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Relax and Hang On -- Again	By : cupnjava Category: Gensomaden Saiyuki > General Views: 20723 -:- 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
- 16
- 17
- 18
Author’s note: To Jessie, Caitie and Heather -- I hope you enjoyed the convention in Louisiana. I’m honored to have spoken to you on the phone and I’m so incredibly jealous that I couldn’t be there. Thanks for letting me know that I rock! That made my night!
The Guild and guild chapter mentioned in this chapter are real. Thanks, PuffMonkey, for all the info! You didn’t think I paid that close attention three years ago (longer?) when you told me about it, did you?
Some of you are going to wonder about the presentation of a certain piece of Buddhist wisdom that is mentioned in here. If you question my interpretation, please check the cultural notes on the ADV DVD’s and decide for yourself. Or, you can contact a temple. I’m sure Sanzo knows and order that takes referrals. Giggle. Seriously, yes, I am setting up for the transition he goes through -- for those of you that know about it.
For the sake of not spoiling anything for anyone, I am not even coming close to Hakuryuu’s origins (the winged dragon form --not Gojun). As far as I can tell, how Hakuryuu and Hakkai met (which includes the little dragons beginnings) is in a novel, I’ve read a translation and I’m side-stepping that totally because so few people have read it.

Where we are in the timeline of Saiyuki: I think we need to take a moment to recap for there have been some questions. Homura is still around. Some of the things I want to cover before RAHO wraps up are 1) after Homura 2) after Requiem 3) after Kami-sama. I’m using Blanctic and Taikgen to let the Kami-sama stuff get out there in the mainstream. I’m also letting some butterflies work their wings in the background. Some of you have picked up on my devious nature and since you know where I want to go with this -- you might be able see how I’m setting them up. Once we cover those, there are a few other things I want to cover, but we’ll see if there is still interest in this fic. If you’re getting sick of this and just want it done and over with let me know, because I can bring in end-game at Taikgen. If you’re still with me, then it’s full speed ahead.
I don’t want to lose any of you because of an incorrect perception that this is a fic that never ends. I’ve heard many a complaint about fics (not about RAHO, thankfully) that don’t seem to go anywhere --- don’t worry, I’m still on track.

Chapter Summary: Somber Prince, Nervous Wench, Angry King, Feisty Monkey, Mischievous Kappa, lasagna, and a bit of gotcha. Oh yes, and kinda lemons.

RAHO XVII: Blanctic: Night Three -- Gotcha

Hakkai shifted the bags in his hand as Hakuryuu took to the air with great speed. He could tell by the tracks in the snow that Sanzo and Goku were keeping Gojyo company. He hoped his lover hadn’t been shot. His baffling errand with Ms. Marie had taken longer than he expected. At least he remembered to get lasagna supplies for Goku before heading back to the cabins. He opened the door and froze as a familiar face came into view.
Ah’Nesty smiled. “Hey, lover.”
Sanzo and Goku whipped their heads toward Hakkai. “LOVER?” They inquired simultaneously.
Bags of lasagna supplies hit the floor.
Gojyo howled with laugher.
Gonou sneered, “Ah’Nesty. She was here with them… alone. You know they’ve been talking.” He chuckled, “Oh dear, what does Gojyo know about you now?” Gonou the voice of Hakkai’s paranoia -- among other things.
Goku looked over at Sanzo and whispered, “I thought Kanan was his first.”
Sanzo sharply elbowed Goku, “Shut up.”
Hakkai’s stomach flipped. His knees went weak. Sweat broke out on his skin. He gawked. His breath froze in his chest. He stood there with shaky knees, gawking eyes and a gaping mouth for a solid five minutes. With a gasp, he finally remembered who he was and how he was suppose to behave. A very nervous smile formed upon his face and he softly whispered, “Ah’Nesty.” He cleared his throat, “Ah’nesty.” His normal empty smile formed, “What are you doing here?”
Ah’Nesty lifted an eyebrow. That smile was like none she remembered. Smiles from Gonou were rare -- practically nonexistent, but they didn’t look like that. That smile looked odd. She blinked. “Well, Somber, I was told I had a visitor.”
Goku knitted his brow, “Somber? Just how many names have you had, Hakkai?”
Sanzo sucked his teeth, “Stupid chimp! Don’t you know a nickname when you hear one?”
Goku rolled his eyes and looked at Sanzo, “It’s Hakkai!” He whipped his face toward the still frazzled emerald eyed man, “No offense, man.” He looked back at Sanzo, “How can we be sure?”
Paper discipline flew through the air. That statement was crude and low! The fan flew again. That statement was uncalled for! Paper rustled through the air. That statement was simply wrong! “Don’t be an idiot!” Sanzo crossed his arms in front of his chest. Goku knew better than to say something like that.
Ah’Nesty cut a nervous glance toward the blonde and the shorter brunette.
Hakkai finished collecting himself and then collected the bags from the floor. He stepped inside and tapped the door closed with his heel. “My, my, this is a surprise.” He managed to ignore what Goku surely hadn’t meant as a jab, for Goku didn‘t have a bone like that in his body.
Ah’Nesty knitted her brow as she eyed Hakkai’s attire. She shook her head as she uncurled herself from the chair and joined him in the kitchen. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and leaned back against a counter, “When did you get so conventional? You look almost like a school escapee.”
He softly chuckled and sighed, “I grew up, Ah’Nesty.”
She tilted her head as he lined up the supplies for dinner, “Grew up or old?”
He paused and looked at the box of noodles in his hand. He softly whispered, “Sometimes I wonder if I grew dead.” He glanced at the back of Gojyo’s head, “At least until recently.”
Ah’Nesty eyed the cuffs on her friend’s ear and realized the far-fetched story Gojyo told her was true. “Your lover told me about Kanan. I’m…,” She squeezed her eyes closed. “I’m…,” She sniffled.
Hakkai sat the box of noodles down and turned to face her. His face softened and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “Oh, Ah’Nesty.”
She sobbed, “I’m so sorry.”
He shook his head. Why did people say that? Nearly everyone said that as an attempt of offering sympathy, but it made no sense whatsoever. Why did people feel that apologizing for something they didn’t do nor had any hand in was worth the breath such statements spent? He patted her back. “Hearing that had to be a shock to you.”
She nodded against his chest.
He looked over her shoulder at his friends and waved a “one moment, please” hand in the air. What is there to say in these situations? Most people said something along the lines of “It’ll be ok.” or “It’ll be alright.” but both of those are nothing except empty phrases. It won’t be ok. I won’t be alright and no amount of empty sentences will raise the dead. The hurt won’t go away. The pain won’t cease. It might get easier as time passed, but in moments of solitude the twist of emotions that felt like a mix of anger, loneliness, resentment, bitterness, a bit of betrayal, guilt and sadness lifted to the surface and scarred wounds would nearly reopen. Death was the ultimate finality, unless one believed in reincarnation.
His stay at Sanzo’s temple all those years back, did make him wonder about that. Could it be that death wasn’t as final as it felt? Could it be that it’s simply a time-out of sorts while the players reviewed the playbook and game reels? There was a level of hope in that thought. The thought that there was a place where one could reunite with lost loved ones and the concept of “soul mates” intrigued Hakkai. The idea that two souls were destined to love each other to the degree that they would seek each other out in each subsequent life was comforting. He briefly wondered how he would respond next time around; what would it be like to have both Kanan and Gojyo in his life?
Ah’Nesty whispered, “She was a really good person.”
Hakkai nodded, “Yes, she was.”
“She was a really good friend.”
“Yes, she was.”
“I really cared for her.”
“As did I.” Hakkai’s stomach twisted. Being back here, surrounded by all these memories; having to deal with two people just finding out Kanan died; and, now seeing a face that meant history needled at him. He knitted his brow as his scar began to ache.
Ah’Nesty pulled herself from Hakkai’s chest and wiped her eyes. “This is pitiful. Here I am leaning on you and…” Her words trailed off as she shook her head.
Hakkai sighed, “I’ve had a little over three years to deal with this. This is new to you. This is a shock to you.” That was true, he’d had three years (or so) to deal with it, but no one ever said he'd dealt with it well.
She sighed, “You’ve suffered a loss and here I am being consoled by you.”
He was use to it. A strange thing happened to left behind spouses. Friends that were at loss for words tended to stop socializing which made the loneliness feel like isolation. Those that recently found out about the passing tended to need comforting from the one that suffered the most. Widowers and widows didn’t understand it, but they were use to the confusing moments and near oxymora that surrounded living with the death of a loved one. Hakkai softly smiled, “You’ve suffered a loss too.”
She blinked at him. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
She lifted an eyebrow. “When Som finally smiled, it was an honest smile.”
Hakkai felt like someone had kicked him in the chest.
Gojyo’s eyes went wide. Oh! Damn! He hadn’t counted on her calling him out about the smiles. They all knew it, but they didn’t call him out on it like that.
Hakkai mustered a smile, “This is who I am now, Ah’Nesty. I’ve started a whole new life.” He sighed, “I’m a different person. Completely different.”
She looked at those familiar green eyes and spiky brown bangs She recalled his soft embrace and the firm chest she just cried on and smiled. “You’re not so different, I suspect. “
Hakkai looked at his male companions, “Who’s hungry?”
Ah’Nesty rolled her eyes. He was indeed not so different.
Goku grinned, “Why? Why do you even ask?” He laughed.
She turned to walk back toward the chair.
Hakkai reached out and touched her elbow.
Gray eyes glanced over a sweater clad shoulder.
Hakkai glanced at his friends and then back at her, “You alright?”
She smirked and nodded, “Yeah.” She shrugged, ”I told you, you haven’t changed that much. The core is the same.”
Hakkai shook his head. He knew a request for a change of subject when he heard one, “Please, don’t say that.” He released her elbow and went back to setting out the items for dinner. He really wanted a shower, but he wasn’t about to leave her alone with them again.
She smiled, “So, do you need some help in here?”
Hakkai pressed his lips together and did his best to cap his laugh. “You cook?” He couldn’t hold it in anymore, he began a good solid belly laugh.
She put her hands on her hips, “Hey! Can’t a gal learn a few things…” Her sentence hid under chuckles.
Hakkai nodded, “So, tell me what you’ve learned, Ms. I-Once-Ruined-Cold-Cereal.
Gojyo crossed one arm over his waist and curled his other hand in a loose fist. He pressed two bent fingers against his lips. As he listened to that honest laughter from his lover, he couldn’t help but wonder if this blast from the past was a good thing. Hakkai might not want his past to be an open book, but this would give him a reason to remember Kanan in a better light. To let the woman he loved -- still loves -- so deeply be more than just that bleeding person on the other side of those bars. Oh yes, Hakkai was going to be doing some serious remembering -- this was one Kappa who was about to orchestrate some shit.
Ah’Nesty indignantly nodded, “I can flip an egg.” She was rather proud of that achievement. She worked long and hard to master that. “So, take that Mr. IronChef and shove it right up your white hat!”
Hakkai nodded as if he was truly impressed, “Without breaking the yolk?”
“I don’t need to be bogged down with details.” She waved a hand in the air. “The egg gets flipped, that’s all that matters.”
Hakkai pushed a hand to his bangs and laughed.
Gojyo looked at Sanzo and Goku, “Ok guys, I think I’m going to need your help with this.” He glanced at Sanzo, “Don’t give me that shit. You have it in you. Not a one of us is buying this hard-ass act so why don’t you just drop it?”
The fan flew and Gojyo became up close and personal with the intricacies of floor construction. Sanzo knitted his brow. He didn’t need lip from a water sprite. Gojyo was the one that wasn’t suppose to be able to see through him -- this was just bullshit! This pissed him right the fuck off! Hakkai saw through him because of his understanding of human motivations and behavior. Goku saw through Sanzo because, well, they shared comics and that was more intimate than any physical act. When you share comics and card games with someone, they’re going to learn you. BUT! The kappa was suppose to be his last remaining safe place! This was wrong on so many levels.
Ah’Nesty heard that familiar laugh and nodded, “Now, that’s honest.” She smiled, “Seriously, I have learned to cook.”
Hakkai peeked out from behind his hand, “Really?”
She nodded, “Yep. All my recipes begin with, ‘Waiter, may I see a menu, please?’.” She laughed.
He wrapped his arms around his waist and shook with laughter, “Still ruin cereal?”
She sighed, “For the most part, yes.”
He waved a hand in the air, “Then be gone, wench, from my kitchen! I shall slay the forces alone!” He snatched a spatula and held it like a sword.
In a melodramatic playful gesture she pushed the back of hand to her forehead, “Oh woe is me!” She grabbed a kitchen towel and draped it over his shoulders like a cape, “The brave knight has banished the princess! Oh, what shall I do?”
Gojyo and Goku rolled with laughter.
Hakkai was suddenly reminded that this was not years ago. His “sword” fell to the floor and he tried to hide behind his hand.
Gojyo chuckled, “Bam! A big pile of ‘busted’ for ya!”
Hakkai muttered, “Oh, dear god.” He peeked at Ah’Nesty, “Actually, there is something you can get me.”
She nodded, “Oh, what’s that?”
He smirked, “Some tape for your mouth.”
She tilted her head.
He continued, “I was going to take a shower when I got back, then you had to show up.”
She put her hands on her hips, “Don’t trust me alone with your delectable lover?”
Gojyo grinned. Delectable? Yeah, he still had it. He polished his nails on his shirt and wiggled his eyebrows at Goku.
Goku rolled his eyes. Didn’t Gojyo know a joke when he heard one?
She giggled, “You really want a shower, don’t ya?”
Hakkai sighed. He was covered in dust. He could feel it on his cheeks and his hands felt unusually warm. His toes slipped next to each other inside his socks. He not only wanted a shower, but he needed one. A plaintive, “Yes.” came from the brunette.
She giggled as she nearly skipped into the living room area, “Guess you’ll just have to trust me to only share the good stuff.” She chuckled, “You were always a neat-freak.”
Hakkai sighed, “Our dorms were small. Things had to be organized just to have enough room to change clothes. Every thing had a place and there was a place for every thing. Every thing had to be in its place or ---”
“Go shower, Som.” She looked over her shoulder, “Do you think I would share anything without being able to watch you squirm?”
The playful air around Hakkai took a soft serious tone as he subtly knitted his brow, glanced at his friends and then at her. He offered her one quick head nod.
She blinked and gave him a solitary nod back.
He sighed and walked past the dinning room table.
Crimson eyebrows knitted. That was a silent private language if he ever saw one. He watched as Ah’Nesty curled up in the chair again. She pulled her legs up to her chest, pulled her sweater over her knees, and crossed her arms over her shins.
She spoke in a mock-whisper. She was sure Hakkai would hear her, “So, what do you guys want to know?”
Emerald eyes went wide as he looked over his shoulder at her.
She laughed. “Just kidding.” She scrunched her nose, “Like I’d miss your reactions.”
Hakkai pressed a hand to his forehead and walked into the bedroom.
She looked at Gojyo, “He has changed.”
Gojyo nodded.
Sanzo lit a cigarette, “The question is: how much?”
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Ms. Marie snickered to herself as she closed the books for the day. Hakkai got back to the lodge after Ah’Nesty had checked in, but no doubt he was living it up now. She wished she could see his face when he saw his old friend waiting at the cabin.
She smiled and patted Blue on the head. “Almost like old times, huh boy?” It was nice having the young people back around here. She missed the antics of those three and the laughter that would fill the halls. She loved watching that sad little boy slowly blossom in to a happy young man.
It always baffled her on why those three would spend so much time here, but she was thankful they did.
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Ah’Nesty shook her head, “Is the degree the real question or is it the quality?”
Hakkai paid a simple glance to Ah’Nesty’s bags and located his warmer clothing.
A blonde eyebrow lifted. The woman had a point.
Goku knitted his brow, “What’s that suppose to mean?”
Gojyo glanced at Goku, “She’s saying, is the change for the better or the worse?”
Goku scrunched his face. What kind of stupid question was that? Hakkai was great. He laughed and joked. Sure, there were times he got down, but that happens to everyone. He was nice and he really cared about other people -- no matter what he was like before that could only be a sign of a good change. According to “Goku Logic”, the word “worse” had nothing to do with Hakkai. He shrugged, “That’s easy to answer.”
Gojyo twisted his face inquisitively, “How so?”
With a change of clothing in his hand, Hakkai stepped into the bathroom.
Goku spoke matter-of-factly as he looked at Ah’Nesty, “Was he happy back then?”
Ah’Nesty blinked at her sweater covered knees. “Sometimes.”
Goku lifted his hands in the air, “See. Settled.”
Gojyo lit a cigarette and ran a hand through his hair, “You’re gonna have to explain this one, Short Stuff.”
Goku sighed. Gods! This was obvious. “He was sometimes happy then and he’s almost always happy now. It has to be a change for the better.”
A blonde eyebrow lifted. “Do you really think that?” “Goku Logic” simple and poignant, but was it accurate?
Goku nodded, “Of course, aren’t we all? When you really think about it, how great is this? All of us together having the time of our lives!” He started ticking off ideas on his fingers, “We have friends. We have love. We have food, warmth, fun, and fighting. What else is there to need or want?”
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At that moment, everyone in the cabin would have shed their own blood to be Goku.
Hakkai pulled off his dirty shirt and set it on the vanity.
Gonou smirked, “Pity.”
Hakkai cocked an eyebrow, “What is it now?”
Gonou feigned a sigh, “You’ve tried so hard. You’ve buried me so deeply and now its all going to come to the surface.”
Hakkai sucked his teeth, “Are you just going to taunt me or are you going to offer something constructive?”
Gonou blinked, “You’re pushing back. Good. You need a little more of me in your life.”
Hakkai gripped his forehead as he stepped naked into the shower enclosure.
Gonou scurried up a tree on the wasteland side of the divide. He hung his legs over the limb. “We had some great times.”
Hakkai washed his hair and tried to block the human’s words.
“Are you going to let him know you? Are you going to let him love you?”
Hakkai rinsed his hair and gritted it teeth.
Gonou shifted and hung upside down from the limb.
Hakkai looked at Gonou, “What are you doing?”
Gonou smiled, “Reminding you of how we were.” His shirt slipped and his scar-free abdomen was exposed.
Hakkai dropped the soap and wrapped his arms around his throbbing waist.
Gonou meant that one way; Hakkai took it another way.
Gonou let his arms hang straight down and swayed slightly on the limb, “There’s a saying it goes something like this: Friends are the people that know everything about you and still like you.”
Hakkai lifted his face and water darted at his skin.
Gonou sighed, “We let Kanan love us. She knew everything. Good, bad and indifferent. She knew. She was there for most of it.” Kanan knew Gonou better than anyone; however, there was a critical element of Gonou’s past that Kanan did not know and that secrecy was Tenpou’s doing.
A trembling, light tan hand reached for a white bar of soap.

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Gojyo looked over at Ah’Nesty. “I never expected the word ‘wench’ to come from his lips.”
Ah’Nesty grinned, “It’s not an insult.” She stuck her hand out, “Card-carrying member of the International Wenches Guild, local chapter number 69. Nice to meet ya!”
Gojyo laughed as he shook her hand.
With a dramatic wave, her fingers danced through the air, “You, sirs, have the rare pleasure of meeting a professional wench. If ye be wearing a kilt, I do have the right and responsibility to make sure you are properly attired beneath. I am also expected to publicly rate what I discover. I perform an excellent banana walk and I am well trained in the art of giving wubbies.” She glanced down at her chest and giggled, “Even if I am not the most equipped.” She laughed and tightened her hold around her shins.
Gojyo laughed and eyed her, “Trust me, your equipment is fine.” She was again curled up in the chair with her legs tucked up and her arms around her shins. Gojyo wasn’t the most learned man. He wasn’t the type to see the beauty in the Pythagorean Theorem and he didn‘t give a damn what a hypotenuse was. He didn’t even want to try to understand what a tetrahedron was, but he knew women. He knew women better than anyone else in this cabin and there was one serious disconnect between Ah’Nesty’s words and her body language. Something was up with this chick, he just knew it. Gojyo sighed. He would let her play her game with her big verbal communication and her small body language, he’d figure out her problem soon enough.
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Gonou pulled himself upright on the limb. He laid down, stretched his legs out and crossed his ankles. “What’s the matter? Are you afraid that if he learns about you, then he won’t like you anymore?”
Hakkai gripped the soap and stared at the white substance that brought cleanliness.
Gonou picked at his nails, “Don’t you trust him enough to know you? Don’t you trust his love?”
Hakkai began to rub the soap against his arms. His stomach twisted.
Gonou looked out over the wasteland, “Why won’t you pay him the same respect that you paid Kanan?”
Hakkai scrubbed at his chest.
Gonou glanced at the suicidal utopia, “I think it is fairly obvious that he’s done everything he can think of to show that he is worthy of your trust. He’s done everything he can think of to prove that he loves you, and yet you still resist.”
Hakkai knitted his brow as wisps of brown tinged water circled the drain.
Gonou looked at his hands, “Oh yes, I nearly forgot. He walked away twice.” He flipped his hands and looked at his palms, “I wonder why that is...” He picked at his nails, “Could it be that your resistance did that? Could it be that you pushed him away?”
Hakkai pressed his lips together. He watched the dirt go down the drain; why wasn’t he feeling any cleaner?
Gonou glared at Hakkai from his limb. “Are you going to keep pushing until you lose him completely?”
Hakkai’s stomach twisted as he scrubbed his legs.
Gonou jumped from his tree limb and gracefully landed on the hard, dry, cracked dirt. “That’s what it is, you know. You don’t trust that love enough to let him in under the mask. He fell in love with the façade and now you are afraid it will go away when he sees the foundation. “ He suck his teeth, “I have one more question for you.”
Hakkai glared at Gonou, “Would it be too much to ask you to make some sense, please? You didn’t want this relationship and now you do. You didn’t want him to replace her and now it seems that you want him to surpass her. You didn’t want him to stay and now it seems you are terrified that he’ll leave.”
Gonou glared at the demon, “You of all people should understand that people change.”
Hakkai gritted his teeth, “Most people still make sense when they change.”
Gonou stepped to Hakkai and positioned himself just a few inches from the demon’s nose, “How much longer, Hakkai? How much longer are you going to keep comparing the two?” He was tired of Hakkai deflecting.
Hakkai pointed at finger at Gonou, “I’m not doing that. You are!”
Gonou yelled, “I am you!”
Hakkai shook his head, “No, you are not me. Not anymore.”
“How much longer do you think he will tolerate you pushing him away? How much longer before you drive him to leave? How much longer before he…” Gonou tilted his head forward and dropped the tone of his voice, “before you make him put a blade in his body?”
Fire flared from behind Hakkai’s emerald eyes, “You bastard!” Pale yellow chi flew from his hands.
Gonou took a few steps back and shook his head, “It’s not so easy to destroy yourself.” Gonou turned and faced the tree he climbed … the one he hung from. He flicked a piece of bark off with his thumb. A brunette eyebrow lifted, “Oh look, life.”
Hakkai stared at the fresh green splotch of wood that was surrounded charred dead bark. He dropped the soap and clutched his scar.
Gonou began to walk down the path between the sides of Hakkai and shrugged, “Forget it. Forget it all. Obviously, we’re not worthy of love.”
Tenpou appeared on the path and glared at Gonou. He beckoned the human with a curled index finger, “You just went too far.”
Tenpou swung and Gonou hit the path with a thud. The human never saw what hit him. He adjusted his glasses and glanced at Hakkai, “You know he’s not stable, right?”
Hakkai looked at the man in the white coat and smiled oh-so-sweetly, “Thank you for your insight.”
Tenpou waved a hand in the air, “Pay him little attention, he’s confused, hurt, bitter and practically broken.” He sighed, “He does have a point, though. Let him know you. You don’t have to offer anything, just don’t fight her.” It had taken a while to sink into the bespectacled god, Kenren was one of the few that could be trusted.
Hakkai dropped to his knees and his hands splashed into the swirling water. Why did he even bother? He knew he’d never get clean.
Ah’Nesty lifted an eyebrow as she watched Gojyo staring at the bathroom door. She continued her statement to Goku, “We went to school together at St. Christopher’s.”
Gojyo gritted his teeth as his stomach flipped. A part of him swore he heard something and a part of him protested saying it was his imagination. His heart began to race and he felt shaky inside.
Ah’Nesty shook her head and tried to hide a yawn.
Crimson eyes narrowed and two unruly locks of hair twitched. He was giving it two more minutes and then he was checking on Hakkai. He didn’t want to make Hakkai look like a child in need of mothering in front of Ah’Nesty, but he couldn’t shake this feeling that he was needed.
Blonde eyebrows knitted as he watched Gojyo. Gojyo was obviously concerned about something. He didn’t sense any danger and Goku seemed to not sense anything wrong, so he assumed it was something personal and thus nothing of his concern.
Goku knitted his brow, “Gojyo?”
Gojyo didn’t make eye contact with his friends. He kept his eyes on that bathroom door. “It’s probably nothing.” He began to stand. A sigh of relief lifted from him as Hakkai walked out of the bathroom. Gojyo stood by the chair.
Hakkai took a moment to put his soiled clothing in the bedroom and stepped into the living room. He smiled, “Ok, what do I have to deny now?”
Ah’Nesty giggled, “Nothing. I kept my word. I didn’t share anything important.”
Hakkai stepped toward the kitchen. There was lasagna to be made ... or at least attempted.
Gojyo headed toward the kitchen. He put a hand on Hakkai’s shoulder and dove into emerald eyes.
Emerald met crimson. Yes?

Crimson eyes slightly narrowed. What’s wrong? He could see it in Hakkai’s eyes -- something was off.
Hakkai softly shook his head and cut his eyes toward the kitchen counter top. Nothing. Why do you do that? Just leave me be. He could work this out himself. He could handle Gonou.
Gojyo gently squeezed Hakkai’s shoulder. Don’t close off from me.

Hakkai lightly touched Gojyo’s stomach with four fingertips. Please, don’t take this as me pushing you away. Heaven knows that’s not the case. He sighed and gripped Gojyo’s shirt. I love you more than I could ever say. Don’t you dare leave me.

Gojyo shifted his hand from Hakkai’s shoulder and covered the light tan hand that was clutching his shirt. You know I’m here for you, right? No matter what it is. He softly smiled. Goddamn, how hard is all of this for you? “Do you need some help in here?”
Hakkai smiled and shook his head, “No, thanks for asking.”
Gojyo tilted his head forward and crimson locks brushed over his shoulders, “Cuz, I’m willing to help you with whatever you need. Noodles, sauce or just preheating the oven.”
Hakkai nodded, “I don’t doubt that.” He chuckled nervously, “But, I’m really not sure how to make this so I wouldn’t know what to tell you to do to help.”
Gojyo nodded as Hakkai’s hand slid from his shirt. “Sure, man. I know how to brew coffee; I’ll make some.” I wasn’t talking about the lasagna.

Hakkai nodded, “That will help. Thanks.” I know you weren’t talking about lasagna. His hand trembled as he reached into a cabinet for a baking pan. You having breath helps. He glanced over at Gojyo’s back as his lover was preparing the coffee and softly smiled.
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Jiroshin sighed as he sat down in a chair, “You never keep a side interest this long. Aren’t you bored with this station, yet?”
The Merciful Goddess nodded, “Yep, I sure am.” She sighed, “But some things are gonna happen tomorrow and I need control of the radio station.”
He looked at the door, “Have you noticed they aren’t pounding on the door anymore?”
She nodded, “Yep, their ratings have never been higher.”
She flipped the “On Air” switch and looked at her fuzzy microphone, “Words cannot express the sheer level of suckage that’s going on with the roads. The snow has stopped falling, but you mortals had best stay in your warm homes….”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Ni handed Flaxen a small box, “I’ve arranged for you to have some assistance once you get to Taikgen. They will find you.”
She held the box in her hand.
He smiled, “Before you leave, I need to know something.”
She looked at him.
“When you had the half-breed, did you follow all of the instructions?” He wanted to figure out where his plan failed -- that was the only way to ensure success next time.
She nodded, “Yes, sir.”
He probed her blue eyes, “You never took off the hood? He won’t recognize you?”
Flaxen’s stomach flipped. The wrong answer here meant certain death, “Yes. He won’t recognize me.” She lied.
“Hmmm.” He nodded as he headed for the door. He wasn’t too sure if he believed her. “If he recognizes you, it will fail.” He left the room.
Flaxen pushed a hand to her bangs. She was going to have to do this without being seen by the half-breed. She opened the box and displayed beautifully on a puff of red velvet was a pair of sliver earrings. They were in the shape of a bunny and they were limiters. She begrudgingly donned them.
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In short order, something that looked remarkably like raw lasagna was put into the oven. Hakkai knitted his brow; he hoped the end result would be edible. He brought a hand to his forehead and rubbed his fingertips above his brow. Now, how long to cook it and at what temperature? Nearly everything in an oven was baked at 325F to 400F. He’d make it 350F -- that sounded decent. Time. He cringed. He knew lasagna took a while. He’d check it in an hour. He walked away from the oven debating on what they would eat when this thing came out.
Gojyo had ensured that everyone had a cup of coffee. That was something of which Ah’Nesty was thankful. She clutched her cup like the coffee was her life’s blood.
Hakkai smiled. Here was everyone that was most important in his life. Gojyo, Sanzo, Goku were on the couch and Ah’Nesty was curled up in a chair. Wait a minute, someone was missing. Hakkai walked over to the door and opened it. His head shifted down as two shivering dragons looked up at him, “Oh good lord, how long have ---” He knitted his brow, “Who’s your friend, Hakuryuu?”
Hakuryuu and Advowlkryie took to the air and dashed into the cabin.
Hakkai looked over at his friends, “Didn’t anyone hear them at the door?”
Hakuryuu puffed and started a fire. He spread his wings and tried to soak up some heat.
Advowlkryie shivered as she curled up in Ah’Nesty’s lap. Ah’Nesty pointed at her lap as she shifted her sweater to cover the nearly frozen animal. “She’s with me.”
Hakuryuu turned his head an arcane dragon language left him. “What?” Which to human ears sounded like a soft kyruu.
Advowlkryie shrugged as she nestled into human warmth.
Gojyo grinned, “She? Good goin, Dragon! She’s kinda cute.”
Gojun glared at the General.
Gojyo knitted his brow, “How do ya know she’s a girl?”
Ah’Nesty chuckled, “Aren’t you old enough to know the difference between boys and girls? See, boys have a ---”
Gojyo glared, “I know the difference.” He grinned, “Trust me, I’m intimately familiar with the difference. Care to let me show you?”
Hakkai chuckled as he sat on the floor leaned his back against the couch between Gojyo’s legs. Gojyo immediately draped a hand over Hakkai’s shoulder.
Goku sucked his teeth, “Gods! Gojyo! Don’t you ever stop?”
Gojyo pointed a finger at Goku, “I don’t need tips from a kid.”
Sanzo sucked his teeth, “He’s no kid.”
Goku grinned.
Hakuryuu defrosted his wings and waddled over to curl up in Hakkai’s lap.
Gojyo sighed at he watched Hakuryuu waddle, “It’s just…well.. I don’t see any hangy-downy parts.”
Hakuryuu eyed the red-head. Hangy-downy parts? Oh, come on. Enter the world of adulthood already.

Hakkai blinked at Hakuryuu, “You have a point. Maybe, ours is a girl too.”
Hakuryuu softly growled in disagreement.
Emerald eyes widened, “Ok, maybe not.”
Ah’Nesty chuckled, “Have you not done any research on dragons?”
Hakkai wanted to point out that traveling west, midnight raids by demons, attacks by assassins and being hunted by three gods did not lend itself well to quality library time, but he thought that might be a bit snippy and impolite and choose silence as his answer.
She continued, “The anatomy functions different, everything is kept inside until it is needed.” She looked at Gojyo, “Dragons know how to keep it in their scales.” She shrugged, “Maybe, it’s because of my job that I know this, but judging by the size of these guys I’m willing to bet they are from the same clan.”
Goku tilted his head, “Clan? Like demon clans?”
She nodded, “Kinda. See, there are four dragon clans. The white ones tend to be the smallest sized of the clans. I’m willing to bet both of them are from the Western Seas Clan.”
Goku chuckled, “So, we got the runt?”
Hakkai chastised, “Goku, don’t pick on Hakuryuu.”
Sanzo smirked, “Dynamite comes in small packages.”
Goku stretched a hand down to pat Hakuryuu’s head, “I’m just teasing ya.” He whispered, “There’s nothing wrong with being small.”
Hakkai smiled at Ah’Nesty, “What else have you learned?”
She chuckled, “This is a switch. You learning from me.” She smiled, “Well, the clans are ruled by a monarchy.” She shook her head, “I haven’t been able to figure out the why or meaning behind turning to jeeps.”
Hakkai smiled, “Maybe only royalty can transform?” He rubbed Hakuryuu’s chin with his finger, “Maybe, we have ourselves a royal dragon?”
Gojyo laughed, “Yeah, the court jester.”
White dragon lips curled around sharp dragon teeth.
Hakuryuu looked over at his queen, “Calm down, he’s just joking.”
Advowlkryie settled back down, “Who is he?”
Hakuryuu smirked, “The General. General Kenren.”
Advowlkryie smiled, “General Kenren? Really?” I thought he looked a bit familiar.

Male dragon eyes narrowed; he didn‘t like that tone in her voice.
Advowlkryie softly giggled. She loved teasing Gojun.
Hakkai chuckled, “Seems our resident line to the throne is a bit chatty today.” He stroked Hakuryuu’s neck, “What has you so vocal?”
Gojyo snickered, “He’s flirting and if that last coo is any indication, she’s flirting back.”
Sanzo sucked his teeth, “We better not have dragon hatchlings to have to deal with.”

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Tenpou eyed the limp human splayed out before his feet. He knitted his brow and began to pace. As he mulled over Gonou’s possible motivations and intentions, his mind began to drift to Kenren’s comment about information withholding. Was there a connection between Gonou’s mental state and the papers of memory? There was, without a doubt, coexistence, but that was far from correlation. For the first time, Tenpou began to doubt the judiciousness of his actions that day …
****

Young Gonou had gathered his few possessions and said farewell to his small bed. He left the bunk room of the orphanage and headed downstairs with his pack over one shoulder and a book in one hand. He’d been accepted to St. Christopher’s Haven for Wandering Souls. The nuns had assured him that it was a good school and that he would do well there. It was also the most “liberal” of the schools that accepted him so his resistance to the faith would be frowned upon less there.
As was the custom of the pedagogical “changing of the guard”, all of the nuns and priests lined up outside of the school. Remaining students were gathered and were expected to greet and develop friendships with the new students.
Gonou stepped outside and two buses were waiting. One was leaving and one was coming. He looked down at his feet as he walked. He glanced up at the Mother Superior the only one here that he regarded as worthy of his respect and kept walking. He had no choice but to walk past the priests. He winced and shame filled him as those black shoes came into his line of vision.
A hand touched his shoulder and he froze. Trying his best to hide his tremble, young emerald eyes lifted and shortened the life of a priest by a decade. Wordlessly, he walked on toward the bus passing, too slowly, each one of those hypocrites that shredded his already shattered soul. He wrapped his fingers around a metal bar that stood beside the gateway to freedom and a new life. With a heave, he lifted his body into the bus. He took a front seat, put his bag in his lap and stared out the window at nothing.
The other leaving students were saying their tearful goodbyes outside as the entering students began to filter from their bus. A young boy drifted into Gonou’s line of vision. No one spoke to the small reserved-looking boy. Aimlessly the young one lifted his face and Gonou saw the sadness in the child’s eyes. Gonou blinked as the young one struggled under a suitcase that was nearly as big as he was tall. The little boy barely seemed strong enough to carry his own books. He pushed a hand into his forehead as Gonou saw himself reflected in the new student’s face. His lip quivered.
Gonou’s gaze traveled across the dirt to the priests; they had noticed the new student. The head priest took a step toward the little boy. The Mother Superior suspiciously eyed the priest. She’d suspected something nefarious had happened between Gonou and those priests, but she had no proof and without that she was powerless to do anything.
In all good conscience, Gonou could not let this boy take his place. Something inside of Gonou snapped as he leapt over the padding in front of him and swung to the dirt outside of the bus. He stormed across the dirt and intercepted the priest all the while a piercing emerald gaze cut through the priest. With courage not normally seen of someone his age, Gonou stood between the child and the priest.
The four other priests attached to the orphanage and parish gathered around the Head priest.
At that moment, Gonou refused to let them make him feel small. He gritted his teeth and visually shaved years from all five of their lives. He slowly and firmly spoke, “You will never do that again. If I ever learn of so much as a rumor, you will breathe no more.”
The head priest smiled, “Gonou, we’re sorry to see you leave too, but we must greet the new students.”
The priest pushed past Gonou and placed a hand on the little boy’s shoulder.
Gonou shook with rage and screamed, “You have no right! Do not TOUCH HIM!” He reeled back and decked the priest.
One hit and the priest was out -- laying in the dirt like the waste of flesh he was.
Gonou corralled the little boy behind him and glared at the other priests. He pointed a finger and firmly spoke, “I promise you, so much as a rumor. You know I can do it. You know the evil in me; you put it there.”
The priests backed away and the Mother Superior glared at them. That was all the proof she needed. She walked up to Gonou and softly spoke, “Gonou, dear, listen to me. Go start your new life. I’ll take care of this from here.”
Gonou turned his head and whispered to the little boy, “Never let them get you alone. No matter how nice they are, never let a single one of them get you alone. They don‘t really like you, know that now.” With that he walked onto the bus and managed to ignore the shocked fellow riders. By the time he arrived at St. Christopher’s, Gonou did not know why he was uncomfortable around, disliked and was distrustful of priests as well as not remembering the first time he met Linchei.
Gonou had come way too close to committing his first murder at thirteen; Tenpou had to do something. Carefully selected memories were now locked away in an ornate chest.
Gonou neglected to tell Linchei that the nuns could be trusted. Fate would one day allow Hakkai to correct that mistake of Gonou’s and once again he would be able to intervene on Linchei’s behalf. The fact that Hakkai didn’t seem to remember him confused Linchei, but he was so lost in his own depression and spite that he felt it was meaningless to mention.
Gonou trusted the eldest nun to protect the young boy. That young boy was kept safe. By Christmas that year, the orphanage no longer had priests only nuns. Those priests never harmed another child -- for those bodies would never be found. She made peace with her maker and carried absolutely no guilt over her actions. She believed that her Lord had not only forgiven her, but praised her for all the children that were spared.
****

Tenpou shook his head as he began debating the judiciousness of sharing those papers versus keeping them locked up in his pockets and the reprecussions therein.
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Ah’Nesty giggled as he eyed Hakkai.
Hakkai lifted an eyebrow, “What?”
She snickered, “It’s driving you nuts.”
Hakkai shook his head, “No, it’s not.”
She nodded, “Oh yes it is. Or else you wouldn’t have know that ‘it’ was.”
Hakkai knitted his brow. That proved nothing.
Gojyo laughed and squeezed Hakkai’s shoulder.
Goku looked at Sanzo, “What’s ‘it’?”
A blonde eyebrow lifted, “That you need to figure out for yourself.” Sanzo had no clue, but he wasn't about to say that.
Gojyo chuckled, “It’s killing me, that’s for sure. C’mon tell us something juicy. You know you want to.”
Hakkai smiled, “So, Ah’Nesty, what are you doing now?” As long as he could deflect the conversation on to her, he was safe.
Ah’Nesty grinned, “And so it begins -- question and answer period. I am a photographer for International Geographic.” She chuckled, “Now, I get to ask you one. I’ve been dying to know this for years.” She shifted and the female dragon left her lap. Ah’Nesty leaned between her knees and over the arm of the chair. She got as close to Hakkai’s face as she possibly could, “Did you ever get that Prince Albert?”
Nearly every drop of blood left Hakkai’s face as he hid beneath his hands.
Gojyo howled, “OH MY GOD! You’ve got to be shitting me!”
Ah’Nesty cackled, “No, I swear to you it is the truth. He talked about it for years.”
Gojyo was laughing so hard the couch was shaking. Hakkai wondered if he could fit under her chair. Goku looked over at Sanzo, “Let me guess, this is something else I have to figure out on my own.”
Sanzo sucked his teeth. Goku had better figure it out on his own, because he certainly didn’t know what a Prince Albert was.
Gojyo looked over at Goku, “I’ll tell ya…, “ he was laughing too hard to speak.
A plaintive, “Oh dear god.” barely lifted from Hakkai.
Goku jerked his upper body closer to Gojyo, “C’mon tell me.”
Gojyo spoke, “It’s a…” He chuckled.
Hakkai looked at Ah’Nesty through his fingers, “No. I did not.”
Gojyo tied once again to speak, “It’s a …” He was laughing again.
Hakkai took in a deep breath, “It’s the name of a piercing.”
Golden eyes went wide, “Like a body piercing?”
Sanzo lifted an eyebrow. What the fuck? Hakkai didn’t seem the type to go for needless holes in his body… well… maybe he did.
Hakkai nodded, “Yes, a body piercing.”
Gojyo was still trying to collect himself he nearly calmed down, “Yeah, but ---”
Goku interrupted, “Like your bellybutton or nipple or something?”
Gojyo lost it again. He was laughing so hard he was beginning to get a headache.
Hakkai shook his head, “No, Goku, further down the body than the bellybutton.” He glared at Ah’Nesty.
Violet eyes went wide.
Goku was confused, “Further down?”
Sanzo pressed his lips together to hide his snickers.
Gojyo sputtered, “Cock! It’s a type of dick piercing!”
Goku’s mouth dropped open, “No way! Can I see?”
Hakkai hid behind his hands, “I didn’t get it, Goku.” Even if he had gotten it done, it’s not like it was show and tell time. What did Goku expect, for Hakkai to just whip his dick out right here?
Goku nearly pouted, “Bummer, I bet that’d look pretty cool.” He looked at Sanzo and grinned.
Sanzo pointed a finger at Goku, “No.”
Goku sucked his teeth. These guys were no fun. He was willing to bet that Sanzo would look pretty hot with a piece of metal in his dick. They could get it to match the gun. Oh! Maybe even one of those things with the balls on the end and little yin-yang symbols on the balls. That would look cool as shit! He wondered how drunk he would need to get Sanzo for that to happen.
Hakkai smiled oh-so-sweetly, “Thank you so very much, Ah’Nesty.”
Ah’Nesty grinned like the cat that caught the mouse. “Why didn’t you? Kanan thought it was hot.”
Crimson eyes popped. Gojyo’s perception of Kanan was forever changed. Full guffaws ran from him.
Hakkai cringed, “Recovery time.”
She nodded, “Yeah, limited sexual activity for how many weeks?”
Golden eyes went wide. Weeks? Weeks! That settled it, Sanzo was not getting his dick pierced.
Gojyo finally calmed some from his fit of laughter and stretched a finger out to pay the new dragon some attention. “I can’t believe it. What else are you hiding under that conventional façade, Hakkai?”
Hakkai sighed, “Just be thankful I didn’t get it.”
Hakuryuu lifted his head as the gigolo general’s finger was heading toward his wife. Red eyes went wide.
Advowlkryie smirked as she rubbed her cheek against Gojyo’s finger.
Gojyo smiled and offer the winged female a chin scratch, “Why is that?”
Hakkai chuckled, “Because surely by now, you would have chipped a tooth.”
Ah’Nesty’s eyes went wide and she pointed both index fingers at Hakkai, “That’s my Som!” She laughed.
Violet eyes narrowed. There was no way that comment came from Hakkai. He began to wonder if this was some thing posing as Hakkai.
Advowlkryie hopped up on the couch.
Ah’Nesty looked at Gojyo, “Watch her, she’s a lap-slut.”
Hakuryuu’s scales began to lift as his wife crawled into General Kenren’s lap.
Advowlkryie chuckled.
Gojyo looked down at the winged woman in his lap, “I see that.” He looked over at Hakuryuu, “How come you never do this, Parrot?”
A low growl lifted from Hakuryuu as he eyed that General.
Hakkai blinked and stroked Hakuryuu, “I do believe he’s getting upset.”
Goku looked at the dragon, “Yeah, his scales are up and his muscles are all tense.”
Gojyo ran his fingers down Advowlkryie’s neck and grinned at Hakuryuu. “What’s the matter, Parrot?” He snickered, “Jealous?”
Hakuryuu began to shake. How dare that General so causally touch not only his wife, but the Queen of the clan!
Gojyo’s fingers slipped under one of her wings.
Female red eyes went wide. She hadn’t expected a touch there.
Only Gojyo could immediately find the erogenous zones of any species.
Hakuryuu flew from Hakkai’s lap and squawked at Gojyo. Teeth went nipping, wings went flapping and talons went flexing!
Gojyo ducked and waved is hands in the air, “Damn it! It’s not like I got in her lap!”
Advowlkryie flapped to the rug by the fire.
Hakkai stood and tried to calm Hakruyuu. As he gently captured the very upset dragon, he glanced at Ah’Nesty, “Dragons mate for life, right?”
Ah’Nesty nodded.
Hakkai sat Hakuryuu down on the rug, “Gentlemen, I believe we’ve just found Hakuryuu’s wife.”
Hakuryuu glared at Gojyo.
Gojyo, who was knowingly teasing Hakuryuu, but had no idea what that under the wing touch meant, smiled apologetically at the male dragon, “Sorry man, I didn’t know it was like that. I don’t touch another man’s property.”
Hakkai whipped his head to Gojyo, “Property?”
Gojyo waved a hand in the air, “You know what I meant.”
Ah’Nesty chuckled, “Oh no, please do tell. What is it that you mean?”
Gojyo decided to not dig his grave any deeper, “Mate! Companion! Whatever.” He sucked his teeth.
The oven chimed. Hakkai headed off chuckling as he checked the food. He flipped the light on and looked through the thick, heat-resistant, shaded window. This looked like lasagna. It smelled like lasagna. It was bubbling. He may have pulled this off.
Hakuryuu blinked at Advowlkryie, “Why do you do that to me?”
The female dragon shrugged, “I like laps. They’re warm and comfortable.” She sighed, “He didn’t know where he was touching me. He’s not a dragon.”
Hakuryuu gritted his teeth, “I don’t want him touching you. You don’t know where those fingers have been.”
She chuckled, “I think the Marshal would disagree with that implication, don’t you?” It was easy to figure out who everyone else was once she identified the General. She recognized that Gojun had a point, even if Kenren didn’t know where he was touching her. Kenren was … Kenren; very few of that man’s actions were entirely innocent. To bad that logic didn’t prevent her from getting hot and bothered. “Love, relax, I was just teasing you.”
Hakuryuu glanced at her eyelashes and smiled. “Yes, you’re right. I have nothing to fear.” Still he was THE GENERAL! Everyone knew the General’s reputation and why he was “asked” to leave his former post.
Advowlkryie fluttered her eyelashes, “That’s right, nothing to fear, Love.”
Ah’Nesty knitted her brow, “I don’t remember you boiling the noodles.”
Hakkai looked over his shoulder at her, “I’ve never understood that step. Between the sauce and the baking, the noodles should reach al dente just fine.” He’d completely forgotten that step and hoped his companions bought that line.
Ah’Nesty snickered. That made sense but there had to be a reason why people did it.
Hakkai pulled the lasagna out of the oven and sat it on the stove. He smiled, “Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is done.”
Gojyo assisted by getting the plates for everyone, including the dragons.
Thinking it was best to not put the hot pan on a table that would only hold four people, Hakkai began dishing out the food at the oven. As an afterthought he spoke, “Did you get a plate for Haku-- plates for the dragons?”
Gojyo nodded and chuckled, “Yes, the two small ones.” One time -- one time about a year after they got Hakuryuu, he forgot to get a plate for the dragon and Hakkai still asks.
Hakkai glanced over, noticed the two dessert plates with the five dinner plates and nodded.
Gojyo sighed. No only does Hakkai still ask, but he checks. Gojyo chuckled. Things like this just made him love Hakkai more -- love him and feel just a little exasperated.
With everyone gathered around the fire, the lasagna was consumed. The noodles were a bit firmer than al dente, but it was rather good. The noodles were way too firm for Sanzo, who preferred over-cooked noodles, but he didn’t complain.
Goku carefully eyed everyone and waited until all mouths were chewing, “Because! I’m so use to seeing you kiss women that seeing you kiss a man is weird and that’s why it’s weird!” He took a breath and a bite of food.
Eyebrows knitted and eyes blinked at the short brunette. Goku got it out of his mouth, but no one understood.
Gojyo shrugged, “Left turn, no signal.” He went back to eating.
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The Great Kannon spoke, “Great. Now, I’m craving lasagna.”
Jiroshin chuckled, “At least it’s not pickles and ice cream.”
She snapped her fingers and the empty alcohol bottles became lasagna complete with garlic bread.
Jiroshin sniffed the air and was willing to bet Hakkai’s tasted better. He wasn’t about to say a word.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goku looked at his third empty plate and nodded, “I like it. I still don’t find it funny, but I like it.” He handed his plate to Hakkai.
Gojyo chuckled, “Right turn, no signal.”
Hakkai knitted his brow, “I’m glad you like it, but why … what…please explain what you mean by funny.” He washed the last of the dishes.
Goku shrugged as he headed back to the couch, “Garfield.”
Hakkai nodded, “Oh. Yes, I never saw the humor in a cat that eats either.”
Sanzo cringed as he snuffed out his cigarette. Didn’t these idiots understand anything? “It’s the quantity! The quantity! It is hyperbole.” He sighed, “Never mind.”
A crimson eyebrow lifted, “Oh now, please bestow upon us your deep understanding of drawn characters and life, oh enlightened one.”
Violet eyes glared, “Sarcastic bastard.”

Hakkai sat down and noticed the two content and sleeping dragons curled up on the rug in front of the fire. He softly smiled. ”Are you working on anything interesting, Ah’Nesty?”
Gray eyes looked rather sleepy as the food in her stomach helped remind her just how long it had been since she’d slept. She nodded, “As a matter of fact, yes.” She shook her head, “But, I’m about to give up on it.”
Hakkai knitted his brow, “What is it?”
She sighed, “Well, for about a year now, I’ve been trying to track down these four guys that are supposedly heading west.” She waved a hand in the air, “But the shit of it is there are so many different reports, I can’t even tell if I’m following the right group.”
Sanzo nonchalantly shifted his bangs to cover his charka and that crown was coming off the snowman the first chance he got.
Gojyo lifted an eyebrow. This should be interesting, “What have you heard?”
Ah’Nesty rubbed the back of her neck and winced in thought, “Ok, the first report is that there’s a Sanzo priest, a half-breed, and two humans traveling. That makes no sense, a Sanzo priest would not lower themselves to travel with a half-breed.”
Gojyo chuckled, “Maybe he’s not the brightest Sanzo.”
Violet glared.
Ah’Nesty hid a yawn behind her hand as she nodded in agreement, “Pardon. Maybe so. The second report is that we have a Sanzo priest, a half-breed, and two demons.” She rolled her eyes, “Now, that makes even less sense. Not only do we have the half-breed factor, but we all know what’s been happening to the demons of this land -- so that just can’t be right.” Ah’Nesty was smart, but she was far from being the brightest crayon in the box. She was the same age as Hakkai and Kanan; however, when they were graduating with degrees, she was graduating high school. She was not the accelerated student they were. “Another report is… and this has to be the funniest one… we still have the Sanzo priest and a human, but with them there’s supposedly some kind of water creature and a monkey.” She chuckled, “There are two descriptions of this group. One has a blonde priest and one has a bald priest.”
Gojyo interjected, “Let make sure I’m following you. A bald priest or a blonde priest not a balding blonde priest, right?”
A blonde eyebrow twitched.
Ah’Nesty nodded, “You got it. The blonde priest doesn’t act much like a priest, but the bald one does. At first I thought that …” She paused and scanned the group, “Have you ever seen a Sanzo priest?”
They all bit their lips closed and nodded.
She continued, “Ok, ya know that thing they wear on their heads?”
They nodded.
“Well, at first I thought that was confusing people on the description of priest, then the description of the behavior was so very different and the description of the other three didn’t match at all. I’m suspecting these are two different groups. One is obviously not a real Sanzo priest.”
Sanzo couldn’t resist, “Which do you suspect is the fake priest?”
She knitted her brow, “The one with the bad behavior, obviously.”
Hakkai nodded, “Obviously.”
Gojyo chuckled, “There are certain things that someone would expect of a real priest as opposed to a…” He feigned looking for words, “a shitty monk.”
Sanzo felt his blood pressure rise.
Hakkai nodded, “Yes, but poor behavior might not be an accurate indication of validity. After all, only a real priest would be so comfortable in his …” Hakkai searched for a word and decided to make one up, “ ‘priest-ness’ as to allow him to behave like a…” he feigned looking for a word, “a common heathen and a fake priest would go over-board and behave like a stereotypical priest as to overcompensate for his deficiency of ‘priest-ness’.”
Sanzo knitted his brow. He hated not being able to tell if Hakkai just insulted him or not. And! Because of that, Hakkai just made it to ‘Sanzo’s List of Those That Must Taste Death’.
Goku tried, but he couldn’t hide his chuckle.
Ah’Nesty stretched in the chair, “You have a point. Now, to muddle the mix it seems nearly everywhere reports come in of those four or eight guys, however you want to look at it, anyway, nearly everywhere those guys show up there’s reports of these four demons. Two male. Two female.” She laughed, “Here’s the funniest part, the reported behavior of the demons is better than that of the other party. Apparently these guys going west have a thing for drinking, eating outlandish amounts of food, at least two of them are putting the moves on all sorts of women, and…”
Goku, Hakkai and Gojyo knitted their brow. Gojyo spoke, “Two of them?”
Ah’Nesty nodded, “Yeah, two of them.”
Sanzo kept his mouth shut.
Ah’Nesty continued, “They also seem to enjoy breaking stuff -- a lot of stuff.” She gripped her forehead, “Priest or fake priest, demons or human, half-breed or pure blood….” she waved her hands in the air, “it’s all mixed up. Don’t even get me started on the more recent reports of three men, who claim to be gods, and seem to be tracking the ones going west. “ She gripped her forehead, “This makes my head hurt.” She sucked her teeth, “Gods, all I want is a few pictures and confirmation of their existence, but I’m about to give up. I always seem to show up just after they left an area.”
Hakkai glanced at Sanzo, “Interesting story, isn’t it Kory?”
Sanzo nodded as he lit a cigarette, “Sounds like a pain in the ass to me.” Wait, how did Hakkai know that name? That was what Tano called him. Yet one more reason to kill the Kappa.
Ah’Nesty settled in her chair, “It is.”
Gojyo smirked, “Ya know, I think I met that group once or twice.”
Crimson eyelashes flicked as she eyed him, “Really?”
“Yeah, I think you’re right, the bald guy is obviously the real priest.”
Violet flickered. Gojyo was going to get a black clad foot right up his ass as soon as possible.
Ah’Nesty rested her head back against the chair, “What really baffles me is why a Sanzo priest would head west to begin with.. “ She paused and scanned her small audience, “Are you familiar with Buddhist philosophy?”
All heads turned toward Kory.
Sanzo blinked, “You could say it’s an interest of mine.”
If she’d known him better she would have picked up on the dripping sarcasm. She nodded and sighed, “Well, in Buddhist philosophy, west is the land of death.” She shrugged, “I can’t help but wonder if that Sanzo is expecting to die.”
Sanzo avoided the looks of all his friends and stubbed out his cigarette, “Or defeat it.”
Ah’Nesty silently nodded.
Hakkai knitted his brow and eyed Sanzo, “Surely, if there are three people willing to travel with this priest all the way to …” He caught himself and corrected his sentence before it left his mouth, “their westward destination, they must think very highly of him and wouldn’t dare let detriment befall him.”
Gojyo nodded as he studied Sanzo’s face, “I would like to think that the priest would have the decency of letting his traveling companions know if he were expecting death.” He paused, “A little heads up would be nice.”
Sanzo lit a cigarette, “Sanzo priests carry important sutras. All Sanzos know when they are going to die, when that time draws near, and it is extremely important to find someone worthy of protecting the sutra.” He sucked this teeth, “That mission sounds like such a pain in the ass that I’m willing to bet if that priest thought for one second he knew someone worthy of carrying the sutra, he’d shoot himself.” He flicked his ashes, “I’m sure that Sanzo is surrounded by idiots. He’s not going to let himself die.”
Hakkai softly smiled, “So, what you’re saying is that whoever hands down the sutra must think very highly of the recipient and find them worthy of not only the robes and title, but of protecting something sacred.”
Violet blinked. That sounded like a powerful compliment.
Gojyo chuckled, “But that doesn’t even come close to answering the real question.” He couldn’t let this game of ‘Piss Off the Monk’ end so sweetly. “Which two are attracting the fairer sex?”
Sanzo sucked his teeth, “No one in their right mind would sleep with a water creature.”
Hakkai smiled, “I’m not so sure about that.”
Sanzo took a drag off his smoke, “Key phrase: right mind.”
Hakkai softly chuckled.
“Two.” Gojyo eyed his companions. Hakkai was out of the line of suspects. Gojyo knew the emerald-eyed man well enough to know that much. Which left, the monk and the monkey. Neither of them seemed the Casanova type, but sensuality resided inside of everyone existed even if it was dormant. “Two, which two?”
Hakkai shrugged, “Rumors can be wrong.”
Gojyo nodded, “Maybe one of them is so good at providing satisfaction that the accounts have changed reflecting the more rational --”
Goku howled, “Stop! You’re killing me. That’s such bullshit!”
Sanzo looked at Hakkai, “You may want to get off the floor. The shit is getting deep.”
Crimson eyes went wide, “Hey! It could happen.”
Goku sucked his teeth, “In fantasies.” He laughed, “They probably added another person because such a bad lay couldn’t be just one person.”
Gojyo pointed a finger, “Look ya little walking stomach, don’t go flying off at the mouth on shit you don’t know about.”
Goku smirked, “I know more than you realize. Like for example, how to swim.”
Gojyo’s eyes narrowed, “You’ll go swimming when they make waterproof food, until then keep that pie-hole shut.”
Goku leaned in getting closer to Gojyo, “At least when that day arrives, I’ll know how.”
“Can ya swim with cement shoes?”
“Shh, shh, gentlemen, calm down.” That was Hakkai’s voice of intervention. “She’s asleep.”
Sure enough, Ah’Nesty had drifted off and succumbed to the call of slumber during the ruckus. The stress of the day, the traveling all night, being up all day and the comfort of the chair had called to her. Curled up in her ball of flesh and cloth she slept.
Hakkai softly smiled. He always thought she looked sweetest asleep. Her shoulders were softly rounded with relaxed muscles. One hand had slipped from her shins and rested with slightly curled fingers on the arm of the chair. Her head relaxed into the upper cushion and her body shifted with each deep breath. The flicker of the fire light occasionally reflected off her crimson eyelashes. The only hair visible on her body that remained its natural color.
Goku eyed the sleeping woman, “How late is it?”
Gojyo smirked, “It’s not that late, but she’s had a rough day.”
Hakkai stretched.
Gojyo lifted his hand to tickle his lover’s stretching fingers.
Hakkai captured his lover’s hand in the air. He lowered their embrace to his shoulder, “Well, gentlemen, shall we adjourn for the day also?”
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The Merciful Goddess groaned with her mouth widely open, “Oh my god! She needs to be shot.”
Jiroshin snickered.
The Great Kannon shook her head, “She’s in a cabin with two very fuckable men and she’s asleep. Alone. On a chair. Oh my ---” She screamed in frustration.
Jiroshin smiled, “I keep reminding you that humans are different from demons and gods. There are things that have to be taken in account.”
Devine feminine eyes glared.
Jiroshin pointed at his chest, “I didn’t create them.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hakkai closed the door behind Sanzo and Goku. Emerald eyes shifted as he scanned his sleeping friend.
Gojyo stepped up to Hakkai and slipped his arms around his lover’s waist.
Hakkai sighed, “I feel guilty.”
Gojyo brushed the tip of his nose against Hakkai’s neck, “Why?”
“She should get the bed; it’s only polite.”
Gojyo softly chuckled, “Hakkai, she’s already asleep. She’s obviously very tired if she was able to fall asleep with Goku’s mouth running.”
Hakkai lifted an eyebrow. Gojyo said that like the kappa’s own mouth hadn't been running.
Gojyo gently squeezed his lover, “Besides there’s two of us and one of her.”
Hakkai nodded, “We can at least get her on the couch.”
Gojyo nodded and stepped from his lover and toward the woman.
Hakkai put a hand on Gojyo’s shoulder, “Better let me do it.”
Gojyo knitted his brow. A drawn-out and inquisitive, “Okay,” came from the red-head.
Hakkai crossed the room and slipped his arms under Ah’Nesty. With one arm supporting her shoulders and neck and the other arm under her tightly folded knees, he effortlessly lifted the woman.
Ah’Nesty softly moaned and curled in toward Hakkai. One hand curled into her friend’s shirt and the other gripped in to her sweater at her shoulder.
Gojyo watched intently. He wasn’t jealous, but he did wonder why Hakkai felt it best to set her on the couch himself.
Hakkai placed her upon the leather couch and looked up at Gojyo, “In the linen closet -- would you please get a blanket and a pillow?” He looked down at his sleeping friend as he slipped his arms from under her.
Feminine fingers remained gripped into a fleece shirt as she slept.
Hakkai popped the clip in her hair and sat it on the seat of the chair.
Gojyo emerged from the hallway carrying a blanket and a pillow. He smiled as he watched Hakkai tenderly move a lock of black hair from Ah’Nesty’s face. He handed Hakkai the pillow.
Hakkai gently lifted her head and slipped the pillow beneath soft onyx and red locks.
Gojyo draped the blanket over her legs and shifted to pull it over her body. He paused when he realized she was still clutching Hakkai’s shirt.
Hakkai covered her hand with his and gently pulled her fingers from his shirt. He placed her hand on her chest.
Gojyo pulled the blanket over her.
Hakkai righted himself and patted her head, “Sweet dreams old friend.”
Gojyo glanced at the two dragons sleeping on the rug. The orange and red flames reflected off their white scales and the softest peeps could be heard between the pops and cracks of the waning warmth. Little dragon chests softly rose and fell. The scaled love-birds were curled in toward each other. It was difficult for Gojyo to tell where one dragon stopped and the other started, but he could clearly see that Hakuryuu’s tail was draped across her hips. “Hakkai,” Gojyo whispered, “I think you’re right. That’s got to be his mate.”
Hakkai looked over at the sleeping dragons and sadly smiled, “I didn’t know that all this time, we’ve been taking him from his family.” He glanced at Gojyo, “Being with us takes him away from his mate. How lonely is that?”
Gojyo blinked, “Yeah, that’s kinda sad.”
A small huff left Hakkai, “I guess he’s not the baby dragon I thought he was.”
Gojyo knitted his brow, “Yeah, I wonder if he’s got kids. Little drag-lings or hatchlings or whatever they‘re called.”
Hakkai lifted an eyebrow, “If you lead me to believe that we’re taking him from a wife and children, you’ll break my heart.”
Gojyo curled his arm around Hakkai’s waist and together they headed toward the bedroom.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goku removed his cloak.
Sanzo shrugged off his cloak and tossed his crown and the accompanying piece of white cloth on the couch.
Goku whipped a hand to the back of Sanzo’s sweater.
Violet eyes went wide as his shoulders jerked back.
Goku grinned, “Now, about your attitude adjustment.”
Violet eyes narrowed as Sanzo looked at Goku over a sweater clad shoulder.
Golden eyes twinkled, “Do you wanna play a game of cards?”
A blonde eyebrow twitched. Why the hell not? “Yes.” That was an indication of reaching the comfortable stage of a relationship if Sanzo ever saw one. Having sex for the hell of it. Going to carnal just to have something to do. No hidden meanings, no game of one-upmanship just enjoying each other for the sake of enjoying each other.
Goku yanked and Sanzo was on his back on the floor. He straddled the blonde’s hips and pulled the sweater from his lover’s shoulders.
Violet eyes blinked, “Tch. Who said you get to deal?”
Goku tilted his head forward, “You weren’t nice to Gojyo today at all.”
Sanzo sighed, “He was asking for it.”
Goku nodded, “Yes, he was instigating shit and I’ll let Hakkai handle Gojyo. You are my responsibility.”
Sanzo’s mouth opened in surprise. “How long have you two been conspiring beyond books?”
Goku paled. Ahh, shit. That wasn’t suppose to come out. “That’s not your concern right now.”
Sanzo shook his head, “No, you’re gonna tell ---” His words were cut off when Goku “gagged” him with a kiss.
Violet eyes fluttered back as Goku’s tongue probed him and danced around his own. Porcelain fingers curled against the floor and Sanzo’s back arched. Sharing comics might be more intimate, sharing Poe might be more intellectual, but neither felt anything like this.
Goku broke the kiss and smiled, “This might be more comfortable in the other room.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gojyo stripped down to his boxers and sighed, “So tell me, is it just me or is she uncomfortable around all men?”
Hakkai softly smiled, “I figured you would see it.” He folded his fleece clothing and put it on a dresser. “It’s not you; she’s uncomfortable around men.”
Gojyo thoughtfully knitted his brow as he slipped between the sheets.
Wearing just a pair of green silk boxers, Hakkai joined his lover under the bedding, “It took me a while to pick up on it. When we met, we were at the age when girls tend to be taller than boys.” He softly chuckled, “I didn’t hit a growth spurt until rather late. I suppose I wasn‘t intimidating.” He sat upright in on the mattress and the covers draped low across his hips, “As we got older, I noticed it.” He kitted his brow, “She’s comfortable around Mr. Rupert and me, I suppose that’s because of the age we were when we met and the time she’s had to get to know both of us.”
Gojyo slipped a hand between his head and the pillow. With his free hand, he lightly trailed his index finger down Hakkai’s spine. “What happened to her?”
Emerald glanced at crimson, “Nothing as far as I know.” He wasn’t protecting her privacy, that was the truth as far as he knew.
Gojyo knitted his brow. Throughout his life, he’d been with a myriad of women. Each one with their own needs, desires, life stories and reasons to find themselves sharing a mattress with the half-breed. He knew women and he knew that women with Ah’Nesty’s behavior had a story. “She may have not told you, but something happened to her.”
Hakkai rested back against the bedding and rolled onto his side. He glanced at his lover as his fingers traced invisible lines on Gojyo chest. “I can’t imagine her keeping something so important from me. We were or are very close.”
Gojyo softly smiled, “Women keep their mouths shut for a variety of reasons. Some reasons are valid, most are not.” He curled his fingers around his lover’s hand, “So, tell me, why didn’t you two ever go all the way?”
Emerald eyes went wide, “You two have been talking.”
Gojyo shrugged, “Ehhh, a little.” He knew there were more juicy stories to emerge -- if only he could get his hands on those photo albums she mentioned.
Hakkai sighed, “That’s complicated and personal. I’m not so sure she’d appreciate me sharing that.”
Gojyo lifted an eyebrow. That settled it the problem was on her end. He softly smiled, “She’s got some kind of problem. That’s clear.” He lightly chuckled, “If my skills and equipment can help her, shouldn’t the doctor be allowed to try?”
Hakkai chuckled, “Your skills might be needed, but I’m no so sure your equipment is.”
Gojyo knitted his brow, “Is she a lesbian?”
Hakkai shook his head, “Not as far as I know.” He laughed, “Of course I wasn’t gay when we were together either.” He sighed, “People change, I suppose.”
Gojyo shook his head, “You’re not gay. You’re bi; there’s a difference.” He tapped Hakkai’s chin with his index finger, “I’m not having you deny any bit of your sexuality. It’s how you were born.” He smirked, “I’m sure your friends saw it before you did.”
Hakkai softy smiled, “How come you’re so understanding over all of this?” He sheepishly shrugged, “I think if the roles were reversed I’d feel a little threatened or maybe even jealous.”
Gojyo knitted his brow and crimson dove into emerald, “I know you love me and I know you’re not going anywhere.” He blinked, “You still carry doubt, don’t you?”
Hakkai heavily sighed and rolled onto his back. “I don’t know.” He blinked at the ceiling. “I’m not so sure you’re as confident as you think you are.”
Gojyo shifted onto his side, “What makes you say that?”
Hakkai smiled, “You get anxious when I get out of bed in the middle of the night.”
Gojyo rested his head on a light tan shoulder, “I suppose we both have what would be called abandonment issues.”
Hakkai swept his fingers through crimson strands, “I suppose so.”
Gojyo’s stomach twisted, “And my leaving twice didn’t help that. Gods, Emerald, I’m sorry. It wasn’t like that.”
Hakkai blinked at the ceiling.
Gojyo slipped an arm around Hakkai’s chest and pulled his lover closer, “The first time we , well, had that misunderstanding and I just … I just needed away.” He took in a deep breath, “The second time, I needed to sort out what had happened to me in a safe place and help that little girl. It wasn’t you, I swear.”
Hakkai knitted his brow, “Gojyo, I want to be your safe place.” He curled an arm around Gojyo’s shoulders and gently squeezed, “I wanted to be the person you turn to before you learn no one else can help you.”
Gojyo nodded, “You are. I realize that now.”
Hakkai sighed, “Do you ever feel like I’m pushing you away?”
Gojyo pressed a soft kiss against Hakkai’s chest, “Sometimes. I know you don’t mean to.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sanzo walked toward the foot of the bed and peeled off his black silk shirt. As it fell to the floor, Goku pounced.
The brunette latched on to Sanzo’s back and the blonde fell face first to onto the bed, “Gotcha.”
Violet eyes rolled. Goku had him long before this night. Blonde eyebrows knitted, “When did you get naked?”
Goku wiggled his bare warmth against his lover. He glanced over his shoulder and looked at the cloth breadcrumbs that dotted the floor. Fabric made a path leading the way to his blonde gingerbread house. “It’s called multi-tasking, Sanzo.”
Sanzo sucked his teeth.
Goku pressed a kiss against his lover’s shoulder, “The question is…” he slipped a hand under his lover’s hips and tugged on Sanzo’s waistband, “how do we get you out of these?”
Sanzo sighed and tried to roll over.
Goku shook his head, “Not so fast, Troublesome. You misbehaved today.”
Sanzo’s stomach flipped. What did the monkey have in mind? Whatever it was, it sure seemed fun. Fun? Fun. Blonde eyebrows knitted. How long had it been since he’d admitted to something being fun? This bothersome monkey was good for him -- no doubt about it.
Goku slipped his hands between the bedding and denim covered hips. Nimble fingers began to work open a leather belt, “I want to know something.”
“What’s that?” Sanzo pulled his arms up and rested his cheek on his folded hands.
“Are you going to die during this mission?”
Violet blinked. That’s a question he’d been asking himself since those three floating heads disrupted his life. “I’m not so stupid as to get eaten by a tree.”
Goku knitted his brow, “I’m really asking, Sanzo.”
Violet glanced at gold over a porcelain shoulder, “Don’t be an idiot and don’t be Charlie Brown.” Some may regard some of Sanzo’s behavior toward Goku as gruff. Maybe it was, but there was method to Sanzo’s madness. He was, in his own way, building the monkey’s confidence and encouraging independence and inner strength. He knew Goku needed to be prepared for whatever battles were waiting in the shadows of beyond tomorrow. He knew Goku was a special and baffling creature. And yet, almost like at father seeing their child off to the first day of school, he relished in seeing that self-reliance blossom while finding it heart wrenching and wanting to hold onto being needed.
Goku smiled, “I’m no Charlie Brown. Are you?”
Sanzo sucked his teeth, “I should hurt you for that.” He lifted his hips as Goku shifted and nudged the denim away. How much longer before that golden eyed wonder no longer needed him? Goku’s strength had been increasing by leaps and bounds. He’d taken it upon himself to independently handle more of his studies. How much longer before this student surpassed the teacher?
If you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha….
This teaching, this piece of sage wisdom was not the warning of detachment most thought it was. The Eight-Fold Path did not yearn to churn out armies of detached citizens; au contraire, it aimed for engaged, caring and active participants of life. This teaching -- this piece of temple-born advice was a warning to pupils to not put so much faith in one’s master as to limit their own personal growth. This was to encourage pupils to surpass their masters. Sanzo couldn’t help but wonder when the day would come that this pupil, this monkey, killed the blonde Buddha.
Forget it, the bottomless stomach was such an idiot that day would never come. As long as Sanzo reminded himself of that, he could sleep at night.
Goku straddled Sanzo’s bare thighs and grinned. It was a clear night and the black velvet of the sky made for a great backdrop for sky trapped sparkling rhinestones and the air-locked silver moon. Moonlight traveled down to the earth and reflected off the white blanket of snow. That muted light then filtered into the this cabin via a huge window, reflected off Sanzo’s pale skin and reflected in glints of yellow hued spectra off that golden hair. Golden hair of such a radiant quality it would cause the sun to experience envy. Sanzo’s powder white skin seemed to float upon a sea of brown cloth. The line where Sanzo’s skin met that brown quilt carried a hint of silver.
Golden eyes carried their visual scan over the creases of Sanzo’s skin at the nape of his neck. Light and shadow created when the blonde turned his head to rest it upon his hands. Lines of shadow that spoke of the man under the robes. The visual reminders that we are all much deeper than we seem.
Goku smiled as he took in Sanzo’s moonlit profile. The whisper of pink that normally resided in those pale cheeks now took on a slightly darker pink; a sign that Goku now knew indicated that arousal was building within his lover. Those powder pink lips rested slightly parted and the tips of white teeth peeked out from the parted flesh. Violet eyes took on a distant stare as golden eyelashes shifted with involuntary muscle movements.
Sanzo -- his Sanzo. Resting seemingly at peace between Goku’s thighs. Sanzo -- the definition of bioluminescence and reflection. Goku pressed his hands against his lover’s shoulder blades and the distant stare in those violet eyes faded.
Goku shifted off Sanzo.
Blonde eyebrows knitted, “I thought you were dealing.”
Goku smiled, “I am.” He knelt beside his lover’s waist. “Shift up on the mattress, I’m gonna get something.” He was also going to light a candle or two. He wanted more light, but he didn’t want the harsh light of the lamps. Strange how it was, that here they were in a place that had electricity and still, sometimes, candlelight seemed best.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gojyo smirked and crimson eyes twinkled with mirth.
Emerald eyes blinked and Hakkai looked askance at his lover, “What?”
Gojyo grinned, “A Prince Albert, really?”
Hakkai closed his eyes, groaned, rolled over on his side facing away from Gojyo and pulled the covers over his head.
Gojyo chuckled and snuggled up behind his hiding lover, “She said you thought about it for years. That means this wasn’t some whim. You probably did research on it.”
“Oh dear god,” lifted from the fabric cocooned man.
“So, why a Prince Albert as opposed to the other kinds?”
“Go to sleep.”
“No,” Gojyo shook his head, “I don’t wanna.” He pulled the covers off Hakkai’s head.
Emerald eyes that screamed of ‘I’m never gonna live this down’ blinked through the moonlit air. “I’m hiding.” Hakkai pulled the covers back over his head.
Gojyo nuzzled his nose into what he strongly suspected was just behind Hakkai’s ear and whispered, “If you’re afraid that I might not love you after I learn such things, don’t be.”
Emerald eyes blinked and chestnut eyebrows knitted beneath cloth.
Gojyo squeezed his fabric covered lover, “It seems the more I learn of the makings of the man I love -- the more I love him.”
Hakkai’s stomach flipped. He wasn’t sure which scared him more. Gojyo not loving what was under that smile or Gojyo loving Gonou more than Hakkai.
Tan fingers wormed their way between the covers and crimson hair slipped beneath the warm pieces of fabric. With his arms tightly around his beloved emerald harbor, he whispered, “You can’t hide from me.”
Defenses fell as Gojyo’s warm breath danced across the nape of Hakkai’s neck.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Violet eyes popped as strong tan fingers quickly found their way to a porcelain ass.
Goku grinned as Sanzo’s chest rested back against the mattress. He leaned over and put a small glass bottle that contained a clear liquid on the brown quilt next to Sanzo’s elbow.
Blonde eyebrows knitted.
Goku draped himself against Sanzo’s back. He trailed his hands along his lover’s folded arms and nuzzled his nose in blonde locks just behind Sanzo’s right ear. He pointed his tongue and quickly swiped the vulnerable earlobe. He softly smiled and whispered, “I’m not hurting you like that anymore.”
“Goku, I’m--”
“Not fragile, I know.” He pressed a kiss to the nape of his lover’s neck, “It’s one thing to play games with red marks that fade in minutes to hours, but that -- that can really hurt you.”
Sanzo looked at the shifting line of liquid inside the clear glass bottle and lifted an eyebrow. He didn’t know when, he didn’t know how, but Goku had been talking to someone and most likely that person was Hakkai.
Goku squeezed Sanzo’s hands, “Do you still want to play a game of cards?”
“What changed?” What piece of complicated Hakkai-bullshit was he going to have straighten out now?
Goku sat up and worked his fingers into Sanzo’s shoulders, “The other day, your fear of hurting me got me thinking.” He shifted his massaging touch to pale shoulder blades. “I did some checking --”

Checking? That meant Goku proactively engaged the conversation -- maybe he didn‘t speak with Hakkai. “In the books?”
Goku nodded, “In the books.” If he admitted to consulting Hakkai and reading the books, he knew his life would be cut short. He decided to leave a little bit of information out of the conversation. “And that can cause permanent damage.” He ran his thumbs in small firm circles down Sanzo’s spine.
“It’s fine.” He’d been doing this long enough; he knew the limits of his own body. He knew what he liked and to hell with anyone that didn’t understand. Goku’s tender touch found a small knot and a soft moan lifted from the blonde.
Goku smiled as his thumbs dispersed lingering of tension. “It’s not fine with me.” He knew he was treading on thin ice. He didn’t want Sanzo to withdraw from him and stop their card games, but he just couldn’t do that anymore. He shrugged, “If it helps just think of it as another way to piss you off.” He fanned his fingers out and pushed his hands up Sanzo’s back. He watched as the life worn muscles welled up in front of his fingertips just before they dipped under his fingers only to emerge as relaxed and smooth from under the heels of his hands.
A long soft moan lifted from the blonde. How could this be? The touch was soft and gentle. The touch was caring. The touch was tender --- and yet Sanzo still felt. He felt the warmth from Goku’s body and he felt the … the… love. Love? Was that love? No -- it couldn’t be. Love was a vile and deceptive emotion -- it didn’t feel like this.
Sanzo had long since fostered feelings for Goku that could be summarized as love; the blonde was too numb to see it. Perhaps with enough caring and patience at the hands of a monkey, the monk would come to learn the error in his thoughts and realize that “love“ need not be vile nor deceptive.
Goku lifted his hands from Sanzo’s shoulders and picked up the bottle. He poured some of it on his fingers and began to stroke his semi-flaccid member .
Violet eyes blinked as Sanzo caught the reflection in the window. The lighting was such that the glass didn’t behave like a true mirror, but a muted outline that hinted at color. Goku’s profile reflected back to violet eyes superimposed over snow.
Goku shifted up on his shins and tucked his toes under his lover’s thighs. He nudged Sanzo’s legs tightly together.
Sanzo watched as the lithe young man rocked his hips and slightly arched his back. He watched as muted-toned brown locks bounced in a moment of self-pleasure.
Goku’s lips parted and a loud moan left him as he reached his full firmness. He rolled his head forward and smiled at his lover.
Sanzo felt warmth begin to pool between his legs as the erotic lullabies escaped his lover.
Using his feet to make sure Sanzo’s legs were tightly closed, Goku leaned forward. His words were breathy as his hips rocked causing his arousal to rub against the fullness of Sanzo’s ass, “Now, to really piss you off.” He shifted his hips and slipped his cock between the upper-most part of Sanzo’s inner thighs.
Violet eyes went wide as he felt his lover slide between his flesh, rub the root of his cock and tease his scrotum.
Confident he was in the right position, Goku slid his hands along the bedding, under pale biceps and his fingers curled over his lover’s wrists. With his body pressed firmly against Sanzo’s, Goku began to softly and gently rock his hips.
Sanzo felt himself gain firmness with every stroke --- every teasing gentle stroke. He began to rock his hips meeting the touch of his lover.
Goku brushed the tip of his nose though short blonde locks and pressed a kiss to Sanzo’s neck in the hollow behind a pale right ear.
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Gojyo curled his fingers lightly around Hakkai’s throat and pressed a hand against his lover’s sternum.
Hakkai smiled, “Goodness, you are insatiable.”
Gojyo chuckled, “What are you talking about? I’m not hard.”
Chestnut eyebrows knitted as tan fingers skated down his abdomen and dipped below the waistband of his boxers. He couldn’t help the light breathy moan that escaped him. “Are you trying to start something?”
Gojyo shook his head, “Nope.” He wrapped his fingers around Hakkai’s flaccid member and kept his touch static. “I’m just getting comfortable for a good night’s sleep.”
Hakkai turned his head trying to see Gojyo and shuddered as his nose and chin brushed the covers.
Gojyo knitted his brow, “Did I pinch you?” That soft jerk felt like a recoil from pain.
Hakkai pulled the covers from over his head. “No, I’m fine.” The cool night air washed across his cheeks and he took in a deep breath.
“You jerked.”
“I did?”
“Yeah.”
“Hmmm.” Hakkai softly smiled, “I don’t know why because your touch is far from painful.”
Gojyo nuzzled his nose into crook of Hakkai’s neck. With a soft chuckle, he pulled the covers over them.
Hakkai smiled and shifted in his lover’s embrace. He got about halfway onto his back and his shoulders went stiff. He pulled the covers from their heads.
Gojyo shifted to provide room for Hakkai to lay upon his back and knitted his brow. “What’s going on? You seem edgy or something. Is it because Ah’Nesty’s in the next room?”
Hakkai softly chuckled, “Hardly, do you have any idea how ma--” He pressed his lips together, “No, that’s not it. “ He shook his head, “I just don’t like anything covering my head.”
Gojyo released an exaggerated sigh, “Well, there goes all the hood games I had planned.”
Emerald eyes shifted as Hakkai scanned his lover’s face, “I’ll never understand your resilience.”
Gojyo softly smiled, “It’s no different from your empty smiles.”
Hakkai knitted his brow, “So, how long have you seen through them?”
“Since the first one. You made a mistake, ya know.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I saw a real smile from you while you were still in bandages.”
Gojyo shifted his hand.
Hakkai stopped the removal of touch by lightly curling his fingers around his lover’s wrist.
Gojyo smiled.
Hakkai smiled a genuine smile.
Pink lips met light pink lips.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goku slid his left hand to Sanzo’s shoulder and raised up as he continued his gentle rocking.
The blonde moaned as he watched the reflection of svelte muscles flexing.
Goku turned his head and reflected gold met reflected violet. He spoke to the window, “How do you feel, Sanzo?”
What was this? Blonde eyebrows knitted as a moan escaped pale pink lips. Illicit just met tenderness inside him. The idea of being “Sanzo” while being the submissive in a gentle tryst was new. It was different; it was --- alluring.
Goku softly smiled as he nibbled his bottom lip. He loved watching Sanzo being taken by passion. The flushness of those cheeks, the pouting of the lips and those violet eyes. Oh, those eyes -- a violet typically only found in rainbows … a brush of color and a swipe of tint -- normally, but not when they answer passion’s call. No, those soft violet eyes took on a deeper hue. They darkened and became the violet found in wildflowers after a gentle spring shower. Wet and glistening ; deep and alluring; sharp and piercing -- that unique seemingly paradoxical mix of color was the violet that Goku was privileged enough to see. Sanzo -- His Sanzo slowly succumbing to passion. Yes indeed, a teased Sanzo made for a more enjoyable Sanzo later. Goku felt his release begin to build and repeated his question, “How… how do you feel, Sanzo?”
Sanzo released a breathy moan as he felt the increase in urgency of Goku’s actions. He hissed, “Teased.”
Goku grinned, “That’s my Sanzo.” He curled forward and pressed his forehead between porcelain shoulder blades. His gentle rocking took on a bit of fervor and rushed moans escaped the brunette.
Sanzo gritted his teeth. This teasing was hitting his breaking point. His arousal was shifting between his stomach and the bedding -- a solid touch, but not the right kind of touch. Heat pooled inside of him and he arched his back, physically asking for a deeper touch from his lover.
Goku was not going to acquiesce. He wanted to show Sanzo that the blonde deserved and could enjoy tenderness. Sanzo wasn’t fragile, but that did not mean the taller man had to handled like a common whore. Well, maybe sometimes that wasn’t so bad.
Sexuality and sexual fluidity --- that was the real game. The game of all games was finding / learning where, how and when to touch one’s lover. Kink or vanilla; tenderness or roughness; fast or gentle -- they all comprised the same emotions. They all led to the same goal and for Goku, that was expressing himself -- his appreciation and affection for another -- especially this particular “another”.
Tan fingers gripped into porcelain sides, “Sanzo! Sanzo!” rushed from his lips in a near frenzy. His release was near … oh so near.
Sanzo’s lips slightly curled offering the world the suggestion of a smile. He flexed his thighs.
Warmth exploded and washed over Goku. His face clenched and he cried out as his head rocked back. He proffered his lover’s name for all to hear as his mind ran to nothing but raw pleasure. His shoulders shook as he raced through euphoria and with soft shudders he crashed on his lover’s back.
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Gojyo tightened his hold around his lover’s flaccid cock.
A soft moan lifted from Hakkai as his tongue danced around Gojyo’s.
Gojyo shifted solidly upon his side and began to massage Hakkai to firmness.
Hakkai broke the kiss and pressed his lips against Gojyo’s chest. His hips rocked trying to feel more of Gojyo’s wonderful touch and his shoulders pushed into the mattress, “I thought you weren’t trying to start something.”
“I’m not. This was started a long time ago.” Gojyo smiled as he watched Hakkai writhe in pleasure. He loved seeing that man revel in seduction’s embrace. He shifted his free hand and began work the brunette’s boxers down.
Intent upon returning the favors being lavished upon him, Hakkai shifted a hand to between Gojyo’s legs.
Tan fingers curled around a light tan wrist and gently nudged his lover away.
Brunette eyebrows knitted, “I don’t understand.”
Gojyo smiled, “I want to watch you.” He lifted Hakkai’s wrist.
Hakkai took in a soft breath as his hand was placed against his own now fully firm cock.
Gojyo nipped at Hakkai’s neck, “I want to watch you. I want to see your cheeks flush. I want to see the pending release in your eyes. I want to watch the sweat form upon your brow. I want to see my darkling lesnan answer my evensong.” He pressed a kiss to Hakkai’s cheek, “Relax and hang on, my lesnan.”
A loud moan lifted from Hakkai as he wrapped his fingers around his own cock. He began to slowly stoke himself.
Gojyo pulled the covers back and off his lover. He wasn’t going to allow mere fabric block his view.
A soft blush washed across Hakkai’s cheeks. This made him slightly uncomfortable and yet feeling those eyes on him during a stolen moment of coupled solitude was erotic.
Gojyo smiled as he rested a hand upon a light tan inner thigh. He watched as Hakkai’s far shoulder softly shook and chest muscles flexed.
Hakkai’s head tilted back and pushed into his pillow. His hips shifted and lifted the small of his back from the mattress. His breath deepened and the clean lines of his stomach muscles lightened and darkened with each breath. Light tan fingers gripped the bedding as tendons emerged under the skin of his neck.
Gojyo watched building lust blossom from behind those emerald eyes. A subtle shift in the shade --- a soft darkening almost as if emerald called to a small part of jade during such salacious moments. The delicate muscles around those emerald eyes twitched and tightened as Hakkai let go and gave in to the calls of self-love.
Hakkai struggled to keep his eyes open and locked in the visual embrace of crimson. A deep internal itch formed within him as his breath transitioned to urgent.
Gojyo listened and watched intently. He’d become intimately familiar with Hakkai’s sexual response and he timed this carefully. He waited until those emerald eyes started to go blank and shifted.
Hakkai’s cry of euphoria was muffled by his lover’s lips. Gojyo’s tongue probed him and danced around his as passion expelled itself from him. Sweat rolled from his brow and into the short locks by his temple and he shuddered through waves of internal muscle contractions.
The red-head slipped an arm across the chest of the brunette and broke the kiss. He softly smiled as calming, but still rushed breaths escaped the man before him. “You are so fucking sexy.”
Hakkai wearily smiled and turned his face, “Oh, you.”
Gojyo snickered, “Wait right there, I’ll go get you a towel.”
Hakkai softly chuckled. It had been a while since he’d heard the phrase that once was a staple subsequent to their intimate moments.
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Goku lifted off his lover and laid on his side next to the blonde. “Well, good night. Sleep well.”
Violet eyes narrowed, “Excuse me.”
Goku smirked, “What?”
“You’re taking care of this situation you created.”
Goku shook his head, “No, you were mean to Gojyo today. You were unnecessarily snippy.”
Violet eyes blinked. Goku couldn’t be serious.
Goku laughed as he shimmied up the bed and wiggled under the covers.
Sanzo titled his head and lifted up to his knees. He whipped the covers off the brunette and hovered over the mischievous younger man.
Golden eyes grinned as violet glared down, “Oh!” He feigned an epiphany, “That situation.”
Sanzo sneered and sucked his teeth, “Yes, that situation.”
Goku laughed, “Too bad you whipped the covers off me, now that bottle is going to be hard to find.”
“There are other solutions.”
Goku curled his hands around porcelain hips, “So there are.” He nudged Sanzo up as he slipped down the mattress.
Sanzo, momentarily taken off balance, pushed his palms against the wall to stabilize himself. Pale pink lips parted and a sharp breath filled his lungs as wet warmth engulfed him.
Tan fingers curled into porcelain globes of flesh.
Blonde hair dipped between pale biceps and violet eyes squeezed shut. He shifted on his shins and pressed his forearm against the wall. He pressed his forehead against his arm as the fingers of his free hand found shifting brunette locks.
Goku shifted a hand over the front of one of Sanzo’s hips and four fingernails lightly ran down a pale inner thigh.
Sanzo quivered and moaned as Goku’s talented tongue blurred sensations within him.
With a feathering cascading touch, Goku brushed his fingertips against the underside of his lover’s scrotum.
A soft plea of urgency escaped the blonde.
Goku bent two fingers and pressed his knuckles against his lover’s entrance.
Stretching warmth radiated around Goku’s non-penetrating touch and Violet eyes popped open. Sanzo watched short brunette strands bob between his thighs. His stomach muscles clenched and his moans raced from him. “Fuck!”
Goku backed his head and relaxed his throat. He pushed his nose deeply within yellow curls.
Five rounded fingernails scraped against the wall as a porcelain hand curled into a fist. Sanzo’s teeth parted as a lust saturated yell rushed from him.
Goku backed his head slightly and began a soft but solid hum.
Sanzo cried out as his body tensed. His fingers gripped his lover’s hair holding the smaller man static. His hips shuddered as his stomach quaked. Euphoric rapture shattered within him.
Goku felt his lover twitching against his tongue and coaxed the blonde through the internal rolls of release.
Sanzo panted and felt his own breath bounce off the wall and wash across his cheeks.
Wiping his bottom lip with his index finger, Goku chuckled, “Situation -- eliminated.”
Sanzo struggled to get his breath, “Fuck!” He panted and lifted his hand from Goku’s hair. With that palm now pressing against the wall for added support, he hissed breath between his teeth, “When did you get those skills?”
Goku chuckled, “That wasn’t so different; you’re visual. It just seemed different to you. We need mirrors. Big ones.” He shifted his shoulders from between Sanzo’s thighs and settled upon his shins. He pressed a kiss between his lover’s cooling shoulder blades. “So, you can watch yourself get taken.”
“Hnnn.” That sounded utterly salacious and illicit.
Goku pulled his lover from the wall and together they laid upon the mattress. Goku curled up behind Sanzo and wrapped a strong arm around his lover’s waist.
Sanzo shifted his legs and stretched out his arm. He grabbed part of the covers and lackadaisically covered them both.
Goku kissed the nape of Sanzo’s neck and whispered, “Sleep well, Sanzo.”
Sanzo mumbled something that sounded remotely like, “Sleep well, Goku.”
In short order, two men slept peacefully.
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Gojyo crawled up the bed and draped a soft blue towel over Hakkai’s hips. He settled himself on top of his lover and lightly kiss his emerald eyed paramour.
Hakkai softly smiled and looked up into crimson pools, “Your turn.”
Gojyo shook his head, “Nope.” He tilted and rested upon his side, “That was for you. Ok, maybe not all you.” He chuckled, “I loved watching, but I wanted you to do something selfish.”
Brunette eyebrows knitted, “I’m not selfish in bed; we’ve discussed this.”
Gojyo shrugged, “Well then you’re stuck, aren’t you? I am declining. So, you have a choice. Do something to me against my will or let it be about you.” Gojyo rolled onto his back and shifted under the covers all the while snickering.
Hakkai sat up, discarded the towel and looked at his lover’s shoulder, “That is completely unfair.”
Gojyo nodded and closed his eyes, “Sweet dreams.”
“This isn’t right, Gojyo.”
“Goodnight.”
“This is wrong.”
“Sleep well.”
“Not funny.”
Gojyo sighed, “Do something for yourself for once, Hakkai, please.”
Hakkai sighed and snuggled up behind his lover and his nose dove into crimson locks, “I’m not going to win this time, am I?”
“Nope and I know how much you hate to lose.” He chuckled.
“You’re right.”
“Next time you’ll leave the boxer shorts on the couch, won’t you?” He knew that bondage games would not deter Hakkai in the future and only encourage future disregard for game rules. Withdrawal of affection and touch would irritate abandonment issues and that took this game to a deep level. Gojyo didn’t want to risk a game turning real. After careful thought, the crimson haired Don Juan knew the best “punishment” for Hakkai would be to trick care-giver into doing something selfish.
Hakkai’s stomach flipped -- he‘d forgotten all about that. “So wrong. The game was over by that point.” He could rationalize his way to being right.
“No, it wasn’t. It was a day long game and you know it. Say good night, Hakkai, this conversation is over.”
Hakkai gritted his teeth, “Good night.” Emerald eyes slid closed.
Approximately two hours later, in the thick of the night, Hakkai showed Gojyo how much he hated to lose.
Gojyo was ripped from dreamland and crimson eyes popped open. A loud shocked moan raced from him as he sat up on his elbows. He watched as his wet member slipped from between Hakkai’s lips.
Hakkai chuckled, “About time you woke up. I was beginning to doubt my skills; I’ve been at this for thirty minutes. Took you fifteen to get hard.”
Gojyo blinked his eyes and pressed his lips together. He hated waking up during deep sleep, there was always a disconnected feeling with his body, but he loved waking up like this. “Didn’t I say I wasn’t interested?”
Hakkai tilted his head, “Oh dear me, I’m sorry. I thought there was a statute of limitations on declarations of freewill in regards to assertions of declination.”
Gojyo blinked, “Dude, I think you just said my time ran out.”
Hakkai grinned mischievously and flicked his tongue across the head of Gojyo’s cock. “Or do you want me to stop?”
Crimson eyes squeezed closed as his arousal throbbed. Gojyo smirked, “Asking for forgiveness instead of permission. That’s so sneaky.” He rolled his head forward and found those emerald eyes through the moonlit darkness. Those emerald eyes were silently laughing and twinkling with playfulness.
Hakkai curled his upper lip in a smarmy smirk, “Yes, but it is effective.” He puckered his lips and blew a swipe of cold air along his lover’s shaft.
Tan hands balled up the bedding beside cloth covered hips, “I’m getting only button-close boxers from here on out.”
“These are button-closed. I unbuttoned them.”
“You can be devious, do you know that?”
Hakkai nodded as he grinned. He sighed, “But if you really want me to stop, I will.”
“Don’t give me that tone.” Gojyo chuckled. “And don’t tease.”
“Oh, but you like the teasing.”
Gojyo curled a hand to the back of Hakkai’s head and nudged his lover’s face down. “Enough teasing. Time for pleasing -- since you’ve gone this far.”
Emerald eyes flicked up and locked onto crimson. “I knew you’d see it my way.”
“Don’t get cocky.”
“That’s exactly what I’ll get.” Hakkai parted his lips and pointed his tongue.
Tan fingers curled into short locks and as wet warmth engulfed him. He hissed in a breath as he shifted his free hand back along the bedding. Gojyo’s arm shifted as Hakkai’s head bobbed. Half-lidded crimson shifted in the moonlight and scanned his lover’s extended body.
Hakkai’s legs were out straight and the moonlight highlighted the curve of his ass. The muscles in his back and shoulders subtly shifted as he set out to return his lover’s earlier favor. Light tan fingers curled around cloth covered hips.
Gojyo recaptured his lover’s emerald eyes. Why was it so hot to actively watch this? What was it about seeing those lips … those normally sweet and pure lips around his dick? Those lips and that face that carried sweetness and gentleness to the world -- why -- why was it so erotic to witness Hakkai performing something considered “dirty” or “nasty” and performing it exquisitely? Performing it, at times, like a well seasoned whore.
Crimson eyes slammed shut as Gojyo’s head rolled back. He cried out.
Hakkai watched as the bricks of his lover’s stomach clench and felt Gojyo’s ass tighten. The silvery moonlight reflected off that bronze skin and he knew that urgent rush to the red-head’s breath. Hakkai shifted a hand to the base of Gojyo’s cock. As he stroked back with his lips, he stroked down with his hand -- sending conflicting sensations to his lover.
Gojyo’s hips jerked from the mattress as his hand fisted brown locks. His teeth parted and he cried out as euphoric release struck. The arm behind him gave way and he crashed onto the mattress.
Hakkai softly smiled around his lover’s twitching member as crimson locks cascaded down to tan shoulders. He walked kisses up a heaving stomach and a shifting tan chest. He pressed his cheek to Gojyo’s sternum and curled his hands around his lover’s shoulders.
Gojyo practically purred as Hakkai’s fingers found their way into his hair and his lover’s body weight settled onto his. His fingers trailed down Hakkai’s spine and fluttered over the curve of his lover’s ass. He blinked up at the ceiling and as Hakkai’s presence and warmth blanketed him; he smiled.
Hakkai listened to the calming heartbeat of his lover and slipped a hand back to pull the covers over them. As he settled back against his crimson salvage; he whispered, “Gotcha.”
Crimson eyes slid closed and he whispered back, “You better believe it.”
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Devine eyes narrowed as her mouth twisted into a full blow pout, “What -- the fuck -- was all of that? They call that sex?” She threw some papers across the studio. ”Good thing I didn’t leave the perpetuation of the species to them!”
Jiroshin ducked and prepared himself for a heavenly temper tantrum. He also felt that this was not the correct time to point out that two men could not perpetuate the species no matter what they did.
“A little entertainment! A little fun! Do I get that? Oh no! They’ve got to try to get creative. This shit sucks!“ She jerked from her chair and the piece of furniture fell over, “There were no gags! No binds! One… one spank. Where’s the kink?” She screamed, “I was cheated!”
Jiroshin cringed; this was going to be a long night.
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[end of chapter]

*********REVIEWER FEEDBACK******

[In the interest of time this section has not been fully edited. Please excuse skipped words and typos. ]
CloeyKujaku 2005-02-11
You're the ONLY PERSON that can make me stay up so late ON A SCHOOL NIGHT! Well, you 'n Zil. BESIDES THAT, you have made me the happiest person in the world.

AH'NESTY APPEARS. DUNDUNDUUUUUN! I don't know why, but she pisses me off. Probably my overly-obsessive yaoi mind taking over my thoughts. Damn ego...But, huzzah, Hakkai makes a sexy seme! Almost as sexy as a Goku seme! I'm such a spazz. But dear GOD I love this fic. I was so, so happy to see it uploaded. I MISSED YOU~! (Clings and sobs, straightens up.)
But of course, you made up for it by far with a nice, long chapter and a SEXY AMV THAT I SHALL CHERISH AND LOVE AND GIGGLE AND BE KILLED IF I AM EVER CAUGHT VIEWING IT BY SOMEONE!

(Handcuffs to.) What? Obsessed? I know no this word!
Uh-Oh, Flaxen's baaaaack~. She scarily reminds me of my OC..But..Smarter. Freaky shiat, yo. Ni is a spazz. Screwin' girls like that. Tsk, tsk. (Waves a DokugakujixGojyo flag and KougaijizSanzo one) >_> I like the oddest pairings. Just popped up in my head while reading the bits of Kougaiji-Ikkou in here. It's nice to see what they're up to.
Well, I better get to bed before I get my ass kicked. Clojaku, loggin' off. You keep writing, I keep reviewing! (Blows kiss.)
~Clojaku

CloeyKujaku--- Sorry to make you stay up so late on a school night. Hope you didn’t fall asleep in class.
Ah’Nesty, you’re not the only one. She irritates, causes paranoia and pisses off a lot of people -- including one of betas who is extremely upset over her. I have to admit I can’t quite figure out the source of the animosity directed toward her. I suspect people think she is a threat to Gojyo and Hakkai’s relationship. Is she? I’m not telling. Of course logic tells us that one does not write a 5/8 fic to end up with no 5/8 of course one does not torture a kappa, make a monk crave a demon and have a Goddess take over a radio station in a 5/8 fic either. Giggle. So, what is her role in all of this? You’ll have to wait and find out.
Clink clink --- now I am handcuffed to my desk. Good thing I work here too -- wait! How am I suppose to shower? What if I have to take a wizz! (Then, I mop up after you when I get back.) LOL!
Flaxen -- yes Flaxen is back. We all saw this coming for chapters didn’t we? SHE pisses me off. First, she after the sutra, but goes for the kappa. Stupid -- how is that suppose to get the sutra. Of course he was the weakest link at the time, drunk and alone and whatnot. So then she gets the kappa basically just to toy with them Yeah, yeah she was hoping to use him to infiltrate the Sanzo party, but come on she couldn’t have really expected that to work. The question is -- who is the target now. Of course it is the sutra, but she’s a wuss so she’ll go after the weakest link at the time --- so who is that going to be? Hmmm… we’ll have to see.
Ni -- oh yes he is a total perv. Gotta love that!
Thanks for all the reviews, love and support! Hugs!
Cupnjava c[~]~~~*sip*

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vampunk 2005-02-11
I totally love this chapter. I know I've said it before but your Sanzo is just great. So many people peg him as a priest that they forget that he's a guy, too. That one line 'sometimes a stiff breeze turned him on' was just perfect! I laughed so hard! You take these characters to a whole new level and make it believable. I'm truly impressed with your writing. I'm hooked! I can't wait for you to post again. Are you gonna break Hakkai and Gojyo up. Because if you do, I'll cry. Seriously. Although a threesome would be nice. Nudge, nudge. Finding this new post was the high light of my day. Thanks! Oh, and from the chapter before this one, the whole card game part, I laughed so hard I cried. And the sex scenes are just purr worthy. Keep going on this. You rock!

vampunk- Yes, it’s all too easy to forget that we are dealing with 18-23 year-old GUYS in this fic. That age is wonderful for men because they are so -- ah-hem -- rechargeable. *cough*.
Break Hakkai and Gojyo up -- I cannot predict the future with this fic. I have three “end-game” scenarios in mind. One of them does leave us without a certain couple. I suspect no matter what ending is used at least one alternative ending will be provided. We have several chapters between now and then -- so the end game could become no longer viable. Don’t fret --- if the end isn’t happy an alternative will be provided.
A threesome -- hon, this threesome (5/8/OC) has been planned since “Compassion and Tenderness.” That was how many chapters back? LOL!
Woo-hoo! I rock! Love that! And “purr worthy” SWEET! Thank you so much for all of your feedback, I really appreciate it.
Cupnjava c[~]~~~*sip*

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Nozomi 2005-02-11
OH MY GOD! That's a terrible place to stop!!!!!!!!! You'd better hurry up and update!!! Pretty pretty please with Hakkai on top? *gives her best puppy-dog face*

Nozomi-- I’m so sorry -- yes that was a mean place to stop. Forgive me please? I just couldn’t resist.
Cupnjava c[~]~~~*sip*

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Purkledragongoddess 2005-02-11
Oh what a horride spot to end! Damn you (okay not really since I want more of this.)

Purkledragongoddess--- Yes, yes, I’m sorry that was terribly mean of me. Sigh. Please forgive me.
Cupnjava c[~]~~~*sip*

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Paisley 2005-02-12
Oh My Goddess. I Love YOU.

This is my first time reviewing and I must say, whenever you update I stop all things and read the new chapter. I stop talking to friends, put my slow music CD [made especially FOR this fanfiction] and make sure nothing interrupts me and if something does, they have hell to pay and a Gojyo figurine imbedded into their skull.
I love how you write Gojyo and Hakkai, and your fic has made me cry more then once. This is my favorite pairing of all time, and their relationship is written so well by you and I really, really enjoy reading your Saiyuki work. It's perfect and flawless and the moments between them are just too cute for words. All of my friends support it from the bottom of their hearts, but my friends that support other pairings, have not converted me [I make it sound like a religion. XD] and I don't think it ever will. I have tried all these other Saiyuki pairings and nothing has fixated me like this pairing does and I love how you portray it and it's such a fun thing to read.
I will keep reading until you end it, but you need to update faster or you'll have a Gojyo figurine imbedded into your skin as well. Probably my bust figurine because I personally think Gojyo looks like a pug in the bust figurine set. And my Gensomaden Saiyuki 1/8th Scale Gojyo figurine is missing an arm and a foot. [Long story, let's just say my Gojyo and Hakkai figurines were having some rough sex.] And my Hakkai one is missing a foot too. So much for hot 58 foot sex.
Ha, I am just rambling. Anyway, I love you, your fanfictions and your kinky sex scenes.

Paisley--- A new voice Yippie! You comfy in the jeep?
Please share your play list --- please, please, please! I too am a die-hard 5/8 fan (could you tell?). Don’t get me wrong -- I see the hotness in 5/3 and 3/8 but I LOVE 5/8. It does seem like a religion, doesn’t it? What I want to know is why 5/8 doujinshi is so few and far between. Sheesh! Oh well, what we can’t find online we can make in fanfics, right?
How rough is the sex when it ends in dismemberment? Oh my goodness. What I should do is pick up other Hakkai and Gojyo (mine are still in the box) put them on my bed and bust out with the digital camera! LOL! Foot sex? Umm, now I’ve SEEN that done in a few videos --- and that’s a position I haven’t done yet in RAHO. A-hem. Ok if there is foot sex in this thing it is all your fault. LOL!
I’m updating as fast as I can. I appreciate your patience and support during this saga.
Thank you so much for reviewing and sharing your creative 5/8 love.
Cupnajva c[~]~~~*sip*

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Addictedtomarbles 2005-02-13
I love you ... marry me.

Oh my poor Hakkai, there's no end to his suffering is there? And I want a Hakkai-brand massage, work has been hectic. And now he's gonna be found out, I always knew Gonou would be a pervert. Poor Hakkai, no wonder he's paranoid, he just wants everything to be okay and people to like him (he's more like Sanguinans than he realises). And a great twist with Goujun's wife belonging(?) to Ah'nesty too. So many little details that I missed on the first reading (Sanzo wanting to DO Hakkai).

and the reminder that Gojyo's dad loved him, even if he doesn't know it and the little metal corss (I went back through the manga for that Minekura is the master of Yaoi whispers)
More naughtiness and Hakkai taking the reins. I should have read it at work, I needed to do filing to cool down. And neither one fo them seem to be incontrol or dominant, your writing really demonstrted that just because someone has the top, doesn't give them the control.
I'm left wondering if Hakkai will find out about his childhood, it might break him ... does Ah'nesty know about that?

Hey read the last couple of paragraphs to My December by Josh Groban (cover of linkin park), and chapter 15 too. It sums up Hakkai's i-will-angst-to-heaven-and-back-again-if-I-want-to . i can send it you if you like.
Great chapter and I'm always hanging on for any of your work.

X

Sorry addendum, just seen the say no to nitro picture, it's going on a t-shirt btw!

Addictedtomarbles -- Now that I’ve sampled some of you “on air” humor, I appreciate your reviews so much more. You are Sweetness with a capital S.
Marry you? Is that legal? Hmm my hubby might have issues, but what the heck! Sure! LOL!
An end to Hakkai’s suffering --- surely you’ve got to be joking. Gojyo might get tortured in this fic but Hakkai gets anguish. (was that evil laugh from me? Terribly sorry.)
Gonou is such a PERV! I figured a guy with his sexual history couldn’t hold too much back. LOL!
Gojun’s wife hooked up with Ah’Nesty to keep tabs on her husband. She found out about Ah’Nesty’s job and where she was heading and decided to help the woman out. Giggle. I should start including little bits of trivia about this fic -- little things that might not make it into the fic. Hmmm…. Ideas.
The cross. Hakkai is pictured a few times in some of the art books with the cross. Gojyo isn’t pictured with it until Gonou shows up in his life. Also he does not hold a Christian belief set. He’s wearing it at the apple stand and then we never see him with it again. I might be reading too much into it, but it just seems to me and a few others I’ve spoken to that Gonou gave Gojyo that cross. Trivia: That confession had me in tears as I typed it.
Ah’Nesty does NOT know about Hakkai’s past.
My December. I pulled my Linkin Park CD’s and you are totally right. That song is VERY Hakkai. If I can get the right source footage that will be an AMV.
Just Say No to Nitro -- I’m gonna try to make that again. That was my first attempt at doctoring a picture. So if you haven’t made your t-shirt yet hold off. I’ll let you know when I change the pic on the website.
Looking forward to “Technical Difficulties”
Thank you for EVERYTHING!
Cupnjava c[~]~~~*sip*

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Vampire Ifurita 2005-02-13
^-^ Your welcome for the review, but I think that it was well deserved. I'm going to start off by saying that this chapter was as wonderous as the last 15. It was great. I can't wait to see what happens now that Ah'Nesty is there. O.o It could be interesting. Gojyo seems to enjoy it so far. It was very funny indeed. I'm loving all the twists and turns in this fic, its so complex its amazing. Looks like Sanzo has won over Konzen for now, but who knows about that... Yeah...... In regards to my wonder fics, each is for a different pairing I like. This is my 58 fic. I've got an 83 fic that was great, but this is the 58 fic. The other fics are for various other couples. I guess I'm picky about my fics. And yes, three days with classes and homework in between readings. Totally worth it. I think considering how long these chapters are the mistakes are very few and far between. Its amazing. You guys do a wonderful job looking over this fic. I don't think I even noticed anything in this chapter. Kenren and Tenpou...

Vampire Ifurita--- I’m glad the humor carried and that not everyone dislikes Ah’Nesty. LOL! I was worried about her -- so many people have expressed distrust with her.
Sanzo has hushed Kozen. For now and yes we’ll see how that goes. I don’t fault Konzen. His relationship with Goku was much more parental and his relationship with Tenpou was very adult.
No matter how long the chapters are I want the fic to be presented as best I can. My grammar check beta and I missed each other tonight. I’m writing this feedback at quarter to midnight on Wednesday (I want this posted in 15 minutes. Grrr!) I did the final check myself, so goodness knows what has slipped past me in chapter 17. Sigh. I appreciate your understanding of my human fallacies, but feel free to tell me where I messed up.
Thank you so very much for your continued support!
Cupnjava c[~]~~~*sip*

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PuffMonkey 2005-02-14
Hello, hello to all fans of RAHO, this is the PuffMonkey with an update. Being a close, personal friend of cupnjava, I have insider information! I promised her I would not tell you anything specific but I just want to assure you that the next chapters will be VERY ANGSTY and VERY HOT! Please believe me when I say this, because I don't even get to hear the whole thing and I always wait with baited breath for these chapters to come out too. I am a HUGE fan of the 5/8 pairing and am still in awe at the stories she comes up with especially the freshness of each of the lemons.
Cupnjava you know I love ya and I mean it, but I had to make sure and do this since I you know I am your biggest (and first) fan! Please check out her website for all the goodies she creates and finds!(sorry off the top of my head I can't remember it but email her or do a search for it and you should find it!)

Huggles!

PuffMonkey! I’m gonna spank me a monkey in a moment! Goodness. I told you to make sure I got to the angst-stuff BEFORE you post this. Sheesh. I didn’t get to it in this chapter at least not the angst we were talking about. Now people are expecting stuff that’s not in chapter 17. I making YOU the complaint department! Humph
Heh, heh, it will be in 18. *grin*.
Am I going to have to reintroduce you to the riding crop? Goodness! Humph! So when you coming over to watch the rest of the Reload DVD?
Seriously, you are so sweet. You are indeed my first “fan” even if you didn’t post reviews. You listened when I mused about Jorja and you squealed when I told you about the shower scene in the first RAHO. And you fretted with me as I searched forever to try to find a place to post. You bitched with me when I got kicked out of a yaoi group and asked to leave a het group. Words cannot express how much I value your friendship both cyber and IRL.
Yes, for those of you that are reading this. I was *a-hem* asked to leave a few groups, I guess they didn’t like my writing. I was rather slammed by them for some of my stuff. Shrug. There are still message boards that won’t let me post. LOL! That’s why I LOVE AFF so much.
(I should note that one group where I asked to leave it was due to inactivity. I just didn‘t have the time. )
Trivia: Did ya know I was the “group” reject? LOL!
Thanks for the website plug. Gracious! People are gonna think I paid you. You will take a check, right? Ok just checking. I’ve submitted my site to the google, msn and yahoo bots but they haven’t crawled me yet. Hopefully they will soon.
Hugs!
Cupnjava c[~]~~~*sip*

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Silvertales6 2005-02-16
You know when a chapter of your favorite story starts with, "Oh Dear God, yes." you know it's gonna be good....and you never disappoint, Cup.

I'll admit it...i squealed when i saw you had updated. my brother wanted to know what was wrong with me. Serously, he yelled up the stairs, "Hey! What's wrong? Did you hurt yourself or something?"

anywho...all i could think about while reading this chappie was ... "oh yes. Gojyo and Hakkai do more than make mad monkey love to each other. They play with balls!....ping-pong balls of course." I died laughing....was reborn....and died again, still laughing.

Kozen got put in his place man! He got beat by a "flightless, big-nosed, fat bird". HAHAHAHAH...welll....good for Sanzo. 'Bout time he showed up girly-man.

SHE'S BACK???? AHHH! NOOOOOO! The blonde-bitch has returned. But Hakkai will be there with Gojyo this time right? To help fight her off...right? He's not gonna get hurt again, right?? *worries* Eeeee.....well....everything will work out in the end. I'm sure of it.
Time for Silvertales' fav quote:

"Goku laughed, “You care; you just won’t say it. I’ll do it because I know Gojyo’s staff can cut down the tree; Hakkai can make me a new kite and you will always be there to make sure I’m not an idiot and get eaten by the tree.” "

cuuuuuuuuute. to like...the max degree. Well...keep up the good work and thanks for keeping my seat warm. I promise you...my ass is not leaving this seat anytime soon. :)
luvs'n'hugs

silvertales6

Silvertales6--- You liked the deceptive naughtiness huh? Yeah, I hadn’t started a chapter like that and I simply couldn’t resist. I’m glad you weren’t disappointed that it was only a massage.

Squeals! Yes! Score!
You’re mistaken. Gojyo and Hakkai are not the couple that makes mad monkey love. Re-read a few chapters you should be able to tell who has the monkey in bed. LOL!
Yeah, Gojyo and Hakkai play will all sorts of balls. If it were safe for men to play with ben wa (wah?) balls you know it would have been in this fic by now. Giggle.
Konzen got stuffed -- yes he did -- let’s hope he keeps that mouth shut. I don’t need some bored admin god messing with my fav. pairing. Sheesh!
Flaxen is back but we have a few chapters till she shows up again -- on the prowl at least. Worried about Gojyo are you? Hmmm, you assume too much. Look for the weakest link at the time of the attack. It’s not clear now, but it will be.
A lot of people like that Goku line. Thanks so much for all over you support. I could do half of this if it weren’t for wonderful readers like you.
Cupnjava c[~]~~~*sip*

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Crimson 2005-02-21
I have been following this since "Relax and Hang On" for goodness sake, and I have NEVER reviewed. I wanted to, but couldn't find the link. Honest! Blame it on temporary ineptitude or the fact that I am usually up until the wee hours reading your perfect chapters. Now, I'll be honest, there are moments in this epic I dislike, but your manipulation of language, continuation of theme, all of it just...blows me away. And you get better every chapter! I don't have time tonight to read the chapter after this, but I will soon. I'm with you til the end, honey. Some time ago, you inpsired me to write a song--something I do occasionally--called "Emerald." I'll have to send it to you some time.

Crimson --- Thank you for reviewing! I really appreciate it. Another new voice! Woo-hoo!
Please take a moment and let me know what you didn’t like and why. If you aren’t comfortable doing it on the board send me an e-mail. Did I take the character OOC? Was it grammar or word choice problem? Did I ramble? Did I get verbose? Was something unclear? Was it the plot direction? Please, if you do not like something tell me what it is and why -- the why is crucial it’s the only way I can improve.
Please, please, please do share your song with me. I would love to read the lyrics.
I’m glad that this fic as sparked your muse. Our boys need all the love they can get.
Thank you so very much for reviewing.
Cupnjava c[~]~~~*sip*
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miri 2005-03-02
Hello! Just writing to give a little encouragement. I am absolutely addicted to RAHO. While "Unrequited?" was quite nice (even before the 2nd chapter was added), I won't lie & say there isn't a little voice in the back of my head chanting: "chapter 17! chapter 17!"

Now Ah'Nesty is here (yay! & I usually don't care much about original characters), it should be interesting. Poor Hakkai. *smirk*

Oh, yeah, I reviewed once as "a little shy", but now I'm registered, though I doubt I'll ever post any stories.

miri--- I’m glad you are out of your shyness. I love the fact that you liked Unrequited? and are addicted to RAHO.
When I post little things like that rest assured they aren’t stopping RAHO. When those little plot bunnies hop in my head I need to get them out so the other ideas can mover around. LOL! 17 was written and with my betas by the time that thing way typed. I just needed to get that down.
I’m glad to know you’re in the “doesn’t hate Ah’Nesty” camp. I was really beginning to worry about her. Oh yeah once she gets some sleep she’s gonna be calling him out. Interesting that Hakkai’s been spilling his own secrets isn’t it? Almost like he’s trying to share, but needs just a little push. Hmmm…. Interesting, huh? Poor Hakkai indeed.
Well if you ever do get attacked by your own plot bunny rest assured AFF will be here for you to post. The webmistress here is wonderful. Let’s all give her a round of applause. *clap clap clap*.
Thank you for your kind words and taking the time to review.
Cupnjava c[~]~~~*sip*
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Flamingolo 2005-03-02
*lol* Aren't you tricky, making us think there was something kinky going on between Hakkai and Gojyo in the first scene ^_^ I loved Sanzo's sense of humor in this chappy, I know I've mentioned it a quazillion times, but I really think you've nailed Sanzo. Very dry sense of humor, and another underlayer that might almost resemble amusement...except, come on, it's SANZO. Konzen was quite well done, as well; the dialogue regarding a 'piece of the whole' was excellent, and one of those lovely sections that makes me stop and do a double take to contemplate the other implication. Also, the segue from 'Sanzo picked his ear' to 'Hakkai slowly lifted a hand..." struck me in a particularly visual way...it just fit together so well, I could easily form my own fade in when I read it. Also, excellent job with Hakkai's inner thoughts and the confliction between them and his behavior; always very well done in this fic, but he really stood out to me in this chappy. One of my favs with him was him imagining various ways to fuck Gojyo while blandly replying that they were unable to partake in outdoor activities XD I also really liked how you interspersed the previous bits of Gojyo's torture with the present. LOL 'justified monkey-icide' and 'this guy was fun. he threw sticks'. The symbolism of the apples was just freaking amazing; so well done and subtle that I almost missed it. Also loved the Dr. Suess bits, very unique perspective on that. And Goku's uber sweet dialogue about how Gojyo staff could cut his kite free, Hakkai could build a new one, and Sanzo would prevent stupid actions was just absolutely adorable and SO Goku...in fact, I think you basically summed up his entire personality with that one little section; an earnest outlook that runs a helluva lot deeper than anyone thinks or bothers to inspect. Loved it, and always looking forward to more from you; I don't think I need to emphasize how much I adore your balance of abstract and extremely concrete *glomps*.

Flamingolo-- I always get excited when I see that you’ve dropped me a line. I’m so glad you like my Sanzo. I’m rather nervous about him. I think I present him as too soft, but given the circumstances of everything it kinda makes sense for him to be a bit soft right now. I see him as with a very dry sense of humor and a very unique disdainfully-amused interest in his surroundings. I can’t see him happy in a temple somewhere, but at the same time you know doing all this just gets on his last nerve. Almost gotta feel sorry for him.
I knew you would like and key in on “piece of the whole”. I’m so glad you mentioned it. I typed it and thought of you.
I’m also glad you let me know some of the visuals are carrying. I didn’t want to type in the camera shots I felt that was taking some of the imagination away from the reader AND I would break up the fic too much. So, I’m glad to know that I’m presenting it well enough that people can see the anime in their head while they read. That really means a lot. That’s what I’m really striving for.
I’m trying to not be so Hakkai-centered, but I know that I can’t get away from it. He’s the easiest for me to write. He’s the best one to go to for any kind of explanation or anything. So, he’s a great writing tool. And I kinda identify with him. I dunno. It’s not secret that Hakkai is my fav. character. I hold a strong belief that Hakkai’s inner thoughts are very different from what comes from his mouth. He has an excellent brain-mouth filter. LOL! I like to give glimpses of that paramour under the green eyes when I can.
I’m trying to not ignore the other characters, but I seem to default to Hakkai. I’m glad you like it.
You picked up on the apples thing… I was afraid most people would miss that. Don’t we all just like a nice tart apple?
Dr. Seuss -- yes! I figured if ANYONE can find something disturbing about sweet Dr. Seuss it would be Goku and it would be over food. LOL!
Goku is a lot deeper than some people credit him and Sanzo is a bit softer than he comes across -- sometimes.
Ok, I can feedback this all night long, BUT I want to get this up. I’m 30 min past my midnight self-declared deadline. So please forgive me if this feedback seems short.
Thank you for all of your wonderful support with all of my fics. It means so very much to me.
Cupnjava c[~]~~~*sip*
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