Time To Choose

Hoshi Ayaka

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Saiyuki...I can't help it if my imagination doesn't believe that...

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"Hakkai, LOOK OUT!"

I swung just in time knocking the demon back before he could touch Hakkai.

"Thanks Gojyo" Hakkai said giving me one of those easy smiles. His chi glowing on the ends of his fingertips, Hakkai brought down the last of the demons and slid to the ground panting. I raced to his side.

"You ok man?" I put my hand on his shoulder. Hakkai looked up, his eyes meeting mine. The smile was slow in coming.

"Yes, thanks for your concern" he replied. I sat down beside him pushing my arms out to lean back.

"You seem tired." Before Hakkai could answer, Sanzo had walked over to join us.

"You guys hurt?" Sanzo asked standing over us.

"Are you kidding?" I replied. "That was nothin!" I looked to Hakkai. His smile was still painted on his face. Something wasn't right. I could feel it. His breathing was just slowing. We'd only battled 25 maybe 30 demons. No big deal for the four of us. I wondered what was bothering him.

"Come on guys!" Goku yelled from the jeep, "I'm huuungry!" I sighed and jumped to my feet. "Let's go Hakkai." I stuck my arm out to give him a little support. Sanzo grunted and turned to walk to the jeep. Hakkai took my hand and I pulled him up. He slipped a little and fell into my chest. Surprised I looked down at him and felt my breath catch. There was blood on his shirt. His? Shit, I hoped not.

"Hakkai?" I studied his eyes.

"It's nothing Gojyo. I'll rest when we get to town tomorrow."

"Like hell you will! We're stopping now! Hey, Sanzo!"

Before I could say anything else Hakkai began to fall back. I caught him in my arms, "Well damn!" Sanzo ran over with the stupid monkey racing behind.

"What happened Gojyo?" Sanzo asked in that I-don't-want-you-to-know-but-I-really-DO-give-a-damn tone of his. I lifted Hakkai into my arms and started for the jeep. Sanzo and the monkey followed behind.

"I didn't see what happened ya damn monk." I sat Hakkai in the front seat. I could hear the hiss between Sanzo's teeth when he saw the blood.

"We stop here tonite." Sanzo commanded. "Goku, get the things out of the jeep. This place is as good as any. We'll start for town in the morning."

"You got it Sanzo!" Goku grabbed an armful from the jeep and started toward the trees. Sanzo was digging through the back looking for the first aid kit. I began unbuttoning Hakkai's shirt to see the damage. The shirt slipped down his shoulders and my heart fluttered a little. Damn, he could be bleeding to death and here I am getting excited over a little shoulder. I steeled myself against the feel of his skin on my fingertips and pulled his shirt all the way down. My heart lurched, only this time it was with fear. "Sanzo!" I yelled again.

"What is it?" he growled back raising his head from his search at the back of the jeep. I knew the second he saw the gash..."FUCK!"

"Kyoo-oo?" Hakaryu questioned.

"Don't worry Hakaryu, we'll take care of him." I answered back. The pain lashed through me like fire. Everything inside of me was screaming Hakkai's name.

The monkey was running back to us. "Gojyo, Gojyo, I set up a small bed for him. Bring him here!"

Again I lifted Hakkai into my arms, pressing him tighter to me than was probably necessary. His blood was smeared across the front of my shirt, running down the leg of my pants. I turned to follow Goku into the forest. He'd set up camp only a few yards in. I spotted the bed under a canopy of trees and went to lay him there. I kneeled down beside him looking at all the blood seeping from the wound in his side. It began under his arm and swept down his side. I never even heard Sanzo walk up.

"Get up you damn water sprite. Your tears aren't going to help him." I reached up and felt my wet cheeks. I didn't know when I'd started crying. I jumped up and started into the forest.

"Hey Gojyo..Gojyo, where are you going?" The monkey was yelling behind me. I just kept walking. I could hear Sanzo, "Let him go, Goku. He'll just be in my way here."

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The pain was like fire and ice simultaneously flowing through my body in waves. I was there, but I wasn't. Just when I thought I would be able to open my eyes, I would find myself drifting off into darkness. I could feel strong arms wrapped around my body pulling me close to a warm solid chest. I could smell blood, pine trees, sweat, Gojyo. I tried to grasp onto that thought. Gojyo. I could see his face in my mind so clearly. I focused on his red burning eyes. I told myself not to think about the pain, Gojyo was with me. Thinking, focusing, red hair, red eyes...burning...burning.

I felt him moving me. I tried to wake up. I just couldn't. My mind went black and I lost the feel, the red, the scent of Gojyo.

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A/N: This story (and there are many more chapters) is my first attempt at writing the Saiyuki boys. I apologize if the characters are a little off and I will strive to make them better as I go along. I started as a fan of the anime series and then moved on to reading the manga. That's why you will see phrases or words that are more often used in the anime. I like to switch between Gojyo's and Hakkai's POV. If this gets confusing I hope someone will let me know. Thanks in advance for reading. More to come...