Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Teaching Goku ❯ A Place Far Away ( Chapter 12 )

Title: A Place Far Away

 

Author: Quirk othe Trade

 

Category: fanfiction

 

Genre: yaoi, lemon, romance, angst, alternate universe.

 

C and CC : Thank you!

 

Warnings: Hands on, angst

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Saiyuki, nor do I make any money of this. I'm like the early cave man worshipping nature through mimicry of the animals.

 

A/N: Merry Solstice, Christmas, and whatever else applies to the holidays for y'all! I've forgotten to mention- besides `Simple and Clean', another song should be included in the roster I listen to while writing on this fiction: `From the Other Side', from the first Saiyuki television series. Look up the lyrics at animelyrics.com if you're curious. ^_^ Sorry this one's so late, y'all, I got sick.

 

Beta: un-betaed

 

Synopsis: There's a sudden change in scenery.

+++

 

(I should have started something,) Gojyo thought irritably as he stared at the ever changing landscape, the end of a cigarette clenched between his lips. It had been only two days since they had left the village of the silver feather but it felt a lot longer than that with everyone at Sanzo's mercies. They hadn't even stopped for the night last night; the blond had ordered them back into the jeep after dinner and they'd been driving ever since, stopping only for restaurants. (Screw trying to put distance between us and the last place Kougaiji saw us; he's trying to keep the monkey away from me so we don't do anything frisky. Last night I swear I saw that little vein in the side of his head popping as steady as a clock when we finally pulled out the blankets and caught some shut eye curled up together.)

 

That thought brought forth a slight pang that he finally decided to ignore; Goku had looked like he was going to protest when he had pulled the brunet close and wrapped him under his own blanket. He had ignored his lover's reaction and growled at him to go to sleep, but the red head remembered it and it didn't sit too well with him. (What, am I an embarrassment in public? Am I a toy for his amusement behind closed doors? It was at night, it was chilly, we were in a moving vehicle, Sanzo and Hakkai were still awake- did he really think I was going to jump his bones or something? Does he really think that low of me? Stupid monkey bastard!)

 

“Ah, there's the next town. Shall we stop for lunch, then?” Hakkai said in an entirely too cheerful voice.

 

(And Hakkai didn't get to sleep at all. Is that any damned way to treat the guy who's hauling your ass across the damned continent, Sanzo Sama? Not to mention sharing your bed? NO!) “How are you holding up, Hakkai? You drove all night.” Shooting a glare at Sanzo, Gojyo flicked his cigarette back behind them on the rutted excuse for a road they were on.

 

“A tad punch drunk, if I do say so,” the green eyed man answered. “Hakuryu is mostly likely worn out, too. We haven't even stopped to water him.”

 

“Hey, you stinking, no good priest, we've gone far enough. It's time to stop and at least let Jeep and Hakkai rest.”

 

“We'll stop when I say so.” Sanzo answered imperiously. He didn't even look over at the crimson eyed man to glare. Then again, he'd been having a little trouble looking at Gojyo for any length of time longer than three seconds since he'd tried to steal Goku's kiss from him.

 

“You ran us out of that last village as soon as you heard that the damned bridge was open- we only got to enjoy the festival for an hour because of you! We didn't even stop for supplies, just handed the house key to the waitress and took off. Now you're trying to run Hakkai and the parrot ragged just to put distance between us and Kougaiji?! Give it a fucking rest- we need to stop, you fake ass priest!”

 

“Don't try to tell me what to do, you waste of skin-“

 

“What are you going to do if Jeep gets sick and we have to stop and wait for him to rest, eh?!”

 

“Sanzo, I think we should at least stop for the rest of the day.” Hakkai broke in reasonably. “No youkai have tried to attack us since we left the village behind, so I think it's safe to say we'll be meeting some soon. I won't be much help in a battle if I'm exhausted, and we need to consult the locals on the conditions in this region. We're nearly to the territory over the last one, and the young man at the book store warned us about youkai being active there.”

 

“… Fine. It's time to feed the bottomless monkey, too.”

 

Gojyo glanced sideways at Goku, who had been unusually silent during the entire exchange. He was staring out at the passing landscape, too, head turned away and chin propped on one hand. The brunet seemed far away, and Gojyo found himself wishing, if only for a moment, that they had had one last night in their own room. (That's the thing I hate: you get used to sleeping with someone and then when they aren't there even for one night, it seems all wrong and you can't sleep good.)

 

Pulling out the cigarettes, he tapped one out and caught it in his lips. Then he dug in his pocket for his lighter, thoughts drifting back to last night. (Damned monkey, like he hasn't used me for a pillow before when we're on the move. He sprawls all over the place.)

 

“Ah ha ha, there's the next town.” Hakkai called out. “Shall we eat first, or find an inn?”

 

“Huh? Food, food! Let's eat first!” Goku, his attention caught, leaned forward between the two seats.

 

“Sit back, monkey. If you salivate on me, I'm using you for target practice.”

 

(Sanzo… I haven't told Goku about Sanzo yet. Sanzo's the one who's most precious to him. If he knows Sanzo wants him… what will he do?) “Only for target practice? Our great Sanzo Sama must be worn out, too.”

 

“Hey, cockroach, when we hit town, why don't you use those antennae to find us a good restaurant?” Goku, sitting back, grinned widely at him.

 

“They're not antennae! Besides, all we have to do is put you on a leash and let you follow your nose, you monkey with a stomach for a brain.”

 

The town was quickly coming into view, people busy in the streets. There was a ring of statues surrounding the town some hundreds of feet out, representations of the local town guardians past and present. They passed between two situated on either side of the road, and there was no zing, no trickle of energy across the skin. (Is that supposed to work on youkai? It doesn't work on us.)

 

Hakkai slowed as they entered past the first buildings, and edged through the crowd of staring pedestrians. He stopped, the Jeep idling, and spoke to the nearest person, a tall young man carrying packages for an older woman. “Excuse me; can you direct us to the nearest inn and restaurant?”

 

The youth look startled, and the woman, gray haired and handsome, answered him, pointing. “The nearest restaurant and inn is there, the `Flying Crane'. The service there is good, and they've got their own baths.”

 

“Thank you very much.”

 

The pair wandered off on their way, and everyone bailed out in the Jeep. Reaching in for the bags, Gojyo snagged Hakkai's, Sanzo's, and the supply bag, Goku beating him to their bags tucked further back under the seat. Their eyes met for a moment before Hakuryu transformed back into his usual dragon form.

 

(What was that look for?)

 

“Let's check in and then go eat,” The emerald eyed man suggested, holding an arm out for his weary pet. Leading the way, Sanzo behind him, the older brunet was wasting no time making a bee line for the indicated building. Bringing up the rear with Goku, Gojyo followed, feeling a faint rumble in his stomach. (Food is a good idea.)

 

They pushed in past the front doors and filed in to be greeted by a red velvet panel decorated with an elaborate embroidered dragon. To their right was a check in desk and a welcoming clerk, on the left a dining area.

 

“Welcome to our inn and tavern, will you be staying with us tonight? Or are you interested in a good meal?” The clerk asked with a smile, a beautiful, petite young man with dark eyes and hair.

 

“We'd like a room please, four people, and lunch.” Hakkai smiled wearily at him, and the clerk turned away to pull keys from the hooks behind him. “Of course, sir, if you'll just sign in?”

 

Hakkai picked up the pen and inked their names into the hard bound registry book. Setting the four keys on the polished wood top for them to pick up, he picked up the book as soon as the older brunet was done and read over their names as he began the spiel of accommodations. “All bedrooms are on the top floor just up the stairs to my right; the baths are here on the first floor under the stairs to my right- San-zo? P-priest S-san-“

 

“Ah, please keep it quiet. We won't be here long enough for much of anything, as we're trying to reach our destination with all due haste.” Hakkai cut in, waving a hand. “The baths are downstairs of the guest rooms, you were saying?”

 

“Y-yes, sir. Yes… and the water closets are clearly marked everywhere. Behind you to the left is the tavern and dining area. Food is served up to midnight, and the bar closes at two. If there's anything else you need, just ask me- I'm Hiroyoshi- or any of the other employees.”

 

“Then show us our room already so we can eat,” Gojyo cut in. “We've been on the road forever and we want to eat and rest for a while before we do it all over again. You know?”

 

“Certainly- Minako, please take these gentlemen up to their room, number twelve.” Catching a young woman coming down the stairs with a load of used linen, the clerk hurried from behind the desk and took it from her. “I'll hold these; I can't leave the desk until Uncle comes back.”

 

“Okay, Oniichan.” Minako looked maybe seventeen with smooth skin and wide brown eyes, her hair pulled back in a flowing ponytail that fell almost to her waist. She handed off the laundry basket over to him and turned to their guests with a bow. “Room twelve, right? This way, please.”

 

“Thank you.” They followed her up the stairs and down the hall to the left, following the numbered doors as much as their petite guide. The numbers were neatly and clearly stenciled in black across the doors, the water closets in white. Their room was the last one on the right before the next flight of stairs to the next floor, and Minako paused to take Hakkai's key and open the door for them.

 

“Please enjoy your stay. Just ask if you need anything; I'm Minako.” She bowed with a small flourish.

 

“Minako… you're not Chinese, are you?” Gojyo asked, the others filing into the room ahead of him. “Not with a name like that.”

 

“Our mother was Chinese and married our father, who was Japanese. My brother and I came to live with our uncle after they died in an accident.” She answered matter of factly.

 

“Well, you still have your brother and uncle, right?”

 

The maid blinked, then smiled. “That's right. Well, I should go finish my chores. You guys have a good stay, okay?” Giving a small wave, she darted around them back down the hall.

 

Grinning, Gojyo turned into the doorway of their room only to be brought up short by a narrowed eyed glare from Goku, who was seated on one of the beds across form the door. “What?”

 

“Quit flirting with other people, you pervert kappa!”

 

“I wasn't flirting! I was making an observation and making nice to the help. You get better service if you're nice to the help, you know.” Pulling the door shut, the red head took the room in, absorbing the brief details. White washed walls, a couple of paintings and a wall clock here and there, three beds against the far wall and the fourth lengthwise across from them all. The one window was above the middle bed, and small nightstands were crammed between the three. An even smaller one crammed between the lengthwise bed and the one nearest it. Everything looked clean, and the mismatched quilts on the beds looked warm and handmade. (We've been in worse places.)

 

Sanzo had already picked the most isolated bed, Hakkai had taken the bed in the corner farthest from the door, and Goku was still perched on the end of the middle one eyeing him suspiciously, their bags forgotten behind him. Gojyo moved to drop the baggage on their respective owners' beds, and left the supply bag at the foot of Hakkai's bed. “Are you up to eating, Hakkai? Or do you want to take a nap?”

 

The green eyed brunet didn't look sleepy, but his movements were slow as he sat up a little straighter, Hakuryu in his arms. “Eat. I dare say Goku's stomach is need of placating, and Hakuryu will sleep better if he eats first.”

 

“We'll stay until tomorrow,” Sanzo broke in, pulling the cigarette from his mouth. “We'll talk to the locals and gather supplies. You, kappa, don't go too far. Kougaiji can still find us since we're so close to our last location.”

 

Gojyo arched an eyebrow and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yes, Sanzo Sama. Whatever you say, Sanzo Sama.”

 

“And you two behave; I don't want to see anything untoward.”

 

Crimson and violet glares clashed, and then Gojyo grinned. “We'll be as discrete as you and Hakkai ever were, oh great Sanzo Sama.” The red head had the pleasure of seeing Sanzo grit his teeth, a murderous glint entering his eyes as the blond snap the cigarette between his fingers. Reaching for his own pack of smokes, he tapped one out and gripped it between his lips as he turned away and winked at a wide eyed, pink Goku. He lit up as he opened the door. “Let's go eat.”

+++

 

“Call. Three of a kind.” The long haired man across from Gojyo flipped his cards and looked inquiringly at the red head. The other two men waited expectantly for the round to conclude, sipping their beers. Gojyo laid his cards down and fanned them out. “Full house.”

 

“Damn it! That's the fifth time in a row you've won!” The man cried out. “And you've only been playing a couple of hours.”

 

“What- I thought I just barely sat down. Is it that late already?” Looking back at the clock over the bar, he clicked his tongue. These guys had been good for the money and the amusement, though he couldn't remember their names again to save his soul. Gojyo picked up his cigarette from where it had been smoldering quietly in the ashtray and gratefully inhaled the nicotine. “Fuck, it's already heading towards eleven. Sorry, guys, but my group wants to leave early in the morning so I need to go onto bed now.”

 

“Where you headed to, Red?” asked the man to Gojyo's left, who had his hair trimmed in a buzz cut. He'd been the one the red haired kappa had approached about a game of cards in the first place. The fact that he called him `Red' was a clue that he probably couldn't remember Gojyo's name, either.

 

“West, always west.” Picking up his tankard, he knocked back a couple of gulps before indulging in his cigarette again. “You guys heard anything on the street?”

 

“Well, there has been some youkai activity out that way.” The man on the right- was his name Wei?- set down his third beer and tucked his chin in his hand as he thought. “The youkai aren't the same any more, you have to look out for them. Used to be friendly like, but now, they'd kill you soon as look at you. It's a damned shame, because the ones that came to trade with our town did good work, on furniture and household goods and stuff. Quality stuff that never wears out, you know what I mean?”

 

“Damned shame, that.” Gojyo agreed, and took another swallow. He had about three mouthfuls left.

 

“Hey, that Li Hua over there's been eyeing you ever since she came in. Why don't you go on over and say hi or something? She's over at the bar in the white dress.” Buzz Cut leaned in, whispering as if he were sharing a big secret- which in his mind, he probably was. He'd had the most to drink out of all of them.

 

“No can do, man, I'll have to pass. I'm attached to someone right now.” Swallowing down the remains of his beer as gracefully as possible, he set the emptied glass down and stubbed out his smoke.

 

“You got yourself a lady stashed somewhere?” Long Hair asked.

 

“Something like that- a cute little brunet airhead.” Gojyo grinned, leaving them their illusions. Reaching for the pot in the middle of the table, he divided it and left half of what he didn't pocket on the table. “Here, have a round on me, since I have to leave early and all.”

 

“You serious about calling it an evening?”

 

“Yeah. Sorry about not giving you a chance to win anything back.” (Not that I'd let you win, not with the winning streak I was having.) Standing up, he gave weight to his retreat as he stretched.

 

“Thanks, Red, damned nice of you. If you're in these parts again, come see us.”

 

“Will do, everyone. Good night.” Two beers stretched thin left his legs as steady as ever as he turned and made his way across the tavern floor. There were plenty of people left eating meals and drinking, and at the bar was the woman the guys had tried to direct his attention to, drinking heavily and alone. He avoided eye contact with her; people who drank alone tended to be a little too weird when they were deep into their cups, in his book.

 

The red head made his way up the stairs and down the long hall. Making sure he had his room key in his hand as he approached, he entered their room as quickly and silently as possible. He shed his vest and bandana after locking the door back and dropped it all at the foot of his bed, then sat down and kicked off his shoes. In the darkened room, Goku was facing away from his bed, and he let himself stare for a moment at the back of his spiky head before getting into bed.

 

(It's going to be lonely sleeping tonight.) Curling on his side facing the wall, he found himself leaving enough space for another person in front of him. (I should have drunk more beer. I would have gone to sleep faster.)

 

He was drifting off when he heard movement behind him. It continued, and he ignored it in his pursuit of sleep, and when it stopped, Gojyo bolted awake at Hakkai's stage whisper. “Goku?”

 

“…Nn?”

 

“Goku, go to him.”

 

“Ah.”

 

There was a rustling of bed clothes, and Gojyo flipped around to find Goku standing there between their beds looking uncertain and sleepy, a hand outstretched. Fighting off a goofy grin, the red head scooted over and pulled the covers back. Goku settled down beside him, and he tucked the blankets in behind the brunet's back as strong arms wrapped around his neck. His lover inhaled, nose buried against his shirt front, and the stray thought crossed Gojyo's mind that maybe Goku was checking if he'd been around any women. Closing his eyes and pulling Goku close with his arms wrapped around that slender waist, he smiled. (It's all right. I guess it just means we don't trust each other so much yet.)

 

Lips brushed against his collarbone softly, and he returned it against the crown of his lover's head. He whispered, much softer than Hakkai had, “Go to sleep now.”

 

A wiggle was his only reply.

+++

 

His sense for self preservation kicked in, and Gojyo found himself suddenly awake in bed, Goku still curled up in his arms instead of sprawled over him. Squinting past his eyelashes, he could see Sanzo sitting up in bed dressed in the black silks, his first cigarette burning in his mouth. The blond was staring at them, a contemplative, quiet look on his face.

 

“Mm… Sanzo?” The green eyed man sat up and passed a hand over his eyes. “What's wrong?”

 

“Nothing's wrong. Just wondering what the hell he's thinking.”

 

“Who, Goku?”

 

“Both.”

 

(See that? Sanzo only talks to Hakkai like that, like he's an equal or something. Hakkai's usually the only one who can ask a question and get a decent answer.)

 

Hakkai slipped the monocle over his right eye and turned to look at them. “Ah ha ha, Sanzo, it's rude to talk about someone when they're awake.”

 

A blond brow arched, and a narrowed violet gaze had Gojyo opening his eyes all the way and sitting up slightly on an elbow. “Since when is our Sanzo Sama polite, Hakkai?”

 

The blond priest gave him a glare filled with death, and he carefully sat up the rest of the way and stretched. Beside him, Goku wiggled closer until he was tucked up against the red head's side, and Gojyo smoothed a hand over his rumpled hair. “I'm only going to tell you this: We're taking it one day at a time. Anyway, I'm to hit the shower.”

 

“Did you learn anything last night while you were out?” The emerald eyed man asked as he wiggled out of the bed clothes while trying to keep from disturbing the sleeping monkey.

 

“There's some youkai activity west of here, but I didn't find much else out.” Standing on the mattress, he stepped to the end of the bed and down beside his bag on the floor. Sliding into his vest, he felt for the pockets and nodded when he felt the lump of fabric that was his favorite bandana.

 

There was a groan from the bed, and the three men froze before looking at the bed. Goku flipped around, a sleepy frown on his face, and sat up rubbing his eyes. “Gojyo?”

 

“Right here. I'm going to go take a bath.” (Shoes, shoes…) He fumbled into his boots.

 

“I'll go with you!” Goku exclaimed, and scrambled out of the bed to grab his pants, neatly folded on top of his bag. He tugged them on over his sleep shorts.

 

“You took a bath last night.” Sanzo said blandly.

 

“You shouldn't discourage a child from practicing good habits,” chided Hakkai. There was a tiny peep, and Hakuryu uncurled from his ball at the head of the bed to stretch lazily.

 

“You could sleep a little more. It's… barely five-thirty.”

 

“I want to go with you.” The brunet picked up his bag as he shoved his feet into his shoes.

 

“Fine.” Gojyo picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder.

 

“There are soaps in the bath.”

 

“Thanks, Hakkai. Let's go, monkey.” Goku preceding him out the door, Gojyo nodded to the older brunet as they left.

 

They were silent as they made their way down the hall and the stairs, their footsteps echoing on the hardwood floor. The gold eyed brunet was still rubbing sleep from his eyes as he trailed slightly behind. There was a different person manning the desk, a beefy man that was probably more bouncer than clerk. They exchanged nods as Gojyo kept Goku from running into the doorway, and tugged him into the bath. Following the signs, they made their way to the men's side after a detour to the toilets.

 

Inside the changing room was quiet and every sound they made echoed softly as they exchanged their clothes for towels. Passing through the heavy glass doorway, the bathing area was just as quiet but for the drip of a faucet somewhere and every surface gleamed. The scents of herbal soaps lingered in the air over the bleach and vinegar that the night crew had used to clean the room. High up on the walls were various shells pressed into cement blocks. On one side were western type shower stalls complete with shell curtains, and on the other were the traditional ones with soaps and bottles lined up on the ledge. At the far end were the soaking pools, one hot and one cool.

 

“Pretty nice bath room.” His voice was loud even low. Looking sideways at the silent monkey, the red head tipped his head inquiringly. “What's wrong? You're so quiet.”

 

“…Nothing. It's just strange all of a sudden.” He didn't look at the red haired kappa as he spoke.

 

Grinning, Gojyo brought up one hand and rumpled Goku's hair, making him look up at him. “All I did last night was play a few rounds of poker with some guys. You smelled me when I got in, right? All there was, was cigarettes and beer.”

 

Eyes widening, one hand rose to rub at the back of his neck as Goku looked away. “I didn't doubt you.”

 

“Stupid, you can ask me. It's okay to wonder where I went.” Stepping away and heading for a western shower, he pulled a shower curtain aside and stepped in. He started to pull the curtain closed, but Goku stepped in behind him. “What are you doing?”

 

“No one's here and I want to touch you.” A determined look crossed over Goku's face as he pulled the curtain shut. Gojyo felt an expression of astonishment cross his face. “Are you crazy-“

 

“We don't have to do anything like that! Just- I want-“

 

(Oh. Oh!) “Never mind, I get it. Now let me ask you a question.” Pulling off his towel and draping it over the rail, he reached back and turned on the water. “What's your definition of the `homo thing'?”

 

“Umm- two guys who do it together.”

 

“And you realize that if anyone walks in, you'll be embarrassed to death?” He stepped back into the warming spray and watched as Goku shed his towel and looped it over the opposite rack. Gold eyes dilated as they fastened on the red head under the shower's spray.

 

“We'll be gone before noon anyway.”

 

They were silent after that, hands busy. Gojyo had bathed with lovers before, but it had never been so tense, nerve wracking- AROUSING. His heart pounded in his chest as he shampooed around the golden coronet and soaped the sensitive skin, knelt on his knees trailing foamy bubbles down his lover's legs. Hard hands slid slickly across his skin and worked the lather through the long crimson strands. Hurrying did nothing but build the tension faster. It was hard to keep it from turning sexual, especially with the way Goku kept gazing at him. By the time they were done, froth draining away in a tiny whirlpool, they both were harder than hell and they hadn't even exchanged a single kiss.

 

“Gojyo…” His lover was hoarse, definite need threaded with arousal in his tone. Heavy lidded eyes allowed only a hint of the shining brandy color through.

 

“…Fuck it.” Swooping down, Gojyo kissed Goku hard and maneuvered him up against one of the walls all at once. He slid back down on his knees before the brunet, lips brushing down the slender torso. “I'll take care of it, don't worry.”

 

Whatever Goku was going to say came out strangled because the red head swallowed him down, lips parted and large hands gripping his hips to hold him still for the moment. Tongue lapping roughly, nipping with his teeth, Gojyo shivered as the brunet buried his hands in his hair, gripping tightly. Already tasting the salty beginning of pearls, the kappa bobbed his head quickly, one hand reaching to fondle the silken sack his bottom lip continually caressed. It was rough and quick, Goku's breath harsh under the sound of the water spray, and it didn't take long before he was crying out. His release was scalding hot on Gojyo's tongue, and it was difficult to swallow without spilling; the brunet had climaxed as his cock was sliding out of his red haired lover's mouth.

 

The gold eyed brunet's knees chose that moment to give out, and Gojyo found himself guiding his suddenly boneless lover down to the floor, Goku's grip on his hair gone. “You okay? You're red from your forehead to your belly button.”

 

“Yeah.” Goku paused, breathing heavily as he leaned back against the wall. He was unashamed in his sprawling posture, staring off in the distance almost blindly past Gojyo's shoulder. “Thanks.”

 

`Welcome.” Letting the other man go, the red head clasped his own erect flesh. Closing his eyes and stroking quickly- almost frantically- he recalled the last time he'd been buried in his lover's body. He was closer to the edge than he had thought, the tension coiling low in his body as he replayed the lush events in his mind, the sound of his name chanted low on his lover's lips as strong legs held him close.

 

Lips brushed his, then came back for a more thorough kiss and almost startled him from that night. Then the lips retreated, and Goku spoke softly, mouth hovering at Gojyo's ear. “All I wanted to do every time you were near me was touch you, and I keep having these thoughts.” A familiar hand slid under his scrotum, fingers rubbing gently, and crimson eyes snapped open to meet shining gold as a second hand wrapped around his own. “I keep thinking… about how you fuck me, and I wonder how it'll feel when I finally fuck you.”

 

The sudden image of Goku above him, penetrating him with fingers and cock, struck him dumb for a moment, and the breathy moan that started to fall from his lips was caught in his lover's mouth. Climaxing unexpectedly and hard, vision whitening out, he felt strong arms catch him as he lost his balance.

 

He drifted for a bit before his soul reconnected with his body, and when he did, it was to find himself lying against Goku's chest, the brunet's heartbeat steady under his ear. “Goku?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

(The water's still warm. How big a hot water heater do they have?) “If we don't get out soon we're going to look like dried plums.”

 

“Yeah. Can you stand up?”

 

“Let's see.” Pushing away from him reluctantly, Gojyo climbed to his feet like an old man and Goku rose before him, thighs and belly spattered and smeared with milky white. Under the spray of the water, they cleaned each other off, but the red haired kappa filed away that image for later contemplation along with its accompanying sense of possessive satisfaction. (I'm not even going to question it. As far as I'm concerned, it's just another thing that makes me want to know why it's different with him.)

 

Exchanging a kiss, they exited the shower after turning off the water and donning their towels. They returned to the locker room and finished drying off before getting dressed, and the clock on the wall read a few minutes past six. The red head had to drag his eyes away from it to tug on fresh clothes. (No way- that shower took a fucking lifetime. It can't have been that short.)

 

When he was pulling his shoes back on seated on the bench, he made the mistake of making eye contact with his lover. For a moment they stared at each other before flushing and looking away. (And now I'm acting like a damned virgin around him. What the fuck's happening to me?)

 

“I want to fuck you.” Head snapping up, Gojyo found Goku fully dressed and fixated on him, eyes wide, honest and hard. “I want to make you feel what I feel, and I want to know what you feel. It doesn't have to be soon or anything, but I wanted you to know.”

 

“Why did you act all weird that last night in Jeep?” (Especially if you want to be near me and touch me like you say.)

 

“I was afraid I'd do something wrong.” Goku came to him and sat sideways on his lap, accepting the long arms that wrapped around him. “It's scary how much I want to touch you. Sometimes I wonder if maybe this was a good idea, even. But then I remember how you touch me and then it's not scary at all, I just want more of it.”

 

(…He belongs with Sanzo. This feeling he has, it belongs to Sanzo who's so precious to him and that's who he should be telling this to.) The sudden feeling of inadequacy that crashed down on Gojyo was nothing new, but it had only been this strong where his mother had been concerned. Pulling the warm form against his chest, he forced himself to smile as he buried his face in the damp locks of red and gold shot brown. “You've got it. Until you don't want it anymore, you've got it.”

 

Goku tensed in his arms, vibrating suddenly. “Gojyo?”

 

“Let's go. Hakkai and Sanzo are probably ready by now.” Turning the brunet loose and urging him off his lap, he reached for his bag and slung it over his shoulder. Starting for the door, he paused and looked back when he realized there was no monkey behind him. “Goku?”

 

He was staring at him again, an almost sad look on his face. “You're not talking to me again, and you're keeping secrets. It's like you're somewhere far away I can't go.”

 

For a moment the red head thought about laughing it off, making a joke- he meant to. But that was not what came out of his mouth. “This is one place I don't ever want you having to go.”

+++

 

It was much later, and the wind was chilling down with the setting sun. The next village was a day and a half away, and they had fought two rounds with attacking youkai.

 

“We'll be driving a little farther then we'll stop for the night,” Hakkai called over the roar of the engine and the rush of the tires. “But you guys can get out the blankets and try to sleep now if you wish.”

 

Goku ducked down and felt under the lip of the seat for the blankets, handing them up as he found them. He tucked the last two in the space just behind the clutch where the front seat passengers could reach them, then shook his out with a certain amount of ceremony.

 

Gojyo blinked, confused, as the blanket was draped over the one he'd already tucked around himself. Gold eyes laughed at him, and then he found a monkey under the blankets with him. “Go to sleep, Gojyo.”

 

Looking up involuntarily at the rear view mirror with a feeling of eminent doom, he found two pairs of eyes watching them quietly, carefully.

 

Sanzo flicked the butt of his cigarette away. “Go to sleep, Gojyo.”

+++

 

TBC…

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Some of the reviews are missing due to the recent mishap at AFF.Net. I've only managed to recover one- Lady Kail's. If you reviewed and it got erased and I don't answer, I apologize. >bow, bow<

 

jarm- Thanks! Glad you liked it. ^_^

 

Angel- Don't worry about it; I'm just glad everyone feels like they can say what they want and need to. And vacations are good for you!

 

Krimson- Hi, and thank you for the compliment. I wonder if anyone else is ready to see Gojyo as uke? Hummm. The muse is evil, and Hakkai and Sanzo are just encouraging her, though there are two plots for this story: one changing partners and one not. I'm leaning toward not, and trying to save the other to be written later if everyone would be interested. Oh, and neither Sanzo nor Hakkai have ever struck me as exclusively uke, but rather turn takers.

 

Rayvenfire2005- Here you go! ^_^

 

KaosD- I don't know about that, but we'll just have to see, won't we?

 

Braeca- Thank you so much for your observations- they tell me so much, and I love hearing your interpretation of my work. Everyone's point of view is different, you know, and it's just so interesting. The stretching- I think the muse is assuming Gojyo was taught by a woman rather than a man, and on top of that, the research we did indicated that each time the act is performed, small rips occur in the lining. There'll probably be more on this late; the muse seems to like putting these kinds of things in here, there and yonder. As long as everyone enjoys, I'm satisfied.

 

Jaina- >hands over tissue< Glad you like- enjoy!

 

Anonymous- Here you go!

 

BloodyBunny- Thank you! I don't know so much about beta-ing, though. I seem to run betas off.-_-;; If you want though, pick one and send it in with your beta-ing, we'll go over it, and when we're both satisfied, we'll do a repost with you as the beta.

 

lady_kail- Thank you! I hope you like this one, too. ^_^

 

fuzzybunnytoo- ^_^ I'm glad you enjoyed my fiction. Gojyo can be very sweet and warm, and we'll see soon enough the reactions of Hakkai and Sanzo. Pocky is excellent stuff. ^_~ Everybody should have try it if only once. I hope you enjoy this chapter, too.

 

Devi Chan- It's here when you're ready to read, so don't worry. Thanksgiving was the usual family circus. The pet name- that will probably be a future issue, if I know the muse. Yaoi Con!! >squeals happily< And you won the opening raffle? That's so cool! I've never heard of Haru Wo Daiteita or Youka Nitta, but I'll definitely be looking it up because of your description. The last two things I read was `Alone in my King's Harem'- fucking AWESOME artwork and plot- and `Beyond my Touch', which had very cute, detailed plots along with equally cute and detailed artwork. I might be going to A-Kon in Dallas next year with my sister; we'll see. Safe and happy holidays to you, too!

 

Ryoko-onee- LOL. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

 

ChessyKat- Thank you.^_^ Though, there are people out there who'd disagree with you about it being well written and original. I don't know that Sanzo and Gojyo will be fighting over Goku, but I hope things will be pleasing for you anyway.

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There's a light shining in everyone's hearts. I believe in that light, because it proves we're human.