Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Unseen Smile ❯ Come Undone ( Chapter 9 )

Disclaimer: Kazuya Minekura owns Saiyuki and all characters connected to the anime…I hope she owns me too Ü

 

Warning: Graphic Violence, Yaoi Scences and Cursing… and a little OOCness… but if you read Everybody Hurts and my other stories, then you wouldn't be shocked by this one anymore .. (^_^)

 

Come Undone

 

Only Goku could do this to Sanzo, Hakkai thought as he watched the blond continue to wait patiently by the boy's bedside. It's been almost five hours and he shows no sign of resting or leaving the boy's bedside. And how many coffees has he had since they brought Goku to the hospital? How many cigarettes did Gojyo smoke only to finish half of it? How many silent tears fell from those purple eyes?

 

“That bastard, taking on a defenseless kid like Goku,” Gojyo said through gritted teeth as he stood beside Hakkai, watching the two from behind a glass window. “Is the kid going to be okay?”

 

“The doctor said they'll be moving Goku from the ICU to a normal ward after a few hours,” he told the red-head. “They're just waiting for his vitals to stabilize.”

 

A mobile phone rang and both men turned to watch Lirin hurriedly answer the phone and exit towards the lobby, the folder that contained Sanzo's sketch was under one arm. No doubt the call was somewhat connected to what had taken place earlier.

 

“I'm worried about Goku,” came the quiet response from Gojyo. “Seeing all that blood…”

 

“Don't be. Goku's a tough boy to crack. He's pushed through so many hard times,” he answered slowly and gave a deep breath. “I think we should be more worried about Sanzo. He's the one who's going through a lot right now. He's the one who's mulling over failure and depression.”

 

Gojyo's eyes fell on the blond man, shoulders hunched over the smaller body on the bed. It was true. He had never seen Sanzo so crushed like this. He had always thought that Sanzo was stronger than any of them in terms of protecting Goku, maybe at some points even stronger than Hakkai. But now, watching his heaving shoulders, he knew that the man was close to breaking down.

 

“I think Chin Iisou doesn't want to kill Goku,” Lirin's voice broke through the stillness of the ward. She handed them a folder when she had their attention. “It seems that Goku's just an instrument in breaking Sanzo.”

 

“What's this?” Gojyo asked as he started flipping through the files. His eyes grew wide when the information before him started to sink in. “This is a detailed account of all known assassin to have worked for the Council.”

 

Lirin nodded. “That was found in Ni Jieni's database after Kou suggested that someone in the Council would have surely recorded all transactions the group had made.”

 

Hakkai slowly went through the file and did chance upon several assassins he had known through his entire career. There was Zakuro, Tsien Bien, among others. And then there was Chin Iisou. He scanned through the detailed account and description of the man's fighting style, habits and mode of weaponry.

 

“Why would Ni Jieni keep an active file of things like this when surely he knew the possibility of hacking through his files?”

 

“He didn't expect to die,” was all Lirin could give as answer. “And we believe that he meant to use these files for some of his personal works.”

 

“Whatever the reason is, this could greatly help us,” Hakkai said slowly. “At least now we know what we're up against.”

 

---

 

Sanzo held onto Goku's hand and aimlessly counted the pulse throbbing beneath his fingertips. It helped him stay awake, afraid to loose count of the only sign of life from the otherwise unmoving boy. It helped him stay focused on Goku but also reminded him of how those steady beats almost stopped as they rushed him to the hospital. Though he had experienced so many loses in his life, this one hit too close to home.

 

I've always loved you from the beginning…

 

The tears burned his eyes as recalling those murmured words burned a deep gash in his heart. He never knew he had a heart until he met the boy, never knew that he could get so affected by anyone. How many times had he wanted to tell the same thing to Goku? How many times had he wanted to show him affection? He couldn't because he was afraid that if he did, he'd lose him in the end. He'll lose him the way he lost so many people in his life. But wasn't it more painful to lose someone without being able to tell them how you really feel, how you really care about them? Can you just stand there and watch them slip away as you keep all those pent up emotions inside?

 

He thought that his feelings for Goku was wrong, was unnatural but when he saw the way Hakkai and Gojyo looked at each other, with so much passion and adoration, he knew that true love, in its purest form, surpasses being, gender and all those the human mind can only grasp. But the human heart can do so much more that would be incomprehensible even forbidden by the rules of the mind. And that was what he had been doing to him self; he had allowed himself to be trapped by the confines of his minds.

 

Goku was his life. The teenager had always told him how many times he'd given him a new lease on life and how thankful he was for saving him. But in reality it was the other way around. Goku had given him a new outlook on life. He had pieced together a world that was entirely different from what he had grown used to, a world filled with color and emotion. He had showed him how fun it was to eat chocolate chip cookies with milk. He had taught him the therapeutic effects of talking during dinner. Why did he continue to push him away even when he knew that all he was doing was hurting the boy?

 

“Sanzo,” Hakkai's soft call was coated with anxiousness and worry had come from the doorway. He only tilted a head in his direction but kept his eyes on the sleeping boy. He heard a sigh and soft footsteps coming towards him. Soon, soft hands were on his shoulder, as if offering some form of strength for him to take. With no other person left to turn to, he finally allowed all his frustrations to flow out of his system.

 

“I'll kill that bastard with my own hands, Hakkai, you just wait and see,” he said angrily. “I'll kill him and I'll tell the whole world not to mess with me and Goku.”

 

“I understand how you're feeling right now Sanzo, but charging out there without a plan or back is suicide. What we need—”

 

“We?” Sanzo angrily repeated and looked at the brunette in the eye. “I don't seem to remember including you or Gojyo in this. This is my problem Hakkai, my problem alone so don't' stick your nose into my business.”

 

“You do remember that I am in charge of this mission and that is to keep you alive, at all cost. You agreed to that, Sanzo, that's why you're here in the first place.”

 

He opened his mouth to retort but no words came out. The other man had a point and left no room for discussion. With a sigh, he returned his attention to the sleeping boy. He knew that he was being irrational but this was Goku they were talking about, the boy he had saved and sheltered for so many years, the boy he loved with his whole heart.

 

“If you're ready to discuss some plans with us, we'll be waiting outside,” hakkai said softly. “But of course we do this in your own time, this is after all, you're responsibility right?”

 

He didn't turn around to answer but instead nodded and waited until he heard the soft click of the door closing behind Hakkai.

 

“I'll make that bastard pay Goku,” he said with resolution and caressed the boy's cheek. “I'll make him beg me to spare his life.”

 

---

 

Gojyo sat on one of the benches opposite Hakkai who was reading the file for nth time already. Was the guy trying to memorize every single detail on the paper? He fiddled with the leather strap of his Deagle. He was scared and he noticed that he was having this feeling more and more often that before. Was it because he had decided to open up to Hakkai and the rest of the people? Was this the price he was going to pay for becoming attached to someone like Hakkai and having two people watched by the most powerful organization as friends?

 

“Seem to be deep in thought again, Gojyo,” the soft voice of his lover came by his side. He must have been too engrossed in his thought not to notice any movement from the brunette. He nodded and looked down at the gun in his hands. “Is there anything bothering you?”

 

“I was just thinking how I would react if anything like that happened to you,” he said quietly. “I'm not used to having threats over our lives and everything, I'm not like Sanzo. This is the first time I've ever been really attached to someone who could always be in danger, given the fact that you are so popular in our business.”

 

Hakkai smiled but he knew that the man was probably hurt by what he said thinking that he wasn't ready to take on this relationship, given the facts of their current status. He wanted to reassure Hakkai but he couldn't find the words that would calm the brunette's fears. As he watched him, the smile seemed to be plastered to the beautiful face and he knew that his partner was probably just trying to show him a strong face.

 

“Do you want to talk about it?”

 

He knew better than to tell Hakkai his feelings, afraid that if he continued with what he was saying he'd hurt his feelings even more. But being impulsive as he was, he couldn't stop his mouth from continuing with what he had said earlier. He was afraid of so many things and keeping all those bottled up inside was going to drive him crazy.

 

“At first, I thought that maybe I could protect you, and that being together would make us unstoppable. But that event with Zakuro and now this with Sanzo, I'm not so sure if I could protect you. I mean, I'm not as strong as you are. I mean, aren't you afraid, Hakkai? Everyday we aren't sure if we'll survive or not, if we'll see another day or if we'll get to be in each other's arms again. Aren't you afraid of getting hurt because I got hurt or something?”

 

“I thought we talked about this before, Gojyo. We seem to have understood each other that we won't let anything happen to any of us,” he said, the smile slight fading from his lips. “You do remember that right?”

 

“But this is different from Zakuro and all those low-class bastards that have been harassing us. We can take them out anytime but what if class-A hit mans like Chin Iisou go after you, do you think I can handle that?” He said aimlessly. He didn't know how to tell Hakkai that he was afraid of not being able to protect him.

 

“I see,” was all that the brunette said. He watched as Hakkai move away from him to stand by the opposite wall. “So you're having second thoughts if you could handle the pressure of work and of our relationship is that it?”

 

He was caught off guard by the question because that was exactly what had been bothering him. He only stared at Hakkai, pondering over what he should answer. He looked at the face that gave him assurance whenever he went to sleep, the face that gave him something to believe in despite all the problems they've encountered. No he wasn't having second thoughts about their work and their relationship. He was afraid of not being able to protect Hakkai in this line of work and that made him have second thoughts about their relationship.

 

“I'm having second thoughts if I could always be there for you,” he answered. And that answer made the conversation even worse. He wasn't supposed to make it sound like he was having second thoughts about their relationship but second thoughts on his ability to protect Hakkai. This time, the brunette did frown at the mistaken message and looked at him closely.

 

“It never dawned to me that this was how you felt about our relationship, Gojyo. You could've told me about this a little earlier not when we're in the middle of a situation like this,” Hakkai said.

 

“That wasn't what I meant Hakkai,” he began but the other man interrupted.

 

“I'm not going to force you into something that you don't want to be a part of,” he continued apparently not hearing any of what he just said. “We could stop being partners if that also distracts you.”

 

“That wasn't what I meant Hakkai,” he said more forceful, now growing irritable that Hakkai wasn't listening to him. “If you'd just listen to what I have to say first Hakkai—”

 

“What did you exactly mean by saying that you're having second thoughts about being there for me? Didn't you just put it quite plainly what your uncertainties are?”

 

“Will you just listen to me first Hakkai?” Gojyo said, his voice raising a pitch higher. But Hakkai's eyes had lost its shine. His face had clouded over with pain and disbelief. And before he could reach out to stop Hakkai from walking out on him, his partner had already turned his back on him and was racing out of the ward, hands clenched tightly on the pieces of paper that they were supposed to discuss.

 

---

 

Hakkai watched the flickering lights of the city, his legs dangling over the edge and his eyes aimlessly scanning the distant kaleidoscope of lights. He still couldn't understand what Gojyo was trying to say, what he meant about not being able to be there by his side. They were partners right? And didn't partners do things together? Didn't they protect each other? Didn't they carry each other when the going gets tough? Maybe he didn't know a lot of things because he never really bothered to know anything about people.

 

But for the past months, he did his best to know, to understand what Gojyo wanted, what human emotions were like. And he found out a lot about himself and about his feelings. He knew what Gojyo was talking about, how hard it is to always live in fear of losing the one you love but he also knew that he had to trust the person. He trusted Gojyo to survive, to live, to fight for their lives. And he also knew Gojyo was as strong as he is when it came to their relationship. But after what had just transpired between them, the discussion about how fragile their relationship really was, he suddenly didn't know what he believed in anymore. He felt like he was just making up ideas about him and Gojyo, make believe ideas that were only possible in their dreams.

 

Hakkai suddenly felt cold and alone. All this time, he was just conjuring some half baked world that he and Gojyo were supposed to live in only to find out that these dreams cannot survive in the harsh reality of their current situation. How could he even believe that he could escape the confines of their jobs? How could he even be able to paint a picture so real that even he was deceived by it? Worse, he even got Gojyo to believe in something as bogus as a relationship that could withstand the pressure and demands of their business.

 

“But I really believed we would make it through,” he whispered to no one in particular, his eyes still wandering over the bright lights beneath his feet. He really believed that because they were by each other sides, they were going to survive and possibly live a normal life. But maybe that was only wishful thinking. He felt disillusioned at believing in such a thing as love and a normal life. All the promises they made to each other were all just lies, lies that he believed in.

 

But then again, maybe Gojyo really did love him. He did sacrifice a lot for him like giving up his playboy image and being faithful to him. He'd put his life on the line for him without having second thoughts but what happened to Goku must have really scared him to make him retreat inside like that. Maybe he wasn't expecting that things might be as serious as that. They made the mistake of not taking things seriously before so this must really be a wake up call for him. Watching Sanzo break down like that must have made shown him an image of himself crying by his bedside if anything happened to him.

 

He felt the wind change and along with the direction, something in the air caught his nose. A distinct smell of a predator lurking in the shadows made him reach for the katana by his side. With lightning speed, he flipped around and landed neatly on the landing, hand swinging out to reveal the sword. He scanned the surrounding area, eyes changing in hue as adrenaline pumped into his veins. His focus returning to that of the assassin that he really was, the problem with Gojyo was momentarily shoved out of his mind.

 

A man stepped into the clearing, his blue hair shining like a neon sign as the light gleamed down on him. Hakkai's grip on the katana grew tighter, remembering what Gojyo had told him earlier about the distinct characteristic of the man that attacked Goku. The smirk on the man's face made his blood boil. He has seen different kinds of put downs but this one said `I'm better than you' and that made him angrier.

 

“Didn't your father ever tell you not to go out at night without back up?” Came the cool introduction.

 

“Chin Iisou I presume?” He asked tersely.

 

“Bright boy,” Chin Iisou answered, his words laced heavily with sarcasm. “I was hoping that I would be of some surprise to you and get an upper hand. But it seems that I've under estimated you. I thought that now that you're preoccupied with the redhead, I'll get a better chance of defeating you and taking your title.”

 

“You're not the first who ever went for my head,” he shot back but all he received was a sly smile.

 

“But I am the first one to ever do serious damage to you and your friends. Well Zakuro did come close to it but never really made a dent on your hard head,right?”

 

He suddenly felt cold all over at the point the other man had just made. He could only stare harder at him, his eyes narrowing as the smile on those lips grew wider.

 

“This whole thing isn't about Sanzo's debt to the Council isn't it? It's about you getting ahead of everyone else just to up your market value,” he said angrily. “You were just using them as an excuse to get to me.”

 

“Don't get too full of yourself, Cho Hakkai, not everything should revolve around you,” he said with the same smile. “I am on a mission to get rid of Genjyo Sanzo and take the boy as my prize but I didn't expect to see the famous Cho Hakkai to be on the opposite team. And since I am here, I might as well take three birds with one stone and just practice on a little red-head we both know of.”

 

“Touch Gojyo and you'll die a slow and painful death,” Hakkai said slowly, his eyes turning cold. The smile from Chin Iisou's lips waned a little when he noticed the difference in the brunette's eyes.

 

“We'll see if you can live up to your name Cho Hakkai. We'll see if you can still focus your mind on me when you have two dead bodies at your feet and a missing boy on your list,” Chin Iisou said with a slight laugh before vanishing into the shadows.

 

---

 

Goku remembered the white hot searing pain that burned down his side and then the dull thud his body made when he hit the floor. He also remembered telling Sanzo he loved him and the look on Sanzo's face as his eyes slowly closed from too much fatigue. He had wanted to stay awake and tell Sanzo that he'll be okay, he wanted to comfort him and soothe his troubled mind but he was just in too much pain to keep his focus on what he should be doing. He stared up the ceiling and watched the fan lazily spin on its axis.

 

“You're awake,” came the deep voice he's been missing for days. He shifted his head slightly to meet the blond eye to eye. Goku wasn't prepared for what he saw. Sanzo's face was pale and was obviously tired. There were dark circles under his eyes, a sure sign that the man had been losing sleep over him. And what was even more heart-wrenching was the fact that the golden yellow hue of his hair had somehow lost its shine. And this was all because of his carelessness. He quickly turned away and shifted his attention to the ceiling fan.

 

“I'm sorry I made you worry,” he said slowly as he continued to watch the slowly spinning above his head. He was embarrassed to look at Sanzo, more afraid to find out what expression Sanzo was wearing. “I just did what I thought partners would do for each other.”

 

“And risk your own safety?” Sanzo said angrily but Goku could only look straight up. He didn't want him to see the tears in his eyes. He thought that now, at least, Sanzo would feel or at least feign seeing the sacrifice he was willing to give for him.

 

“It was the only think I could think of at the moment,” Goku said. “And probably the only way to make you see how much I loved you.”

 

“You don't have to risk you life to make me see that,” Sanzo said softly. “I already know, and you probably know why I'd risk my life for you.”

 

“No, I don't know why you'd risk your life for me,” Goku said softly. “I always thought because you had some kind of obligation towards me, but then maybe because we're partners. I always thought that if anything happened to me, it'd be okay with you that you only cared for me because you had to.”

 

“Goku,” Sanzo's voice seemed to be breaking with so much emotion. “I love you.”

 

Hearing those words finally come out of Sanzo's mouth brought tears to his eyes. He didn't know that it felt so damn good to hear Sanzo finally acknowledge his feelings. And to finally know that he felt the same way.

 

“I know you've wanted to hear those words from me for a long time and I didn't say it because of so many reasons. But losing you so many times made me think that it would only cause both of so much pain. And I know this isn't like me but I owe you an explanation after everything that has happened.”

 

“Seeing you so close to death in my arms made me realize that in this life nothing is sure, I could die this very moment or you could and I didn't want to gamble on that. I suddenly realized that I didn't want to die and you for that matter without letting you know what I really felt. I know I shouldn't have waited this long to tell you all of this but I just couldn't make myself say it. I'm not that type of person you know that, but then when I saw how much pain of caused you, I knew that I was wrong.”

 

“Sanzo,” he whimpered the name through the tears. “I just didn't know what I'll do if anything happened to you. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you died.”

 

“Don't cry Goku, you'll tire yourself out,” came the soothing voice that used to lull him to sleep before. Fingers gently wiped the tears from his eyes and when he turned to look at the older man he couldn't help but smile at the tender look on Sanzo's face. How he missed seeing that.

 

“But did you ever think that maybe I thought of the same thing when you shielded me? Do you think that it would be easy for me to live every day knowing that you died because I wasn't able to protect the both of us? We're partners Goku, and partners look out for each other and for themselves. There's no use in living if one of us is gone. Do you understand that Goku? We both have to live if we want to be together.”

 

Goku nodded and leaned his head against the hand that cradled his face. He finally understood what Sanzo really meant when he said partners. He now knew what his purpose in life is. It's to survive to live with a life Sanzo. And as he drifted back into sleep, he knew that when he woke up, things would be a lot better even if his whole body was in pain. He had, after all, someone who would take care of him.

 

---

 

“Goku's awake,” came Sanzo's voice from the doorway. He looked up from the newspaper he was reading. He had planned to follow Hakkai when he had stormed out on him during their slightly edgy conversation, but knowing that he wouldn't be able to stop his mouth from spewing statements that had other meanings, he decided on just staying behind and waiting for the brunette to calm down.

 

“How's he doing?” He had asked the blond who was busy preparing some kind of meal for the boy.

 

“Shaken up but otherwise fine,” came the quiet reply. “He's a strong boy, stronger than even I expected. You seem to be alone. Where's Hakkai gone to?”

 

“We sort of had an argument,” was all he could answer. “Personal matters, you know.”

 

“Scared, huh?”

 

“Scared of what? Me, scared? I never get scared of anything.”

 

“You're a pathetic liar, Gojyo. It's written all over your face. You're scared that Hakkai might be the next one lying on that bed, bloody and unconscious, and that it's you in my place.”

 

“You're too observant for your own good,” he muttered and grabbed an apple from the tray Sanzo was preparing. “Never really thought you had it in you to care.”

 

“I don't,” came the blunt reply. “I don't give a shit about what happens to you but I am worried for Hakkai. I've known him since I started in this business. And I' know how vulnerable he is when he opens up to someone. He's never been known to open up to anyone, and to think that he did to you… well, he's putting big gamble on that especially since he knows how high our lives are at risk with every passing minute.”

 

“I just don't know what I'll do if anything happens to him,” Gojyo said slowly as he studied the shiny surface of the apple. “Maybe because I never really thought that anything like that could actually happen. I've always thought that I could protect him but seeing how uncertain things really are, I'm starting to doubt myself.”

 

“Been too cocky also,” Sanzo muttered as he poured some orange juice in a cup. “In our business, nothing is certain. You could be alive this day and dead the next. Or you could be on top of the ladder or be on the last step. Our business embodies the words survival of the fittest in the truest sense. We stop fighting, we die. It's as simple as that.”

 

Gojyo remained silent, pondering on what the former had said. He had a point, if he stopped fighting for Hakkai, the more chance they'd get hurt. Backing out isn't the answer to this problem, it's getting stronger and surviving for each other. He took a bite of the apple and looked at Sanzo, thoughtfully chewing as he ignored the disdain spreading over the fine features.

 

“You better get another apple to replace that or else, I'll have the dogs chewing on your face.”

 

“I'll get a fresh batch when I get back,” he answered. “Have to find Hakkai first.”

 

“Talk,” Sanzo said as he opened the door with his foot. “Break ups are the last thing this group needs as of the moment. We are down by one member, and we need all the help we can get from each other.”

 

Gojyo only lifted a hand in a slight wave to indicate his acknowledgement of the statement. Sanzo snorted and went inside, tray in hand and holding a back under one arm.

 

Meanwhile…

 

`I've been calling you for an hour, Hakkai,” Lirin scolded him as soon as he entered the floor. She was holding several folders and looked stressed out. All he could manage was a small smile. Even though he was a little hyped up from the little meeting a while ago, he didn't want to tell Lirin that given the fact that the girl was already worried.

 

“I was held up somewhere with something,” he explained. Lirin narrowed her eyes at him and studied him carefully. “But it was nothing, really. So what's up?”

 

“Goku's finally awake and he's doing good but that isn't what I was calling you about. I was calling to show you these files,” she finished and handed him the folders. “Read them, and call Gojyo, I've been having trouble contacting him also.”

 

“You mean Gojyo's not in the hospital with Sanzo?” Panic was evident in his voice, but he didn't care. Lirin nodded and looked at her watch.

 

“I've been trying to contact him for the past half-hour but his phone couldn't be reached. I assumed that he was with you.”

 

“Shit,” was all Hakkai could say as he made a dash for the door, leaving the folders he was supposed to read in the arms of Lirin. As he sped down the corridors of the building, he dialed Sanzo's number, hoping that he'd pick it up. If anything happened to Gojyo, he'll tear this whole place a part and kill every single person who'd get in his way. He didn't care if he'd die trying.

---

 

He had happened to pass by a liquor store and decided to surprise Hakkai with a little quality time by sharing a glass of wine or two. It was the only way he could possibly drown the heated argument they had before. And possibly calm his nerves while they discussed their situation. But as he turned the key to their apartment, he couldn't hide the disappointment in his face. Hakkai was obviously not in their apartment sulking and thinking about their relationship. He was probably out partying, getting drunk and probably getting laid as of the moment. He willed himself not to lose his temper and trash the place. Instead, he slowly closed the door and made his way to the dining room table to set up his little plan, just in case shows up.

 

He never really noticed it until now but Hakkai has always managed to keep the place clean and bearable. He's done a great job in balancing their work, the chores and being there for him. He's managed somehow to always keep the fridge from emptying. He's overlooked these things, thinking that it was his duty to do that. Come to think of it, he felt guilty for not helping out. He could've offered to do the groceries from time to time or take their clothes to the laundry. He was a selfish bastard for the past months and here he was thinking about how he was going to protect Hakkai when he couldn't' even take care of him.

 

“Gotta make it up to him somehow,” Gojyo thought out loud as he picked out glasses from inside the cupboard. “Maybe if he'll just get home now, we'll have a chance to settle this mess.”

 

After setting the table and uncorking the wine bottle, he decided that if Hakkai wasn't coming home, he'd at least pester him to do so. He grabbed his phone from his back pocket only to find out that it had gone dead. He looked at it distastefully and reached for the charger inside one of the drawers. As he bent down to plug the short cable, he noticed a faint creaking sound in the wooden walls, a sound made by someone who didn't want to be seen or heard. He cautiously pulled out his gun and crouched down low, hiding behind the chairs and table. He listened attentively to the faint creaking noises, suddenly aware of all the sounds in the otherwise quiet apartment.

 

He sprung out of where he was hiding as soon as the door slammed open. Without thinking twice, he pulled the trigger, aiming at whoever had broken through the door. After the cloud of debris from the tattered door settled, he carefully walked over to the spot, gun still aimed ready to fire at any sudden movement. There by the door was a sight he was not prepared to see.

 

“Do you really think we'll get through all this shit?” Gojyo asked as he laid in bed with Hakkai, fingers interlaced and settling on his stomach. Hakkai's breath was warm against his neck and the tip of his lover's nose was rubbing agains this jaw. “You know, have a normal life even when we have lunatics chasing after us?”

 

“Yeah, I think we will,” came the sleepy but certain answer. “As long as we have each other, we'll get through all this and everything they throw our way. We'll be partners forever, right?”

 

“Right,” he answered with the same assurance. Hakkai nuzzled his neck and pressed his body against his.

 

“We'll live through this and get away from it all. We'll find a way to live a normal life, a life away from all the blood shed and greed,” the brunette continued.

 

He smiled at the thought. It was a dream they've always had, a dream they were going to make real in the future. He pulled Hakkai closer and placed a kiss on his lover's forehead, his way of saying he believed in that too.

 

“HAKKAI!!” Gojyo shouted as he rushed to the fallen brunette, picking him up in his arms. He slowly propped him up against the door, trying to free him from his coat. But he was surprised to see the look on the wounded man's face.

 

“You love him too much for your own safety,” came the cold and unnerving voice he's heard before. With a last burst of energy, he managed to stumble back and miss the full thrust of the blade hidden in the intruders hands but it wasn't enough to save himself from getting hurt. As he crouched on the floor, hand pressing firmly against the gaping wound in his stomach, he stared at the man who towered before him. He watched as he took firm hold of his hair and pulled the dark brown locks to reveal shiny blue hair underneath the perfect wig.

 

“You low-life bastard,” he rasped angrily as Chin Iisou laughed to savor his victory. He couldn't finish his sentence as he stared coughing out blood from the wound he had received. The assailant could only laugh louder.

 

“It will only be a matter of minutes Gojyo before you fall on the floor dead,” came the response. “By the time Cho Hakkai gets here, you'll be dead from blood loss. What a humiliating way to die isn't it?”

 

“Fuck you, you bastard,” he grated out, blood spilling from his lips as he forced the words out his mouth.

 

“I never really understood what Cho Hakkai saw in you. You're a lousy piece of work, you know. You could barely take care of yourself, let alone take care one of the best assassins in the business. I'll be actually doing Cho Hakkai a favor by ridding him of you. He'd be able to concentrate more on our fights than be weighed down by you.”

 

Gojyo could only cough out more blood as he grew weaker. It would only be a matter minutes before he'd pass out and probably never wake up. It would only be a matter of minutes before he'd truly lose Hakkai.

 

“I told Cho Hakkai that he'd have to bodies dead by his feet, you and the blonde,” he said with a sneer. “And now that this business is finish, I'll clean up the other one. Goodbye, Sha Gojyo, you'll have to wait in hell until you have your revenge.”

 

And with that final remark, Chin Iisou threw the wig at him and sauntered out the room as if nothing had taken place. He lay there on the floor, staring up at the ceiling and pressing down hard on his stomach, hoping that Hakkai would come. Hoping that even at the final moment of his life, he'd be able to tell him how much he loved him. He watched as the light grew dimmer and dimmer, the warmth in his finger tips disappearing with every ragged breath he took.

 

“Hakkai,” he whispered as he closed his eyes. “I just want you to know that I really love you, there's no lie in that. I'll always remember your beautiful smile even in the after life.”

 

And with that final statement, Gojyo fell into a dreamless sleep with only Hakkai's beautiful face filling his mind. It would probably be the last thing he'll ever remember of this world.

 

T o Be Continued…

 

[1] Phew! It's been a really long time since I got the chance to finish this chapter. Sorry sorry!! I've been really busy at work having to do three things in one day, every single day of the week. And my computer broke down, too many files jammed up in an insy winsy hard drive. We'll I hope you like this one so far, I'll try to start on the next chapter as soon as possible and hopefully finish it ASAP too. (^_^)

 

[2] Thanks to all the people who reviewed this and my other stories. I'll be updating soon on my other stories and be putting up a new story also. Just keep watch, aite?! THANKS A BUNCH!!