The Storms That Bind Us

Chapter 7

Sanzo had asked, but Hakkai had yet to give his lover a true answer about Gojyo. Soon after they had returned to camp, Sanzo asked the question off-hand. Hakkai hadn't wanted to speak of what happened, not wanting to cause tension between them all. Gojyo saved him the trouble and gruffed out an excuse about being held back from getting laid cause he was stuck with the three of them every night. It still started a slight argument, but it was better than what could have occurred with the whole truth.

Hakkai sat up for first watch again. It was becoming a habit to have at least one of them awake when they had to spend the night out in the open, and with another attack happening so soon, it was just wise. A soft breeze ruffled his hair and rattled the tree tops. It was a clear sky, the night pleasantly cool, but not overly so. The crackling of the fire that burned was lulling, and his mind opened up to deep thought. He touched his own lips remembering the kiss. His heart still ached for his friend, but what was happening between he and Sanzo was too far along to ruin it. Gojyo had seemed to be okay after their talk, so thinking about it had no purpose.

Nearby bushes rustled, and his keen eyes moved to sound as his body stayed still and relaxed. He perceived no Youkai, but his senses heightened just the same. Youkai weren't the only dangers as they had learned several times. Hakuryu's little head bobbed up, nose sniffing at the air. Hakkai pet him absently, eyes glued to the disruption of the foliage. A small rabbit jumped through and sniffed at the air, black eyes darting their way. Hakkai watched the small animal, smiling soft when it's long ears twitched with aggravation from the intruders in it's woods.

Hakuryu chirped soft, but it was enough to send the rabbit scurrying back through the dense branches and leaves. He chirped again and lay his head back down without a care now that the little visitor was gone. Hakkai chuckled under his breath and went back to looking at the trees. The soft sound of a sleeping bag shifting came from behind him. He didn't turn his head to look, even as the sound of the zipper whispered. It was close to the time to switch off guard duty, might as well snag the one getting up.

"Just in time," he said soft. "I was getting ready to wake one of you." He heard the shifting sound behind him, then felt a warm hand rub the back of his neck. It felt good and his head dipped down to enjoy it, a soft smile curving his lips. The fingers pressed and massaged the tense muscles, making his breath come out shaky and slow. The other hand pressed then kneaded his shoulder and he moaned under his breath with the relaxing sensation. His head tilted to the side in invitation and in seconds lips were kissing along the nape of his neck.

He chuckled soft. "Are you trying to relax me or turn me on, Sanzo?" he muttered the question low and breathy. "You do realize you will drive me mad, don't you? We still have no bed for you to fulfill your promise."

The lips slid to his ear, causing a pleased shiver. "Sanzo is a lucky man, Kai." The whispering words froze him to the core and his body stiffened under the caressing touches.

"Gojyo." His eyes opened slow, but he couldn't turn his head to look at him. "What are you doing?" His voice was barely audible, but the redhead heard him clearly enough.

"Savoring some forbidden fruit, or trying to take a bit of another man's treasure, whichever you like." Gojyo's lips tickled like a feather against his lobe as he spoke in a ghost like whisper.

"Don't, we talked about this. I thought..."

"Yeah, we both thought, Kai." His hands moved, then strong arms wrapped around his middle from behind, and he felt the press of Gojyo's chest against his stiff back. "If it was that simple, life would be a fucking breeze."

Hakkai swallowed a lump in his throat and urged his body to move away, but he felt trapped in the warm snare of Gojyo's arms. The fire popped and a small ember flew and landed by his leg. Hakkai focused of the red hot coal until it winked out in the cool air, unable to speak and barely taking a breath.

"Disappointed it wasn't Sanzo, huh?"

"Gojyo, you are making this more difficult to bear."

The arms around him tightened possessively and he winced, not from pain, but from the nervous feeling building in his belly. The idiot, if Sanzo were to wake now, it could be bad. Gojyo seemed to have no care or worry about it, and went about nuzzling his neck. Hakkai twisted his head to the side to deter him, but he ended up giving the redhead more to explore. His lips trailed and brushed over his skin in a lover's caress. One arm released from around him and Gojyo's hand bunch in his hair. He felt a gentle, yet forceful tug as his head was pulled back. Gojyo looked in his eyes, and Hakkai saw hopeful need in his red orbs.

"If you say no, I'll stop, Kai."

Hakkai swallowed against a dry throat. "No."

Gojyo's face fell as he released his hold, sitting back to give him room. Hakkai looked off toward the dark woods again and sighed inwardly. He chanced a glance over his shoulder and the look of disappointment was already gone, replaced by a soft smirk. He's not going to let this go easy.

"Gojyo."

"I have to keep trying, Kai."

"You have to stop this," Hakkai whispered.

"Quitter are losers, Kai." Gojyo smirked more and pulled out a cigarette to light. His red eyes focused on Sanzo and Goku, who were both still fast asleep. "I've been kicking myself for not saying something sooner, ever since I saw you both together." His tone continued to be low so not to disturb their sleeping companions. "I was lying to myself earlier, Kai. I can't let him win that easy."

"So it's winning me? Is that what all this is about?" Hakkai felt a sudden twist of anger, but it evaporated just as quickly. He knew better, it wasn't that, he was putting words in Gojyo's mouth.

"No," Gojyo answered simply, then took a lazy drag from his smoke. "You're a smart guy, Kai. Hell, you're the smartest out of all of us. I think you get what I mean."

"I'm sorry it turned out like this, Gojyo, but what you're doing is a dangerous game." He picked up the stick for the fire to stir the coals around, keeping his hands and eyes busy.

"Oh, what? I'm supposed to be scared of the priest? He threatens to shoot me everyday as it is, so what would be the difference?"

"That he might actually do it."

"He's all talk, Kai. If he wanted to shoot me, he'd have done it long before now." Gojyo shifted in a more comfortable position and finished his cigarette with one last drag before tossing it to burn in the fire.

He wasn't listening to reason at all. Hakkai shook his head and gazed at the fire. This was becoming quite the conundrum that was not going to be so easily fixed. The relief he had felt with Gojyo's seemingly calm acceptance was now shattered, and he was shaken. If Sanzo got wind of any of this, it would not be pretty, and it was certain their mission would be in danger of complications.

"Tell me why you should be with him and not me." Gojyo broke in after a few minutes of silence. Hakkai looked at him quickly, shocked he pulled that out there. It was such a surprising question that Hakkai was left speechless and looking at him, lips parted in an effort to speak. He had his reasons, but he was sure Gojyo would shoot each down in his own way. He cleared his throat and tossed the stick on the blazing fire, focusing his eyes back on the flames. He was every bit aware of Gojyo's gaze as he patiently waited for an answer.

"We just clicked," he started slowly and with thought. "I won't go into what has happened between us because it's private, but I think we are just meant to be." He looked back at Gojyo before he continued. "He and I, we have a lot in common. The deaths in our past, our passions, the storms."

"Don't say you both hate the rain, because honestly, Kai, it's fucking cliche."

Hakkai's eyes narrowed slightly. "Cliche or not, it's true."

"So, is that it?"

"No, there is more to it, but will it matter what I say, Gojyo?"

Gojyo brushed long hair out of his eyes and sighed. "Probably not."

"Then, there was no point in asking." He got a fevered gaze from Gojyo, but he braved to stare back, refusing to look away again. He knew enough of Gojyo's stubbornness, but he never imagined things could get this difficult between them. This would have to come to an end soon, he just hoped it would be a reasonable one. Gojyo was the first to look away this time and Hakkai allowed himself to feel a bit of triumph.

"You should get some sleep, Kai. I'll take over watch."

"Thank you." He stood and walked silent to his own sleeping bag and slipped inside, pulling the zipper only to his waist in case he had to get up quickly. He removed his monocle and slipped the small lens in his pocket, watching Gojyo's back that was now turned to him. He kept watching for a time as Gojyo sat unmoving and looking off at the dark surrounding their small camp. After a time he finally closed his eyes. By morning he wouldn't recall when he had finally fallen asleep, only that it had been fitful and full of unpleasant dreams.

*~*

"I already miss having a bed," Goku said, the words distorted by a big yawn as he came from behind the tree, zipping his pants back into place. "We're supposed to get to the next town sometime today, right, Hakkai?"

"Yes, Goku, with any luck we'll all have a bed tonight." Hakkai didn't take in what he had just said until he saw Gojyo's hands freeze as he packed supplies away. It only lasted a moment then he went back to it quietly. Sanzo had not reacted at all as he poured water over the burning coals that was left of the fire, the loud hiss and steam flaring off it. Hakkai mutely got up and began to pack their things away in the transformed Jeep.

Images from the nights dreams nagged at him insistently. The dream had started out pleasant enough. More than pleasant actually. He and Sanzo were finally alone together, kissing, touching, bodies pressed together as lovers should be. Then Gojyo, angry and yelling had barged in on their lovemaking, insisting venomously that he and Hakkai should be the ones together. The whole thing had played out like a ridiculously bad romance novel before his eyes, the two men slugging it out with fists swinging. It would have been somewhat funny, and after all, it was just a dream.

It was then the dream turned into a cruel nightmare. Sanzo, gun in hand, raised the weapon and pointed. Gojyo suddenly had his own weapon out of nowhere. No rhyme or reason, strange things that just always seemed to happen in dreams. They attacked in unison, Hakkai screaming for them to stop. The death blow hit them both at the same time, and blood splashed over his bare skin as their soulless bodies crumpled to the floor. It had been so warm, that blood, as if he could really feel the red mess. Cool, familiar laughter filled the room around him, mocking his pain.

What to do, Cho Gono, what to do? Death is always surrounding you, and it always will.

He shivered at the memory of that voice.

Pathetic. Chin Yisou walked into his vision, seeming to appear like a ghost. Two men fighting over a filthy sinner like you. The words were filled with spite and disgust as Chin stepped lightly over the bodies and edged closer than Hakkai would have ever allowed. His body, he found to his terror, was frozen in place, unable to move or push the phantom away. And you killed them, Cho Gono.

"About ready?" Hakkai flinched and turned as Sanzo's soft voice blissfully shattered the images. Sanzo's eyes were searching and soft, recognizing he had been having troubling thoughts. "You okay?"

"Yes." He chuckled and blew it off, genuinely grateful for the distraction. He looked over watching Goku and Gojyo finishing up and sighed soft. "Sanzo, Gojyo knows about us."

"......Oh?"

"It was mentioned when we switch watch last night." Not the truth, but not exactly a lie either.

"Does he have a problem with it?"

Hakkai suppressed the urge to curse. "I think...he was shocked.."

"Hm." Sanzo looked in his eyes. "What now?"

"Well, it might be a good idea to tell Goku too. It would probably be best."

"Tsk." Sanzo looked over at the younger man, then back at Hakkai. "Fine." Hakkai watched him walk over and speak quiet to Goku. Goku nodded a few times listening closely, brown eyes focused on his master. Gojyo looked over suspiciously at Hakkai then back at the two whispering together.

"Wow! How does that work?!" His voice echoed through the tall trees, sending bird screeching in flight. Hakkai grimaced when Sanzo's fan swiftly smacked across the top of his head. "Ouch! Why'd you do that?!"

"You're young, not stupid! Figure it out!"

Gojyo laughed, bundling up the last of the sleeping bags, his cigarette pinned between his teeth. Sanzo jumped in the front seat of Jeep, already tapping his fingers with impatience. Hakkai felt a sweep of relief when he saw Goku smile soft at him and slip in the backseat. It faded when he realized Gojyo's laughter had died and he was giving him a knowing look. It said, That's not going to stop me from trying, Kai. Count on it.

AN: Thanks to those who are reading. Again, I have no beta, so if there are mistakes, I apologize. I always try to fix what is wrong. I think I need to change the story details. LOL. This fic is turning into more than what I originally planned.