Saiyuki Reload Fan Fiction ❯ Demons Poison, Lovers Care ❯ Part II: Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )

---- ~ ---- ~ ---- ~ ---- = place change

---- = time change

---- * ---- * ---- = time and place change

 

So I decided on doing Hakkai and Gojyo's return to Sanzo and Goku but I will be writing about the monk and his boy as well so… yes… I think this shall work since it's kind of both… but! If you think I should write more about one pair tell me^_^ (ie: if someone would like more focus on a certain pair I will add more/longer scenes with that coupling).

 

Also any suggestions are very much so appreciated. ^_^

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Ch 7:

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“Ugh!” splergsh… mud splattered up the side of Goku's face as he landed on the soaked dirt road. He was sopping wet and dirtier than ever his clothes and hair sticking to him with a vengeance.

 

After leaving Hakkai with Gojyo, both of whom they assumed they would never see again, Sanzo and Goku had set out towards the west with a reluctant little white dragon in tow.

 

At first the journey had gone smoothly but lately it had been one mishap after another. Two weeks ago Goku was nearly sold twice after being drugged and taken away. Since then the ever present happiness faded somewhat from the little brunettes eyes which put Sanzo in an awful mood though his treatment of Goku improved greatly. A week and a half ago the monk found himself in a town that had outlawed the sale of tobacco and alcohol. Four days ago Hakuryu had left, presumably to find his way back to his master, and three days ago it had started raining. All things considered they were having a rough time of an already difficult expedition and at present neither man was particularly keen on the idea of continuing.

 

Slerghersh… Sanzo sat down next to Goku, already as dirty as he thought possible it didn't matter when mud found its way even further into every fiber of his robe.

 

No one else was about these days; what with all the demons and the current weather travel was not an option for the ordinary.

 

Not a word was spoken as the two adventurers listened to the rain that splashed onto the foliage and into the mud. The next village was only a few hours away and yet the thought of traveling even one inch further made their bodies ache twice as much as they already did.

 

Goku ran a muddy hand through his hair and wasn't surprised when it came out dirtier than it had gone in, though he still gave his fingers a slight look of disgust. Flopping down the brunette's head landed on Sanzo's lap and golden eyes lulled halfway closed as water ran down his face.

 

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The small amounts of provisions they required were packed and the house was boarded up as best it needed to survive the winter.

 

Hakkai stood facing the very beginnings of sunrise from atop a hill as he gazed down at their small home, remembering the past few days vividly.

 

A hand rested on his shoulder and Gojyo prompted the brunette forward away from the memories of sweet bliss. They had a lot of walking to do and they had to get going soon if they were to reach the next town by evening.

 

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“Hnn…” Hakkai sighed relaxing as the mid-morning sun began to warm his back. Red hair fluttered around in a pony-tail about twenty feet in front of him.

 

“How long until we catch up to Sanzo and Goku do you think?” Gojyo turned and slowed his pace a bit.

 

Hakkai made a face, “we might not since they have Hakuryu, but perhaps fortune will find us, no?”

 

It was Gojyo's turn to make a face, “your plan sounds shitty think of something better.” He was as sarcastic as ever and Hakkai laughed a little thinking about the Gojyo beside him now being the same one that he had been with the night before. Remembering more specific events from the previous evening a rosy blush colored the green-eyed man's cheeks.

 

Gojyo peered at him a clueless look to his features, “nani?”

 

The day was perfect with the suns warmth and a cool breeze. Not a cloud in the sky to mar the flawless sapphire color of the atmosphere. The walking was enjoyable and the time spent alone in one another's company was the nicest part.

 

Hakkai and Gojyo were really no different as lovers than they had been as friends. Except that when they spoke they stood a little closer and when they slept they were no longer holding just the blankets. It was… comforting.

 

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“Nugh!” He was slipping again this time though he managed to stay on his feet. The day was going horridly and the village seemed no closer than it had an hour ago. Sanzo was walking a ways in front of him; he could see the monks sand colored hair even through the grime and it gave him something to focus on while he mustered the strength to continue.

 

As Goku stared and his body finally began to move again he remembered back to when he had been taken.

 

//That night they had been in a particularly shady part of town getting food when Sanzo had gotten annoyed with the monkey and gone to bed. The night was cold but the evening yet early so Goku had stayed down below in the tavern eating to his hearts content and enjoying the music. A few hours passed and he was nearly ready to return to Sanzo's side when from across the room a mystically alluring sound floated to meet his ears. A young boy with silver hair was in the corner playing a flute and it was like nothing Goku had ever heard before.

 

With interest he had approached the youth and soon the brunette was sitting in front of the musician listening intently. `…wow… he's so…' Goku's mind had not before found itself where it went to when he was watching the silver hair and thin lips. Sanzo was the only one on earth Goku had ever wanted to be close to but this boy… he was somehow different. Like Sanzo the silver haired teen was in a class all his own.

 

The song ended and blue eyes stared back at Goku. The thin lips did not part for speech he simply extended a long fingered hand and brushed the hair out of Goku's vision. The monkey blushed furiously and tried to speak but only stuttered out incoherent sounds. Taking Goku's hand the musician led him to the bar where with only a simple wave he ordered a steaming mug of bluish liquid which he passed to the brunette when it arrived. Smiling stupidly Goku had drunk the fluid and remembered no more of the evening…//

 

The monkey's face turned red as he made himself stop remembering that night. He had caught up to Sanzo but now wished he was anywhere but by the monk's side. The thoughts of his stupidity made him want to hide, it didn't make much sense since everything was over and done with but Goku still wished that Sanzo had never had to… A small drop of liquid cleared a path through the mud on his cheek and he shook himself as though trying to throw the thoughts from his head.

 

“Only a bit more,” the monk's voice was soft, just as it had been ever since that incident. He supported Goku's elbow with his hand and pulled the youth closer.

 

The brunettes head fell… `… why am I so useless?...'

 

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“Woah!” Gojyo clung to a branch as he tipped backwards on the steep slope they were climbing.

 

Hakkai was now in front and laughed at the kappa who quickly started making every attempt to catch up to his green-eyed lover.

 

And catch him he did though Hakkai pushed him forward rather than slow their progress by falling into Gojyo's trying arms. The redhead made a hurt face and slumped a bit.

 

Smiling Hakkai grasped the kappa's hand tightly and kept walking westward.

 

“You know it's really hard to be mad at you when you're doing that,” Gojyo sounded grumpy but the underlying tone of delight gave him away and Hakkai's smile grew just a bit.

 

They traveled hand in hand for a while the warm-fuzzies Gojyo felt were one of the many new sensations that were slowly being introduced to him. There were several different feelings he had not yet gotten used to; the jumping of his nerves when Hakkai stood near, the shuddering of his skin when they touched, and ache inside when the brunette decided to sensuously kiss him before walking away without finishing what he had begun.

 

`…kiss…' Gojyo closed his eyes his thoughts settling on that single word and just what it meant…

 

----

 

They arrived in the next town just when the sun settled into its western cradle proclaiming the day finished with streaks of red and yellow thrown across the sky.

 

“One room... yes…. Thank you” Hakkai gave the desk clerk a kind smile and joined Gojyo at the foot of the stairs. “Shall we?” he motioned up the flight of steps before climbing them.

 

Gojyo followed close behind and was quick to bring Hakkai into his arms as soon as their room door closed behind them.

 

The green eyes met his red ones and they simply stared. Hakkai clasped the kappa's hand tightly within his own before leaving the warmth of the embrace and setting the small pack he was carrying in the corner of the room.

 

“I am going to get some food,” it was stated as an invitation and Gojyo quickly accepted following happily behind the brunette.

 

Next door was a small bar which was said to have the best sake for quite some distance and as the inn keeper had told them they also had some of the best food.

 

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Sanzo and Goku reached the next village as the rain lightened and just as the innkeeper was about to leave for the night.

 

“Oh, well hmmm… we only have one room left so if you need a place to stay it will have to be there.”

 

“Fine,” Sanzo's new kind demeanor only extended to Goku. Taking up the keys they turned to leave and find their room.

 

“If you guys need baths,” the old innkeeper stared as he scanned their tatter state, “you're going to have to go out back, we don't have indoor plumbing but there's a hot spring out there so…”

 

“F I N E,” the monk did not speak loudly but his speech was harsh. Hands pushing Sanzo prompted Goku onwards away from the old man and prying questions he knew would come if they stayed any longer.

 

Three… four…. five…. six… their room was here, the seventh. A wooden door and brass handle led them into a sparsely furnished space with only one bed and a chair. It didn't matter much that they would have to sleep next to one another, Sanzo would have insisted upon it any way. He had made Goku stay by him every night since the incident and wasn't about to stop until the golden eyes recovered or until he was allowed to kill those who had made the youths expressions muted.

 

Sanzo said nothing as he threw the few clean dry items he had tucked away deep within his robes onto the chair. Goku did the same, emptying his pockets as mud slid from his feet and clothes onto the floor.

 

Sanzo turned and left, Goku followed soundlessly behind him, “you should talk more.” Sanzo spoke words he never thought would pass his lips.

 

The comment made Goku laugh a bit and the monk's spirits lifted a little when the boy did so. It wasn't as though the small brunette had shut down completely rather it was as if his emotions had been brought to a simmer beneath the surface. This made Sanzo sad but mostly he was angry; angry at the people who had done it and angry at himself for not having stayed with Goku that evening.

 

The village was small and when the old man at the desk had said hot spring the monk had envisioned a hole in the ground where the water was only slightly cleaner than they were. But when they reached the backyard he thought that perhaps lady luck, or maybe Kanzeon, was looking out for them that night.

 

“Wow,” it was the most Goku had said all evening and Sanzo was glad for even the one word.

 

Truly though the hot springs deserved at least a `wow' the large expanse of steaming water in front of them was nothing to scoff at. Indeed it was nicer than the ones in some if the bigger cities at far more expensive establishments.

 

“Well then,” Sanzo sighed, “how about that?” his words were quiet and yet they almost broke the tranquility of evening. He looked at Goku who was stripping down as ready to be clean as he had ever been. Following the youth's example Sanzo shed his clothes also keen to rid himself of the grime.

 

The air was cold and compelled both men towards the steaming pools. Splashing into the hot spring Goku felt the warmth of both the water and Sanzo's arms surround him. Before the action would have surprised and most likely scarred the boy but now it offered a feeling of security he readily welcomed. Falling back into a seated position against Sanzo's chest they both relaxed a little.

 

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A/N: Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Please? ^_^