute!

 

To Devi Chan!: Thank you~! Sorry for the late update; I couldn't help it. T_T Hope you like this one, too!

 

To Ren-chan: Thank you so much. This pairing is definitely unique, and I'm writing it because… I can't seem to stop. It's like a compulsion. One of the best yaoi… >blush< eek! XD Thank you! You're welcome! I don't know about learning from me, though. I can be goofy, and no the best example. Sorry for this part being late, I hope you like it.

 

To krimson: I think you can use Paypal to pay directly to Nexcess, or whatever it is, just put in a note that it's for aff.net. I'm really bad and clumsy with numbers, so I tend to do everything the old way, and try to keep notes on everything I spend. Things are going to get better, though, with aff.net; everyone is working hard on it. I was afraid people wouldn't see the update posted in the update section, and pasted together the data that I did and put it up. I know everyone likes aff.net for the freedom of expression it offers, and tries to support it, but it's hard to support it when you don't have all the information you need. ^_^

 

To lady_kail: Thank you very much! I honestly don't know about the foursome thing. I've put notes and requests in to the muse, but she never tells me anything! Something's going on there, I do know that. In fact, this chapter pretty much proves it, I think; I hope you enjoy it. ^_^ Sorry for being late; basically Real Life is interfering again.

 

To Coolbuny234: Ha ha! Thank you, I'm glad you like. I hope you like this one too. For some reason, since I'm not writing from an outline, this fiction comes out faster than the other one I'm working on. I seem to be averaging one a month, or was. Oh, well. More will be coming as soon as I can get it there.

 

To Terry: Hi! Thank you; I don't think they meant to start arguing, but it was the first time, and they are just beginning to learn more of each other's preferences. Heck, they might as well be at the very beginning all over again, since Goku has practically no other experience. How Hakkai and Sanzo react to the noise--- hmmm. :D Funny! I'm putting in a request for that from the muse! I wanna know, too!

 

To Karie Chaos >pats on head< There's more, don't worry. >offers cranberry walnut cookies in place of cell phone< Thank you very much; I think that's a very high compliment indeed. Enjoy this chapter, and rest assured, it's not over yet. ^_~

+++

 

Lady Mother, Lord Father, I offer up these prayers for all that inhabit this earth. Please lessen their burdens, allow them to learn their lessons with a tap on the fender instead of a head on collision, and give them the strength and courage they need to break free of their fears. For all those who linger without a mortal shell, please help them release their regrets and whatever else may keep them tied to this plane. Surround us with white light and send all the angels who can come to watch over us and keep us safe as we sleep. So be it.

~Quirk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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