Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Teaching Goku ❯ A Bad Dream pt one ( Chapter 18 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Quirk 
Guys getting...? Kanon Bosastu can be mean...
Anime/Manga: Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Angst | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.17.2006 | Pages: 5 | Words: 6.3K | Visits: 1.9K | Status: Completed
Guys getting...? Kanon Bosastu can be mean...
Anime/Manga: Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Angst | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.17.2006 | Pages: 5 | Words: 6.3K | Visits: 1.9K | Status: Completed
A Bad Dream, pt. one
Author: Quirk othe Trade
Category: fan fiction
Genre: Yaoi, lemon, romance, angst
Rating: 17 and up, or mature minds
C&C: Thank you in advance. quirkothetrade@yahoo.com, or http://blog.myspace.com/quirkyqchan
Warnings: Um.. No lemon this time… Kanon Bosatsu meaness… male pregnancy issues…
Disclaimer: I don’t own Saiyuki except for what they’re willing to sell, which doesn’t include the copy right or the manga ka. Major bummer…
A/N: Sorry for the lateness. (bow,bow) I finally checked my IM thingies and I apologize for not answering, y’all. I just haven’t had time for much of anything past family and work for months now. It’s kind of why the chapters have been late these past few months- I’ve been a bit distracted.
I don’t like the Saiyuki Reload so far. The new English voice actors aren’t so bad, but the whole thing seems a little blah. The background music is a little blah, some of the animation works seems weird to me, and I really wish I would/could stop comparing it to the manga. Homura and company aren’t even in the manga or something like that, which is just un-cool. I like Homura and his band of merry men.
A-Kon was huge- awesome, intimidating, just… tons of flipping adjectives that escape me. I found a doujinshi called ‘Happy Dance!’ that features Gojyo x Goku. I’m not very good with translating or Japanese, so the translating is giving me a fit. It’s so hard. T_T I got my picture taken with my Myth bag and got a free Myth tee shirt. THAT was weird, but cool. The cosplay costumes blew me away, they were so awesome. I feel I have no right to claim otaku-ship- I am just a lowly wannabe.
This chapter is, like, the chapter from hell. Since I feel like it’s too freaking long, I’m dividing it up, y’all. If some things seem weird or off center, there’s a reason, so just wait for it.
Last note: I’m mainly using the my space blog as an update system, though I want to have fun with it, too. We’ll just see what happens. -_-
Beta: Un- beta- ed
Dedicated to: my Anee Chan, who dragged me to A-Kon and put up with all my agoraphobic bull crap during the entire trip. Thank you. (bow, bow) Much love to you! (smooch!)
Synopsis: Guys getting…? Kanon Bosatsu can be mean…
+++
“Man, it’s so boring. What’s with all the dead trees?” Goku was slung over the side of Jeep, covered over with a blanket. Dust plumbed from the vehicle’s wheels in a fine, all pervading mist that the blankets couldn‘t stop completely. Sprawled sideways in his corner under his own cover, Gojyo could just make out the swaying spiky strands protruding from under the dune colored cloth from the corner of his eye as he stared sleepily at the sky over their leader’s hidden head. (Bastard. Fake ass monk. He just had to drink the last beer last night.)
“It’s a side effect of the craziness.” Sanzo grunted from the front. Dead trees and equally dead underbrush hindered the forward view, a dead wall of degraded browns, grays and blacks. “It’s not just effecting the youkai, it’s effecting the land as well. We‘ve already seen shit like this.”
The younger brunet sighed heavily and leaned back, half sprawling over Gojyo’s legs. “When are we getting to the next town? I’m hungry.”
“Soon- sometime after sundown, Goku. Just be patient, please.” Hakkai said. “We’ve got just a few more hours to go.”
“But I’m huuuuuuuuuungry. Are you sure there isn’t any place to stop and eat?” Goku sat up, and the red head grunted in protest at being used as a piece of furniture.
“Get off me, monkey.”
“What?” He asked, not really paying attention, eyes fixated on the brunet in the front seat. “Please, Hakkai?“
“Soon, Goku. Are you done napping, Gojyo?”
“I was asleep?”
There was a sudden break in the dead trees, and the light was blinding in that instant, making everything look like a mirage. Before them on the right side was a small inn and tavern that looked forsaken out in the middle of nowhere, the signs advertising food, water and beds faded with age. The buildings, if worn, were sturdy looking and in good repair, and the trees beginning around it and continuing west were normal and healthy.
“Food, food! Let‘s stop!” Goku wasted no time in flinging off the cover.
“I’m sorry, Goku, just hold on a little bit longer.”
“Can’t we stop, Hakkai, please? Food? Please?”
“We’ll stop soon and I’ll cook something. How about that?” The green eyed man asked, cutting off a trend. “The choices are beef stew with rice and beef stew with rice. Which would you like?”
“Beef stew with rice!” The inn was by passed without further protest.
“And you, Gojyo?”
“Beer.”
“Ah ha ha- you’re still not pouting that Sanzo drank the last one last night, are you?”
“Who’s pouting? It was the last damned beer!” Sitting up, he glowered at Sano’s profile. The blond flipped the bird serenely over his shoulder.
“You drink too much anyways,” Goku said, and Gojyo turned the glare on him. Gold eyes were dancing wildly. (Starting a fight on purpose? He must be bored.) “Shut it, stupid monkey. You can’t even drink yet. You don’t know what you’re missing out on.”
Goku’s expression changed. “I KNOW what I miss out on when you drink, you drunken kappa!”
For the first time in a long time, Gojyo felt a surge of warmth in his cheeks, mostly from… something. He was so startled that his words were stuck on his tongue. (What the fuck? That damned monkey- is he trying to get me shot?)
“Don’t start flirting unless you want to visit Hell,” Sanzo’s voice was all warning, a club of protruding nails. “Just sit still and shut up.”
The words on his tongue rearranged themselves. “What? Shit head monk, like what he said had anything to do with our bed.”
“It’s not that hard to figure out, you lying, sexually harassing kappa. Just sit down and shut up, the both of you.”
The next hour and a half passed in a blur of rude, fast responses tossed back and forth and ultimately ended in such violent harisen whacking that it had Hakkai pulling over for fear of Sanzo falling out of the vehicle. The emerald eyed brunet laughed as he bailed from Jeep and headed for a small clearing just visible from the road, a ring of blackened stones and strategically placed logs giving testimony as to its use as a stopping point. “Aha ha ha- perhaps we should stop, for dinner at least. Goku, Gojyo, if you’d be so kind as to find the spring that the maps says is located near here and bring back water for the rice? When Sanzo’s done taking his frustrations out on the two of you, of course. In the meanwhile, I’ll make a fire and start the stew.”
“Hakkai, you’re a traitor, leaving us to deal with his Pissy-ness all alone!” Gojyo yelled as he ducked out of the way. Then he half rolled, half fell over the edge, tiny stones digging painfully into the palm of the hand he slapped out to stop his ungraceful dismount. “What damned spring? And you’re the one with the map!”
Goku sped past him after Hakkai, and Gojyo cursed as he stood up to follow him.
“Hakuryu! We’re over here, if you’ll please join us.”
There was an eager chirp beside him, and Jeep transformed into his normal serpentine self. The tiny white dragon flew after his master, leaving only an arm’s length between kappa and priest. Violet eyes glared balefully, and Gojyo put himself in motion to get away from the blond, muttering under his breath about traitorous uncaring friends and fan happy monks.
“What world are you from to expect any different?” Sanzo said from behind him in a low voice. “You can’t imagine anything else, so this is what you get, moron.”
“Fuck off,” He muttered back, and called out, “Hey, Hakkai, show me the map so I can find the water.”
The brunet pulled the folded sheet of paper from the inside of his tunic as he seated himself on a log. “Actually, we may need fresh water for the stew, as well. Even cleaned and scoured flasks leave a strange taste to water after a day of travel… here we are. We’re about HERE, and the spring is roughly somewhere north east of here, that way.” Hakkai pointed helpfully. “It’s hard to tell, but I think it’s about four or five hundred yards away. It shouldn‘t be hard to find.”
Goku peered over the edge of the map as Gojyo stepped past to look over the shoulder not occupied by Hakuryu. It was one of those topography maps, the kind that the red head found slightly harder to understand than regular maps. He reached forward and touched the dot he thought the emerald eyed man meant. “You mean this little dot? Are you sure that’s a spring?”
“A-ah, though there doesn’t appear to be a name for it. It’s a little odd, considering how most bodies of water have some story attached to it.”
Goku’s attention had shifted to the other brunet’s face, and he was staring hard enough that it caught the kappa’s attention. “What’s wrong, monkey?”
Gold eyes flickered at him before sticking to him. “Nothing.” He straightened and stepped back. “Let’s get the thermoses and stuff and go. I’ll find the water with my nose if it means I get to eat!”
“Hakuryu, if you’d be so kind as to transform and let us retrieve our bags? Thank you.” Sanzo settled on the log opposite all of their commotion and pulled out his cigarettes for a smoke, silently observing them with bland violet eyes as they retrieved the luggage. Hakkai dug out the kidney shaped rice pots and water flasks. “Oh my, I forgot that we didn’t fill the rest of the canteens.” He shook the largest one to gauge its fullness. “And this one’s two thirds empty. We definitely need to find that spring.”
Goku snapped up the pots, leaving the thermoses for Gojyo. “Then let’s go!”
+++
“Damned spring. Where the hell is it?” Twenty minutes of fruitless searching was irritating the hell out of the red head. “It’s not that damned far and it shouldn’t be that hard to find.”
Goku ignored him as he trudged ahead and off to the left through the trees.
“Hey, monkey, what’s with the quiet? Usually you’re so noisy.”
“Shut up, pervert kappa. I just concentrating on finding the water so we can eat, and I’m thirsty. When we find that spring, I’m drinking lots and lots of water. And then we‘ll get to eat food!”
“Just leave some for the rest of us, bottomless monkey. Cheh, what I really want is a beer.”
The brunet paused, nose twitching, then crossed the kappa’s path heading toward the right. Gojyo kept his mouth shut and followed him until the underbrush opened up into a small clearing. At one end, partially overhung with a stone ledge, was a pool of water, the surface rippling from the spring bubbling up. All in all it was a picturesque setting with overgrown foliage. The only thing missing were furry woodland creatures. “Well, score one for the monkey.”
Tilting his head back, Goku smirked. “Hey, shouldn’t you have been able to find it with the antennae on your head?”
“They aren’t antennae!” Swinging the thermoses by their straps, the red haired kappa made a lunge but missed his target, who danced out of the way. “There you go talking shit, you big mouthed monkey.”
Goku laughed as he made for the pool, and dropped down on his knees. The rice pots were tossed aside in favor of laving his hands and face, removing the film of dust from his skin. Gojyo went close enough to drop the canteens with the rice pots but stepped away, deciding to light up as he observed the other, younger man. He watched the brunet shake off excess water like a dog, drink, then begin filling a canteen. (Something feels off, like the landscape or something.)
“What the fuck’s taking so long, morons?” Sanzo’s voice broke over them like an unwelcome wave of doom. Turning, he immediately spotted the other two men as they entered the clearing. Hakuryu wound through the air in little circles above them. “We’ve been waiting forever.”
“Now, now, Sanzo. Maybe they got a little lost.” Hakkai countered cheerfully. “Maybe they were taken to the palace of the dragon king, or were snatched away by foreign fairies.”
“Fairies?” Goku looked around curiously. “What’s that?”
“An European youkai that causes mischief and lives in the ground, or something like that.” Something caught the chocolate brunet’s attention, and he turned to the side to fish around in the brush.
“Ah. Here, Sanzo.” Letting the idea of foreign youkai slip right over his head, Goku dipped the cup-like lid in the water and rose to his feet. He walked the cup over to the blond to hand it off. “The water’s good.”
A tendril of jealousy wound around in Gojyo’s stomach as he watched the exchange, and his lips tightened. (This is pissing me off, which just pisses me off even more. Goku‘s always doing stuff for Sanzo. This is nothing dif-)
“Goku, wait!” Hakkai whirled around, and all eyes focused on him as he let fly with a small globe of chi. The energy spun through the air and knocked the cup out of the monkey’s hand… right all over Sanzo’s upraised hand, arm and sleeve, up and over his pretty blond head, tumbling through the air like a falling leaf. For a moment everything was silent, and Hakkai’s face was actually thunder struck while Sanzo’s warned of impending doom. The red haired kappa couldn’t quite believe his eyes, his cigarette in danger of dropping from his lips.
“Hakkai.”
“I’m sorry, Sanzo, but I was trying to keep you from getting… with child.”
Everything went quiet again as the world blinked.
“What the fuck did you say?”
“I noticed a sign hidden off to the side… it says ‘at own risk: spring of pregnancy’. So… aha ha ha… the top of the sign is missing, so I don’t know if that means drinking the water or what…” He pointed just behind himself where a bit of wood was barely visible, peeking out of the brush.
“But- I drank the water… and washed my face…” Goku was frozen and stuttering.
“That’s bull shit. No one ever got knocked up from drinking water, have they? That doesn’t make sense.” Gojyo dropped his half finished cigarette to the ground and crushed it out beneath his heel. “Someone’s pulling a prank- oi!”
Sanzo swayed slightly, eyes rolling up in his head. Goku caught him as he fell. “Sanzo!”
Gojyo stepped forward to help with the burden of the monk’s weight but was beat to it by Hakkai. The group driver lifted Sanzo’s face with one hand and peeled back each eye lid, one at a time, before pressing his fingers against the pulse in his throat just under his chin. “Oh, my… it appears he’s unconscious and his heart rate is up.”
“What the fuck ? Don’t tell me you’re blaming the water.”
“Maybe the water’s contaminated?”
“No way, I just had some! It tasted fine!”
“…Goku, dump out any water you acquired from the pool. Gojyo, take Sanzo and carry him. We’re going to backtrack to that inn we saw a while back. It’s close enough that they may know something about this.” The tiny brunet allowed the older two to take Sanzo from him and ran back to do as he’d been asked.
“Hakkai, you’re not serious, are you? It’s fucking water, for crying out loud!” The red head grunted as he shifted the blond monk up over one shoulder in a fireman’s carry.
“With Sanzo fainting, the sign must be taken into account, Gojyo. We need to keep an eye on Goku, as well.” There was a sudden thud and clatter from behind them and they turned to find Goku sprawled on the ground, the canteen straps clutched in one hand.
“Goku!”
“Let me deal with him.” The emerald eyed man stepped away and knelt down to peel back his eye lids and check his pulse. “Same thing here, I’m afraid. I’ll carry him.”
The kappa looked back at the gently babbling pool of water. (Spring of pregnancy? Are Sanzo and Goku… Goku. Knocked up? What kind of shit is that?)
“Let’s go, Gojyo.” He obediently followed Hakkai out of the clearing.
+++
Gojyo pulled Goku closer to him in the back seat as they rushed over the land. He had one arm around him and a steadying hand on their leader, all of them crowded on the bench seat. (Pregnant… I’ve heard all those rumors about half breeds shooting blanks. It doesn’t phase me one bit. It’s not like I’ve tried getting a girl in the family way. But Goku and Sanzo pregnant from water? This is just a bad dream. No, a stupid dream.)
“How are they doing, Gojyo? Any changes?”
“No.” He slid a palm over the brunet’s forehead, then the blond’s. “They both feel like they’re running a fever, though.”
“We’re almost there. We just have to hang on. Hold on, I’m accelerating.” Jeep, already running hell bent for leather, dashed ahead in response to Hakkai’s handling with a cry.
The crimson haired kappa tightened his hold on the other two passengers silently in response. Then he braced one foot against the front seat for good measure. (It was about an hour the other way, wasn’t it? And we weren’t going this fast. We should be there in no time-)
Hakkai hit the breaks as they almost overshot the inn.
“Shit, Hakkai!”
“I’m sorry, Gojyo.” Jeep chirped as if seconding the response as Hakkai vaulted out of his seat. “Stay here, please, while I go in.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Not bothering to watch his friend disappear into the doorway, Gojyo ran a hand over his lover’s forehead again. (His temperature’s gone up even more. Shit, what the fuck?) “Goku? Wake up, damn it.”
There was no answer, and he sighed as he looked down into the brunet’s face.
“-after drinking water?”
“Yes, and the pool had an old sign saying ‘spring of pregnancy-”
“Say no more, we know what you’re talking about.” Hakkai was cut off as he emerged with two people, an older man and woman. The man continued to speak. “It’s been a while since anyone got into that kind of trouble- that spring was dry a couple of years ago. Just touching the water instills a pregnancy upon a body, never mind drinking it.”
“So it’s true?” The red haired kappa didn’t even wince at the cracked note of disbelief in his voice as he exclaimed.
“Yes, it’s true.” The man peered at Sanzo, then motioned the woman forward to examine the priest. Their clothes were of an older design and very minimalist in broad clumps of mature colors, no decorative prints. “Shay?”
She leaned over the edge and did as Hakkai had, checking pulse and eyes. Then she laid a hand on his forehead, frowning. “That’s it, for sure. About the first twenty four hours, they run a high fever as their bodies change, and are very sick. They won’t be able to travel.”
(Knocked up- a baby- a BABY-)
“Is there any way to reverse the pregnancies?” Hakkai actually sounded slightly panic stricken.
“Nine months of a pregnant Sanzo, not to mention a pregnant Goku. We’re doomed.” Gojyo muttered. “I need a cigarette and a couple of twelve packs. No, just hand over all the booze and a couple of aspirin.”
“Nine months? Oh, no, the baby arrives in seven or eight days, Mister Travelers.” The woman, Shay, replied absently as she circled around to check Goku. “It’s a magic spring, after all. My goodness, this boy’s burning up even worse than the other. We may need to soak him in a tub. Let’s get them inside.”
“Is there any way of reversing the pregnancies?” Hakkai sounded more panicked than he had before.
“There’s a spring about fifty miles or so north of here that reverses the pregnancies. It’s called the spring of maidenhood. But you’re not going to be able to travel for a day or two, or until these two aren’t sick any more. It’s much easier to travel when you’re not having to stop and let someone be sick in the bushes.” Shay answered, and looked up at the man. “Dear, go run a lukewarm bath for this little one. It looks like he’s got it bad, and they’re going to need help. You two, please take your companions inside. I’ll show you to rooms, so you can wait it out. The distance shouldn’t be a problem since you’ve got a iron vehicle, so don’t worry about lost time.”
Gojyo carefully set aside Goku to rise to his feet. “Here, take in Sanzo first.” He helped maneuver the priest’s dead weight over Jeep’s side, and the driver hoisted Sanzo onto his shoulder. Vaulting over the edge of the back seat, the red head reached back for his lover and lifted him with careful arms. “Fuck, this is not how I imagined our day would be.”
“And how did you imagine our day would be? Hakuryu, let’s go inside.” Jeep transformed and followed after his driver.
(Much calmer now that we know the situation can be fixed, huh? Though I’ve got to agree- there isn’t any room for babies on this trip. How the fuck does a guy get pregnant anyway?) Glancing down at Goku’s sweating, flushed face, he felt a twinge. (The monkey’s just a kid himself, really.)
+++
The next twelve hours saw Goku soaking in a cool bath that had to have cold water added to it at least once an hour. Gojyo stayed with him, keeping his head above water and following the directions of the older woman and Hakkai, who ran between them and Sanzo. The blond had been placed in a bed room somewhere else on the first floor, a wet cloth draped over his forehead as his own lover kept him wiped down with a cool rag between trips.
“Why is the monkey’s fever so much higher than that shitty priest’s?” The kappa demanded at one point, splashing Goku’s cheeks and forehead with water.
“Your friend, Mister Hakkai, said he drank some of the water, right? So he’s probably having a multiple birth. That’s the usual explanation.” Setting the drain plug back in, she turned the knob for the cold water, which rushed through the pipes in a noisy gush.
“Multiple birth? What the fuck?”
“You know, twins- or maybe triplets.” She chuckled at his expression. “Don’t worry, you’ll reach the spring of maidenhood in time. This young one is most certainly too young for the role of parenthood.”
“Twins?” Hakkai entered with the older man, who had turned out to be named Que. “Pardon me- what?”
“Because he drank the water instead of just getting wet, he may well be having a multiple birth- twins or triplets.”
“Oh, my.” Hakkai stepped in close and leaned forward, laying a hand over Goku’s forehead. “He’s certainly burning up. Sanzo’s fever is beginning to recede, yet Goku’s fever seems to be still in full force.”
A thought struck Gojyo, and his eyes flickered to the golden band encircling his lover’s head. “Inn keeps, will you excuse us for a moment? I want to talk to my friend for a minute.”
“Alright, then.” Shutting off the tap, Shay stood and gestured her husband out before her. “I’m going to go prepare dinner, even if it’s late. No one’s had a bite to eat since everyone got here.”
“Ah, thank you.” They heard the outer door close after them, and emerald eyes turned down on Gojyo. “What’s wrong, Gojyo?”
“Do you think his limiter is getting in the magic’s way?” He returned the look evenly. “It suppresses powers, right? So would it do the same thing with magic?
“…I don’t know. If he takes longer to wake than Sanzo, then it’s a likely conclusion, although it would be hard to tell if he’s having twins.” Crossing his arms, the driver paused for thought. “Either way, we’ll just have to ride this out.”
“Fuck.” Turning back to Goku, he peeked at his face. The sun kissed skin was pale where it wasn’t flushed, and his eyelids twitched as though he were dreaming. (The monkey’s never sick. I hate this shit.)
+++
Sanzo woke after another six hours. It was just after Sanzo’s awakening that Goku’s fever finally began coming down, and it was on the others’ word that Gojyo pulled the small brunet from the bath tub and took him to the bedroom across from the other couple’s.
He had carefully pulled Goku from the bath, dried him and put him in a cotton robe the inn had provided. It was in browns and creams in a crisscross pateren, with a maple leaf overlay. It didn’t suit his lover; it made him seem frail, especially so since he was still out of it.
“Gojyo? Why don’t you go take a bath and get something to eat? Shay San said she left some food for us on the table in the kitchen. I can watch Goku for you, especially now that you’re just across the hall instead of down it.” Hakkai’s voice made him jump from where he stood staring down at the form he had just tucked into bed. Looking back over his shoulder, he nodded at the chocolate brunet poised in the doorway. “Ah. How’s Sanzo?”
“It could be worse. Right now he’s working on not losing his stomach contents. He refuses to listen to Shay San’s advice about eating crackers and sleeping.” He ventured inside and settled on the bed, and the red haired kappa was forced to make room as Hakkai leaned forward to brush a hand over Goku’s face. “They said he could sleep it off, but he’s being stubborn. It’s foolish, really, seeing as how he can’t even get out of bed without help.”
“Heh. That wouldn’t be Sanzo if he were reasonable.” It was a little bit comforting that Sanzo was behaving in typical fashion.
“I suppose so. Go eat and shower, Gojyo.” The driver shoved on the red head’s hip with one hand. “I’ll go do the same after you come back.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Running a hand through his hair, he forced himself to turn and walk away. The urge to stay was strong, strong enough to surprise him. (My legs are cramped up, my back hurts from being bent over, I haven’t had a cigarette in fucking how long?-- and I still don’t want to leave the chimp, even with Hakkai.)
((Idiot. If you haven’t figured it out by now- just how dense are you?))
(Shut up, you. You’ve been quiet all this time so just stay that way.)
+++
“Thank you, Gojyo. I’ll stay with Sanzo now.” Hakkai held a tray set with food in his hands as he came back down the hall way. A towel was draped across his shoulders, still damp from the bath.
Gojyo, standing in the hallway and smoking a cigarette, raised an eyebrow. He crushed out his cigarette into the ash tray he held in one hand, needing the nicotine but unwilling to risk Hakkai’s wrath with improper smoking habits. “That was fast.”
“Ah ha ha. How’s Sanzo?” The green eyed man paused as he drew even.
“Not a peep out of him. Thanks for setting up the water and the trash can before, man.”
“You’re welcome. Goku may need the trash can if he hasn’t slept off the nausea. Try and keep him turned on his side toward the edge of the bed, where he can see it to use it.”
“Ah. Night, Hakkai.”
“Good night, Gojyo.” The words were muffled by the closing of the door, and the red head set aside the ashtray before making his way to the bed. An oil lamp sat aglow on one of the two bureaus, partially lighting the room. It was bright enough to illuminate the beads of sweat gathering on Goku’s face. Climbing on the bed on his knees, the kappa reached for the cloth floating in the filled water basin on the other side of the bed, wrung it out and wiped his lover’s face and throat. (He’s not as hot as he was a while ago, but he’s still sweating like crazy.)
Setting the cloth back in the water, he pulled the basin a little closer to the edge before slipping under the covers. Using his body, Gojyo nudged Goku onto his side facing the curtained window and trash can, snuggling up against and curling around his unconscious form to hold him in place. “Damn it, Goku, wake up. It’s weird not having you-- here, I guess.”
Everything was quiet, and he pressed his face into still damp hair. Breathing deeply, trying to will himself into at least a doze, stray thoughts crisscrossed his mind but one in particular coming through most frequently. (Is Goku really pregnant?)
One hand, clutching lightly at one hip, let loose, and he slid hesitant fingers down, across the other man’s lower belly. There was a definite bulge there that didn’t belong, that marred the slender frame of his young lover’s hips. (Fuck-- fuck, fuck, fuck…)
+++
A soft sound awoke the red haired man and his eyes flickered open. He’d gone back and forth from a light doze to a heavy sleep several times in between watching the moon light advance and recede across the floor, but his attention went straight to the young man in his arms. Lifting up slightly so he could peer into his face, he was relieved to see open, if hazy gold eyes. “Goku? You awake, pretty baby?”
At first there was no response, but then came a tiny grunt. A rush of relief flooded Gojyo and he sighed as his head hit the pillow. “There’s a trash can right beside the bed if you feel like throwing up. There’s some stuff that happened, so I want you to listen to me closely. That spring water really can make people pregnant, and not just girls. It causes a fever and stuff at first while it changes your body around. You still feel like you’ve got a fever, so stay in bed, okay?”
There was another tiny grunt.
“You’ve been running a worse fever than Sanzo. Shay and Que, the two people who’ve been helping us, say it’s probably because you’re more pregnant than Sanzo.”
“… How can I be more pregnant?” His voice was sleepy and weary, like it was an effort to speak.
“Twins.”
“Oh.” Goku wiggled slightly. “Let go, Gojyo, I can’t move.”
The red haired man tightened his grip. “No way. It’s what you get for worrying me.”
“…You were worried?”
“Fuck yes.”
A small, hot hand curled around his wrist in response.
“Do you feel like throwing up? How do you feel?”
“Tired, like when my limiter comes off. I don’t really feel sick like that.” There was a faint pause. “Am I really pregnant?”
“… I think so.” Gojyo slid a hand over the bulge of Goku’s lower belly. “You’ve got a couple of buns in the oven.”
“I should be freaked out, but I’m too tired.”
“Try to go back to sleep. We’ll deal with this shit with Hakkai and Sanzo tomorrow.”
“Is Sanzo really pregnant?”
“Yeah. He threw up practically every time he moved in bed.”
His lover sighed and slumped down, relaxing into Gojyo’s embrace. “I missed dinner?”
“Don’t worry, you can eat in the morning. We’re the only guests here, so we get extra treatment.”
“Ah.”
+++
TBC…
+++
For the Reviewers
It’s been a really long time since I did this, so I’m a little rusty. If I forget you somehow, I don’t mean to. Those who read my original fiction, thank you very much. I’ll try to do more.
Devi Chan: I don’t know if it’ll come down to that but we’ll see. Gojyo- he’s a little dense some times, but not in obvious ways. Things are all right where I am, I guess, I’m just tired. A-Kon was cool; I’m SO just a lowly wanna be. I hope you have a great time at Anime Expo.
yukitok: Thank you. Please take it as you like it.
~PeachLove~ Sorry, but this time it isn’t sex. Forgive me?
sokasato: Thank you. Please enjoy this one, too.
Jessi V: thank you for enjoying the story. I hope it continues too please.
WigInABox: thank you very much; I can’t think of a greater compliment than that.
eternalsailorsolarwind: Thank you very much- another great compliment. However, Gojyo’s reaction is still yet to be seen… please don’t kill me…
fuzzybunnytoo: ^_^ You’re welcome. For the other stuff- I don’t know. The muse is the one to talk to. I’m afraid now, that this chapter’s going to make you scream…
Car Jack: LOL If I could clone myself, I’d still have a hard time writing faster! I’d be working on house work, working, studying stuff, playing with the dogs, bird watching, messing with the plants in the garden, dealing with family stuff… isn’t everyone this busy?
KakashiSanzo5790: I’m trying to update quickly, but it just doesn’t work like that. -_-
Kei: Thank you. Please enjoy.
Angel: heh heh, thank you. That’s one of the reasons I started a blog on my space.
lady_kail: I’m trying.>_<
Jania: lol Thank you.
EG2: Sorry for the wait.
Author: Quirk othe Trade
Category: fan fiction
Genre: Yaoi, lemon, romance, angst
Rating: 17 and up, or mature minds
C&C: Thank you in advance. quirkothetrade@yahoo.com, or http://blog.myspace.com/quirkyqchan
Warnings: Um.. No lemon this time… Kanon Bosatsu meaness… male pregnancy issues…
Disclaimer: I don’t own Saiyuki except for what they’re willing to sell, which doesn’t include the copy right or the manga ka. Major bummer…
A/N: Sorry for the lateness. (bow,bow) I finally checked my IM thingies and I apologize for not answering, y’all. I just haven’t had time for much of anything past family and work for months now. It’s kind of why the chapters have been late these past few months- I’ve been a bit distracted.
I don’t like the Saiyuki Reload so far. The new English voice actors aren’t so bad, but the whole thing seems a little blah. The background music is a little blah, some of the animation works seems weird to me, and I really wish I would/could stop comparing it to the manga. Homura and company aren’t even in the manga or something like that, which is just un-cool. I like Homura and his band of merry men.
A-Kon was huge- awesome, intimidating, just… tons of flipping adjectives that escape me. I found a doujinshi called ‘Happy Dance!’ that features Gojyo x Goku. I’m not very good with translating or Japanese, so the translating is giving me a fit. It’s so hard. T_T I got my picture taken with my Myth bag and got a free Myth tee shirt. THAT was weird, but cool. The cosplay costumes blew me away, they were so awesome. I feel I have no right to claim otaku-ship- I am just a lowly wannabe.
This chapter is, like, the chapter from hell. Since I feel like it’s too freaking long, I’m dividing it up, y’all. If some things seem weird or off center, there’s a reason, so just wait for it.
Last note: I’m mainly using the my space blog as an update system, though I want to have fun with it, too. We’ll just see what happens. -_-
Beta: Un- beta- ed
Dedicated to: my Anee Chan, who dragged me to A-Kon and put up with all my agoraphobic bull crap during the entire trip. Thank you. (bow, bow) Much love to you! (smooch!)
Synopsis: Guys getting…? Kanon Bosatsu can be mean…
+++
“Man, it’s so boring. What’s with all the dead trees?” Goku was slung over the side of Jeep, covered over with a blanket. Dust plumbed from the vehicle’s wheels in a fine, all pervading mist that the blankets couldn‘t stop completely. Sprawled sideways in his corner under his own cover, Gojyo could just make out the swaying spiky strands protruding from under the dune colored cloth from the corner of his eye as he stared sleepily at the sky over their leader’s hidden head. (Bastard. Fake ass monk. He just had to drink the last beer last night.)
“It’s a side effect of the craziness.” Sanzo grunted from the front. Dead trees and equally dead underbrush hindered the forward view, a dead wall of degraded browns, grays and blacks. “It’s not just effecting the youkai, it’s effecting the land as well. We‘ve already seen shit like this.”
The younger brunet sighed heavily and leaned back, half sprawling over Gojyo’s legs. “When are we getting to the next town? I’m hungry.”
“Soon- sometime after sundown, Goku. Just be patient, please.” Hakkai said. “We’ve got just a few more hours to go.”
“But I’m huuuuuuuuuungry. Are you sure there isn’t any place to stop and eat?” Goku sat up, and the red head grunted in protest at being used as a piece of furniture.
“Get off me, monkey.”
“What?” He asked, not really paying attention, eyes fixated on the brunet in the front seat. “Please, Hakkai?“
“Soon, Goku. Are you done napping, Gojyo?”
“I was asleep?”
There was a sudden break in the dead trees, and the light was blinding in that instant, making everything look like a mirage. Before them on the right side was a small inn and tavern that looked forsaken out in the middle of nowhere, the signs advertising food, water and beds faded with age. The buildings, if worn, were sturdy looking and in good repair, and the trees beginning around it and continuing west were normal and healthy.
“Food, food! Let‘s stop!” Goku wasted no time in flinging off the cover.
“I’m sorry, Goku, just hold on a little bit longer.”
“Can’t we stop, Hakkai, please? Food? Please?”
“We’ll stop soon and I’ll cook something. How about that?” The green eyed man asked, cutting off a trend. “The choices are beef stew with rice and beef stew with rice. Which would you like?”
“Beef stew with rice!” The inn was by passed without further protest.
“And you, Gojyo?”
“Beer.”
“Ah ha ha- you’re still not pouting that Sanzo drank the last one last night, are you?”
“Who’s pouting? It was the last damned beer!” Sitting up, he glowered at Sano’s profile. The blond flipped the bird serenely over his shoulder.
“You drink too much anyways,” Goku said, and Gojyo turned the glare on him. Gold eyes were dancing wildly. (Starting a fight on purpose? He must be bored.) “Shut it, stupid monkey. You can’t even drink yet. You don’t know what you’re missing out on.”
Goku’s expression changed. “I KNOW what I miss out on when you drink, you drunken kappa!”
For the first time in a long time, Gojyo felt a surge of warmth in his cheeks, mostly from… something. He was so startled that his words were stuck on his tongue. (What the fuck? That damned monkey- is he trying to get me shot?)
“Don’t start flirting unless you want to visit Hell,” Sanzo’s voice was all warning, a club of protruding nails. “Just sit still and shut up.”
The words on his tongue rearranged themselves. “What? Shit head monk, like what he said had anything to do with our bed.”
“It’s not that hard to figure out, you lying, sexually harassing kappa. Just sit down and shut up, the both of you.”
The next hour and a half passed in a blur of rude, fast responses tossed back and forth and ultimately ended in such violent harisen whacking that it had Hakkai pulling over for fear of Sanzo falling out of the vehicle. The emerald eyed brunet laughed as he bailed from Jeep and headed for a small clearing just visible from the road, a ring of blackened stones and strategically placed logs giving testimony as to its use as a stopping point. “Aha ha ha- perhaps we should stop, for dinner at least. Goku, Gojyo, if you’d be so kind as to find the spring that the maps says is located near here and bring back water for the rice? When Sanzo’s done taking his frustrations out on the two of you, of course. In the meanwhile, I’ll make a fire and start the stew.”
“Hakkai, you’re a traitor, leaving us to deal with his Pissy-ness all alone!” Gojyo yelled as he ducked out of the way. Then he half rolled, half fell over the edge, tiny stones digging painfully into the palm of the hand he slapped out to stop his ungraceful dismount. “What damned spring? And you’re the one with the map!”
Goku sped past him after Hakkai, and Gojyo cursed as he stood up to follow him.
“Hakuryu! We’re over here, if you’ll please join us.”
There was an eager chirp beside him, and Jeep transformed into his normal serpentine self. The tiny white dragon flew after his master, leaving only an arm’s length between kappa and priest. Violet eyes glared balefully, and Gojyo put himself in motion to get away from the blond, muttering under his breath about traitorous uncaring friends and fan happy monks.
“What world are you from to expect any different?” Sanzo said from behind him in a low voice. “You can’t imagine anything else, so this is what you get, moron.”
“Fuck off,” He muttered back, and called out, “Hey, Hakkai, show me the map so I can find the water.”
The brunet pulled the folded sheet of paper from the inside of his tunic as he seated himself on a log. “Actually, we may need fresh water for the stew, as well. Even cleaned and scoured flasks leave a strange taste to water after a day of travel… here we are. We’re about HERE, and the spring is roughly somewhere north east of here, that way.” Hakkai pointed helpfully. “It’s hard to tell, but I think it’s about four or five hundred yards away. It shouldn‘t be hard to find.”
Goku peered over the edge of the map as Gojyo stepped past to look over the shoulder not occupied by Hakuryu. It was one of those topography maps, the kind that the red head found slightly harder to understand than regular maps. He reached forward and touched the dot he thought the emerald eyed man meant. “You mean this little dot? Are you sure that’s a spring?”
“A-ah, though there doesn’t appear to be a name for it. It’s a little odd, considering how most bodies of water have some story attached to it.”
Goku’s attention had shifted to the other brunet’s face, and he was staring hard enough that it caught the kappa’s attention. “What’s wrong, monkey?”
Gold eyes flickered at him before sticking to him. “Nothing.” He straightened and stepped back. “Let’s get the thermoses and stuff and go. I’ll find the water with my nose if it means I get to eat!”
“Hakuryu, if you’d be so kind as to transform and let us retrieve our bags? Thank you.” Sanzo settled on the log opposite all of their commotion and pulled out his cigarettes for a smoke, silently observing them with bland violet eyes as they retrieved the luggage. Hakkai dug out the kidney shaped rice pots and water flasks. “Oh my, I forgot that we didn’t fill the rest of the canteens.” He shook the largest one to gauge its fullness. “And this one’s two thirds empty. We definitely need to find that spring.”
Goku snapped up the pots, leaving the thermoses for Gojyo. “Then let’s go!”
+++
“Damned spring. Where the hell is it?” Twenty minutes of fruitless searching was irritating the hell out of the red head. “It’s not that damned far and it shouldn’t be that hard to find.”
Goku ignored him as he trudged ahead and off to the left through the trees.
“Hey, monkey, what’s with the quiet? Usually you’re so noisy.”
“Shut up, pervert kappa. I just concentrating on finding the water so we can eat, and I’m thirsty. When we find that spring, I’m drinking lots and lots of water. And then we‘ll get to eat food!”
“Just leave some for the rest of us, bottomless monkey. Cheh, what I really want is a beer.”
The brunet paused, nose twitching, then crossed the kappa’s path heading toward the right. Gojyo kept his mouth shut and followed him until the underbrush opened up into a small clearing. At one end, partially overhung with a stone ledge, was a pool of water, the surface rippling from the spring bubbling up. All in all it was a picturesque setting with overgrown foliage. The only thing missing were furry woodland creatures. “Well, score one for the monkey.”
Tilting his head back, Goku smirked. “Hey, shouldn’t you have been able to find it with the antennae on your head?”
“They aren’t antennae!” Swinging the thermoses by their straps, the red haired kappa made a lunge but missed his target, who danced out of the way. “There you go talking shit, you big mouthed monkey.”
Goku laughed as he made for the pool, and dropped down on his knees. The rice pots were tossed aside in favor of laving his hands and face, removing the film of dust from his skin. Gojyo went close enough to drop the canteens with the rice pots but stepped away, deciding to light up as he observed the other, younger man. He watched the brunet shake off excess water like a dog, drink, then begin filling a canteen. (Something feels off, like the landscape or something.)
“What the fuck’s taking so long, morons?” Sanzo’s voice broke over them like an unwelcome wave of doom. Turning, he immediately spotted the other two men as they entered the clearing. Hakuryu wound through the air in little circles above them. “We’ve been waiting forever.”
“Now, now, Sanzo. Maybe they got a little lost.” Hakkai countered cheerfully. “Maybe they were taken to the palace of the dragon king, or were snatched away by foreign fairies.”
“Fairies?” Goku looked around curiously. “What’s that?”
“An European youkai that causes mischief and lives in the ground, or something like that.” Something caught the chocolate brunet’s attention, and he turned to the side to fish around in the brush.
“Ah. Here, Sanzo.” Letting the idea of foreign youkai slip right over his head, Goku dipped the cup-like lid in the water and rose to his feet. He walked the cup over to the blond to hand it off. “The water’s good.”
A tendril of jealousy wound around in Gojyo’s stomach as he watched the exchange, and his lips tightened. (This is pissing me off, which just pisses me off even more. Goku‘s always doing stuff for Sanzo. This is nothing dif-)
“Goku, wait!” Hakkai whirled around, and all eyes focused on him as he let fly with a small globe of chi. The energy spun through the air and knocked the cup out of the monkey’s hand… right all over Sanzo’s upraised hand, arm and sleeve, up and over his pretty blond head, tumbling through the air like a falling leaf. For a moment everything was silent, and Hakkai’s face was actually thunder struck while Sanzo’s warned of impending doom. The red haired kappa couldn’t quite believe his eyes, his cigarette in danger of dropping from his lips.
“Hakkai.”
“I’m sorry, Sanzo, but I was trying to keep you from getting… with child.”
Everything went quiet again as the world blinked.
“What the fuck did you say?”
“I noticed a sign hidden off to the side… it says ‘at own risk: spring of pregnancy’. So… aha ha ha… the top of the sign is missing, so I don’t know if that means drinking the water or what…” He pointed just behind himself where a bit of wood was barely visible, peeking out of the brush.
“But- I drank the water… and washed my face…” Goku was frozen and stuttering.
“That’s bull shit. No one ever got knocked up from drinking water, have they? That doesn’t make sense.” Gojyo dropped his half finished cigarette to the ground and crushed it out beneath his heel. “Someone’s pulling a prank- oi!”
Sanzo swayed slightly, eyes rolling up in his head. Goku caught him as he fell. “Sanzo!”
Gojyo stepped forward to help with the burden of the monk’s weight but was beat to it by Hakkai. The group driver lifted Sanzo’s face with one hand and peeled back each eye lid, one at a time, before pressing his fingers against the pulse in his throat just under his chin. “Oh, my… it appears he’s unconscious and his heart rate is up.”
“What the fuck ? Don’t tell me you’re blaming the water.”
“Maybe the water’s contaminated?”
“No way, I just had some! It tasted fine!”
“…Goku, dump out any water you acquired from the pool. Gojyo, take Sanzo and carry him. We’re going to backtrack to that inn we saw a while back. It’s close enough that they may know something about this.” The tiny brunet allowed the older two to take Sanzo from him and ran back to do as he’d been asked.
“Hakkai, you’re not serious, are you? It’s fucking water, for crying out loud!” The red head grunted as he shifted the blond monk up over one shoulder in a fireman’s carry.
“With Sanzo fainting, the sign must be taken into account, Gojyo. We need to keep an eye on Goku, as well.” There was a sudden thud and clatter from behind them and they turned to find Goku sprawled on the ground, the canteen straps clutched in one hand.
“Goku!”
“Let me deal with him.” The emerald eyed man stepped away and knelt down to peel back his eye lids and check his pulse. “Same thing here, I’m afraid. I’ll carry him.”
The kappa looked back at the gently babbling pool of water. (Spring of pregnancy? Are Sanzo and Goku… Goku. Knocked up? What kind of shit is that?)
“Let’s go, Gojyo.” He obediently followed Hakkai out of the clearing.
+++
Gojyo pulled Goku closer to him in the back seat as they rushed over the land. He had one arm around him and a steadying hand on their leader, all of them crowded on the bench seat. (Pregnant… I’ve heard all those rumors about half breeds shooting blanks. It doesn’t phase me one bit. It’s not like I’ve tried getting a girl in the family way. But Goku and Sanzo pregnant from water? This is just a bad dream. No, a stupid dream.)
“How are they doing, Gojyo? Any changes?”
“No.” He slid a palm over the brunet’s forehead, then the blond’s. “They both feel like they’re running a fever, though.”
“We’re almost there. We just have to hang on. Hold on, I’m accelerating.” Jeep, already running hell bent for leather, dashed ahead in response to Hakkai’s handling with a cry.
The crimson haired kappa tightened his hold on the other two passengers silently in response. Then he braced one foot against the front seat for good measure. (It was about an hour the other way, wasn’t it? And we weren’t going this fast. We should be there in no time-)
Hakkai hit the breaks as they almost overshot the inn.
“Shit, Hakkai!”
“I’m sorry, Gojyo.” Jeep chirped as if seconding the response as Hakkai vaulted out of his seat. “Stay here, please, while I go in.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Not bothering to watch his friend disappear into the doorway, Gojyo ran a hand over his lover’s forehead again. (His temperature’s gone up even more. Shit, what the fuck?) “Goku? Wake up, damn it.”
There was no answer, and he sighed as he looked down into the brunet’s face.
“-after drinking water?”
“Yes, and the pool had an old sign saying ‘spring of pregnancy-”
“Say no more, we know what you’re talking about.” Hakkai was cut off as he emerged with two people, an older man and woman. The man continued to speak. “It’s been a while since anyone got into that kind of trouble- that spring was dry a couple of years ago. Just touching the water instills a pregnancy upon a body, never mind drinking it.”
“So it’s true?” The red haired kappa didn’t even wince at the cracked note of disbelief in his voice as he exclaimed.
“Yes, it’s true.” The man peered at Sanzo, then motioned the woman forward to examine the priest. Their clothes were of an older design and very minimalist in broad clumps of mature colors, no decorative prints. “Shay?”
She leaned over the edge and did as Hakkai had, checking pulse and eyes. Then she laid a hand on his forehead, frowning. “That’s it, for sure. About the first twenty four hours, they run a high fever as their bodies change, and are very sick. They won’t be able to travel.”
(Knocked up- a baby- a BABY-)
“Is there any way to reverse the pregnancies?” Hakkai actually sounded slightly panic stricken.
“Nine months of a pregnant Sanzo, not to mention a pregnant Goku. We’re doomed.” Gojyo muttered. “I need a cigarette and a couple of twelve packs. No, just hand over all the booze and a couple of aspirin.”
“Nine months? Oh, no, the baby arrives in seven or eight days, Mister Travelers.” The woman, Shay, replied absently as she circled around to check Goku. “It’s a magic spring, after all. My goodness, this boy’s burning up even worse than the other. We may need to soak him in a tub. Let’s get them inside.”
“Is there any way of reversing the pregnancies?” Hakkai sounded more panicked than he had before.
“There’s a spring about fifty miles or so north of here that reverses the pregnancies. It’s called the spring of maidenhood. But you’re not going to be able to travel for a day or two, or until these two aren’t sick any more. It’s much easier to travel when you’re not having to stop and let someone be sick in the bushes.” Shay answered, and looked up at the man. “Dear, go run a lukewarm bath for this little one. It looks like he’s got it bad, and they’re going to need help. You two, please take your companions inside. I’ll show you to rooms, so you can wait it out. The distance shouldn’t be a problem since you’ve got a iron vehicle, so don’t worry about lost time.”
Gojyo carefully set aside Goku to rise to his feet. “Here, take in Sanzo first.” He helped maneuver the priest’s dead weight over Jeep’s side, and the driver hoisted Sanzo onto his shoulder. Vaulting over the edge of the back seat, the red head reached back for his lover and lifted him with careful arms. “Fuck, this is not how I imagined our day would be.”
“And how did you imagine our day would be? Hakuryu, let’s go inside.” Jeep transformed and followed after his driver.
(Much calmer now that we know the situation can be fixed, huh? Though I’ve got to agree- there isn’t any room for babies on this trip. How the fuck does a guy get pregnant anyway?) Glancing down at Goku’s sweating, flushed face, he felt a twinge. (The monkey’s just a kid himself, really.)
+++
The next twelve hours saw Goku soaking in a cool bath that had to have cold water added to it at least once an hour. Gojyo stayed with him, keeping his head above water and following the directions of the older woman and Hakkai, who ran between them and Sanzo. The blond had been placed in a bed room somewhere else on the first floor, a wet cloth draped over his forehead as his own lover kept him wiped down with a cool rag between trips.
“Why is the monkey’s fever so much higher than that shitty priest’s?” The kappa demanded at one point, splashing Goku’s cheeks and forehead with water.
“Your friend, Mister Hakkai, said he drank some of the water, right? So he’s probably having a multiple birth. That’s the usual explanation.” Setting the drain plug back in, she turned the knob for the cold water, which rushed through the pipes in a noisy gush.
“Multiple birth? What the fuck?”
“You know, twins- or maybe triplets.” She chuckled at his expression. “Don’t worry, you’ll reach the spring of maidenhood in time. This young one is most certainly too young for the role of parenthood.”
“Twins?” Hakkai entered with the older man, who had turned out to be named Que. “Pardon me- what?”
“Because he drank the water instead of just getting wet, he may well be having a multiple birth- twins or triplets.”
“Oh, my.” Hakkai stepped in close and leaned forward, laying a hand over Goku’s forehead. “He’s certainly burning up. Sanzo’s fever is beginning to recede, yet Goku’s fever seems to be still in full force.”
A thought struck Gojyo, and his eyes flickered to the golden band encircling his lover’s head. “Inn keeps, will you excuse us for a moment? I want to talk to my friend for a minute.”
“Alright, then.” Shutting off the tap, Shay stood and gestured her husband out before her. “I’m going to go prepare dinner, even if it’s late. No one’s had a bite to eat since everyone got here.”
“Ah, thank you.” They heard the outer door close after them, and emerald eyes turned down on Gojyo. “What’s wrong, Gojyo?”
“Do you think his limiter is getting in the magic’s way?” He returned the look evenly. “It suppresses powers, right? So would it do the same thing with magic?
“…I don’t know. If he takes longer to wake than Sanzo, then it’s a likely conclusion, although it would be hard to tell if he’s having twins.” Crossing his arms, the driver paused for thought. “Either way, we’ll just have to ride this out.”
“Fuck.” Turning back to Goku, he peeked at his face. The sun kissed skin was pale where it wasn’t flushed, and his eyelids twitched as though he were dreaming. (The monkey’s never sick. I hate this shit.)
+++
Sanzo woke after another six hours. It was just after Sanzo’s awakening that Goku’s fever finally began coming down, and it was on the others’ word that Gojyo pulled the small brunet from the bath tub and took him to the bedroom across from the other couple’s.
He had carefully pulled Goku from the bath, dried him and put him in a cotton robe the inn had provided. It was in browns and creams in a crisscross pateren, with a maple leaf overlay. It didn’t suit his lover; it made him seem frail, especially so since he was still out of it.
“Gojyo? Why don’t you go take a bath and get something to eat? Shay San said she left some food for us on the table in the kitchen. I can watch Goku for you, especially now that you’re just across the hall instead of down it.” Hakkai’s voice made him jump from where he stood staring down at the form he had just tucked into bed. Looking back over his shoulder, he nodded at the chocolate brunet poised in the doorway. “Ah. How’s Sanzo?”
“It could be worse. Right now he’s working on not losing his stomach contents. He refuses to listen to Shay San’s advice about eating crackers and sleeping.” He ventured inside and settled on the bed, and the red haired kappa was forced to make room as Hakkai leaned forward to brush a hand over Goku’s face. “They said he could sleep it off, but he’s being stubborn. It’s foolish, really, seeing as how he can’t even get out of bed without help.”
“Heh. That wouldn’t be Sanzo if he were reasonable.” It was a little bit comforting that Sanzo was behaving in typical fashion.
“I suppose so. Go eat and shower, Gojyo.” The driver shoved on the red head’s hip with one hand. “I’ll go do the same after you come back.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Running a hand through his hair, he forced himself to turn and walk away. The urge to stay was strong, strong enough to surprise him. (My legs are cramped up, my back hurts from being bent over, I haven’t had a cigarette in fucking how long?-- and I still don’t want to leave the chimp, even with Hakkai.)
((Idiot. If you haven’t figured it out by now- just how dense are you?))
(Shut up, you. You’ve been quiet all this time so just stay that way.)
+++
“Thank you, Gojyo. I’ll stay with Sanzo now.” Hakkai held a tray set with food in his hands as he came back down the hall way. A towel was draped across his shoulders, still damp from the bath.
Gojyo, standing in the hallway and smoking a cigarette, raised an eyebrow. He crushed out his cigarette into the ash tray he held in one hand, needing the nicotine but unwilling to risk Hakkai’s wrath with improper smoking habits. “That was fast.”
“Ah ha ha. How’s Sanzo?” The green eyed man paused as he drew even.
“Not a peep out of him. Thanks for setting up the water and the trash can before, man.”
“You’re welcome. Goku may need the trash can if he hasn’t slept off the nausea. Try and keep him turned on his side toward the edge of the bed, where he can see it to use it.”
“Ah. Night, Hakkai.”
“Good night, Gojyo.” The words were muffled by the closing of the door, and the red head set aside the ashtray before making his way to the bed. An oil lamp sat aglow on one of the two bureaus, partially lighting the room. It was bright enough to illuminate the beads of sweat gathering on Goku’s face. Climbing on the bed on his knees, the kappa reached for the cloth floating in the filled water basin on the other side of the bed, wrung it out and wiped his lover’s face and throat. (He’s not as hot as he was a while ago, but he’s still sweating like crazy.)
Setting the cloth back in the water, he pulled the basin a little closer to the edge before slipping under the covers. Using his body, Gojyo nudged Goku onto his side facing the curtained window and trash can, snuggling up against and curling around his unconscious form to hold him in place. “Damn it, Goku, wake up. It’s weird not having you-- here, I guess.”
Everything was quiet, and he pressed his face into still damp hair. Breathing deeply, trying to will himself into at least a doze, stray thoughts crisscrossed his mind but one in particular coming through most frequently. (Is Goku really pregnant?)
One hand, clutching lightly at one hip, let loose, and he slid hesitant fingers down, across the other man’s lower belly. There was a definite bulge there that didn’t belong, that marred the slender frame of his young lover’s hips. (Fuck-- fuck, fuck, fuck…)
+++
A soft sound awoke the red haired man and his eyes flickered open. He’d gone back and forth from a light doze to a heavy sleep several times in between watching the moon light advance and recede across the floor, but his attention went straight to the young man in his arms. Lifting up slightly so he could peer into his face, he was relieved to see open, if hazy gold eyes. “Goku? You awake, pretty baby?”
At first there was no response, but then came a tiny grunt. A rush of relief flooded Gojyo and he sighed as his head hit the pillow. “There’s a trash can right beside the bed if you feel like throwing up. There’s some stuff that happened, so I want you to listen to me closely. That spring water really can make people pregnant, and not just girls. It causes a fever and stuff at first while it changes your body around. You still feel like you’ve got a fever, so stay in bed, okay?”
There was another tiny grunt.
“You’ve been running a worse fever than Sanzo. Shay and Que, the two people who’ve been helping us, say it’s probably because you’re more pregnant than Sanzo.”
“… How can I be more pregnant?” His voice was sleepy and weary, like it was an effort to speak.
“Twins.”
“Oh.” Goku wiggled slightly. “Let go, Gojyo, I can’t move.”
The red haired man tightened his grip. “No way. It’s what you get for worrying me.”
“…You were worried?”
“Fuck yes.”
A small, hot hand curled around his wrist in response.
“Do you feel like throwing up? How do you feel?”
“Tired, like when my limiter comes off. I don’t really feel sick like that.” There was a faint pause. “Am I really pregnant?”
“… I think so.” Gojyo slid a hand over the bulge of Goku’s lower belly. “You’ve got a couple of buns in the oven.”
“I should be freaked out, but I’m too tired.”
“Try to go back to sleep. We’ll deal with this shit with Hakkai and Sanzo tomorrow.”
“Is Sanzo really pregnant?”
“Yeah. He threw up practically every time he moved in bed.”
His lover sighed and slumped down, relaxing into Gojyo’s embrace. “I missed dinner?”
“Don’t worry, you can eat in the morning. We’re the only guests here, so we get extra treatment.”
“Ah.”
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TBC…
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For the Reviewers
It’s been a really long time since I did this, so I’m a little rusty. If I forget you somehow, I don’t mean to. Those who read my original fiction, thank you very much. I’ll try to do more.
Devi Chan: I don’t know if it’ll come down to that but we’ll see. Gojyo- he’s a little dense some times, but not in obvious ways. Things are all right where I am, I guess, I’m just tired. A-Kon was cool; I’m SO just a lowly wanna be. I hope you have a great time at Anime Expo.
yukitok: Thank you. Please take it as you like it.
~PeachLove~ Sorry, but this time it isn’t sex. Forgive me?
sokasato: Thank you. Please enjoy this one, too.
Jessi V: thank you for enjoying the story. I hope it continues too please.
WigInABox: thank you very much; I can’t think of a greater compliment than that.
eternalsailorsolarwind: Thank you very much- another great compliment. However, Gojyo’s reaction is still yet to be seen… please don’t kill me…
fuzzybunnytoo: ^_^ You’re welcome. For the other stuff- I don’t know. The muse is the one to talk to. I’m afraid now, that this chapter’s going to make you scream…
Car Jack: LOL If I could clone myself, I’d still have a hard time writing faster! I’d be working on house work, working, studying stuff, playing with the dogs, bird watching, messing with the plants in the garden, dealing with family stuff… isn’t everyone this busy?
KakashiSanzo5790: I’m trying to update quickly, but it just doesn’t work like that. -_-
Kei: Thank you. Please enjoy.
Angel: heh heh, thank you. That’s one of the reasons I started a blog on my space.
lady_kail: I’m trying.>_<
Jania: lol Thank you.
EG2: Sorry for the wait.