Never No Answer
and it chills to the bone
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
the following belong to Kazuya Minekura.
painfully obvious, I don’t own them.
softly behind her, finally leaving them alone now that the food was served and
she had calmed down a bit after screaming over Sanzo fainting. Some things were
better after they had cooled down a bit, like egg rolls. But, Goku liked his
rice to be steaming hot and it wasn’t half as good when at room temperature.
That was more than enough reason to stop worrying about Sanzo being unconscious
in a bed. The monk was sleeping and so he wouldn’t yell at Goku’s lack of table
manners.
dishes brought up fresh from the kitchen made life worth living. They would
definitely need to order seconds, but Goku would be all right for a while.
so happy that he could almost forget about Sanzo collapsing only moments
ago. Who could be upset when there was this much food in front him?
eat an egg roll when the blonde had blinked once before falling out of
his chair. Goku could only stare in surprise at Sanzo being that clumsy before
he hit the floor at the same time Goku dropped the egg roll on his empty plate.
He had called out Sanzo’s name once before Hakkai and Gojyo even noticed
something was wrong with the monk.
questions at them about why Sanzo wasn’t moving on the ground. He had picked
Sanzo up with an ease that was just as worrying as the sudden faint. Really,
Sanzo should eat more. He was way too thin, and Goku knew that
when people didn’t eat, they were cranky. That was why Sanzo yelled half the
time. Goku didn’t mind Sanzo when he was angry too much, except when blo blonde
called him stupid. That wasn’t true at all and he usually argued with Sanzo
then. That got him hit by a fan. But, why think about that when there was food
starting to cool?
out helplessly at the platters in front of him. One was a home-cooked specialty
chow mien with a mix of meats. Itked ked like pork cutlets and beef strips with
a hint of shrimp as well were mixed in the thin noodles. All of his favorites
in one! Strips of carrots and green onions glistened in the chow mien, all of
it covered with a special sauce. It could be soy or teriyaki or maybe something
entirely new!
its stomach!” Gojyo growled as Goku snapped the wooden chopsticks apart with
the usual loud grace. It was the good kind of chopsticks with pointy ends
instead of the squares ones. Those tended to splinter and ruin an entire
mouthful of food with wet chips of wood.
Sanzo’s bedside. He had been there since Gojyo put Sanzo in the bed to check
the monk for any new injuries after such a heavy fall. The brunette finally
joined them at the table, looking tired and worn out. Jeep chirped anxiously,
fluttering by the man’s head and knowing something was wrong.
How could someone be upset when there was a large plate of vegetable fried rice
in front of him? The rice was a perfect golden brown and the small square
carrots and scallops with another kind of vegetable in it that Goku couldn’t
tell from across the table. He couldn’t wait for that to get passed
around to him!
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
bamboo baskets by his elbow. There might be meat buns in there. Goku hadn’t had
a good meat bun in days and days and days. He hoped it was barbequed
pork. That was his absolute favorite, but if it were another kind of
meat, he’d eat it anyway. Goku was not one to be picky when it came to anything
edible.
Gojyo in a soft, serious voice as he clasped his hands together with his elbows
resting on the table. Jeep chirped as he settled on Hakkai’s shoulder, noticing
that the smile was gone without a trace. Jeep crooned and waited not so
patiently for his master to start eating so the dragon could be served as well.
Except, Hakkai didn’t look happy even though he had a full bowl of white rice
on his left.
front of him, wondering if there was any soy sauce to put on top of his rice.
He didn’t see the usual small dish full of it that always came with egg rolls.
There wasn’t a single bottle of soy on the table, not even a shaker of salt to
flavor the dishes.
Goku asked Hakkai, not caring if he interrupted Gojyo or not. Goku had spotted
the orange sauce glistening on a large pile of deep-fried something and
wasn’t thinking of anything else. He didn’t know what Hakkai had ordered, so it
could be pork orY
or
sweet and sour! It was hard to go wrong with that.
fixed back on his face to hide his worry. Goku could tell that Sanzo was
worrying the brunette with all of his fainting and constant getting in trouble
with youkai. Sanzo seemed to have a lifetime’s worth of bad luck, going through
everything except actually dying. WellY
Sanzo had almost died the evening before last, but Goku could think
about that later.
platter and handed it courteously to Goku. He took it greedily and tilted the
plate so the curved edge would pour the sauce from the dish into Goku’s bowl of
rice. If he couldn’t find any soy sauce, he would find something else to use.
Plain rice was just so bori/i>t/i>to eat.
manners, but it was nothing compared to Sanzo yelling at him. Gojyo sighed at
the interruption before serving himself from the dish behind the steaming
bamboo baskets. The kappa had beef and broccoli in a thick, heavy brown sauce.
It looked divine in the light of the room and Goku prayed that Gojyo wouldn’t
manage to eat it all before it got around to him.
mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Neon Lights";
mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:"WP TypographicSymbols"'>
made Goku think he meant the exact opposite thing. Sanzo had been acting weird when
he had been awake, but Goku didn’t think Gojyo was smart enough to catch it.
Goku had been around Sanzo long enough to be able to tell what the monk was
thinking
looking confused the whole time, lost as Gojyo and Hakkai talked to each other
like they were the only people in the room.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Neon Lights";
mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:"WP TypographicSymbols"'>
trouble finding the words. He sat down the bowl of plain white rice without
taking a single bite. Hopefully he was just saving the rice for later.
Casually, Hakkai served himselveryvery small amount of the vegetable fried rice
before handing it over to Gojyo. It wasn’t enough to feed both him and Jeep who
was looking down in distinct disappointment at the miniscule servings on Hakkai’s
plate.
didn’t feel like eating either. This was probably why they were both so easily
depressed all the time. Goku didn’t like it all, but he didn’t say anything. It
could be that just tonight Hakkai didn’t feel like eating. Goku had seen the
brunette eat with a usual, healthy appetite before. Sanzo only ate when he
finally couldn’t even stand upright from the hunger.
face as he looked up curiously at the offered plate. Hakkai smiled and waited
for him to take the dish as Jeep flapped its wings and left Hakkai’s shoulder
to make a lazily circle above the table. Goku hunched over his food
protectively, eyeing the white dragon warily. Jeep was not going to
steal any food from Goku’s plate tonight!
see it in his eyes,” Gojyo declared as he accepted the fried rice from Hakkai.
The kappa served himself a liberal portion before putting the dish on the table
without even asking Goku if he wanted any. Gojyo was rude, but at least he
still had a healthy appetite. However, it was threatening to devour half the
food. Goku still hadn’t even started to eat yet!
explained to them as he handed the sweet and sour to Gojyo. Goku was nicer than
other people when it came to food, after he had served himself, of
course. Gojyo took the plate irritably as he glared at Goku stirring the sweet
and sour sauce into the rice with his chopsticks. Hakkai only stared at them
and Goku’s rather observant remark in silence while Jeep landed on the table in
front the empty chair next to Gojyo.
of his rice as Hakkai served himself some of the mixed meat chow mien. It wasn’t
bad with the sweetness coating the usual taste of rice. Maybe with a little soy
sauce or salt to add a bitterness that would make it even better. But, since
they didn’t have those condiments at the table, Goku would have to make
due.
mouthful of beef and broccoli from Gojyo’s plate in between small little teeth.
Gojyo yelled and tried to hit the little dragon that was already flapping a
safe distance out of the kappa’s range. Jeep fluttered safely to the back of
Hakkai’s chair, chewing and purring with contentment as the dragon finished off
its stolen meal.
Hakkai!” Gojyo yelled as he shook a fist at Jeep who swallowed loudly. Hakkai
only chuckled at Gojyo’s anger as he passed the chow mien to Goku. Goku took it
eagerly and served up a large amount on his plate next to the sweet and
sour. He had enough room left on his plate for one more dish, and then it would
be time to start eating.
too,” Hakkai admonished Gojyo as he turned in his seat to pet Jeep on the neck.
Gojyo snarled something not complimentary and took the finished cigarette
moodily out of his mouth. The kappa stabbed it out on the white tablecloth next
to the pile of ashes from Sanzo’s earlier smoking.
who took it with a growled ‘thanks.’ Goku didn’t think the man really meant it.
Jeep was looking quite happy with himself, saving Hakkai from sharing the
painfully small serving on its master’s plate. Jeep had pissed off Gojyo too.
Amazing how smart that little dragon could be sometimes.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
the fried rice in his chopsticks and Jeep snatched it eagerly now that the
little dragon was done with what he had stolen from Gojyo’s plate. Jeep
probably was still hungry from the mad dash they had done only the night before
last with Sanzo dying in the backseat.
shouldn’t think about now. He couldn’t change what had already happened. So,
Goku opened up one of the steamed baskets instead of thinking sad thoughts and
paying attention to Gojyo and Hakkai’s sour attitudes. Goku peeked under the
lid to see four round, steaming white buns sitting there. Four cuts in the top
had been pinched together to form teardrop-shaped buns that still had small
beads of water from the steam.
“Wahoo! Meat buns, meat buns, meat
buns!” Goku cheered, not believing his luck. He had wanted them so much
and now there were several baskets full. Four buns each, five trays stacked
tall… Seventeen meat buns! Goku calculated quickly, rubbing his hands
together in anticipation. He was going to have to take down that number
quickly.
Maybe he is just fine,” Hakkai argued softly as he took the beef and
broccoli from Gojyo’s side of the table. Gojyo froze in the process of grabbing
a meat bun to look back at Hakkai in disgusted shock that the smiling brunette
would even dare suggest such a thing.
grab three meat buns before Gojyo could eat them all, two for his plate and one
to shove in his mouth and take a large bite. It was barbequed beef! Goku had
wanted barbequed pork, but at least he had gotten half of his wish! What more
could he ask for?
strong flavor and was tough to chew, letting Goku savor the barbeque sauce
longer. He chomped on the sweet dough happily, quite content with his plate for
now as he dropped the meat buns on top of everything else. Hakkai and Gojyo no
longer even paid attention to how fast Goku ate, quite used to food
disappearing as soon as it got around him.
someone killed him right now,” Gojyo returned. True. Goku wouldn’t mind
dying right now as he finished off the first meat bun. Gojyo took one bun with
a glare and set it on his plate with a grunt, disappointed in Goku for stealing
the rest of the buns in that basket.
Hakkai pointed out. Goku agreed with Hakkai full-heartedly but he didn’t say
anything. They had yelled at him before for talking with his mouth full. Sanzo
had even shot at Goku once for talking to him with food in his mouth. That had
been all the warnie nee needed to at least think about chewing.
understand Sanzo at all. Like why the monk forced himself to walk across the
room when he couldn’t even sit in a chair. Why Sanzo hadn’t told them that he
wasn’t feeling well. People didn’t suddenly swoon and fall to the floor without
good rn. Sn. Sanzo was more delicate than he would evere tre to admit, but he
rarely ever let that stop him.
someone serve him while he stayed in bed. Sanzo refused to eat lying down like
an invalid, even though that was what he was half the time. Goku didn’t
care so much about pride or crumbs in the sheets as Sanzo did. The blonde man
would rather die. One time Sanzo had broken two fingers and couldn’t even hold
a spoon. He stopped eating instead of facing the humility of someone feeding
him.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
Gojyo snapped, the two long hairs on the top of his head pointing up in
irritation as he fixed on Hakkai with a murderous look. Hakkai only shrugged at
Gojyo’s loud yelling and added another small serving of the sweet and sour dish
on his own plate. Hakkai handed the platter to Gojyo to finish the circuit
around the table as Goku spotted a saltshaker underneath their arms.
time like you, pervert,” Goku returned as he reached over the vegetable fried
rice to grab the salt. Hakkai sat back quickly to avoid Goku’s lunge across the
table and laughed at his lack of manners while Gojyo yelled for Goku to sit
down like normersoerson. Jeep remained quiet, waiting patiently for Hakkai to
serve him again.
mouth, you dumbass ape?” Gojyo asked in disbelief. Goku nearly choked on the
meat bun he was eating, not about to be called a ‘dumbass ape’ when he was
enjoying a meal! Goku had to deal with the smelly, womanizing drunk’s insults
all day long, and he wasn’t about to let him ruin such a good dinner before
Goku even had a chance to try anything.
you damn red cockroach?!” Goku yelled back at Gojyo, standing out of his chair.
He wasn’t going to let the kappa get away with it this time. Goku would beat
the crap out of Gojyo if the stupid half-demon didn’t take the hint and
shut his mouth! Gojyo stood up as well, more then ready to start a fighth
th
Goku.
Sit down and eat. You’ll wake up Sanzo if you keep fighting,” Hakkai snapped
rudely, not needing to raise his voice to yell at them. Goku opened his mouth
and then clenched it shut as he glanced over to the very still person under the
sheen thn the bed. Jeep imitated Hakkai’s disappointment for their lack of
manners as well with its red eyes staring at Goku and Gojyo. That was enough to
make Gojyo stubbornly take his seat.
Goku followed suit and sat back down
as well, though he glared at Gojyo just to show that if Sanzo didn’t need
his sleep right now, Goku would still be fighting. It was just because he was
concerned about Sanzo that the red kappa was being let off today. Gojyo didn’t
look pleased with being stopped in the middle of what could have been a
woful ful fight either.
remember anyway,” Gojyo sighed as he stared down at his plate. Goku didn’t
listen. He didn’t want to hear it again. Goku blocked Gojyo’s voice out and
sprid sod some salt on top of his sweet and sour rice specialty. He took another
bite as Hakkai nodded thoughtfully and chewed politely with his mouth closed.
Gojyo didn’t look happy with both of them ignoring his comment, knowing that it
was very true. Goku didn’t want to talk about it right now, taking a bite of
his rice instead.
Perfect! You got to try it, Hakkai!” Goku yelled out, astonished at the taste.
The sweet and sour sauce was starting to soak into each grain of rice because
of the long wait while Goku finished serving himself. The salt was a sharp
contrast and made the whole bowl of rice taste all the more better. It was
perfect! Gokuld hld have cried with joy.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
cla class=Section6>
have conversations with you,” Gojyo cursed as Goku started to shove the rice
into his mouth with his chopsticks. He glanced up over the rim of the bowl and
paused for a moment, wondering if he should get angry with that or not. They
had just been forced to stop fighting only seconds ago. Goku decided he wanted
to eat more than fight r now now.
into his mouth, the taste better because he could barely chew all the rice he
had stuffed in his cheeks. ‘Properly chewing your food’ meant very little to
Goku. It only took up more time to get food down and try something else. Goku
swallowed his mouthful to clear room for the last bit of rice into his mouth
before setting the empty boown own on the tabletop.
right? He wasn’t even supposed to wake up yet,” Goku asked as he guiltily
glanced over at the silent mound in the bed. Goku supposed he might try to be
proud of Sanzo for managing to recover so quickly but for some reason it just
wasn’t very comforting. Seeing the golden-hair man fall on his face made Goku
think Sanzo was not healed yet.
walking around again in no time,” Hakkai assured Goku as he held up a small
piece of broccoli for Jeep. The dragon was eating more than its much larger
mr. Ir. It took the whole broccoli in one bite and threw its head back to
swallow, even ruder about eating than Goku.
believe the words when he was busy shoving another meat bun in his mouth. He
didn’t think Hakkai was telling him the complete truth half the time. Goku
would have a hard time trusting what the smiling man said about Sanzo’s state
of health after that night. Hakkai hadn’t been honest when he said ‘everything
was fine,’ because Sanzo had stopped breathing after that. Why would he be
telling the truth now?
his teeth and put the mangled leftover on his plate for later. He didn’t need
to finish it off right now unless Gojyo opened up the second basket of meat
buns. Then, Goku might have to stuff himself and take more so Gojyo wouldnhavehave them all. It was only fitting revenge for the kappa being so mean to him
during dinner.
that will cause some trouble,” Gojyo snapped darkly, poking at his serving with
his chopsticks. Jeep chirped rudely at the suggestion his suspension in automobile
form was less than perfect. Hakkai glared at Gojyo’s bluntness, his one visible
green eye narrowing dangerously. Goku didn’t like the words that had been said
just now, not one bit.
his politeness only scary right now with that furious look in his eye.
Gojyo took the hint and said no more, popping some of the beef into his mouth
moodily. Hakkai kept fixed on Gojyo with his angry gaze, just daring the
half-youkai to say something.
the damn monk’s sheets anymore,” Gojyo grumbled, still pissed about being
assigned as a bedmate while Sanzo had been shivering with the cold that almost
claimed his life. Goku raised an eyebrow as he finished off the last half to
his leftover meat bun. Gojyo hadn’t seemed this upset when he had to do the
deed two nights ago. There hadn’t been even half this much complaining. It was
irritating, almost ruining the taste in Goku’s mouth. Gojyo pouted even more
then him, and Goku was very vocal when it came to be uncomfortable. Or
in pain. Or the worst of all: hungry.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
Someone needs to make sure that Sanzo doesn’t die in his sleep,” Hakkai ordered
Gojyo to sleep in the room again. It was probably because Hakkai didn’t want to
go down and ask for another room. The added cost to the hotel bill and having
to deal with that Mei Li girl were more than enough reasons to have Gojyo share
a bed with Sanzo another night.
bed to spread out on. Whenever they had shared rooms, he had either been forced
to stay on his side which was exactly even with Hakkai’s. Or, Goku would wind
up on the edge of the mattress with Gojyo’s foot in his face. Or, he would
sleep on the floor and hope that Sanzo would remember to toss him a pillow.
cold bitch one more fucking night!” Gojyo yelled loudly and slammed a hand down
on the table to make his point. Hakkai ignored him and took his first bite of
the sweet and sour. Gojyo stared as his argument was clearly ignored. Hakkai
had a way of telling people to shut up without saying a single word. Goku stuck
his tongue out at the stupid kappa and finished off the sweet and sour on his
plate as well.
asked as Gojyo gaped at him across the table, clearly not allowing arguing with
the sleeping arrangements. Goku nodded as Gojyo flipped off Hakkai’s turned
head. Goku would ignore the kappa just like Hakkai did with his unbreakable
smile. Goku wondered if he should take seconds or try the beef and broccoli.
some of this,” Goku moaned, looking down at the wonderful full dinner. Sanzo
was going to miss this whole meal because he had insisted on acting tough. If
the monk had been feeling so faint, he should have said something instead of
quietlynkinnking and smoking away any trace of health.
could save some for him,” Gojyo growled around his mouthful of meat bun. Goku
glared at the man and looked back to Hakkai, wondering if it might actually be a
good idea or not. Jeep perked up as well, sharing the same irritated look with
Goku over Gojyo’s attitude. It was even harder to deal with than Sanzo in a bad
mood. At least Goku liked Sanzo. He wasn’t fond of Gojyo at all
right now.
We can order something fresh for Sanzo when he wakes up,” Hakkai assured him
with a smile. He was telling Goku to not get his hopes up about Sanzo waking
any time soon. Goku knew better than to expect impossible things. Sanzo was
strong, but he was human in the end. Human bodies didn’t take damage very well and
heal right away.
muffled voice as he stuffed his mouth full of chow mien at the same time. The
noodles were just right, soft but not mushy, thoroughly cooked but not burneIt wIt was absolutely delicious and tasted as good as it looked. Goku had never had
food this good in weeks! It had been so long since the inn had a decent cook in
the kitchen. He was determined to enjoy this meal, whether or not Sanzo was
unconscious in the same room.
to crawl out of bed next,” Gojyo drawled rudely as he took a bite of his meat
bun. Goku growled at the kappa warningly, unable to do anything else with his
cheeks full of chow mien. Jeep joined him, peeping and squeaking angrily at
Gojyo’s words.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
please, let’s just eat,” Hakkai begged, raising up both hands to calm Goku and
Jeep. Goku was more than ready to follow that order as he finished off the last
of his chow mien and reached out at the same time to grab the beef and
broccoli. He couldn’t wait anymore. He had to try this dish!
back in an unfriendly tone. A silence descended upon the table as Hakkai
started to eat a little more seriously, the food the only thing keeping Hakkai
from yelling back at Gojyo. Hakkai looked very mad and displeased with G as
as
he delicately finished off the fried rice. Goku didn’t know how anyone could
keep eating so neat. He licked grease from the chow mien off his lips to
let it mix with the beef and broccoli now stuffed in his mouth. The paired
taste was great for one blissful second before the faint flavor of chow mien
faded into the sauce covering the beef.
enjoying what was on his plate. Goku didn’t care about the rest of the group’s
appetites anymore. He couldn’t worry about three of them all at the same time.
Goku wasn’t a bad eater, and that was why he reached for the sweet and sour
again to fill up his recently emptied plate.
fat ass ape,” Gojyo snapped as Gokuncednced up from emptying the platter. Who
took the time to use the serving spoon anyway? Food was a matter of who got to
it first. If the kappa wanted more, he could order a fresh dish. Goku was not
sharing with a half-breed youkai that called him a fat monkey!
ear to beg for more food. The dragon always got anxious when he saw Goku
swallowing down half of the dinner table before Hakkai even got around to
finishing his first serving. At least Gojyo wasn’t eating like usual and Sanzo
wasn’t awake so there was more to share than usual.
sighed and rubbed his forehead in irritation with his hand tiredly. Gojyo didn’t
look like he believed Hakkai as the man stood up and went to the small
refrigerator in the corner of the room. Jeep hopped off the back of the vacant
chair to the edge of the table so it could start on the sweet and sour pork
still left on Hakkai’s plate while his master was gone.
Gojyo waved his hand in Jeep’s face like it was any other pet. Jeep looked up
and growled over Hakkai’s plate, feeling threatened over his food. Immediately
a small, effective, little fireball belched out of the dragon’s mouth and
scorched Gojyo’s hand before the man could even hit the dragon.
yelped and snapped his hand back to shake out the burn painfully. The kappa
deserved it for being so rude to everyone during dinner. Goku smiled and nodded
to Jeep, both of them very pleased with Jeep’s little attack. Hakkai didn’t
even say anything like ‘calm down’ or ‘stop it,’ so Goku glanced behind to see
Hakkai pull out a six-pack of beer that had been stocked in the mini-fridge.
drinking. The man usually never touched alcohol. Hakkai and Gojyo were worried
over Sanzo. They shouldn’t think about such sad things over dinner. Goku knew
better than to fret right now when there was food in front of him. He would
have plenty of time to stare at Sanzo and think about how it was his fault for
not protecting the fragile, beautiful monk.
insisted loudly. Two set of eyes widened at his statement, Hakkai frozen in
mid-stride as he pulled a can of beer from the plastic rings. Goku looked back
at them, confused why they looked so surprised. Gojyo stared at him for daring
to say what was so obviously on their minds. Neither of the men was as
unreadable and ‘cool’ as they thought they were.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Neon Lights";
mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:"WP TypographicSymbols"'>
Hakkai asked Goku quietly after he recovered. Hakkai walked back to the table
and handed one beer to Gojyo. Jeep jumped back to his spot on the chair
innocently despite Hakkai’s plate missing a large amount of food. Hakkai
chuckled at Jeep pretending that nothing was wrong as he pulled a beer out for
himself and set the rest on the table.
weakly. He wasn’t so sure. Goku didn’t know what Sanzo thought half the time.
He knew how Sanzo would act sometimes only because the monk followed a pattern.
Mainly, kill whatever was in the way as quickly as possible. Sanzo wasn’t going
to change his routine.
Goku, choosing to be very quiet and not try to eat anything more. Jeep was
silent as well, looking over Hakkai’s shoulder with its long neck to see why
its master was upset. Hakkai may have an emotionless face on right now, but
Goku could easily tell that Hakkai was worried about Sanzo, a lot more
than usual.
asked as Gojyo popped open on his own. Foam bubbled out and Gojyo blew it off
the lid before taking a large swallow. He was drinking now just to rub in the
fact that he could and Goku still had to ask if it would be all right. Some
things just weren’t fair in life!
about underage drinking,” Hakkai admonished as he snapped the ring back on his
own can and shook his head. Sanzo wasn’t even awake right now! Goku sighed,
knowing that Hakkai was a hard person to argue with, but he still wanted to
anyway. It wasn’t fair that he had never tried this drink that they all guzzled
down like water.
argued. He was over five hundred years old. Who cared if his body hadn’t
matured yet? At this rate, he wouldn’t get to drink until he was a thousand
years old! That was just waaay too long to wait. As a lover of food,
Goku had to try everything edible, drinkable,
digested. Why were they saying he couldn’t try a beer?
sending a firm look to Gojyo that said ‘agree with me.’ It was a dirty move to
make sure Gojyo wouldn’t give Goku a beer when he got a little bit more drunk.
Now how was he going to get to taste some beer? Goku sighed, chasing away his
troubles with finishing off the sweet and sour. It was just the right
temperature now, a little cooled off now after being left alone on the table
for so long.
coldly as he turned away from Hakkai. Well, there he had it. Both of them were
awful cold-hearted bastards, even more than Sanzo. And it was really
hard to be even less uncaring than Sanzo. Didn’t their mothers teach them how
to share? … Well, at least Hakkai’s mother should have taught him those
basic lessons.
as he held out his hand. If he couldn’t get beer, than he would make them
regret not eating faster earlier on. Hakkai took a small sip from his own beer
and looked over the can at Goku’s rudeness. He didn’t even say a word as Gojyo
glanced over at Hakkai. Jeep was starting to nibble at Hakkai’s ear to beg for
more food again. It was annoying see a pet so shamelessly affectionate with its
master. At least Goku didn’t fall over Sanzo like Jeep did with Hakkai.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
and Goku barely managed to keep his mouth closed. Don’t say anything, don’t
say anything, Goku chanted to himself, trying very hard not to yell. He
couldn’t fight with Sanzo sleeping in the same room. He didn’t want to wake up
Sanzo. Goku just had to ignore the pervert.
ground out, holding up his hands. He didn’t want to risk getting his sleeves in
the food if he reached over the table. Goku didn’t care so much about his
clothes except for getting a thread or something in the meal. Gojyo’s eyebrows
rose at the request and he did hand the next steaming basket over without a word,
so shocked that Goku had actually said ‘please.’ He took it happily with a
smile for Gojyo.
ultra-perverted, rude, red, cockr kap kappa!” Goku rattled it all out at once
before popping another meat bun in his mouth. Gojyo’s mouth dropped open, his
eyes wide at the rush of insults. Hakkai said nothing as he set his can of beer
down, though the slight smile on his face was the most honest one he had worn
in a while.
dough for the second time, mixed with the slightest hint of barbeque. He hadn’t
taken a big enough bite to get to the center where the meat was. This taste was
just as enjoyable and he felt very satisfied as Gojyo made a few choking noises
at not being defended.
wasn’t being fair in telling them to be quiet. Goku should be yelled at for
insulting Gojyo after they had just finished fighting, but Hakkai said nothing.
Instead, Hakkai picked up another piece of broccoli with his chopsticks for Jeep.
ape doesn’t get into any trouble?” Gojyo demanded, stirring his fried rice
around on his plate moodily. Hakkai sighed and held out his hand silently to
Goku for a meat bun. He handed them to the man graciously, very thankful that
Hakkai had taken his side. Goku didn’t make people say please or wait any
longer then necessary over food.
it on a regular basis, Gojyo,” Hakkai explained pointedly as he put his
chopsticks down on the plate. Gojyo winced, but let the argument drop as Hakkai
gentlemanly pointed out his faults, dropping down to crouch over his plate and
start to eat with a fierce concentration. Good thing the kappa’s long hair was
back in a ponytail or he would be eating it off his plate.
n
sn
style='mso-bidi-font-family:"Neon Lights"'>“That’s right!” Goku agreed around a
full mouth of sweet and sour, beaming at the compliment as he went for the
third meat bun. Gojyo moaned at the small chunks of foodt fet fell out of Goku’s
overstuffed mouth. He couldn’t chew everything he had shoved in and talk at the
same time without making some room just for air to breath.
normal human being,” Gojyo growled at Goku’s loud eating. Goku glared and took
the time to actually chew what was left in his mouth and swallowing before even
trying to open his mouth. He wasn’t always a rude eater. He was just very
hungry a lot of the time.
Goku snapped back. Gojyo took a long drink from his beer instead of responding
to Goku politely. It irritated him to be ignored, but at the same time it meant
Gojyo wasn’t saying anything else to keep a fight going. So, Goku stuffed his
face instead with the last speck of food on his plate, wondering if he should
lick off the sauce or not.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
nicely, all right?” Hakkai tried to mediate lamely as he put the can of beer
down. Only one eyebrow was visibly raised on Hakkai’s face, the other hidden by
the fall of his bangs. He picked at his food, finally starting to make some
damage in the chow mien. Both Gojyo and Goku sighed at the same time over
Hakkai’s constant ‘pretend like nothing’s wrong’ act.
the subject back to the food. How could anyone start fighting about eating?
Gojyo went back to scarfing down his food like usual now that conversation time
was deemed over. Hakkai chuckled and started to eat with a little more vigor,
even if it was still not as much as Goku would have liked. Sanzo slept through
it all, no matter how loud Goku started to argue with Gojyo over the last
servingchowchow mien. Gojyo and Hakkai drank through three six-packs without
Sanzo even stirring under the heavy blankets they had piled up on him just in
case the man decided to freeze to death while they ate dinner.
with the beef and broccoli, Jeep burped loudly before sluggishly lifting off
Hakkai’s shoulder and flying heavily into the bathroom. The dragon was probably
going to lie down on some towels until they decided to go to their separate
rooms. Jeep knew better than to try sleeping in thme bme bed with Sanzo. The
dragon had nearly gotten both wings broken before Hakkai had come to the
rescue.
sleep in here with Sanzo again because there were no other open rooms in the
hotel right now. Even Goku and Hakkai were sharing a room with two small,
uncomfortable beds. But, it was a bed that was all to Goku by himself and he
wanted to keep it that way.
another pack of beer and the vegetable fried rice. Goku was only half full, so
he took care of the white rice. He tried using the sauce from the bottom of the
empty beef and broccoli dish to drench his plain rice and found himself pleased
with the results again. This time he had needed no salt for it.
said as he took out a new cigarette and slapped the pack down on the table. He
lit up over the table full of empty platters and plates, serving dishes left
with only traces of crumbs, looking content for the first time since they had
gotten back to this village.
insisted even if Gojyo looked like he had his fill. Hakkai laughed and
shrugged, saying something about how the kitchen was likely closed at this
hour. Goku couldn’t hear it, so devastated at the thought of no food
until morning. He would have to go through the entire night without
anything else to eat? He was going to die before midnight!
it a night,” Hakkai said, stretching his arms out in front of him. Gojyo
scratched at his nose and took another deep drag from his cigarette like he was
trying to be thoughtful. Goku knew that Gojyo wasn’t really thinking about
anything beyond the cigarette in his mouth, otherwise the kappa would be
complaining about having to stay another night with Sanzo. Instead he was
staring off at the wall and ignoring them.
tonight if I’m this hungry,” Goku moaned, putting two hands down on his belly
in mock pain. Unless he got some sort of dessert, Goku was gong to drop dead
from starvation right now! Hakkai
sighed and crossed his arms in disappointment that Goku wasn’t full over the
meal he had ordered. It had been good, but the food just hadn’t been enough!
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
tough. You can get something from the kitchen first thing in the morning,”
Hakkai promised as he stood up and walked to the bathroom with amazing balance
for how much beer he had drank. Goku sighed, glancing over at Sanzo’s bed. He
couldn’t stand the sight of the blonde haired man so still.
Hakkai said softly, pulling Goku’s eyes away from the back of Sanzo’s head. The
green-eyed man had Jeep in his arms, the dragon dozing on even though he had
been moved from whatever spot he had found to sleep in. Gojyo blinked, blowing
several rings of smoke out before suddenly realizing what Hakkai meant.
Gojyo roared loud enough to shake the china on the table. Hakkai blinked up
from Jeep in surprise that he hadn’t already made it clear enough. Even Goku
knew that Gojyo was sleeping with Sanzo and he fell asleep whenever Hakkai
started to talk for a long time. They already had this discussion a lot
of times along lines of: “No, Goku is not sleeping with Sanzo. I’m
not either, you volunteered.”
not risking Sanzo dying if he gets cold in the middle of the night,” Hakkai
ordered in a very calm, matter of fact voice that didn’t allow any argument.
The usually nice and polite man locked glares with Gojyo silently, not at all
concerned that he had been rude to Gojyo.
little bit longer,” Goku said softly. He couldn’t leave Sanzo like this, passed
out after falling out of his chair. He wanted to stay with Sanzo and make sure
that the priest really would be okay. What if Sanzo got really sick during the
night? Goku felt bad for the priest, knowing it was his fault that Sanzo was
laid out in a bed. He should have been paying attention instead of getting
caught up in fighting.
won’t be awake for a while,” Hakkai told him. Goku nodded solemnly. It didn’t
matter to him if Sanzo was awake or not while he sat next to the priest. Goku
just didn’t want to leave Sanzo’s room yet. It was already so quiet and lonely
with Sanzo sleeping in the bed. He wasn’t yelling or smoking as he looked out
the window or at the newspaper.
and screaming at him for being a stupid ape. It was times when Sanzo was
unconscious or injured when things would start to get really silent, even if
Hakkai and Gojyo were there. The world just sort of darkened when Sanzo
wasn’t there. No matter how rude and nasty the monk was, he had a familiar
light about him. It was something Goku was determined to follow.
Hakkai sighed before continuing out the door with Jeep in hand. Goku didn’t say
‘good night’ or ‘I’ll be there in a while.’ He didn’t like to lie. It couldn’t
possibly be a good night when Sanzo was in this bad of shape. Goku didn’t know
how long it would take before he felt like he could finally part from Sanzo’s
side. Hakkai closed the door without a sound; unlike Mei Li had done earlier in
the night.
cigarette and finishing the last beer on the table without a word. He was
already drifting off into his own thoughts, ignoring everyone else to moodily
stare off into his memories. Goku glanced back at Sanzo, his stomach feeling
bad even though he was full. He just felt so guilty for allowing this.
Goku had been fighting and forgot about protecting Sanzo.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
that were saying something was wrong? He should have realized that there were
more opponents than usual. The screaming shouldn’t have driven him into a
fighting fury so he could ignore those calls. He should have noticed that Sanzo
had been surrounded. Goku had missed ahe she signs, just like the dumb ass ape
Sanzo called him all the time.
breaking him out of his thoughts. Goku looked up in confusion, wondering why
the kappa would want to talk to him. Now that Hakkai was no longer playing
babysitter, Gojyo could be as rude as he wanted. Was Gojyo going to yell at him
for not getting over to Sanzo quicker back at the riverbank? Goku had been
closest to Sanzo. He should have been there sooner. Reluctantly, he
turned away from the lump on the mattress that was Sanzo. He couldn’t bear to
look at the blonde man anymore. It was his fault that this had happened.
ordered, the last words Goku had ever thought he’d hear right now, coming out
loud and clear. Goku stumbled in the middle of walking because he was so
shocked Gojyo would even talk to him, much less command Goku around like he was
Sanzo.
afterthought. Goku glanced back at the kappa, wondering what had driven the man
to be nice. Gojyo was never polite to him unless he was feeling either
really sad or upset about something. But, what did he have to be depressed
about? Gojyo wasn’t responsible for Sanzo’s personal well being.
had failed miserably. Sanzo probably wouldn’t even want him for a servant when
he woke up.
these heavy thoughts, grabbing a six-pack and closing the door mindlessly. He
didn’t even know why he was doing this for Gojyo, but he couldn’t think about
anything else to do right now. Without Sanzo telling him what to do, Goku was
lost. Ever since he had met Sanzo, Goku had found himself thinkof aof a lot of
the things he did that were bad when before Goku wouldn’t have even known he
was doing something wrong. Sanzo had shown him the difference.
out to Gojyo. He should try and be nice to everyone while he could. Sanzo was
gonna wake up and say that Goku shouldn’t follow him anymore. Maybe if Goku
reminded Hakkai and Gojyo just how good and useful he was to have around, they
would let him stay. Two could even outvote Genjo Sanzo.
observed honestly as he took back the beer and opened it for himself. Gojyo
took another drag of the cigarette before following it with a deep swallow from
the can. Then, the kappa opened his mouth to let out perfect little circles of
e dre drift around the room.
the smoke pass through the air. He wi San Sanzo was smoking. But the monk
wasn’t, he was unconscious and still hurting real bad. He could tell that much
from the way Hakkai and Gojyo were acting. They were waiting for him to start
to break down from worry over Sanzo. But, Goku wouldn’t do that. He was much
stronger now.
a beer off a plastic ring and handing it out to Goku. He took it slowly and
stared at the can in his hand, the can not quite as cold as Sanzo had been that
night when they had finally found him after Sanzo was thrown in to the river
with that other youkai. The ride back was something Goku never wanted to
remember, but his eyes were locked on the metal ring on top of the can as he
helplessly thought back.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
heal him?” Goku screamed in the front seat as Sanzo spasmed in the back, one hand
flailing as he tried to fight his way out of the blankets they had wrapped him
in. Gojyo had only thrown some sheets around Sanzo from back
mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Neon Lights";
mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-fonmilymily:"WP TypographicSymbols"'>
to do a thorough search in that house when there wasn’t a trace of Sanzo’s
clothes. At least they had found the sutra set out on top the dresser very
carelessly for the scroll being such a powerful, spiritual item.
seizuring body, wrestling Sanzo down to the seat as Hakkai drove grimly forward
at a breakneck speed through new heavy snow. They had to get back to town
before the storm broke loose. It was already a losing battle as fresh
snowflakes showered down on their heads. Goku didn’t know how Hakkai could tell
where a clear path through the trees was in this weather. He couldn’t even see
beyond the few feet of illuminated falling snow in the jeep’s headlights.
through blackness, snow hitting Goku’s face unexpectedly. The snow muffled all
the noise in the forest, even Sanzo’s labored panting in the backseat. It was
nighttime, but morning wouldn’t bo fao far off. He hoped it wasn’t too much
longer in coming. Goku could only feel the time with the heavy grey
clouds, snow, and mist blocking out the sun and moon alike.
Goku, get in back. You need to help Gojyo keep Sanzo warm,” Hakkai ordered as
Sanzo let out a mangled roar of anger, struggling in the seat like a wild
animal as Gojyo fought to hold him down. Sanzo managed to strike Gojyo good
twice across the face, the scar-faced man’s lip starting to bleed lightly.
Gojyo tried to catch the flailing wrists and elbows while Sanzo bucked and bit
at the air where a neck had been only a moment ago, trying to get Gojyo any way
possible.
the strength to lift his head. The priest’s face was always pale, but now it
was so chalk white Goku could see light blue veins underneath the skin. Blood
had dried around the corner of Sanzo’s mouth where green-black bruising was
starting to come in. Sanzo’s lips were a purple color as he shivered
helplessly, his muscles too cold to be controlled anymore. He only trembled and
screamed at Gojyo wordlessly, in a frenzy.
into Sanzo’s scared, wide-eyed face before slapping him across the cheek with
the back of his hand. Goku yelled out, not believing that Gojyo would hit Sanzo
right now. Sanzo couldn’t take that blow when he was half-dead with the cold.
Just because he was panicking didn’t mean Gojouldould hit him.
pleased with hitting Sanzo but finding no other way. They didn’t have time to
wrestle Sanzo down until he realized that they were his friends. The thin
priwas was already sagging against the seat, his eyes rolling up into his head.
Gojyo lifted Sanzo’s unconscious frame up from the seat, shouldering the bony
man up against him until Goku climbed back.
yelled angrily at Gojyo. Sanzo was already in bad enough shape as it was.
Hakkad mad managed to heal the worst of it, mostly the mysterious inner wounds
that killed as organs ruptured inside the body. He couldn’t save Sanzo from
hypothermia now that they were back out in the cold. Hakkai hadn’t even wanted
to move Sanzo, but they needed a doctor desperately.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
though he didn’t want to leave Hakkai alone to drive right now. Hakkai’s
profile unreadable as he swerved, the familiar smile gone as the brunette
delicately steered around several trees that came rushing at the front grill.
Maybe Goku would be better off in back if Hakkai hit a tree. He crawled
awkwardly into the backseat, the wind whipping at his clothes and the snow
blinding Goku as he tried not to get in the way of Hakkai’s driving while
crawling between the two front seats.
pinning the priest between him and Gojyo in the small backseat. He wasn’t sure
what to do, looking at Sanzo in confusion. Goku didn’t know how he could
possibly help keep him warm. He had to keep the priest alive until they got
back to the village they had only left this morning. It was easy for Hakkai to
say. Hakkai could heal anyone. Goku was used to breaking bones.
nervously when Gojyo didn’t say anything back. Usually Gojyo had plenty of
smart comments to say no matter how bad the situation was. He was never silent
like this as he adjusted the blankets around Sanzo and dusted some of the snow
from the priest’s hair. Hakkai had promised Goku that Sanzo would be all right.
Hakkai wouldn’t lie to Goku if it were serious enough for Gojyo to look
worried.
at the priest with sudden dread, noticing just how badly Sanzo was shaking with
the cold. The priest’s face looked very drawn as his weakly tried to stay
awake, his eyes fluttering open and closed. Hakkai had said that Sanzo
would be fine. If that was true, why was Gojyo looking so grim as he roughly
handled Sanzo between the both of them?
“Just keep him warm, dumb ass ape,”
Gojyo snapped back to Goku impatiently. Gojyo unwrapped several of the
blankets, pulling the folds aside until Sanzo only had one blanket around his
naked body. The k unb unbuttoned the front of his coat and held the jacket
apart to pull Sanzo up against his chest, wrapping his arms around Sanzo’s
shoulders and looking at Goku to do the same.
a moment. He shouldn’t be the one doing this. Sanzo wouldn’t want him to. It
was Goku’s fault that this had happened. He should have been watching Sanzo
closer and not getting so wrapped up in fights. If only he hadn’t been thinking
about how much fun it was to have so many enemiesY
forcing Goku to look at the angry man. Goku couldn’t look away from those red
eyes that were boring into him, making Goku squirm in the seat. Why did Gojyo
hto ato ask him such awful questions? He shook his head, both of them knowing
the obvious answer. Goku would not let Sanzo die if there was something he could
do to help.
something right as he pulled back some of the blankets on his side of Sanzo. He
felt like Sanzo was going to turn around at any moment and yell at Goku for
daring to keep him warm. Only, Sanzo didn’t do it at all. He was coughing
weakly against Gojyo instead, rousing before Hakkai swerved suddenly to avoid a
tree. Goku felt the pine bristles rake through his hair as they passed
dangerously close under the branches.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
bottom of the seat and get one fist in the blankets around Sanzo before the
jeep launched over the side of the mountain at a sickeningly sharp angle. Goku
felt his stomach fly up into his throat as he held onto the seat for dear life
and used his body to shield Sanzo from the trees and snow. The jeep slanted
near completely vertical when the front tires slammed down to the ground before
Goku even had the chance to start screaming.
them as the jeep took off with the back tires swerving wildly behind. They
straightened out and were flying through the creepy forest even faster than
before. This place was even worse at night with the snow and fog hiding the
trees. Goku wouldn’t want to be caught out here alone. The place just smelled bad
and gave him a weird feeling.
of the death grip he had made in the blankets. The blonde ended up more
horizontal than vertical after that jump Hakkai had pulled. Gojyo adjusted
Sanzo and pulled the blankets tight around him and Sanzo again, pressing
himself against the priest without any kind of shame. Goku supposed he should
just follow suit and press himself up against Sanzo’s back.
and Sanzo before Gojook ook his edge of sheets and tucked it into between him
and Sanzo. The priest was trembling with the cold, the chill of his body felt
even through the layer of blankets. Goku started to feel like he was freezing
too. Holding Sanzo was like hugging an ice cube.
remember?!” Gojyo roared as the tires squealed in mushy snow. Gojyo reached
into the blankets and pulled out Sanzo’s blue and white hands. The kappa
cradled them between his own hand with a gentleness few saw and started to blow
hot breaths on the palms and rubbing them between his, trying to save Sanzo
from losing his fingers. Sanzo didn’t even grunt at it, his eyes closed and
lips no longer purple but blue.
bad. Sanzo could either be regaining some color to his skin or getting even
worse. Goku just didn’t know. He didn’t think about this kind of stuff. Gojyo
seemed to know was he was doing as he continued to blow on Sanzo’s hands.
that Sanzo was dying and it was his fault. He just didn’t want S to to die.
sleep right now, you dumbass monk,” Gojyo insisted loudly in the silence of the
snow, his breath steaming over Sanzo’s damp hair. If Sanzo fell asleep now when
his body was so cold, it was very likely that he would never wake up again.
Gojyo shook at Sanzo’s shoulders while Goku held on around the blonde’s waist,
not wanting to let go. Sanzo just couldn’t freeze to death in the
backseat of the jeep. It was too awful to even happen, so it wouldn’t. Right?
misery. It wouldn’t do any good, noter ter how responsible he felt for all of
it. Right now, he had to concentrate on keeping Sanzo alive. Hakkai would get
them to a village in time. How could they not when Hakkai was speeding through
the forest like this?
flesh not so cold anymore as Gojyo and Goku started to warm Sanzo. Maybe Goku
was good for something. He could at least share body heat correctly. It still
didn’t seem to be enough though. Sanzo’s face didn’t change from that deathly
pale color in the slightest. Why didn’t Sanzo look any better yet?!
his friend out of whatever faint he had fallen into. Sanzo would
last to the village. The priest was too proud to die this way. Goku knew that
Sanzo would be cursing and screaming in the afterlife if he died freezing to
death. He wouldn’t allow that to stain his reputation. At least Sanzo hadn’t
drowned in the river.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
Gojyo kept shaking him roughly. His head lolled about on his neck like a doll
that couldn’t hold itself up, blinking at the snow hitting his face. Gojyo
grabbed the back of Sanzo’s neck and pulled him back down into the cocoon of
blankets they had made around him without a word, like Sanzo was a misbehaving
pet.
moaned, his voice soft, but still irritated at them both. Thepa spa smirked as
he yanked a blanket over Sanzo’s head to shield off any more snow. Goku could
have cried in relief that he had spoken again, laughing as he squeezed Sanzo
tight in joy. Of course Sanzo wouldn’t faint like that! Goku should have
known better than to worry.
Goku remembered about the injuries Hakkai had just healed, letting go of Sanzo
quickly. Why am I always so stupid?! Goku raged at himself, feeling like
he was clumsily handling a glass doll and breaking it into a thousand pieces by
accident. He didn’t want to break Sanzo. Hakkai had healed the broken ribs and
worst cuts on Sanzo’s sides, saving the monk from bad scarring. Sanzo would
probably rage up to the sky that some stupid youkai had marred his perfect
skin.
praying that the priest’s pride would be enough to keep him alive until the
next village. He obviously wasn’t making it with any of Goku’s help. He was
going to end up killing Sanzo at this rate. Why was he so clumsy? It was
a good thing Hakkai couldn’t look back in the mirror right now, because he’d
notice what a bad job Goku was doing.
not saying anything. Why are you so stupid? We don’t need a dumb ass ape
like you. That was probably what was going through Gojyo’s head right now.
Goku waited for the kappa to start yelling at him or call him names, trying to
think of something to say back beforehand. He wasn’t as clever as the rest of
them were so proficient in turning back insults right away.
Hakkai announced in relief from the front seat. Goku looked around at the snow
swirling around them, only seeing more trees and mist. How could Hakkai even tell
if the forest was ending or not? He was probably lying again, just like how he
had lied to Goku about Sanzo being okay. Goku hated it when people lied to him.
It wasn’t fair. He couandlandle the truth, which was a lot better than some
cooked up story. Goku didn’t like it one bit, and what made it worse was that
he couldn’t even tell when Hakkai was lying. Those smiles always made Goku
trust the man completely. What a fool he was.
better stay alive. Damn it, monk, you’re more trouble than you’re worth,” Gojyo
growled angrily at the monk hidden in the blankets. Goku didn’t think that was
very fair, knowing for a fact that Sanzo was more then worth the time
and effort needed to save him on a regular basis. The monk had a knack for
falling into trouble all the time, attracting it like a magnet. It was their
job to rescue him.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
from under the blankets, his voice not having its usual sting. Gojyo didn’t
look at all happy at Sanzo’s voice, anger all over his face that the blonde
could barely even make a sentence right now. Goku didn’t know what to say, he was
afraid to move in case he broke Sanzo, and mad that Gojyo was making Sanzo waste
precious energy to fight with the stupid kappa. Sanzo was hurting, bad,
and they needed to get back to a village in order to save him. Gojyo shouldn’t
keep teasing Sanzo when he knew the monk was already out with the loss of blood
and cold. In fact, Sanzo slowly stopped trembling against Goku’s body. He had
probably fainted again, and they couldn’t allow that. Sanzo needed to stay
awake until they found a place that had a doctor. e fee fell asleep in this
snow, he was probably not waking up again.
mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Neon Lights";
mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:"WP TypographicSymbols"'>
vehemently as he dug Sanzo out of the blankets just as quickly as they had
managed to get him all bundled up. Sanzo’s shoulders were pale and bruised from
Gojyo shaking him, small red flushed spots that would likely turn into
incredible colors later. Gojyo worsened the wounds that Hakkai carecarefully
managed to heal only minutes ago.
yelled as Sanzo’s mouth hung open. The monk’s chest was motionless, the breath
gone from the body. His eyelashes didn’t even move. Goku’s arms loosened as he
realized Sanzo wasn’t moving anymore. He wasY
breathing.
Gojyo shook Sanzo by his shoulders again, heedless of the bruises forming.
There was no response from the silent and unmoving monk. Sanzo was cold and
very, very still except for Gojyo slapping him lightly on the cheek several
times.
started to slap Sanzo harder and faster, starting to look scared. The jeep
slowed and curved as snow flew up from under the tires and hit the tree trunks
that spun past. The small car lurched into a complete stop and Hakkai yanked
the emergency brake up. The snow continued to fall down, cold and wet as Hakkai
unbuckled his seat belt and turned around.
stammered, either with the cold or fear Goku couldn’t tell. That scared Goku.
It made his stomach cold and heavy inside. His lungs were starting to feel
funny. Sanzo
even twitching when Goku dropped his arms completely from around Sanzo’s waist
in horror.
crappy monk,” Gojyo swore loudly as he tossed Sanzo back hard against Goku. He
fell against the edge of the seat, the metal on the outside digging into his
back with Sanzo smashedthe the other side him. Goku squirmed out from between
Sanzo and the backseat as Gojyo forced Sanzo to lie down flat, the blankets
tangled around the thin hips. The bony lines of Sanzo’s ribs didn’t move from
the lungs filling with air. He wasn’t breathing.
lips blue and his eyes bruising purple. Despite Hakkai healing the worse of the
mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Neon Lights";
mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:"WP TypographicSymbols"'>
Sanzo’s chest and torso, the priest’s skin was still stained pink with blood
that had dried on him. Gojyo’s breath steamed out in the cold, dark night
before he clenched the palm of his other hand and started to pump Sanzo’s
bloody chest expertly. Hakkai had given them all training in basic ways of
saving people if they had drowned or were choking, two things that seemed to
happen whenever he left the three alone for a long amount of time.
this,” Gojyo roared like Sanzo was trying to die on purpose. He leaned harder
into pounding Sanzo’s chest, like the more strength he used would change
things. Why wasn’t it changing anything? Why didn’t Sanzo move while Gojyo
yelled and tried to pump the priest’s quiet heartbeat himself? Goku didn’t want
Sanzo to die right now. He couldn’t stand the thought. Goku couldn’t imagine
what life would be like without Sanzo. ItY
wouldn’t be a life at all.
snapped, pushing Gojyo back from Sanzo. Gojyo tumbled and fell all the way out
into the snow, giving Hakkai enough space to crawl into the backseat with
Sanzo.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
Hakkai snapped darkly. Goku stared at Hakkai, not sure what he was going to do,
but scared at the determined lon thn that one visible eye. Hakkai put his ear
down to Sanzo’s mouth and two fingers under the pale, thin jawbone expertly to
listen for a heartbeat and any sort of breathing.
dreading if Hakkai’s eyes suddenly widened. He knew that Hakkai was
going to pull away with a sad look and try to tell Goku that it would be all
right. He didn’t want that. He wouldn’t be able to stand it. Goku shivered in
the snow, not nearly as chilly as Sanzo’s skin right now. Nothing was that
cold, not even ice.
Sanzo’s mouth but didn’t say a word to them. He quickly tilted Sanzo’s head
back and squeezed the priest’s cheeks until Sanzo’s blue lips finally parted.
Goku opened his mouth to ask if Sanzo was dead when Hakkai took a deep breath
and plugged Sanzo’s nose.
up to look in on the back seat from his place in the snow.
Sanzo in his last moments. The world was very dark and silent around them as
the snow fell heavily. Gojyo and Goku were both caught with their mouths wide
open, gaping as Hakkai stayed with his mouth pressed over Sanzo’s. With another
deep breath, Hakkai leaned back and put his own hands over the monk’s heart and
began to pump at Sanzo’s still chest.
really going to be able to save Sanzo. Was Hakkai refusing to let Sanzo die,
even if it was hopeless? Goku didn’t care how long Sanzo’s heart had
been stopped, as long as Hakkai managed to get it started again. Hakkai would
be able to save Sanzo. He had to save Sanzo.
Why hadn’t Goku noticed something sooner? He had been holding the priest
when he stopped breathing! Hakkai put an ear to Sanzo’s bare chest. Goku held
his breath to stop any noise at all that might cover up the faintest heartbeat.
Gojyo shifted his feet in the snow, watching Hakkai with a worried gaze.
tried to force air in Sanzo’s lungs, efficient and cool even though Goku
thought he might start to cry at any moment. Goku couldn’t stand Hakkai’s
silence. Why wasn’t he telling them if Sanzo was dead or not? Was he trying to
save a corpse? Sanzo was dead. Sanzo wasn’t even moving.
his mouth away from Hakkai, coughing and shuddering helplessly. Hakkai sat back
away slowly; his hands visibly shaking now as Sanzo sobbed for breath on the
backseat like aY
dying man. Except, Sanzo wasn’t dead. He wasn’t dead. He was alive again.
eyes. He was just so happy that Sanzo wasn’t dead. The priest didn’t even look
at him, just curled up into a small, miserable ball as the snow fell down on
his bare skin. Hakkai was moving back into the front seat to start off again,
leaving Sanzo in Gojyo and Goku’s poor care.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
and swung himself up over the side and next to Sanzo before Hakkai even turned
the key again to start the engine. Gojyo lifted Sanzo back up into a sitting
position in the middle of the seat with the blankets sagging around his hips.
Gojyo dragged the blankets back up to cover Sanzo decently, tugging them over
the lolling blonde head. Goku quickly sat down, pressing himself against Sanzo
desperately.
Sanzo moaned, his comment not as acidic as Goku was used to. The usual strength
in the monk’s deep voice was gone, leaving only a squeaky and muted sentence.
Goku didn’t like it, but he ignored Sanzo, knowing that they had to keep the
priest warm right now no matter what he said. They couldn’t let him die...
again.
back in a voice that shook as he gathered the blankets up close around the monk’s
body. Goku could tell that Sanzo nearly dying had affected even Gojyo. The
priest tossed his head angrily, but lacked the strength to do anything more
then start to tremble again. He had lost whatever energy he had summoned up,
starting to black out again.
slap that was heard over the tires ripping into the snow as Hakkai seemed to
soar through the forest. Goku didn’t care this time as Gojyo slapped Sanzo hard,
because his eyes fluttered open and Sanzo groaned at being forced to stay
awake. Keeping him aware meant keeping him alive right now. Goku would forgive
Gojyo for forcing Sanzo to stay with them.
promised as the jeep hurtled through the trees, the trunks whistling by in
pitch-blackness. Hakkai was driving like he could see further beyond the
headlights. It was dark and scary and Goku could only squeeze Sanzo tighter,
hoping that he would be enough to keep the priest warm until they reached the
village.
moaned, not at all pleased with Gojyo’s rough handling as Goku held on around
his waist again, pressing himself against Sanzo. The priest coughed between
them, trying to move out from their sandwiching, but failing miserably. Gojyo
easily held Sanzo back with a firm hand on his shoulder. Goku didn’t want to
hold on tighter to Sanzo’s sides, feeling like he was going to break him if he
squeezed any more but fearing that the monk would freeze to death if he let go.
demanded an honest answer, ignoring Sanzo as he looked to Hakkai. The brunette
didn’t say a word, only the back of his seat visible to Goku right now. He
couldn’t even imagine what Hakkai would look like as they drove through this
forest hell. It was frightening to go through the trees at this speed.
Goku didn’t think they could have possibly managed to go any faster, but the
snow didn’t look like it was moving in the air as Hakkai pressed the jeep
harder than ever.
Sanzo talking,” Hakkai said in a manner of fact tone that meant ‘don’t bother
me again.’ Hakkai was concentrating on driving and didn’t have the attention to
spare to repeat himself. Goku realized Sanzo had been silent for a few seconds
while they talked. The trembling was starting to slow down now, not so violent
as it began to fadeY
priest before Sanzo even had a chance to think about dying. Goku wouldn’t
allow it right now. They would get to the village, there would be a doctor
there, and Sanzo was not going to die tonight. The priest moaned again,
his lips a fantastic blue color in a wan face as he tried to push Goku away
from frantically squeezing his sides.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Neon Lights";
mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:"WP TypographicSymbols"'>
lips moved, but the monk couldn’t voice the words. Sanzo looked like he was
made out of stone with his skin even paler if it was possible, his blonde hair
darkened with sweat and tangled strands matted with blood. Sanzo was trying to
stay with them but simply lacked the strength to speak out loud. Gojyo’s eyes
narrowed as he noticed this as well.
shaking the priest’s thin shoulders again, a bit more gently this time after
Hakkai had yelled at him. Goku pulled at the blankets, trying to wrap them even
tighter around Sanzo as the trembling started to get stronger. Sanzo was still
cold though not as bad as before. He was finally starting to warm up between
them, but it was probably not by any grace of Sanzo’s. Goku and Gojyo’s own
healthy and warm bodies were warming the human ice cube between them
his body for a frozen dessert. Genjo Sanzo was known for being cold, but this
was ridiculous. Goku was going to get stuck to the monk if he pressed against
him any longer. It couldn’t be helped though. Goku had to keep the thin
man alive until they reached the village. Hakkai would never forgive
them if Sanzo died during this ride.
Goku wouldn’t be able to forgive himself for not getting to Sanzo before that
youkai had taken him into the river with him. Goku had been the closest. He
should have stopped that attack from ever happening. Goku knew it was his
fault, no matter what Hakkai said. Hakkai was a liar, as Goku had found out
tonight. Sanzo had almost died. That was not ‘fine.’
from between the blankets and grabbed at Gojyo’s coat to haul himself up face
to face with the kappa by sheer will alone. His eyes blazed with anger and
pride, refusing to ever admit to a weakness. Goku couldn’t even believe that
Sanzo was able to be move this much. He should be dead right now. He had been
so only a few minutes ago!
hissed again with deadly seriousness even though his voice was ba mor more than
a whisper. Sanzo made it audible over the engine and the heavy snow and Goku’s
worried panting as Sanzo was rigid for a moment as he glared at Gojyo with eyes
that promised death surrounded by heavy purplish bruising.
chest, helplessly coughing as he started to shake again, unable to pretend any
longer that he was the toughest person alive. Actually, Sanzo was freezing cold
and way too thin for how much fighting they got into everyday. He should eat
more. Goku should have forced Sanzo to eat a full bowl of rice last night.
them and Goku looked up wildly in hopes of seeing the village lights in the
middle of this storm. Instead a tree branch nearly hit him in the face and Goku
barely had time to throw himself on top of Sanzo as it hit his back. Gojyo got
the branch to his face as the back tires squealed in protest at the sharp
turning and swift braking. Goku just gritted his teeth and held on for dear
life, not about to let Sanzo fly out of the seat with Hakkai’s driving.
road that spun by for a sickening moment as Hakkai slammed the gas petal all
the way down. Gojyo blinked, still a bit shocked with his face red with the
mark of sharp leaves and chunks of ice caught in his hair. The usual bandanna
was gone, taken off by the branch and lost forever back there in the woods.
They didn’t have the time to turn around for it.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
out of his hair as he sat back up and let Gojyo gain a hold of the backseat so
he could hold up Sanzo. The back of his cape had taken most of the damage and
he had barely felt a thing, so caught up in protecting Sanzo. The priest was
thankfully unharmed, but looked dazed. His eyes were half open slits as he moaned,
the blonde head lolling as he tried to stay awake.
tuck it behind his ear before they pulled Sanzo back up. Goku threw the rumpled
blankets back around the thin, white body between them. He didn’t want Sanzo to
get any snow on him anymore. He was already way too cold. Would he ever be warm
again?
pain in the ass, sometimes. Do you like getting the shit beaten out of
you all the time?” Gojyo demanded, pointing out that yet again it was Sanzo who
had gotten the worst injuries. Whenever they walked away from fights, it was
always Sanzo who wore the most battle wounds. Some of them were scrapes or
punches the priest was more than able to avoid. Gojyo had accused Sanzo of
liking getting beaten up more then once.
wished Gojyo would shut up as well. Hakkai was silent in the front, not caring
to discuss anything now that they had found the road. He was too busy driving
in the right direction because Hakkai just had to know which way to go
despite the snow that hid anything for several feet.
very softly in a voice that Goku had never heard him use anymore. It was
probably because he had barely escaped freezing to death. Sanzo sagged against
Gojyo’s chest with his eyes clenched closed as though he was in physical pain.
He probably was with the way Goku had tightened his arms around Sanzo’s sides
again now that they were settled back into the blankets. He was delusional; he
had to be, because there was no way Sanzo would say something like that
otherwise.
mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Neon Lights";
mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:"WP TypographicSymbols"'>
gruffly, for once not cursing at the monk. Even Gojyo had to feel sorry for the
priest when he had sounded that small and weak. Goku was glad that Gojyo didn’t
insult Sanzo right now. The monk couldn’t handle it. He was in no shape to do
anything more than try to keep his eyes open.
Sanzo had eaten more and put just a small bit in his stomach, he would have
been stronger. He wouldn’t have gone down when that youkai attacked him. He
shouldn’t have been taken out that easily.
asked, knowing that Hakkai was trying to concentrate on driving and he shouldn’t
distract him, but wondering how the fuck the man could have found a road in
this impossible storm. Gojyo wanted to hear that they were almost there and
they actually had a chance at keeping Sanzo alive, that the monk would have
just enough luck to survive until they reached the village.
his arms, gets the blood flowing,” Hakkai demanded, not glancing back in the
rearview mirror once. His eyes were fastened to the small bit of road that he
could see covered with snow as the jeep’s headlights cut through the night. He
wasn’t answering Goku’s question at all. Goku wanted to yell at Hakkai, but
wisely decided not to. He shouldn’t force it right now. Saving Sanzo came
first.
trying to keep Sanzo talking like Hakkai had said earlier. He didn’t care if
Sanzo hit him with his fan or if Sanzo would yell how stupid he was for hours
and hours. Goku would love to listen to Sanzo yell, because that would mean
that he would live through this. Hearing the priest be angry was almost funny
sometimes. Sanzo had the shortest temper in the world and god abd about the
smallest things, like he probably would be over Goku talking to him right now.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
even with an order to shut up. He shivered against Gojyo’s chest and looked
only slightly less like death rolled over. Now Sanzo looked like he was
seriouill.ill. It was sad that it was an improvement.
hands up and down on Sanzo’s upper shoulders underneath the blanket. Maybe he
would be able to get some heat going in the priest’s arms. If Hakkai had told
him to do it, there was likely a very good reason. Goku could try and redeem
himself for failing so miserably earlier that morning.
Gojyo swore as he started to rub Sanzo’s hands together again, reminded that he
should try to save the other man’s fingers. Goku wondered if it was even
possible. Sanzo’s nails were blue and his skin looked like it was becoming ice,
cold and clear so you see all the way through to his muscles. He was going to
freeze to death for the second time tonight.
slumped forward between his shoulders and arms. Goku grabbed the edge of the
blanket and drew it over his head and Sanzo’s to shield the wet blonde hair
from more snow. Gojyo was left on the outside and Goku didn’t really care if
the kappa figured out to cover his head or not. Goku cared more about Sanzo
staying dry and warm.
until we find a doctor. Then you can sleep for days if you want, okay?” Goku
promised quietly under the cover of the thick blanket, hoping that he could
bribe Sanzo into staying awake just a little bit longer. He couldn’t drift off
to sleep now, not so soon after Hakkai had managed to get him breathing again.
If he went to sleep, Sanzo would die this time for real. There wouldn’t be any
miracle.
without Sanzo. Sanzo had to know that by now. Even he wasn’t so
cold-hearted that he would leave Goku all alone in the world! Sanzo had promise
to take care of him! Sanzo was the one who had taken Goku out of that cave. He
wouldn’t leave him alone again, would he?
voice, the monk just now realizing who was with him under the blankets. Goku
sighed in relief, biting his lip to keep from crying as Sanzo opened up one eye
to look back at his face in irritation.
later, if you just stay awake for a little bit longer, Sanzo. Okay? Okay?” Goku
tried to bargain with the priest’s angry face. He would be ready to hear Sanzo
curse him all day long if he just stayed awake. Goku rubbed Sanzo’s arms
harder, hoping that he would be able to keep him warm in this snowstorm.
smile on the corner of his mouth that was covered with dried blood. Goku nodded
enthusiastically, happy that Sanzo had agreed with him. He wouldn’t lie to
Goku, not like this. He could believe Sanzo’s word. He hadn’t lied to Goku and
he never would.
blanket and raised it up to blink at whatever conversation Goku was having with
Sanzo. Gojyo only stared at Sanzo for agreeing with anyone in the first place,
like it couldn’t possibly be in the priest’s na. It. It just went to show how
little Gojyo knew about Sanzo. Sometimes Sanzo could be just as nice as he was
supposed to be, being a Buddhist who carried a loaded gun.
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
back, finally feeling like he could take the time to see if Sanzo was alive or
not anymore. He still wasn’t saying how much longer until they got to the
village. Gojyo threw the blanket back down to cover their heads again. Goku
grabbed at the flapping blanket, trying to keep the cold wind from blowing in
between the sheets.
it could almost be like they were in an actual bed. Sanzo panted weakly, his
skin only lukewarm. Goku was starting to sweat under the blankets even if they
were in the middle of the worst snowstorm he had seen in his life. He would
have to bear it. Hopefully the sweat would turn into steam and he could make a
little personal sauna for Sanzo.
cockroach,” Gojyo answered, the sneer visible even though Goku couldn’t see the
kappa right now. He could hear it in Gojyo’s voice, confident and rude even
though Sanzo had almost died. Goku’s face crinkled with anger as Sanzo
grimaced, both deeply insulted that Gojyo would dare to call the monk such
things.
Goku snapped despite the blanket between him and Gojyo. He didn’t care if Gojyo
couldn’t see him right now. Goku wouldn’t let the stupid, over-sexed kappa make
fun of Sanzo. Gojyo was the one with two antennas swinging around on his head.
useless monkey,” Gojyo roared. He didn’t even try to lift the blanket up so he
could yell at Goku. He knew that Gojyo wouldn’t try it when they were trying so
hard to keep Sanzo dry and alive. Getting snow on his head would not help
matters at all. Things were touchy enough already.
promised. It sounded like he wasn’t lying this time. Goku couldn’t resist a
quick glance out from under the covers to see, careful not to let any more snow
fall on Sanzo’s head. He looked through the tiny hole in the blankets to see
house lights barely more than a few feet away. They really were back in the
village.
brakes, snow splattering up on the walls of the buildings as the jeep came to a
full and complete stop. Goku threw the blankets off entirely to look around at
the buildings in amazement. It was almost too good to be true that they had
made it back in the storm.
an awed voice at the speed in which Hakkai had gotten them back. He had the
luck of the devil sometimes. That was what made him such a good gambler. Even
Goku knew better than to try outguessing or fooling Hakkai. The brunette could
read anyone’s move, probably having done it before.
jump out as quickly as possible. The green-eyed man put an arm up to block his
eyes from the swirling snow as he looked around at their surroundings in
confusion for a moment, trying to figure out where they were in the village. It
looked familiar. Goku was pretty sure they were back in the town they had left
only this morning.
jeep,” Hakkai ordered, taking control very easily now that their leader was
shaking badly in the backseat. They could trust Hakkai’s judgment until Sanzo
was back on his feet. Goku was always a quick one to follow commands, learning
from having Sanzo as his master. He threw the blankets wrapped around himself
off, but was careful to make sure that Sanzo was still covered before jumping
out of the sido:p>o:p>
style='page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break'>
around Sanzo’s trembling frame as he worked himself out from the sheets. The
half-demon wrapped Sanzo up tightly like the monk was a piece of luggage before
climbing out over the side of the jeep to join Goku and Hakkai at the backside
in the snow, waiting for the taller man to carry the monk. It was understood
that Gojyo was always the best person to carry another one of them around,
being the strongest one of them all. Goku was just too short to lug around
someone as tall as Sanzo.
under his knees and back like he was a small child. He probably weighed about the
same. It was sad to think so, but Sanzo wasn’t the healthiest of eaters. Goku
couldn’t even tell if Sanzo was moving underneath all of the blankets, unable
to tell if Sanzo was moving or if it was Gojyo’s juggling that made him look
alive.
smaller, white dragon that chirped weakly as snow battered its wings, trying to
fly wearily against the wind. Hakkai held out his hands and caught Jeep to pull
the dragon close to his chest, just like Gojyo was holding Sanzo. Jeep was a
small, white lump in Hakkai’s arms, probably exhausted from Hakkai asking him
to go so fast. Jeep did anything Hakkai asked with joy, but he was hardly able
to fly right now. The pet was very loyal.
he started to jog against the snow toward what Goku recognized as the inn they
had stayed at the night before. Goku and Gojyo followed behind with Sanzo
barely breathing against Gojyo’s chest.
They were going in for another stay. Hopefully people would be awake at
this hour to help them.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I know Jeep could also be called Hakuryuu, but
that’s just so much longer to type. I’m lazy at heart. And, monk, priest, I
know they’re not the same thing but hey, I needed more descriptive nouns. I
didn’t want to say Sanzo over and over. All the ‘z’s looked funny so close
together. Hmm, will this story be as long as the Weiss Kruez fic? Hopefully
mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Neon Lights";
mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:"WP TypographicSymbols"'>
600 pages when it’s finished. Ouch. At least this has structure! There’s a plan
to how I’m writing this (I know, ow, ow, it’s a shock).