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Never No Answer	By : animegher Category: Gensomaden Saiyuki > General Views: 8695 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Gensomaden Saiyuki, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
Disclaimer: Saiyuki and characters belong to Kazuya Minekura except for the few original losers I came up with to carry the plot along.
There was soft yellow sunlight coming in through the window, no curtains to halt its unrelenting invasion into the room. A silver and golden web over everything and Sanzo came to realize it was his own eyelashes catching the light, refusing to open and blinding him in the process. He woke up sprawled awkwardly over Gojyo, lying across the redhead�s stomach in an almost possessive manner, like a cat making sure that it always sat in it�s masters lap when presented with the opportunity. Of course, he was no fucking cat to come running up and lick Gojyo�s hand. Sanzo had just always been a violent and messy sleeper� there had just never been a bed partner to prove the point before. Instead of pillows on the floor, sheets ripped off the mattress, and his feet up against the headboard, he both hands wrapped around Gojyo�s wrist to drag his arm into a suitable cushion for his head. He wasn�t even sure how he had managed to get comfortable in this position, but from the dip of the mattress and sheets pulled over his ass by Gojyo�s other loose hand, he�d been here a while.

Sanzo repressed the urge to start away from the proximity, able to hold himself there and calmly assess the situation. Waking up together was not a big deal. He certain had done it many times before He slowly released Gojyo�s hand then to rub at his eyes, feeling well rested for once. So relaxed, in fact, that he felt tired and sore and just wanted to go back to sleep, nuzzling back into the nice spot he�d made for himself.

We�re your friends, damn it!

Sanzo cursed as he truly became awake after remembering that, putting his palm to his forehead. For just how long were Goku�s words going to echo in his head? Had he truly been treating them all so badly? He had never once been forced to examine his own behavior, but having Goku yell at him like he was some misbehaving child was a sobering thing indeed. Sanzo didn�t believe he had done anything particularly wrong. Hakkai was the one that had laid his lips, tongue, and mouth on Sanzo�s body without even asking for permission! At least Gojyo had done that much. What kind of �friend� would just do� that fucking thing, the very same act Sanzo had preformed on Gojyo? He didn�t know a lot about sex, was horribly inexperienced and completely clueless to what was going to happen next whenever Gojyo laid his hands on his body. Sanzo was determined to not be frightened, to no longer be passive and meek while Gojyo drove up inside him. Sanzo couldn�t deny that Gojyo was able to fill him up, and it wasn�t just in a physical sense. Gojyo made him forget to even think, getting caught up in the moment and forgetting to feel like the miserable piece of shit he was; because he was too busy either fighting or screwing the half-youkai. High Priest Genjo Sanzo was not starting to feel affection for his servants. Nobody was his friend. Nobody was his lover. Sanzo had learned early on that he was the only person in the world he could ever depend on, even though Gojyo made such pretty lies about wanting to love and protect him. Goku had said the same as well, though to a lesser degree. Hakkai was silent, but the feeling was there- as blatant as a broken bone. Sanzo felt like he was going to be sick trying to figure out where he really stood with them, if it was as a distant and isolated leader. He wondered what Komyou would think of it.

"Finally, you wake up," Gojyo sighed out tiredly, pulling his hand away and shaking it out above both their heads. Sanzo noticed the red and purple marks around his wrist and realized he must had held on tight enough to bruise while he�d been sleeping� and Gojyo hadn�t done a thing about it. Sanzo didn�t know when he had finally felt exhausted enough to close his eyes. He didn�t even dream, unless it was for nightmares. Sanzo rolled over in astonishment to Gojyo�s grimacing and scarred face; one eye closed in discomfort as the half-youkai worked the blood into his arm. Embarrassed, Sanzo pushed himself off the other man far too late. Just what was he doing here, lying with a bastard youkai and wearing nothing but his skin? He was grabbing up a loose sheet for decency and launching off the bed before Gojyo caught him by the elbow, jerking him back hard. He landed in a well-directed tumble between Gojyo�s legs, nose nearly brushing the man�s chin. Sanzo felt the blush he couldn�t do a damn thing about climb over his face, looking away in humiliation. Why could Gojyo make him feel so awkward and self-conscious without even saying much at all? The man�s warm chuckle was like a knife being twisted around in his guts and Gojyo put a hand to the side of his face and forced Sanzo to look him in the eye.

"Where�s my good morning kiss?" the youkai bastard asked sweetly, closing his eyes and leaning down to likely steal one. He caught Sanzo�s fist on pure instinct, longer fingers wrapping over his knuckles and forcing it away from his face. Gojyo easily wrestled him back down into the mattress, Sanzo winding up flat on his back with both wrists captured on either side of his head, Gojyo straddling his hips. The redhead grinned down at him, long, red hair tickling Sanzo�s cheeks. Sanzo growled in the back of his throat, almost feral with rage over the presumption that Genjo Sanzo would engage in domestic affection. He wasn�t some lover that Gojyo was going to grow old with. Sanzo was going to die of youkai or cigarettes, whichever came first since his pride wouldn�t allow a quick suicide. He glared pure hate up at the taller man, hating Gojyo so much� because that was better than giving a name to whatever warm emotion that was eating away at his chest, his heart.

"That wasn�t exactly what I had in mind," Gojyo was still in good humor, likely because he wasn�t the one pinned down to the bed right now. Sanzo made the mistake of starting to tell Gojyo exactly what he had in mind, and found Gojyo�s mouth suddenly clapped down over his own. Wonderfully warm lips, and a tongue sliding along his teeth. Sanzo should really try to bite off. Instead, he just went limp as if Gojyo had injected poison into him through his saliva. His own thoughts got cloudy, caught between being miserable, hating Gojyo and Hakkai and Goku all at once, wanting to stop the most irritating one from molesting him, and getting dizzy from his own wild heartbeat. It was making his skull ache, so Sanzo gave up and� relaxed. It was frightening to actually open his jaw up and accept all of Gojyo, trembling instead of tensing. Gojyo read the body language like Sanzo had spoken aloud, easing down on top of him like a heavy blanket and loosening his hold on Sanzo�s wrists. Gojyo felt like worn velvet wherever he touched Sanzo's own exposed skin, a little dried out but warm and soft. Gojyo�s hands ran down his forearms, nails lightly dragging across the inner curve of his elbows and shoulders. Sanzo saw gray dots dancing along the corner of his vision even though his eyes were tightly shut. He moaned right up into Gojyo�s mouth like some wanton whore, electricity dancing along his skin. He bitterly, vehemently blamed Gojyo for the warming passion building up at the bottom of his gut.

"So sensitive. My little priest is coming along nicely," Gojyo purred against his cheek, obviously proud of the way Sanzo could do little more than wait for the redhead to touch him. He would have continued on like that too, if Gojyo hadn�t said one of the few things that were taboo to him. He was not something to be owned, much less controlled.

"I�m nobody�s anything, you fucking prick," Sanzo snapped right back, quickly brought back to his senses by those few words. He started to struggle, meaning to claw Gojyo�s eyes out since he didn�t have the room to try another punch like before, but the bastard managed to pin one hand down underneath his bony and hard knee, the other failing to break Gojyo�s earlier hold. He bucked and flailed with the freedom of movement his body was still allowed, trying to dislodge the taller man. It was a major bitch to start fighting this early in the morning, but Sanzo also wasn�t about to start kissing Gojyo either. The bastard cursed, jerking his head back barely in time when Sanzo made another swipe for his eyes. Gojyo sat down on his stomach, making breathing laborious as the youkai reached over to gather up the sheet Sanzo had pulled up to serve as a makeshift robe. It caught underneath his back, but Gojyo didn�t seem to mind. Instead, he forced both of Sanzo�s arms against his side, looping the sheet up and yanking it tight around his elbows. Gojyo had it done up in a fat and lumpy knot before Sanzo could escape.

�Rage� couldn�t cover what he felt any more, that word seeming to pale to the emotion that was building up. Gojyo had just tied him up like some screwy present, settling back on his thighs to keep Sanzo from kneeing him somewhere important. He smiled and brushed his hair out of his face, showing Sanzo those two scars that really should repulse him more than intrigue him. He despised every damn single feature on that human face in inhuman youkai coloring. Red eyes and red hair that were too pure to be normal, a constant reminder that Sanzo was sleeping with the enemy.

"Let. Me. Go," Sanzo made it very clear. There was no way that he could handle restraints, his throat already starting to tighten. His stomach ached, as if it was trying to hide away from the torture that Sanzo had learned to expect. Gojyo didn�t notice this, and Sanzo hoped it was because he could hide it like he usually did. He didn�t trust his mask so much any more, not after Goku had torn it down last night. He wasn�t mean, he was fucking misunderstood by each and everyone of those three idiots; especially the one shaking his head at the High Priest he had trapped underneath him.

"Not on your life," Gojyo laughed out. Sanzo�s eyes narrowed, his breathing becoming uncontrollable. How was he supposed to stay calm when he had a half-youkai crawling around on the same bed? There wasn�t even a piece of lint for clothing on the tanned body perched over him, sculpted hips, wide shoulders� and that damn mocking grin. Sanzo�s hands flopped around in retarded movements, not quite able to reach Gojyo�s knee and at least make it bleed with his nails. If Gojyo even dared to get his good morning kiss now- Sanzo would bite his fucking tongue off. If he could just get Gojyo off of him, Sanzo would be able to slip right out of the blanket and proceeded to kick the bastard�s ass, but as things were now� Sanzo was so frustrated he felt tears begin to sting the corner of his eyes.

"Come on, Sanzo, is it really so bad?" Gojyo asked, the smile finally leaving his face as he watched a High Priest pant and tremble in fear. Why did he have to tie him up like this? Sanzo could break it if he really wanted, if he could just summon together that sort of control. If Gojyo would stop kissing him on the chin and cheek; intelligently avoiding his mouth for once like he could predict Sanzo�s thoughts. He hated it so much.

"Yes! Let me go or I�ll fucking kill-�" Sanzo paused when Gojyo put his hands on hips, "�-you." Was the last word he got out coherently when Gojyo decided to start tickling him again. Sanzo ruled the day Gojyo had ever learned of this, biting his lower lip in an attempt to hold it all in- and then promptly began to laugh himself silly. He couldn�t stop, couldn�t gain his breath, and Gojyo wasn�t giving him a chance to recover either. Sanzo struggled in the makeshift bonds Gojyo had put around him; curling up onto his side to protect at least one hip as the redhead continued his assault. Gojyo actually put his mouth down against Sanzo�s flesh and blew air out sharply, making shameful noises that were bizarrely ticklish against his skin. Sanzo didn�t quite howl with laughter, but it was surely the loudest noise he had ever made while not in excruciating pain. He choked on drool he couldn�t swallow because Gojyo was making him laugh so hard, the fuzzy pressure of a blackout building up behind his eyes. Gojyo was going to kill him with the giggles. It was so ironic Sanzo couldn�t help but start laughing some more.

Gojyo must have finally stopped, but Sanzo didn�t notice when, just that he was blinking up at the ceiling stupidly, dizzy from exertion, and no one was touching him. He didn�t even mind the sheet still lynched around him. He simply lay there, breathing in the cooling hollow of where Gojyo must have been sleeping before he decided to attack Sanzo. When had things become so messed up? When had he decided to take a half-youkai as a lover? When had he even begun to think of Gojyo like a lover?! When did he� start to push distinctively cool and wet fingers up against sensitive skin?

Gojyo had done them both the favor of buying lube last night. Sanzo hadn�t even known that such a product existed, but wasn�t surprised that Gojyo had been able to find and purchase it. Gojyo had explained before actually using it, but Sanzo couldn�t make his mind up about the stuff. It was greasy and smelled something fierce, but Gojyo�s pointer finger slid in with all the ease of a hot knife cutting through butter. Sanzo couldn�t help a small grunt as Gojyo prepared him, sore from going at it all night long with the half-youkai. Sanzo had made one little comment about stamina and now he was regretting it with every fiber of his being. Muscles that were usually tense and firm were now loose and stretched out from too-much use. Gojyo hardly even needed to twist the digit around before Sanzo was ready for a second one, that slick stuff helping considerably. He couldn�t help arching up, the intrusion becoming unbearable. Sanzo was just about ready to complain when Gojyo seemed to read his discomfort and began sucking underneath the curve of his jaw. Sanzo didn�t know if it was because Gojyo had simply paid so much attention to the spot or if it was an actual erogenous area, his run of sex partners painfully limited. Fuck it. Either way, Sanzo was moaning and tilting his neck to allow Gojyo more room. He wanted to hold onto something, not having much reach with his arms right now, so Sanzo made fists, nails biting into his palms- not hard enough to break the skin. If Gojyo saw blood, he�d probably stop everything to bitch at Sanzo. As it was, when Gojyo finally kissed him on the mouth, Sanzo bit down on the bastard�s lower lip and locked his jaw there, not about to let Gojyo go. He wasn�t going to be the only one trapped on this bad, liking the confused grunt that Gojyo made as he realized what Sanzo was up to.

"Yuu basah," Gojyo shot out what must have been �you bastard,� with one lip caught as it was. Sanzo grinned in triumphant, sure that the redhead would finally untie him now. Genjo Sanzo wasn�t one to do anything against his will. Instead, fingers were yanked out from him in shocking abruptness to be replaced by something much bigger, warmer. Sanzo knew without looking that it was Gojyo�s cock, loosing his grip on�everything. Sanzo cried out and tried to stop it at the same time, not about to lose his pride and unable to think of the meaning of the word as Gojyo slowly skewered him. He trashed about, hands seeking to take care of the painful ache forming at his groin. It wasn�t fair that Gojyo was the only one who got off, already rutting between his legs like the youkai side had finally gotten the best of him. Did the asshole really think that a little sucking on the neck counted as foreplay? Gojyo was already halfway inside and hadn�t even said a single thing that could be considered a compliment. Not that Sanzo wanted them anyway. He only concentrated on keeping silent, determined not to give Gojyo the satisfaction of his voice this time. Gojyo just kept on sucking and licking a line down his throat, over his collarbone, before hesitating over the bare expanse of chest before the sheet brought him up short. Sanzo sneered at how Gojyo�s restraints had backfired on him, taking joy in the smallest sliver of revenge.

"Oh, yeah, you like it when I play with your nipples," Gojyo mused aloud. Free hands or not, Sanzo still launched himself at the half-breed for saying such. He couldn�t stand that casual announcement, the way Gojyo had dared to assume that he knew him and his habits. Sanzo didn�t enjoy one damn thing the half-youkai bastard did to him; was going to tear Gojyo�s throat out with his teeth if he had to. However, in his sudden rush, Sanzo had forgotten just what they were doing, winding up with Gojyo driving in all the way to the balls. Sanzo jerked and fell right back down to the bed, outright whimpering as Gojyo grabbed his legs and hoisted him up for a better angle.

"I knew this was a good idea," Gojyo announced more to himself since Sanzo was too pissed off to listen to words right now, tugging the knot once more to make sure that it was still secure. A thousand insults went through Sanzo�s head, and not one seemed good enough to cover what the half-breed had done this time. Gojyo was going to die the moment he was finally free. Sanzo was going to do it with his own bare hands, because he wanted to feel it, up close and personal, when he killed the asshole. He was going to relish every second of Gojyo gasping for air, clawing at his arms in an instinctive attempt at survival as Sanzo choked the life out of him. Sanzo decided that was going to be the way he murdered Gojyo. Until then, he locked his ankles around behind Gojyo�s back, squeezing hard enough with his knees to bruise. No way in hell was Sanzo going to let Gojyo leave a beautiful corpse, determined to mark the bastard up as best as possible for now. Others might have called it petty, but he didn�t have much else to fight for these days. His faith was cold and dead, his heart had a scar over it that had never quite healed right, and these days even his sanity seemed to be abandoning him� and Gojyo was still playing with the lobe of his ear between sharp teeth. There was a heavy, laborious �want you� that was wet and warm against the curve of his inner ear before Gojyo started moving inside of him. Sanzo felt every inch of it, clenching his eyes closed and unable to stop the grunts and mewling whines a body produces when something too big was being shoved up inside. Just Gojyo�s mouth wasn�t quite enough to distract him from the discomfort; Gojyo far too careful and Sanzo far too used to worse for it to be called pain. He didn�t have the freedom to move around like usual, didn�t have any choice but to simply take it and hope that sore and bruised insides would adjust quickly enough.

Gojyo�s hand was warm and slightly sticky, but it felt just right when he finally saw fit to pay some attention to Sanzo as well. Gojyo ran his fingers up and down the length of his penis, which Sanzo wished wasn�t quite as hard as it was. He wasn�t supposed to be easily turned on, hell, Sanzo wasn�t supposed to feel one fucking thing with a half-youkai pawing at his body� but he was still arching up between Gojyo�s hand and cock driven deep inside. Sanzo was moaning like a whore, crying out when Gojyo finally found that spot inside that made him see bright colors and hear rain in his ears. It didn�t frighten him though; he was beyond anything at this point. Just wanted more of whatever was happening to his body. Wanted it to last forever. Sanzo started crying out Gojyo�s name, simply not caring about pride and appearance, not when Gojyo could do such wonderful things that Sanzo couldn�t even begin to describe. He tried to hold himself there, not even sure where he was�until he came long and hard with a scream that was sure to bring every living creature within five miles; but it was muffled by something.

It might have been Gojyo�s mouth.

�

Sanzo awoke for the second time that day, but it was like he hadn�t slept at all. He didn�t usually feel energetic on first waking, but this was completely different. He ached and burned in places that we still tingling from what Gojyo had done, in fact, the man was combing back Sanzo�s bangs right now. His brutish, rough fingers kept sliding through his hair and pushing it aside pointlessly, since more just fell right back into his eyes. Sanzo wanted to bat Gojyo�s hand away, but he didn�t have the strength�and he was still trussed up like pig waiting for the slaughter. He could only lay there and take the affection- and no matter how much Sanzo wanted to hate what Gojyo was doing now, a part of him couldn�t help but admit that it felt nice. That he secretly wanted to curl up against Gojyo, who was warm and strong and would keep him safe for a little while, at least. But there was always the looming pressure that the second he stepped off of this bed, he�d have to become High Priest Genjo Sanzo again. He had to stay resolute and independent from silly things like lovers and friends, or else he�d lose everything. He had already lost one precious person to youkai; perhaps the only one Sanzo would ever be able to care about. If he opened himself up to Gojyo, the stupid bastard would probably get himself killed the next time they met with a demon clan. That was just the way things happened to him, like the Gods couldn�t get enough of watching Genjo Sanzo suffer.

"If I take this off, are you going to kill me?" Gojyo finally asked at last, his voice just as soft as the fingers running through his hair. Sanzo wasn�t sure what his answer was, but Gojyo seemed to be able to make a decision based on what he saw in Sanzo�s eyes alone. After a few curse words and a poor joke about maybe needing to cut it off, the knot was released and the sheet unraveled to its normal size. Sanzo lay there in blind shock for a moment, realizing that his arms were free�and then he was clutching at Gojyo�s back, burying his face awkwardly into the man�s shoulder and chest. The redhead made a noise of surprise as Sanzo held on tightly enough for bones to start creaking. He panted, smelling Gojyo�s brand of cigarettes, Gojyo�s hair and whatever soap was hanging on. He closed his eyes, because he wasn�t going to cry.

"I don�t want you to die," Sanzo admitted weakly. He was so damn scared. It wasn�t just the sex any more; he was starting to care for Gojyo. If he did that, the man would die just like Komyou had. He�d get killed by his own weakness� it was far to easy to imagine Gojyo throwing his body in front of Sanzo�s own to protect him during the middle of a fight. He wouldn�t be able to stand losing someone precious ever again. He could trust Goku to stay alive, even if the dumb ass ended up going to Hell and back. Goku wasn�t going to leave him. Gojyo was a completely different matter, with his own agenda, ideals, a bad attitude problem, and that damn insufferable smirk of his. Worst of all, Gojyo could change his mind. Just finally get sick of having a gun pointed at him all day long and abandon him without another word. Sanzo had never thought about anything in the distant future beyond finally arriving in India and defeating Gyuumao. He certainly hadn�t ever needed to consider a life without Gojyo before, because the half-breed hadn�t been a necessity before.

"What the hell are you talking about, you stupid priest?" Gojyo made it a fond nickname this time, a hand ruffling his hair like he was a child. An arm went around his back, rubbing circles in what must be a comforting manner. Sanzo hadn�t ever had anyone hold him like this before, and it left a sick feeling in the bottom of his stomach. He wasn�t even sure what he was talking about himself anymore. They had always accused him of being partially insane, and now it was actually happening.

"I�m not going to die any time soon," Gojyo chuckled at Sanzo�s fears, obviously trying to make light of what he was taking seriously. Fucking bastard.

"You can�t promise me that," Sanzo spat back. If there was one thing he knew, it was that they had very little control over their own lives. He was nothing but a servant for the Three Aspects in the end, and Kanzeon Bosatsu wouldn�t even allow him the decency of dying until he completed his mission. Gojyo could get drunk, fall down, and split his head open on the floor. There were a million ironic little twists of fate that could end up with Gojyo dead and Sanzo alone. He liked what Gojyo did to his body, how he gave carnal pleasure meaning. Sanzo had always skimmed over those parts of the scriptures, figuring that he would never be able to find anyone who would ever love him enough to want to have sex with him anyway. He knew what was whispered behind his back about his inhuman eyes, his pale coloring, and his demonic beauty. Sanzo had never wanted to be born this way, would have preferred to be some horrendously disfigured burn victim or such. He was jealous of the ugly tramps that wandered around the city, never once having to deal with someone pressing into their personal space, breathing down their neck, and asking if he wanted a go at it. It wasn�t quite as repulsive as Sanzo had imagined love would be, at least when it was with Gojyo. Sanzo could cry at the irony of falling for a half-youkai.

"I�ll see your skinny ass buried before I die," Gojyo swore, a soft kiss on his forehead. Just like Komyou had done�once. Sanzo should have been far too young to remember, but it had been one of the few moments in his life when someone had actually shown they cared. He was struck by the sudden urge to just stay there forever, even though he knew it wasn�t possible. This was going to be nothing more than another side-trip for them that had taken up far too much time� even though Sanzo was actually beginning to like every moment of it. He actually felt alive right now, holding onto Gojyo like he could crawl up inside the taller man. What hollow, weak part of him that still begged to be held and touched. He had forgotten what another person actually felt like; quite used to being the distant and removed High Priest. Well, he did have Goku hanging off of his arm on occasion when the monkey wanted to beg for some food, but that wasn�t the same as this.

"Hey, Sanzo, you really are killing me here. Loosen up a bit, will you? We still have a while before breakfast," Gojyo asked with only a tinge of the humor from before, patting Sanzo on his shoulders in an attempt to get him to calm down. Sanzo realized exactly where he was, resting on top of Gojyo�s lap with the sticky evidence of their lovemaking smeared all over the inside of his thighs. Sanzo suddenly flushed with embarrassment, dropping his arms away as he tried to look like that didn�t mean a thing at all. He couldn�t let it mean anything.

"An�anyway, I�m going to get cleaned up," Sanzo hated how long it took him to find his voice, assuming his glare and straightening out his shoulders as he started to move away. Gojyo grabbed at his elbows, giving him another open, dashing smile that Sanzo had always seen directed on women but never once toward him. It made his ears burn and for one frightening moment Sanzo couldn�t think of anything else other than how deep the red of Gojyo�s eyes were.

"Aw, don�t be like that, San-chan," Gojyo whined out, leaning in for another deep kiss.

Sanzo left him with a rising lump on the back of his idiotic, antenna-ed head, blowing on his smarting knuckles as he left the bed to go to the bathroom. Gojyo really was a thick-skulled moron, calling him pet names like that. Hakkai had gotten away with it once because they had been in public and he�d still been out of sorts; but certainly not while they were alone in the same room.

---
Breakfast was a quiet affair, the atmosphere more appropriate for a funeral as plates were set down in front of them by a trembling but polite Mei Li. Sanzo began slowly nibbling on a single piece of toast, a silent consent to allow the rest of them to begin eating. It was horrible to sit there under the intense survey of the few people that actually had come down for a morning meal. It was painfully obvious that they had scared off most of the customers, from the frown on the innkeeper�s face and the other waitresses constantly glaring. The only good thing about the whole deal was that they were all finally in travelling gear, dressed up in mended clothes and thick coats hung over the back of their chairs. Hakuryuu was happily scarfing down scrambled eggs from Hakkai�s plate, more than likely building up energy for the drive they had ahead of them. Hakkai was quietly studying a map that was folded carefully to the specific area they were now in, not needing the whole thing messily spread out. He was absently drinking dark coffee and fingering his bacon more than eating it. His pet was only more than happy to clean his plate off for him and begin to squeak for more. Hakkai set down his map to refill the plate before the whining could start to annoy Sanzo, who had set down half a piece of toast and was obviously taking a breather. Albeit one with a cigarette sucked down like a short shot of cheap tequila. Gojyo was at his immediate left, much too close to be anything but intimate as he hovered around Sanzo�s shoulder, passing these winks and smirks that clearly meant something between only them. It was enough to make any onlooker sick to his stomach. Thankfully they had to part for Gojyo to start working on his own plate, the awkward silence continuing. Even though they were finally ready to start heading West, there was still a lot of unsettled business between them all.

Gojyo was just thankful that they were getting the fuck out of this place. He didn�t care how long it would take to get to the next town; he�d make it. He didn�t want to stay here beyond the bare minimum it took for Sanzo to sign his name at the bottom of the credit card bill. He was sure that the priest felt the same way; all of them, in fact. Nobody had a single word to break the silence�until Goku stole a roll from his plate. Gojyo started yelling on reflex, reaching right over to steal it back. The little monkey dared to shove a hand up in his face just long enough to hold Gojyo off until he could finish shoving the bread down his fat mouth�. And soon they were fighting just like usual while Hakkai tried to calm them down in diplomatic but amused tones.

Sanzo�s fan came back out into use with two resounding cracks on the pair�s head. Gojyo hadn�t seen the thing in so long that he was sure dust had been shaken off the damn thing. It disappeared just as soon as it had appeared, Gojyo glaring as he wondered yet again just where the monk managed to hide that thing. The meal continued, but they were all now back to normal. For some reason, it was so easy to forget about all the shit that had been going on for a moment- because it was easier that way rather than start fighting. Everyone could at least wait until they hit the road to start going at it.

Gojyo was surprised at how little time it took in the end to finish up breakfast, Goku happily filling himself up like a pig while Sanzo nursed two pieces of toast and an egg for over an hour. Sanzo had bought a fresh pack of cigarettes this morning; but that obviously wasn�t going to keep him very long from the ashtray he had already filled up. Gojyo hadn�t felt like smoking this morning. He was by no means ever going to quit smoking, but he thought about cutting back for a little bit. Sanzo had managed to get him spooked, that cold-hearted, beautiful bastard. Just one heartbreaking fear admitted and Gojyo was worried about lung cancer killing him in the long run. He didn�t want to prove Sanzo right by dying before the little shit. It was an unfounded one, certainly coming out of nowhere, but reasonable nonetheless. After considering how many youkai they fought every day, it wasn�t hard to picture some fuck getting in a lucky shot. Sanzo had bad twist of fate recently and look where they were now. He could possibly die, but he wasn�t about to live a more careful and reserved life because of it. He wouldn�t even know how to.

Sanzo checked them out after breakfast was finished, everyone pulling on their coats and stepping out into the muddy street. The usual fanfare that came with their departure from a village was missing, but they hadn�t made themselves particularly wanted here either. Gojyo could only imagine the stories that were going to follow them now, stepping out into the road with distaste. The snow had melted or been trampled down into messy puddles at the end of the street, but Hakkai stood in the middle of it with his unreadable joker�s smile back in place as he threw Hakuryuu off of his arm into the air. The little dragon shimmered and Gojyo looked away from the bright light of the beast�s transformation, learning long before that he could blind himself if he tried to watch. The familiar Jeep materialized before them all, Hakkai patting the hood of the vehicle affectionately before he sat down behind the driver�s wheel. Gojyo and Goku were already climbing up into the backseat while Sanzo took his place in front.

"So, where to, Sanzo?" Hakkai inquired warmly, and this time he didn�t sound sarcastic. No one would ever believe the fight that had taken place last night. How easy it was to fall back into routine, as long as everyone played nice and didn�t mention the few hot topics- like anything pertaining to what had happened to Sanzo, Hakkai beating up the local doctor, or Goku all but taking Sanzo over his knee and spanking him like someone should have done long ago. Gojyo was still impressed that the ape had the guts to stand up to Sanzo when he had been about to totally unleash on Hakkai, realizing he didn�t share the backseat with a simple idiot. Goku had instincts and he trusted them, which was probably why he had managed to stay above this whole mess in the first place. If Goku wasn�t such a loudmouthed glutton, Gojyo could have almost called him graceful. Instead, the kid was happily enjoying a basket of breakfast rolls that he must have taken from the table, crumbs everywhere. Gojyo shock his head in disgust, resting his elbow on the side of the Jeep and glancing over at the slight profile he got of the pissy blonde in the front seat.

"First, back to that forest, and then we go West," Sanzo ordered, lighting up yet another cigarette as the engine turned. Hakkai just laughed politely as Gojyo realized the priest had a shot gun settled between his legs. He remembered those bullets Sanzo had been making at the table and realized that for once, Sanzo was going to see one of their little distractions through. Even though the bastard complained and bitched every second of how long it was taking to get to India, he wanted to stay on just long enough to get even with creatures that were already dead. Gojyo sighed, knowing that Sanzo didn�t have to give a reason for much of anything that he did. Goku started shivering and hunching down in his own coat next to Gojyo, whining about how cold it was. Thankfully, the Jeep started rolling forward and soon the sound of the engine and tires was enough to overwhelm Goku�s own voice.

It was a shorter trip than Gojyo remembered, or maybe it was because he was thinking so hard about what Sanzo had said. That damn priest had been able to make him paranoid about his own life, suddenly forced to realize his own mortality. What a bitch. He had survived through shit worse than hell, and he wasn�t about to die any time soon after finally having the great High Priest Genjo Sanzo. He moaned and moved so nicely that it should be a sin, just like everything else that priest seemed to be up to. Why would Gojyo run off and get himself killed when he knew that he could have Sanzo between the sheets� well, as soon as they came to another town. Even though it was clear that Hakkai and Goku both knew about their relationship, Gojyo was damn sure that Sanzo wouldn�t appreciate open affection. Everyone was trying so damn hard to act normal that he would feel guilty if he put a blatant arm around Sanzo- that was, if the priest would even let him do something like that. Gojyo had picked up one fine, prickly son of a bitch.

The landscape had changed as they headed back toward the last place Gojyo wanted to go. Low ground fog began to appear now that they were away from the village, rolling in and out of the uneven forest floor. The snow was no longer immaculately smooth, broken with tree branches had fallen down, some spots beginning to melt down to reveal the muddy ground underneath. There were even animal tracks now, standing out clear in the white fluff clinging to the earth. Gojyo smiled at that, because he certainly hadn�t seen this kind of wonder disorderly and alive nature when the youkai had been living here. It seemed like whatever force had been keeping the forest in a magical, pristine winter was gone. No one would ever guess that there were still ghosts hanging on, if not for the spiritual force Gojyo could feel underneath it all. It was enough to make the fine hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. They had burned down that mansion with an innumerable amount of paintings. Sanzo hadn�t been the first to fall victim, but he had definitely been the last. Gojyo wasn�t really comfortable with the thought of them going out to banish, destroy, or do whatever Sanzo was planning to do with people who had just been victims. They hadn�t even had a chance. Didn�t Sanzo understand that?

"You can stop here," Sanzo suddenly demanded, unreadable as ever. He flicked a cold butt into the snow, reaching into his coat for his pack as Hakkai began to shift down. There had been a slight road to follow through the trees up until now, but that was only because they had found a good path. Gojyo doubted that there had been any real direction as they grinded to a halt in the middle of the snow, digging up wide tire marks behind them. Sanzo stepped out the side of the Jeep, tossing a bag that jangled with the sound of his homemade bullets. Goku caught it as he jumped out after the blonde, slinging it around his neck and grabbing a fistful of shells to have ready to pass off to Sanzo. The teamwork made Gojyo and Hakkai both glance back to each other as they were clearly left out. Shit, those two had probably done this before they had ever met them, Sanzo making sport of killing youkai before he was even old enough to drink. It was hard to picture Sanzo ever being young; running around laughing and playing games as children tended to do. The little shit had probably been born frowning with his attitude now.

Hakkai coughed and gave him a warning glare, making Gojyo realize that he had been starting at the brunette while trying to sort out his own thoughts. It was Sanzo�s fault, again. Why did he have to be so damn pretty, resting the barrel of the shotgun on his hip while he loaded the bullets, snapping the stock back into place, and grinning with a twinkle in his eyes that clearly wasn�t sane? After loading the gun, Sanzo looped his arm around it and brought both hands up together, like he was planning to pray, Gojyo raised an eyebrow at that, slowly peeling himself out of the backseat and tossing his legs over the side of the Jeep. He landed in the snow just as Hakkai dismissed Hakuryuu back into its dragon form. The pet happily landed on its master�s shoulders, affectionately playing with his hair as Hakkai laughed and waited for Sanzo to give his orders. Gojyo meant to light up his last cigarette then, wanting to save it for whenever they had to finally start listening to High Priest Sanzo�s demands because they were back in the field. He glanced over at Sanzo, meaning to check how far he�d gotten in his own stick- and got caught up in him.

Sanzo was breathtaking when he prayed. It didn�t happen everyday, and Gojyo had a lot of doubt when it came to the monk�s faith, but when he actually put his hands together and bowed his head down� Gojyo couldn�t look away, as if he just been dazzled by the sun that was hiding behind dark gray clouds above them. He realized just how golden Sanzo�s hair was, like a bright light had suddenly turned on over the priest. Gojyo didn�t know if Sanzo just hid his spiritual power or could somehow flip his enlightened status as a High Priest on and off. Even though they were standing in the middle of a thawing, snow-covered forest, Gojyo felt warmth wash over him, emanating from the skinny priest praying in the center of them. He distantly felt Goku and Hakkai on either side of him, the three of them forming a nice triangle around their monk. He was glad that they had all silently, mutually moved to cover Sanzo, because he doubted that Hakkai would appreciate him trying to give an order.

"Here they come," Sanzo announced before Gojyo felt �them.� He dumbly realized that the shitty monk had started praying to lure in the ghosts that had been haunting the village. He could almost feel sorry for the poor, dead bastards that were starting to circle in on Genjo Sanzo. Gojyo couldn�t see anything, but a chill ran down his spine, the saying of someone walking over your grave very tangible now. Sanzo�s warmth was gone like it had never been, Gojyo wincing and looking around at the trees in suspicion when he felt icy fingers on the back of his neck. He didn�t like this one bit, wanting to bring out his shaku-jyou despite seeing no enemies. Hakuryuu was squealing nonstop in Gojyo�s left ear, finally overwhelmed by whatever was closing in and shooting up into the sky in self preservation. Goku already had his nyoi-boi out, obviously waiting for a physical enemy to appear. Gojyo doubted that was going to happen this time, his finer youkai senses telling him to get the fuck out of there before... something happened.

Sanzo suddenly turned, bracing his feet in the slushy mud and bracing the shotgun against his shoulder. The monk wordlessly took aim between Goku and Hakkai, the firearm going off with an explosive crack that just wasn�t normal. Gojyo looked around just in time to see� nothing. For a moment Gojyo thought the monk had actually missed- and then there was a bright explosion of blue and white light only a few yards away. Gojyo could discern a struggling silhouette caught in the middle of whatever spell Sanzo had painted onto the bullets, not unlike how the Maten Scripture dissolved anything it touched. When Sanzo was done with his work, not even the ashes of youkai remained. This was no different as the light slowly faded and Sanzo grinned with satisfaction, only a slight lessening in the evil presence Gojyo was aware of.

"Oh, good, it works," Sanzo murmured to himself, but Gojyo caught it.

"You didn�t even know if it was going to work, you shitty monk?" he yelled, swirling around on the monk in accusation. He had dragged them out into the middle of a fucking ghost infestation and didn�t even know if his artillery was going to work? Gojyo wanted to slap the monk for what must be the hundredth time, wishing that the son of a bitch would see fit to share little details like this. Sanzo just smirked at him before aiming off at something only he could see. Again, he pulled and the shot ran through every bone in Gojyo�s body. Blonde hair was tossed back from the recoil, but Sanzo didn�t so much as budge. Gojyo jumped even though he had been expecting it this time, hating the burst of power that was sent off. Some times, Sanzo was downright malicious, grinning at the small implosion of spiritual energy. He unlocked the barrel and two steaming shells fell out to hit the ground with an audible hiss. Sanzo snapped his fingers and Goku was already there, handing him more bullets.

The monk reloaded and shot off two bullets simultaneously. Gojyo could swear he heard screaming this time, throwing up an arm to protect his eyes. He already was seeing bright spots behind his eyelids from the first ghost Sanzo had expelled. Gojyo wondered where they were going, if Sanzo even had the heart to send them up to Heaven. If there was such a thing. Gojyo had meant to ask Sanzo some time, since the monk was bound to know more about the afterlife than him. He didn�t entertain the thought of dying quite as much as Sanzo did, it seemed. Goku was kicking up snow, turning around like a dog that couldn�t find anything to bark at. Hakkai was also having just as hard of a time as Sanzo

"Spread out behind me, or else I�m going to blow your ass away," Sanzo ordered coldly, looking a little bit pressured now. Gojyo could guess that there were quite a few vengeful spirits wandering around in these woods. The monk turned around and Gojyo realized he was aiming in his general directions, eyes focusing down on the dark end of the barrel. Gojyo jumped and mis-stepped in his haste, boots catching each other as he went down in an ungraceful pile. Sanzo�s bullet hit somewhere behind his back; Gojyo close enough to see the process this time. He saw the shell get caught in the air, slowing down as something shimmered. For one split-second, Gojyo saw a girl� except she was split in half, still dripping blood as the two parts of her body barely hung together at the top of the skull. Long hair was visible through the large, gaping wound; obviously raped to death by a youkai and torn apart at the end of it.

Gojyo was loudly sick, tears streaming down his face despite himself as she screamed; swallowed up by Sanzo�s banishing shell. What a fucking way to die. He couldn�t help it, emptying out what was left in his stomach as the image of that girl just wouldn�t leave his head.

"Hakkai!" Sanzo was the first at Gojyo�s side, firing off yet another short round at the ghosts swarming them. The priest actually took the time to touch Gojyo on the back of his neck, cold and ungloved fingers pressing down around the side of his throat as if to assess if he was alive or not. It was enough to get Gojyo back to knees, woozily glancing around at Goku running up, shoving more bullets at Sanzo; Hakkai suddenly in front of him because Sanzo had ordered him, carefully avoiding the vomit that was steaming in the cold air. The priest left Gojyo in the other man�s care, Goku slightly behind him as the monk kept on firing off into the woods.

"Shit, why are there so many?" Sanzo cursed as Hakkai started to urge Gojyo up into a standing position. The blonde was moving fast now, spitting out a cigarette along with more empty shells, a scattered line beginning to form at his feet. Gojyo attempted to stand, understanding that they were in a dangerous position, even if he couldn�t see a damn thing.

"We�re going," Sanzo ordered back at them as Gojyo fell back down into the snow. Pain lanced up his leg, a fiery ache coming from his ankle. Gojyo lamely held his right leg out, realizing he must have broken something during that fall. Absolutely fucking wonderful. He tried wiggling his toes, hissing and trying to gauge the pain. Okay, maybe not broken. Really, really fucking hurting! If only Sanzo had taken a little bit more care and not actually aimed at him, he wouldn�t have had to jump out of the way on an icy surface. His pants were already wet, starting to soak through as he sourly look down at himself still sitting in the snow.

"What is it?" Hakkai asked, not so much with concern as irritation as he stood over him. Gojyo could have said a few smart things just then, if he hadn�t already fallen down twice. Sanzo wasn�t even paying them any heed; practically sequential shots making every bone in Gojyo�s body jump. He grimaced, grunting at the pain but sucking up anything smart he had wanted to say.

"I think I twisted my ankle," Gojyo admitted instead, drawing himself up on his good leg. Goku glanced back in concern, his hands held out for Sanzo to take bullets as he pleased. Gojyo had already lost count of how many rounds Sanzo must have fired off, feeling a sweat break out on his forehead despite the cold Hakkai frowned in disbelief at him as Sanzo explosively cursed in front of them. Gojyo didn�t know what to say, other than he was sorry Sanzo had tried to kill him! That fucking hypocritical, sinning little shit.

"Carry the clumsy ass! Just start moving!" Sanzo ordered back, marching forward without another look back. Goku followed, leaving the two of them behind as the priest stalked off into the forest. Gojyo didn�t like it one bit, immediately feeling vulnerable as the space between him and Sanzo stretched out. He tried to gain his feet and fell yet again- except Hakkai caught him by the arm and hauled his taller body up.

"How bad is it?" Hakkai asked in a cold voice, obviously not wanting to take care of him but having little choice in the manner. The brunette wasn�t even meeting his gaze as Gojyo tentatively started to put weight on it. No good. He hissed and Hakkai coughed, sighing hard in frustration like this was all his fault. Sanzo�s shots were still going off, though they weren�t as deafening as before. There was no way that Gojyo was going to be able to even limp, gnawing on his lower lip as he tried to figure out what to do. He didn�t want to have Hakkai be holding him up, and he was sure that the other man felt just the same. He couldn�t really do anything else; certain that he wasn�t able to stand on his own either. Hakkai was apparently coming to the same conclusion; slowly adjusting their bodies around until Gojyo found himself hoisted up onto the man�s back. He forgot sometimes just how strong Hakkai was, usually so polite and conceding. He found himself riding piggyback on Hakkai like a child, even though he was considerably taller than the other man was.

"I can�t believe you managed to hurt yourself right now," Hakkai growled over his shoulder as he began trudging through the snow after Sanzo. Gojyo could feel the hairs on his arms standing up straight, Goosebumps breaking out all over his skin. Just because they were separated from Sanzo, they were already somehow standing in the middle of ghosts. Gojyo could feel it, knew that Hakkai had to be ten times more sensitive to this. Not quite as much as Sanzo, who could actually see them and take aim, but probably enough to put the man on edge. That was still no reason to start getting angry with someone who had just gotten injured.

"This isn�t my fault," Gojyo snapped out bitterly, his arms slung over Hakkai�s shoulder and his legs almost dragging on the ground. He wondered how they must look right now, himself so awkwardly oversized for Hakkai to carry with ease. He hoped that they damn well held the priest up, since he had been the lousy bastard to open fire so close on his friends. He could see the shitty priest now through the trees, a tall and thin white figure in the relative gray and dark green of the woods with something small and brown dancing around it. Sanzo was simply firing from the hip now, and from the loud, bright explosions around him, it was getting to be close combat. Gojyo wondered how many of them there really were, and why Sanzo wasn�t using the Maten Scripture. Hell, the blonde probably wanted to take out each and every one of them individually for daring to possess him back at the inn. He really did feel pity for the ghosts as Sanzo�s shots echoed around them.

"That�s something I�d expect to hear from you," Hakkai�s sneer was audible in his voice, even if Gojyo couldn�t see it on his face. Hakkai hoisted his legs up, adjusting Gojyo on his back like a bag of grain, beginning to gain ground on Sanzo but just a little too far away for them to be comfortable yet. Gojyo didn�t really care, getting fed up to the point where he didn�t think he could stand being carried by Hakkai.

"Oh, for fucking crying out loud, are you still pissed off?" Gojyo half-yelled; most of it covered up by new shots. Goku made a whooping noise afterward, which took a little bit away from their new fight. Gojyo couldn�t help that a separate part of him was relieved that Goku was sounding excited, because that meant that Sanzo was doing just fine without them. That didn�t mean he want to be stuck back here with Hakkai, who was being such an asshole that he would probably drop Gojyo and leave him behind just out f spite. Instead, Hakkai actually laughed, though it had a tinge of bitterness in it.

"No. What�s the point? It�s just like Goku said; you two are in love. There�s nothing I can do about that," Hakkai admitted tiredly, back to his usual maturity. This was the Hakkai that Gojyo knew; frowning as he realized that Hakkai was making the conscious choice to ignore his emotions and just back off. The man had always been better at control, at least up until the last couple of days ago. Gojyo would have thanked him for pulling out of this screwed up love-triangle or whatever the hell they could call it; but Hakkai had been such a bastard. It wasn�t a wound that healed easily, but he could at least make an attempt to play nice.

"Heh, us taking advice from Goku. What kind of bad joke is that?" Gojyo asked, not quite sure if he was even going to get an answer. Hakkai actually chuckled at that one, shaking his head as well. They were supposed to be the independent and strong ones, since Sanzo couldn�t even be trusted to stay sane on a regular basis, but they had all wound up getting shown up by Goku�s honesty.

"Just how fucking long are you two idiots going to stay back there?" Sanzo�s voice roared back at them between shots.

---
Sanzo was finally done sometime in the late afternoon, throwing the shotgun down the ground carelessly. Hakkai and Goku slowly came to a halt beside the man, Gojyo loosely hanging over the brunette�s shoulder as they gathered around the obviously tired priest. Goku didn�t have any more bullets left to give out, sighing and moaning out that he was hungry. Sanzo lit up a cigarette, which was obviously the last one from his pack as the priest crumpled the empty box and dropped that to become litter as well. They had to wait a while for Hakuryuu to finally come down from where it might have been hiding from Sanzo. Gojyo should have been doing the same, and he had wound up with a broken ankle for not doing it fast enough. The dragon had transformed back into its Jeep form, to which the man unceremoniously dumped Gojyo into the backseat. Sanzo climbed into the front to silently enjoy his cigarette, chin dropping down to chest as the blonde slumped down in what must be exhaustion. Goku preferred to lie out flat on top of the hood of the Jeep since the ground was a muddy and snowy mess, the two of them resting for a bit before they started out again. Gojyo was tossed into the backseat, his legs hanging over the edge as Hakkai pulled out a first-aid kit.

"Sometimes, Gojyo, I don�t understand how you do this to yourself," Hakkai sighed tiredly, pulling off Gojyo�s boot with more force than necessary. Gojyo had to bite the inside of his mouth to keep from crying out as his shoe was dropped back inside the Jeep and Hakkai began to take his sock off. He could swear that the man was making sure that it would hurt, his gentle healer�s touch gone without a trace.

"Maybe I like pain," he growled back, though it was mostly to himself. That would more than explain why he had done a stupid thing like falling in love with Sanzo. Hakkai smirked at that as if he had come to same conclusion as well, tossing the sock in as well and finally putting cold fingers on Gojyo�s ankle. He gazed down at the opposite end of his body, watching as Hakkai examined the swelling and dark pink discoloration that was fading into purple already.

"It�s swelling pretty bad. Does this hurt?" Hakkai asked, twisting the joint slowly to test how much mobility he had.

"Shit, yes! Of course it does," Gojyo immediately snapped, hands scrabbling for something to hold onto. He almost tore the backseat out of the floor before Hakkai finally put his foot back down.

"I don�t think it�s broken, but it�s definitely a sprain," Hakkai announced at last. All Gojyo knew was that it hurt like a bitch. He could hear Sanzo chuckling softly in the front seat, obviously taking delight in his pain before the shitty monk drifted off to sleep. Killing ghosts could really tire a man, apparently. Fucking asshole. Hakkai pulled out a roll of clean bandages, hoisting Gojyo�s leg up and wrapping it tightly despite his whimpering protest. Hakkai really was doing his best to make it an agony. Even Goku rolled off the hood of the car in order to see if Gojyo was truly in mortal danger. It felt like it, Hakkai being a bastard in everything he did today.

"Damn it, I�m telling you it hurts! Be a little more gentle!" Gojyo ordered angrily, not about to put up with this sort of treatment quietly. Hakkai didn�t even spare him a second glance, Goku watching eagerly as the taller brunette made Gojyo cry out in pain.

"Oh, stop whining," Hakkai grumbled as he tied off the bandage around Gojyo�s ankle. He finally seemed finished with his torture, motioning Goku over to check the boy for any scratches as well. Gojyo noticed that the man didn�t so much as look at Sanzo, knowing better than to ask the monk if he needed any help with his wounds. Sanzo had �no touching� written all over the back of his head, determinedly keeping his eyes closed as he waiting for Hakkai to finish doctoring them all.

"I�m not whining, you�re being too rough! You�re still pissed," Gojyo accused, gathering up his sock and boot for safekeeping before Goku jumped in the car and splattered it all with mud. The kid could get unimaginably messy no matter what they did, as well as bruised and scrapped up like any delinquent coming in from a kid's fight. Goku turned out to have skinned his palm and get a deep enough cut on his cheek that Hakkai put a Band-Aid over both. Goku immediately started scratching at the large one Hakkai put on his hand before he was admonished by the smiling man- who was clearly taking his time in answering Gojyo. He could tell when he was being avoided, hating the brunette�s smooth and polite attitude more than anything else. It was so hard to get pissed off with someone who was behaving so damn nicely.

"I already told you, I�m not angry any more," Hakkai said in resigned tones that Gojyo just didn�t believe. He glared at the man as Hakkai started to pack his medical supplies back up, Goku wandering off to play in the snow a little bit longer while they argued. The other two were so gracefully avoiding this mess that it set his teeth on edge.

"Bullshit," Gojyo returned quickly, ready to start another fight even if he was laid out in the backseat of the Jeep. The brunette looked ready to get into it as well before the monk in the front seat suddenly turned around, making them both wince. Sanzo was nothing but trouble when he was awake.

"Gojyo, shut up! If Hakkai says he�s not angry, then he�s not� right?" Sanzo directed the last part at Hakkai, violet eyes narrowing down as the priest lifted his head up. For once, the shitty monk wasn�t glaring, but simply looking at Hakkai for confirmation that they were all going to behave from now on. Gojyo didn�t think his pride could take it if Goku stepped in again, more than ready to take a tongue-lashing from Sanzo any day. At least he might get laid at the end of it. Goku was laughing obliviously off the to side, entertaining himself by jumping into mud puddles. Apparently the kid had decided to completely sit this one out, and Gojyo couldn�t be more relieved. It was almost pathetic.

"There�s no point any more," Hakkai admitted softly, stowing the first-aid kit back into the Jeep. Gojyo didn�t need to see his face to know that the brunette had lost his usual smile, straightening out his outfit and adjusting his spectacle in a bout of consciousness. He looked up at Gojyo with nothing but surrender, giving up on whatever he had been after.

Sanzo loves you.

Silent defeat that left Gojyo empty inside as Hakkai climbed into the front seat, showing nothing more than the back of his head to Gojyo. Sanzo began yelling irritably for Goku, so Gojyo awkwardly dragged his legs inside the Jeep and tried to comfortable in a sitting position. Goku soon joined him in the backseat, boots and pants already covered in mud as he began to eagerly talk about the foods he hoped were in the next town. At least they could all agree on moaning in irritation at the ape�s usual talk, Hakkai starting up the vehicle and revving forward to cover as much ground as possible before nighttime.

Even when the clouds began to darken and Hakkai had to turn on the headlights, Sanzo ordered them on for a few more hours in a clearly irritated voice. Goku wisely kept silent though Gojyo could hear the kid�s stomach growling in the seat next to him. Everyone was clearly relieved when Sanzo finally announced it acceptable to stop for the night. It looked like it was going to be another camp-out, clearly miles from the closest town and hell if they were going to turn around. Gojyo got to wait in the backseat while Goku and Hakkai quickly made a camp in front of Jeep�s headlights. Sanzo got out as well to survey the whole thing, not about to stay behind to have a little intimate time with Gojyo in the car. He didn�t quite know what to say; expecting that such would happen but still disappointed. Sanzo was such a fucking stickler when it came to public emotion, even in front of their friends.

"I want a beer," Gojyo groaned as Hakkai and Goku worked together to unload him from the backseat. Sanzo was already tending a small, pathetic little fire, meticulously sitting on one of the waterproof tarps they laid down before rolling out their bedding. The monk had taken his boots off and set them up against the small circle of rocks that Goku had made for a fire pit to dry out, obviously not going to move for the rest of the night.

"I want chow mien," Goku announced to the side of him as Gojyo was dropped down next to the priest. He didn�t even have a say in the manner as Goku plopped down on the bedding opposite of them, Hakkai walking off to take out more supplies from Jeep before it finally turned back into Hakuryuu. Sanzo was glaring at him in distaste underneath the wild fringe of his bangs, Gojyo clearly not welcome on the same bedding as the priest. That was just too damn bad as he stretched out his injured leg on the tarp behind Sanzo, his pants still a little to wet from the snow to lay down on the softer bedding yet. Sanzo looked about ready to say something and then went back to his typical, stoic silence as Hakkai knelt in front of the fire. With a little fine engineering and suitable branches that Goku had found earlier, Hakkai was able to hang a pot over the fire. He was the one usually put in charge of cooking while they were on the road, even though it left them the victims of the same stew every single time. Gojyo had just grown used to it as he watched Hakkai pour the ingredients together; Goku laughing excitedly like it was the first time all over again. Gojyo worked off his other shoe and put it by the fire to dry as well while Hakkai put a lid on the pot. He turned back to get Goku to remove his shoes and jacket, spreading that out to dry like any mother. Hakkai really had missed his calling when he started travelling with them instead of teaching kids, somehow able to be patient and repeat himself as many times as necessary for Goku to get it.

Sanzo certainly wasn�t like that, remaining very quiet throughout dinner. It wasn�t any different from usual, but Gojyo had also become much more aware of Sanzo�s little habits. He didn�t really have anything to complain about, since the priest put down a full bowl of the stew before retreating into his own sleeping bag. Sanzo only took off his jacket to throw on top of himself before settling in for the night, his back pointedly facing them all. Nobody could blame the priest, since he did have a full day of exorcising innocent souls. Hakkai cleaned up after dinner, building up the fire as reasonably high as possible so that it would last a little longer through the night before he turned in himself, obviously tired from carrying Gojyo. He and Goku went to their own sleeping bags; the only two people whom actually said goodnight to each other. It wasn�t long before he heard the kid snoring loudly, sure that Hakkai was already asleep as well.

The only person that wasn�t fooling him was Sanzo. The monk may be acting like he had already fallen asleep, but with tense shoulders and jumping neck muscles. Gojyo didn�t say anything at all, digging into his coat to drag out that beaten-up pack he�d been saving. Just one cigarette left that Gojyo put between his lips. He tossed the carton into the fire, fishing out his lighter and starting up that final stick.

One smoke-filled breath and everything was okay. He sighed with contentment, putting one arm underneath his hand and looking upward. The clouds were actually starting to clear away, a little hole to see several stars through. It was pretty in a way, since Gojyo couldn�t remember the last time he�d ever appreciated a night view. He took another drag from his cigarette before he heard someone stirring next to him. Tobacco had Sanzo rolling up and over to face him quicker than anything else Gojyo could have done, exotic and violet eyes falling down on the lighted end like a falcon catching sight of its prey. Gojyo looked right back at the priest, both of them silent as he patiently waited for the blonde to say something first.

"Bum a drag?" Sanzo asked at last, so desperate for the nicotine that he would even break conversation with him. Gojyo grinned, feeling rather charitable as he passed it over. Sanzo happily took a drag, though his face showed no expression. He didn�t know what Gojyo had hidden at the bottom of his own personal bag, a beaten up leather sack where he kept spare clothes, more cigarettes, two emergency flasks, and a roll of condoms. He had added an extra tube of lubrication in the naive hope that Sanzo might get horny before they reached the next town. A man could always dream. He was still more than satisfied, even though Gojyo had ended up broke at the end of it.

The good Doctor Chen had been rightly pissed off when Gojyo had finally managed to sneak back downstairs. The old man had already had a few drinks, and Gojyo gracefully ordered him more on Sanzo�s credit. He turned on all the charm he would use on any woman, managing to finally talk the doctor down from murderous outrage to a business understanding. Gojyo had slandered Hakkai�s good name just a little bit, but the bastard had deserved it for being such a jerk lately. For all of the straight cash he had from gambling and meager savings, Gojyo had gotten the last five unbroken bottles that had survived Hakkai�s attack. He was going to save those for a good time, determined to have Sanzo mindless with pleasure, just like Hakkai had. It was only fair!

Sanzo ended up taking two drags, but since he put soft lips around the filter and sucked heartily, Gojyo was more than ready to forgive the man. The blonde held the cigarette out in one pale hand for him; Gojyo distracted in reaching for the half-finished butt to let Sanzo sneak in. The man was craftier than a fox, darting in at just the right moment to steal a modest kiss on the lips. Gojyo was stunned long enough for the monk to crawl right inside his own sleeping back, comfortably settling against his side.

"And just what is this, High Priest Sanzo?" Gojyo asked aloud before popping in the smoking stick, not about to waste any burning tobacco. Goku and Hakkai were oblivious on the other side of crackling fire

"Shut up. I�m cold," Sanzo growled, nuzzling an icy face into his neck. His hands were just as chilled as one found Gojyo�s stomach. He had a hard time not jumping right out of the bed, instead reaching over to pull Sanzo�s unused blanket and coat on top of them as well. The night still got pretty damn chilly, and he wasn�t about to have his monk freeze to death a second time. Sanzo grunted in disagreement with Gojyo moving around as he made sure they would be comfortable throughout the night. The bitch should thanking him, not looking so pretty as he pouted, sitting up on one elbow impatiently as Gojyo finished arranging the bedding.

"I don�t think that excuse is ever going to get old," Gojyo laughed softly, tossing the finished cigarette into the fire. He threw himself back down, letting Sanzo find a new spot that was somewhat more on his chest than just against his side. It made breathing a little harder, but it was nothing Gojyo couldn�t tough out. He fished down between them and found Sanzo�s other hand, covering it with his own and immediately feeling the limb warm up as he rubbed the fingers softly. Sanzo just murmured agreement before really falling asleep on top of him, snoring ever so slightly.
The End.
�or is it?

(cheesy mystery music plays) I definitely got bit by the sequel bug, but I have a few more fics to take care of first. At least this will be as much as I write for �Never No Answer.� Thank you so much for reading along the whole time. To everyone who reviewed and offered me chocolate, cookies, and glomps, thank you so much. You really are why I write anything.

Demon45- Thank you so much for telling me I�m staying in character. It really is my greatest fear.

Flamingolo- I can always go for some pocky ^^ Gojyo is my favorite character next to Sanzo, and I think it shows. Thank you always for the support and reviews.

Fogwolf- didn�t drop, just had lots to write! Why can�t the plot bunnies wait in a single-file line? Thank you for the support all the way through, in all mediums! That makes me happy.

Jenna Muff- (pets Hakkai back down) I think I�m the one ignoring Hakkai in the end. Apologies. But thank you so much for reviewing.

ryushin_san- as I�ve always said, Hakkai is the hardest to write (cries) I didn�t even give him much conclusion, but I�m completely stumped on what else to do. Ru ru ru. Thanks for the review.

YuuCyn- thank you for reviewing and I hope I fulfilled your smut needs in the end.

-and the countless others that have left reviews and emailed me.
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Never No Answer