Hotel California
Chapter Four: Wake you up in the middle of the night...
A/N: It's really so much fun to keep you all in suspense! ::waits to get killed:: It's a warning for many cliffhangers to come! Oh, and here's where the shounen-ai starts, if you're planning to avoid it. Nothing big, but don't say I didn't warn ya.
---
"Hakkai!"
Gojyo held the brunette up. Hakkai was unconscious, heavy against him. He picked him up worriedly, heading up the stairs painstakingly, trying not to jostle the limp form laying against him. Realizing he didn't have Hakkai's key, nor the ability to search for it while holding him, Gojyo unlocked his own door instead.
He set Hakkai down on the bed carefully before putting his hands on his hips. He didn't know what to do. Why would Hakkai just pass out? Was there something the brunette wasn't telling him?
The thought passed his mind that it might have something to do with Kannon. Hakkai had been fine until he had gone to see Kannon. A wave of anger passed through him at the thought of her doing something to him. This surprised him, the possessiveness he was feeling.
He shook all this from his head. The most important thing now was figuring out what was wrong with the brunette. He didn't know much about medical emergancies. What if Hakkai had some sort of brain trauma or something? You weren't supposed to move people like that, right? "Well fuck that, I already moved him!" he berated himself.
He put a hand to Hakkai's forehead, bringing it away alarmingly hot. Water. He went into the bathroom, running cool water over a washcloth and wringing it out. He put it carefully on his patient's forehead, returning to his mental list. Now what? He looked around the room, as if something would pop a thought into his mind. No such luck.
There was a scratching noise at his door. Curiously, he opened it a crack, only to have a little ball of white fluff squeeze its way inside. Hakuryuu immediately hopped on the bed, sitting next to his master and meowing.
Gojyo looked at the cat and shrugged. "I don't know what I'm doing, okay? You got any better ideas, let's hear 'em." If he was expecting an answer, he didn't get one. The cat simply jumped from the bed to the chair, where he turned around once and laid down, watching with the type of detatched interest only a cat can manage.
The redhead sighed and sat down on the empty side of the bed, watching Hakkai thoughtfully. Finally he reached over and removed his glasses, setting them on the nightstand. By now, Hakuryuu had joined his master for a nap, sleeping peacefully on the chair.
"Fine," he said to no one in particular, "I'll follow the crowd."
He stretched out on the other side of the bed, feeling mildly uncomfortable. But the stress of the day soon caught up with him, and he fell asleep as well.
---
Hakkai awoke with a particularly painful headache, the kind where you couldn't even open your eyes for a few moments. That could have been glossed over. What was more noticeable was the fact that he was laying on someone's shoulder, and that this someone's arm was draped over his waist. Now he did open his eyes. His entire vision was filled with red, and he gasped, jumping a little, before he realized it wasn't his eyes. It was red hair in his face.
Uh oh.
Hakkai sighed, putting a hand to his forehead. There was a washcloth on it, which he took off as he looked around. He was in Gojyo's room, with Gojyo sleeping right next to him. Hakuryuu was asleep as well, curled up snugly in the chair beside them. The question was, what had happened? He passed out in the parlor, he remembered that much. He decided he should leave, and pretend nothing had happened.
He began to sit up, when a flash of pain went through him. He let out a small cry of pain, wincing as he doubled over. This woke Gojyo, who shook his head before opening his eyes.
He mumbled something incoherantly, and then looked over. Noticing his arm around the brunette, he woke up immediately, retracting his arm. "Shit, I'm sorry. I didn't know I--" he stopped. "'Kai, you're hurt!"
Hakkai smiled weakly, dismissing the claim with a wave. "I'm fine. I've just got...a headache."
Gojyo didn't buy it. "In your stomach?"
"I've probably got a cold or something. I'm fine, really."
The redhead sat up. "Does this have something to do with that Kannon chick?"
Hakkai didn't answer, focusing instead on trying to stand without crying.
"Hakkai..."
Whatever Gojyo had meant to say was cut off as a knock sounded from the door. Without waiting for a response, the door opened, and Goku burst in. "Hey Gojyo! Do you know where Hakkai is?" He stopped short, seeing the brunette. "Oh. Well, I've got a message for both of you anyway. Kannon-san says there's gonna be a banquet tonight, so make sure you're ready for dinner in an hour."
Gojyo rubbed his eyes. "Fuck, I slept -that- long?"
Hakkai smiled at the boy, anxious to change the subject. "Thank you Goku. We'll be down in plenty of time," he stood up carefully, walking into the bathroom and leaving the washcloth on the side of the shower. "Is that all?"
The boy frowned. "Well, I wanted to play with Hakuryuu, but I think Sanzo'll yell at me..."
"Why do you care so much about what that jerk thinks?" Gojyo grumbled, standing as well and stretching.
"Gojyo, Sanzo takes care of Goku," Hakkai answered for him. "He watches out for him."
"I don't think Goku's the one who needs looking after," the redhead muttered under his breath. Hakkai caught the statement, but decided to ignore it.
"As long as you take a shower before dinner, I don't think there's any problem with Sanzo's allergies."
The reasoning seemed logical enough to the boy. He scooped up Hakuryuu, who had awoken upon Goku's energetic entry. His furred friend tucked safely in his arms, Goku happily left, leaving the door open. Hakkai went to it, closing it thoughtfully.
When he turned around, Gojyo was standing in front of him. He blinked in surprise. "Gojyo?"
Gojyo leaned in close, face to face with his friend. "What's going on?"
Hakkai didn't meet his gaze. "What do you mean?"
He leaned on the door, trapping Hakkai between his outstretched arms. "You know damn well what I'm talking about. You disappear for half a day, and then come back and pass out on me. Now you're hurt and you won't tell me why!"
Hakkai's voice was quiet and polite. "I wasn't aware that I was obligated to tell you anything."
Gojyo's eyes narrowed. "I'm trying to help here!"
The brunette sighed, finally relenting. "I know. And I know that you're getting nowhere, and it bothers you. But if you think we're good enough friends for me to tell you what's wrong, then we're good enough friends that you'll just have to trust me."
"Trust you?" he tilted his head. "I don't know what the hell's going on with this place, the people included!"
"Anything I've done, I've done for a good reason. I have no regrets."
"Dammit, where the hell did that come from?! Why's everyone so cryptic around here?!"
"I swear, I'd tell you if I thought it was safe to--"
Gojyo growled in frustration, removing his arms from the door and turning his back. "I'd ask you why, but you probably wouldn't answer that either."
"I'm sorry."
"I'll bet."
"Gojyo..."
He whirled around again, throwing up his hands. "What do you want me to say? 'Sure, don't worry, I might be trapped in a fucking HOTEL, but I won't ask any questions'? Screw that."
Neither of them spoke for a minute or two. Finally Hakkai opened the door. "I suppose I should go. Thank you for your help."
Gojyo didn't answer, crossing his arms. Seeing that he wouldn't get a response, Hakkai left, closing the door gently behind him.
---
About an hour later, Gojyo wandered down to the dining room for Kannon's banquet. When he got there, Sanzo and Hakkai were already seated. Kannon was standing next to the blond, chatting cooly as always, despite the fact that her target wasn't responding. For a moment, Gojyo considered sitting next to Sanzo, just so there would be less chance of speaking to Hakkai, but he disliked Sanzo more than he regretted his fight with the brunette. Besides that, poor Goku might throw a fit if he couldn't sit by his precious Sanzo. So in the end, he took his seat beside Hakkai, slumping into it without a word to anyone else.
He then noticed that there were six places at the table today. There was another place set beside him. He wondered briefly if another guest had shown up. Hopefully it was someone who would help him solve this mystery.
A few minutes later, Goku ran in, looking a bit worried. He sat next to Sanzo, shaking a hand through his still wet hair, attempting to air dry it faster. Once everyone was seated, Kannon clinked her spoon against her glass to get their attention.
"Thank you all for coming."
"Like we had a choice," Gojyo muttered under his breath. Hakkai's foot nudged him under the table.
"I know you're all interested as to the reason of tonight's celebration," she continued, "Well, in the past few days, we've been fortunate enough to recieve a new guest. And now tonight, we have another."
So it -was- a new guest. Maybe this would turn out to be a good night after all.
Kannon stood up, motioning to the doorway, where a man leaned casually on the frame. He had short dark brown hair and glasses, and wore a dress shirt, tie, and a long white lab coat.
"Everyone, this is Dr. Ni Jenyi. He's come here as a building inspector, so I hope you'll all show him the utmost hospitality."
Ni looked at the guests with a detatched sort of interest. Finally he left his place at the door and came to the table, sitting quietly beside Gojyo. Her introductions completed, Kannon sat down, and the meal commenced.
Throughout the evening, Gojyo watched Ni out of the corner of his eye. He didn't talk to anyone except Kannon, and that was only when she spoke to him first. The guy looked creepy enough, with a weird gleam in his eyes that made him look crazy. "Building inspector my ass...'
"So," Kannon looked in Gojyo's direction, "How are you finding things here?"
"Well," Gojyo frowned a bit, ignoring the warning look Hakkai gave him, "To be quite honest, I'm having trouble getting some questions answered."
"Really?" she leaned her chin on her hands. "And what might these questions be?"
"Like how I walked outside and couldn't leave this place."
She smiled. "Ah, I see. I believe I've already spoken to Hakkai about this."
Gojyo saw the brunette sink in his chiar slightly. He narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, I heard. That's another thing I wanted to ask about, was what you two talked about all day."
"Well, you know what they say Gojyo-san...Curiosity killed the cat."
There was a certain venom to the words underneath the cool tone. Gojyo had to stop and wonder if that was a theat to Hakuryuu. Or himself for that matter.
"The thing with asking questions that no one seems to get," she continued, not even really speaking to him anymore, so much as just ranting aloud, "is knwoing -when- the time is right to ask questions. Everything will be learned in good time, whenever the gods are ready to divulge the information you seek. Some people are just too impatient for their own good. Don't you think so, Dr. Ni?"
"I suppose so," he responded quietly. Even his voice was creepy. "Although I can't help but applaud an honest quest for knowledge."
She smiled again, wryly. "You never choose a side, do you?"
"Not unless I need to."
And so the conversation turned away from Gojyo's questions, leaving him again with no answers. Only more questions.
---
Gojyo had just changed for bed when someone knocked on his door. He opened it to find Hakkai standing there, looking particularly akward. The redhead moved to the side, inviting him in. Gojyo closed the door and flopped down on his bed.
"Look, before you start bitching about what happened at dinner, I'm sorry, okay? I just wanted to get some answers. For some reason I figured the head of the conspirosy might give me some info."
"I understand you're upset. Believe me, I was too, when I found I couldn't leave. But you've got to understand that there's something going on here that's bigger than all of us. And if you don't play it safe, you won't be playing at all much longer."
"Is that what happened today? When you left?"
"I..."
He sighed. "Never mind. If you don't wanna talk about it, I won't force you. And I won't ask Kannon about anything anymore. But don't get me wrong, I'm not giving up. I can't do that."
"Are things that bad here?" Hakkai asked softly.
"Not so much for me. But I've been here two days now, and you've freaked out a couple of times and even fainted on me. This place is bad for you, even if it isn't for me. That's good enough reason."
"I...see."
Gojyo smiled sheepishly. "So, we're good then? No more fights?"
Hakkai laughed a little. "As if one could stay mad at someone like you."
"No one can resist my charms."
"Whatever you say..."
Goku burst through the door once more. Gojyo jumped up, catching the boy by the collar. "Dammit, don't you ever knock?!"
"Hey! It's not my fault Hakkai's always in here! I wanted to play cards!" He squirmed until Gojyo let him go.
"That sounds nice," Hakkai said, smiling. "What do you think Gojyo?"
"Yeah, sure whatever."
---
End of chappeh 4! There was a whole other scene I wanted in here, but I didn't have time before I posted things. So now it's shorter than I wanted. ::sighs:: Well, whatever. It'll beh in the next chappeh. Review and cure my depression for awhile, please?
Mato-ko: You can stop driving yourself insane now...tho is that really a bad thing? I'm insane and look what I get out of it! ::grins like an advertisement:: Anyway...I'M NOT TELLING ANYTHING!
Wasabii: Alright, I freaked someone out! With the help of random falling objects...::shrugs:: Yeah, it's 39, and there will most likely beh -some- kinda action between the two couples. Fluff most defiantely. Anything else...let's see how my pr0n muse works that...
Me-Nuriko: See above. We all assume it's Kannon that hurt Hakkai...Hmmm...
Nightfall Rising: h/c? Whazzat? Glad you're likin' it.
NekoMegami-chan: Don't worry...this thing's got a few more chappehs before I can even think of quitting. ::grins:: Plus I've still got the pond idea of yours to use!
Zelgadis55: Which do -you- think? Hope this is soon enough for ya! Oh, and I got that Frequency movie, but I haven't gotten to watch it yet. ::sweatdrops:: I'm always too tired after work. But I'll get to it!
Yay! Until next update, minna-san!