Whatever It Takes

Part IV: Intervention

Red

Sanzo arrives late to breakfast, lingers over his coffee, newspaper, and cigarettes afterwards. Gojyo puzzles over the monk's unusual behavior.

Only when the innkeeper comes does Sanzo rise. They share a hushed exchange, then Sanzo nods and passes him the gold card.

"Sanzo?" Hakkai inquires.

"Be ready to go in an hour. I've found us a cabin for a few days."

Gojyo's jaw drops. "You what?!"

Sanzo glares at him. "My shoulder's killing me and I'm sick of hearing you and the dumbass monkey argue. I need a break."

The dumbass monkey grins as Sanzo stomps back to their room.

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Green

"It's unnecessary," Hakkai tells Sanzo, sitting in the afternoon sun. The others' splashing and laughter drift up from the lake. "I'm fine, really. We don't have time."

"No, we don't. But you're not fine, and the fool cockroach can't be when you aren't." Sanzo crushes a butt in the sparse grass. "We said we'd give you whatever time you need."

Before Hakkai can respond, Gojyo comes up the hill, toweling his hair. Sanzo looks squarely at Hakkai. "Fix it," he commands, not without compassion.

He leaves abruptly, Gojyo taking his place. "You should take a swim, Hakkai. The water's fine."

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Violet

Gojyo follows Sanzo out to the porch for a late-night smoke. They're on their second cigarettes when Gojyo murmurs, "Thanks, Sanzo."

"Make the time worthwhile, kappa."

"I wish I knew what to do."

Sanzo suspects what's wrong. "Stop pressuring," he advises.

"I'm not!"

"You do. Always expecting him to accept your comfort on your terms. Has it occurred to you that he needs to be your caretaker? Wants to fill your needs on his terms? Damn fool. Try accepting what he needs to give you even if he can't let you return it."

Sanzo takes satisfaction from Gojyo's dumbfounded expression.

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Gold

They lie on their backs under a thick blanket of stars. Goku asks, "Is it the nightmares again, Hakkai?"

A long pause. "It's more the feelings they raise, Goku."

Goku turns toward Hakkai, reassuring. "Our fighting isn't like that, Hakkai. If it's wrong, then we're all guilty. Gojyo hates it when you take that guilt on yourself. Me, too. Especially if that's what's making things hard between you."

Hakkai smiles faintly. "Does it show that much, Goku?"

"We learned things about each other, Hakkai, that week without you. We hurt when you're hurting. I want us all to stop hurting."

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Author's Note: A big thanks to those of you who have left feedback. It's much appreciated. I have been inundated with RL lately, but I'm hoping to post the last two sets of drabbles more quickly.