A/N:
Hello!!! I live again! I'm really, really sorry, that I took so, so long. My geekiness has overtaken me, and I was caught up in studying. Anyway, here goes, my last and ultimate chapter. I hope you read it, and please review it for one last, final time.
Goku:
Through a hazy veil of vision, I see Homura turn back and walk away confidently. Now's my chance. I summon my staff with what was left of my used stamina, and gritted my teeth as I slithered slowly upward. Careful not to make a noise, I pose for action. Sanzo was still lying unconscious on the ground, and my gaze traveled to the gash in his chest. Which, of course, I technically made. Sure, I wasn't in the right mind, but it was my body, and I feel quite guilty all about it. Reluctantly, I tear my eyes away from him, knowing that I might lose myself even just by looking at his beautiful form.
Sweatdrop.
Okay, maybe 'beautiful' is not the right word. With all that dirt in his smooth face and that grimy greenish- black slime in his silken hair, not to mention the usual condescending look in his face, 'beautiful' just does not cut it. But he still got the power to hold me spell bounded.
I ran towards Homura, so quick that you might think I was just a shadow of a wind. My staff was lengthening immensely in my hands, and giving all I got with one single but fatal blow, I struck him in the head. The impact was so great, that I heard the faint, dull crack as my staff made contact with his head. Blood oozed from his wound.
Feeling the excitement of a good fight growing in me, some of energy returned, giving me the boost that I needed. I launched another attack at him, punching him from the chin and up. He retaliated backwards, flying up in the air. But even before his body came contact with the ground, I was at him again, this time hitting him in the stomach. Then I kicked him, my foot landing in his chest. This time, he landed sharply in the ground amidst a pile of rocks, writhing and coughing up blood. Ironic, huh? Just a while ago, I was the one who was lying there, helpless, and writhing as well.
I approached his side, panting. And when I saw him with his eyes closed and shaking like a leaf, I smiled. Don't get me wrong. I usually don't get pleasure in kicking someone's butt and killing people, but I guess under the circumstances, it couldn't be helped.
"Y-You!" Homura croaked, eyes blazing with anger.
"Save your breath Homura, you're really gonna need it soon. Trust me." Goku said, almost sympathetic.
Homura slightly cringed at this, but he resolved to at least have some dignity. He stared at Goku, his eyes now filled with contempt and loathing.
"I may die Goku, but at least I'm not the one who would be suffering from a life-long suffering." Homura taunted, even laughing a little.
"You think after all this Sanzo would come running in your arms?" Homura snorted. "Sanzo would be so repulsed of you that he'll go puking every time he sees you. Think he'll be grateful after this? He would be so angry that there would be no mercy left for you in his heart."
Homura stopped his diatribe, and looked up at Goku, gauging the effect of his words. But Goku remained silent, just listening, face void of any emotions.
"What's the matter, Goku? Can't bear my words? Well, let me say it this way. He'll never, ever love you! Hear me?! Never! He'll never love you as much as I-"
Homura abruptly stopped his sentence.
Goku slapped him across the face.
Homura was startled, and he grasped his injured cheek. Goku leaned closer, whispering softly but firmly.
"But I never did expect him to love me, Homura. It's enough for me that I protect him and love him from a distance and not wanting anything in return. All I ever asked was for him not to hurt me."
Homura's round eyes started to droop, and a sad smile flitted in his face. His hands unclenched to reveal the sutra that he was holding.
Goku stood and picked it up. He turned away from him as he heard one final shuddering gasp. Goku closed his eyes, and said a tiny prayer.
Homura was now officially dead.
"Sanzo, dammit! You're so heavy! Quit shaking in my back!" Goku shouted to an unconscious Sanzo in his back. He carried the monk to his shoulders, staggering because of the heavy weight. He left Homura in the tower, feeling quite sorry for him. He didn't want tp leave the body there, but he had to tend to Sanzo first. He would just come back later. But he figured that he wouldn't come back that soon, he was still far from the village. He was walking for at least an hour, and sweat dripped from all parts of his battered body.
"Listen, Sanzo. No matter what you say tonight, I would sleep in the bed! I need to take a proper rest, you know, because I'm so tired I'm tempted to throw you." Goku grumbled to no one in particular.
"And not only that, I'm so huuungryy." Goku said despairingly, the rumble in his stomach echoing his cries. But still, he trudged on, ignoring the pain in his limbs. After a few moments, he started to see the distant figures of houses and buildings in the horizon. He laughed heartily, adrenaline pumping in his veins.
"Finally! Hang on, Sanzo. We're almost there."
Gojyo ran his tongue along Hakkai's jawbone, noting the faint shiver that ran through the other's body. He pulled Hakkai even closer to him, and buried his face in his neck.
"Uhmm... Gojyo, aren't you the least bit worried?" Hakkai asked.
Gojyo sighed, and ran a haphazard hand through Hakkai's black mane.
"Worried about what?"
Hakkai stammered something incoherent before clearing his throat. He tried to speak again.
"Well, you know. About Sanzo and Goku, I mean."
Gojyo laid Hakkai on the bed now, his fingers expertly undoing the buttons that lined up Hakkai's shirt.
"No. Let the monkey and the monk handle this all by themselves."
The shirt finally went undone, and was strewn somewhere across the room. Gojyo ran a hand through the muscles, feeling the familiar planes and curves.
"You think they would be all right?"
"Hell, yes. Now, what do you say about handling this all by ourselves?" Gojyo asked, kissing him on the lips softly. Hakkai smiled indulgently, and opened his mouth.
"Whatever you say, Gojyo."
Soon, the two were lost in their world, the strength of their passion consuming them. Their room was filled with moans and sighs. They were getting noisy, or rather; Hakkai was getting noisy, groaning and yelling. An old lady who rented a room next to them passed by. Hearing the strange sounds, she placed an ear outside the door and eavesdropped. A while later, she was seen running down the hall, puking.
Goku reached the inn finally, tears threatening to spill at the aroma of food that he was inhaling. He had never been so hungry in his whole life. He unconsciously deposited Sanzo by the door, and went beside a man eating his meal like a possessed demon. His mouth watered, specks of saliva running down his chin, at the sight of the glorious chicken the man was eating. All thoughts of Sanzo flew out of his head. He stared and stood there for so long, the man had moved his seat away from him and bit in his chicken almost possessively.
Goku whimpered. "Meanie! I want to eat, too! That chicken looks exactly like Hakuryu, though. I wonder if Hakkai would allow me to cook..." Suddenly realizing something was wrong, he turned around and picked up Sanzo.
"Gomen, Sanzo! Got a bit carried away. Now, let's go fetch Hakkai so he'll you treat you, okay? Then we're gonna ask him to cook lots of food!" Goku bounded up the stairs, and ran towards Gojyo and Hakkai's room. When he finally reached their door, he began knocking. No one seems to hear. He knocked again, this time almost tearing the door down. But still, no one came out. Goku placed his ear in the door. He heard several noises, so probably they're there, and he just couldn't hear him. So Goku finally kicked the door down, and pulled Sanzo inside with him.
"Hey, you guys! Didn't you hear---- Aaackkk!!! What are you doing?!! Hakkai! Gojyo!"
Goku screamed, flabbergasted by what he just saw.
"Teme!! Baka saru! I'll kill you! And that Sanzo! What have I done to deserve this?!"
"What have you done?! Look at you!"
"Teme! What do you mean, 'look at you'? And shut up! Everyone will hear you!"
"Maa, maa. No fighting." Hakkai stood between them.
"What do you want Goku?" he proceeded to ask calmly.
But Goku was silent, face red. He turned away suddenly.
"Goku? What's wrong?" Hakkai repeated, concerned.
"Nothing. Hakkai, just please wear some clothes."
Late that night, Goku sprawled on the bed beside Sanzo. He was propped in one elbow, looking after him. He felt Sanzo's forehead, relieved that he was finally cool. After fixing the little problem a while ago with Gojyo, Hakkai had been so kind enough to put some clothes on, and healed Sanzo. The awful gash was now gone, but Hakkai told him that Sanzo had a slight fever. He volunteered for the job, even though Hakkai was willing to do it, and insisted that Goku had to rest as well, but Goku had remained steadfast, and instead asked Hakkai to prepare food for him. And after eating a humongous amount of food, he carried Sanzo up to their room, carrying a basin of cold water. He'd been doing nothing all night except to wipe Sanzo's forehead with a cool cloth, and brushing away tendrils of hair that strayed across Sanzo's face. He reached for the basin of water, and wiped the cloth across Sanzo's foreheads again. He was about to remove is hand, when something held his wrist.
"S-Sanzo! Y-You're awake!" Goku said joyously.
Sanzo was indeed awake; his eyes open as though they haven't been closed at all for the last 8 hours or so. He held to Goku's wrist tightly.
"What do you think you're doing, baka saru?"
Goku flinched fro the harsh tone.
"Nothing. Hakkai said you were sick so I..."
"So what?"
"So I had to take care of you!"
"Hmmp. I don't need your help, saru."
"Well, duh. You were barely alive when we got out from that tower. I had to try to keep you alive, you know."
"Well I wouldn't be nearly dead if you hadn't slashed me in the chest, exactly in the same spot where Homura had stabbed me."
Goku cringed and visibly paled. His face crumpled with tears.
"Sanzo, I'm really, really sorry. If it hadn't been for me, you wouldn't be caught up with this."
Sanzo merely stared.
"I didn't mean to run away, but it just hurt, okay? I felt that I was becoming a burden to you, and I hate the feeling. I'm really, really sorry."
"Don't be sorry, Goku. Don't you remember what I've told you? In this world, there's no place for regrets. Regrets are only for those people who are weak. We should be responsible enough for our actions; we should do something that we know we are quite capable of. It is the same with killing. If you kill, be ready to die as well. No regrets."
Goku smiled through his tears.
"Arigatou, Sanzo."
"By the way, saru, what are you doing in my bed?"
"This is where I intend to sleep, Sanzo, whether you like it or not!"
"Teme! You get away from my bed!"
"No way! I've carried you all the way across the desert and I have to get a proper sleep!"
"No! Sleep down there!"
"But Saaaannnnzzoooo-!" Goku whined loudly in his ear.
"Urusai! Fine! You can sleep in the bed."
"Yay!"
"And no noise!"
"Okay!"
Goku dove under the covers, loving the softness of the pillows and the smoothness of the sheets. He felt sleepy already. Beside him, Sanzo laid stiff, face red. Goku's face lined with concern.
"Sanzo, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Go to sleep."
Goku pressed on, but Sanzo was being his tight-lipped self again. Goku took Sanzo's hand and they felt icy.
"Sanzo, you're cold! Here, let me warm you up."
Something about the way Goku said 'warm you up', inflicted several emotions deep within Sanzo. Emotions that would surely alert the Buddhas. Goku spread his short arms and legs, enveloping Sanzo in a bear hug. Sanzo's face turned even redder.
"Do you want to die so much?"
"Maa, Sanzo. Be quiet. You're cold, and you have to keep warm. Stop squirming." Goku said in his ear.
"How could I not squirm when a monkey is holding me?" Sanzo asked sarcastically, rolling his eyes. But Goku did nit hear him.
"You know what Sanzo, a while ago, I thought I heard some voices."
Sanzo stopped squirming, and just gave in to the embrace.
"Voices? What voices?"
"I don't know, your voice. I heard it when I lost consciousness."
"And what did you hear?"
Goku blushed before answering.
"You said you loved me."
Sanzo's heart drummed in his chest, his breathing sallow. He didn't know what to say, and he fought with the ranting in his head, and the emotions in his heart. Suddenly, he gave in to what was stronger.
"Goku, do you remember what I told you about voices?"
"Not really."
"When you hear a voice from deep inside you, and it seems that only you yourself can hear it, it is the voice that remains unspoken."
Goku listened silently, letting it all sink in. Suddenly, his face erupted in smiles and tears.
"Sa-sanzo? What are you trying to say?"
"And here I thought you couldn't be as dumber as you look."
Goku smiled even bigger, and the tears streamed down his face. Sanzo brushed a tear with his finger, his touch light.
"I love you, Sanzo." Goku said, pulling Sanzo closer to him, burying his face in his hair, inhaling his scent. He did not wait for any reply, because he heard it. Somewhere far within him, he heard a voice.
~owari~
A/N:
There goes! I would like to thank everyone who reviewed, it meant so much! You guys rock! I'm not happy with the ending, but I had to finish it somehow or the other. So, there, please review okay? ^__~
Hello!!! I live again! I'm really, really sorry, that I took so, so long. My geekiness has overtaken me, and I was caught up in studying. Anyway, here goes, my last and ultimate chapter. I hope you read it, and please review it for one last, final time.
Goku:
Through a hazy veil of vision, I see Homura turn back and walk away confidently. Now's my chance. I summon my staff with what was left of my used stamina, and gritted my teeth as I slithered slowly upward. Careful not to make a noise, I pose for action. Sanzo was still lying unconscious on the ground, and my gaze traveled to the gash in his chest. Which, of course, I technically made. Sure, I wasn't in the right mind, but it was my body, and I feel quite guilty all about it. Reluctantly, I tear my eyes away from him, knowing that I might lose myself even just by looking at his beautiful form.
Sweatdrop.
Okay, maybe 'beautiful' is not the right word. With all that dirt in his smooth face and that grimy greenish- black slime in his silken hair, not to mention the usual condescending look in his face, 'beautiful' just does not cut it. But he still got the power to hold me spell bounded.
I ran towards Homura, so quick that you might think I was just a shadow of a wind. My staff was lengthening immensely in my hands, and giving all I got with one single but fatal blow, I struck him in the head. The impact was so great, that I heard the faint, dull crack as my staff made contact with his head. Blood oozed from his wound.
Feeling the excitement of a good fight growing in me, some of energy returned, giving me the boost that I needed. I launched another attack at him, punching him from the chin and up. He retaliated backwards, flying up in the air. But even before his body came contact with the ground, I was at him again, this time hitting him in the stomach. Then I kicked him, my foot landing in his chest. This time, he landed sharply in the ground amidst a pile of rocks, writhing and coughing up blood. Ironic, huh? Just a while ago, I was the one who was lying there, helpless, and writhing as well.
I approached his side, panting. And when I saw him with his eyes closed and shaking like a leaf, I smiled. Don't get me wrong. I usually don't get pleasure in kicking someone's butt and killing people, but I guess under the circumstances, it couldn't be helped.
"Y-You!" Homura croaked, eyes blazing with anger.
"Save your breath Homura, you're really gonna need it soon. Trust me." Goku said, almost sympathetic.
Homura slightly cringed at this, but he resolved to at least have some dignity. He stared at Goku, his eyes now filled with contempt and loathing.
"I may die Goku, but at least I'm not the one who would be suffering from a life-long suffering." Homura taunted, even laughing a little.
"You think after all this Sanzo would come running in your arms?" Homura snorted. "Sanzo would be so repulsed of you that he'll go puking every time he sees you. Think he'll be grateful after this? He would be so angry that there would be no mercy left for you in his heart."
Homura stopped his diatribe, and looked up at Goku, gauging the effect of his words. But Goku remained silent, just listening, face void of any emotions.
"What's the matter, Goku? Can't bear my words? Well, let me say it this way. He'll never, ever love you! Hear me?! Never! He'll never love you as much as I-"
Homura abruptly stopped his sentence.
Goku slapped him across the face.
Homura was startled, and he grasped his injured cheek. Goku leaned closer, whispering softly but firmly.
"But I never did expect him to love me, Homura. It's enough for me that I protect him and love him from a distance and not wanting anything in return. All I ever asked was for him not to hurt me."
Homura's round eyes started to droop, and a sad smile flitted in his face. His hands unclenched to reveal the sutra that he was holding.
Goku stood and picked it up. He turned away from him as he heard one final shuddering gasp. Goku closed his eyes, and said a tiny prayer.
Homura was now officially dead.
"Sanzo, dammit! You're so heavy! Quit shaking in my back!" Goku shouted to an unconscious Sanzo in his back. He carried the monk to his shoulders, staggering because of the heavy weight. He left Homura in the tower, feeling quite sorry for him. He didn't want tp leave the body there, but he had to tend to Sanzo first. He would just come back later. But he figured that he wouldn't come back that soon, he was still far from the village. He was walking for at least an hour, and sweat dripped from all parts of his battered body.
"Listen, Sanzo. No matter what you say tonight, I would sleep in the bed! I need to take a proper rest, you know, because I'm so tired I'm tempted to throw you." Goku grumbled to no one in particular.
"And not only that, I'm so huuungryy." Goku said despairingly, the rumble in his stomach echoing his cries. But still, he trudged on, ignoring the pain in his limbs. After a few moments, he started to see the distant figures of houses and buildings in the horizon. He laughed heartily, adrenaline pumping in his veins.
"Finally! Hang on, Sanzo. We're almost there."
Gojyo ran his tongue along Hakkai's jawbone, noting the faint shiver that ran through the other's body. He pulled Hakkai even closer to him, and buried his face in his neck.
"Uhmm... Gojyo, aren't you the least bit worried?" Hakkai asked.
Gojyo sighed, and ran a haphazard hand through Hakkai's black mane.
"Worried about what?"
Hakkai stammered something incoherent before clearing his throat. He tried to speak again.
"Well, you know. About Sanzo and Goku, I mean."
Gojyo laid Hakkai on the bed now, his fingers expertly undoing the buttons that lined up Hakkai's shirt.
"No. Let the monkey and the monk handle this all by themselves."
The shirt finally went undone, and was strewn somewhere across the room. Gojyo ran a hand through the muscles, feeling the familiar planes and curves.
"You think they would be all right?"
"Hell, yes. Now, what do you say about handling this all by ourselves?" Gojyo asked, kissing him on the lips softly. Hakkai smiled indulgently, and opened his mouth.
"Whatever you say, Gojyo."
Soon, the two were lost in their world, the strength of their passion consuming them. Their room was filled with moans and sighs. They were getting noisy, or rather; Hakkai was getting noisy, groaning and yelling. An old lady who rented a room next to them passed by. Hearing the strange sounds, she placed an ear outside the door and eavesdropped. A while later, she was seen running down the hall, puking.
Goku reached the inn finally, tears threatening to spill at the aroma of food that he was inhaling. He had never been so hungry in his whole life. He unconsciously deposited Sanzo by the door, and went beside a man eating his meal like a possessed demon. His mouth watered, specks of saliva running down his chin, at the sight of the glorious chicken the man was eating. All thoughts of Sanzo flew out of his head. He stared and stood there for so long, the man had moved his seat away from him and bit in his chicken almost possessively.
Goku whimpered. "Meanie! I want to eat, too! That chicken looks exactly like Hakuryu, though. I wonder if Hakkai would allow me to cook..." Suddenly realizing something was wrong, he turned around and picked up Sanzo.
"Gomen, Sanzo! Got a bit carried away. Now, let's go fetch Hakkai so he'll you treat you, okay? Then we're gonna ask him to cook lots of food!" Goku bounded up the stairs, and ran towards Gojyo and Hakkai's room. When he finally reached their door, he began knocking. No one seems to hear. He knocked again, this time almost tearing the door down. But still, no one came out. Goku placed his ear in the door. He heard several noises, so probably they're there, and he just couldn't hear him. So Goku finally kicked the door down, and pulled Sanzo inside with him.
"Hey, you guys! Didn't you hear---- Aaackkk!!! What are you doing?!! Hakkai! Gojyo!"
Goku screamed, flabbergasted by what he just saw.
"Teme!! Baka saru! I'll kill you! And that Sanzo! What have I done to deserve this?!"
"What have you done?! Look at you!"
"Teme! What do you mean, 'look at you'? And shut up! Everyone will hear you!"
"Maa, maa. No fighting." Hakkai stood between them.
"What do you want Goku?" he proceeded to ask calmly.
But Goku was silent, face red. He turned away suddenly.
"Goku? What's wrong?" Hakkai repeated, concerned.
"Nothing. Hakkai, just please wear some clothes."
Late that night, Goku sprawled on the bed beside Sanzo. He was propped in one elbow, looking after him. He felt Sanzo's forehead, relieved that he was finally cool. After fixing the little problem a while ago with Gojyo, Hakkai had been so kind enough to put some clothes on, and healed Sanzo. The awful gash was now gone, but Hakkai told him that Sanzo had a slight fever. He volunteered for the job, even though Hakkai was willing to do it, and insisted that Goku had to rest as well, but Goku had remained steadfast, and instead asked Hakkai to prepare food for him. And after eating a humongous amount of food, he carried Sanzo up to their room, carrying a basin of cold water. He'd been doing nothing all night except to wipe Sanzo's forehead with a cool cloth, and brushing away tendrils of hair that strayed across Sanzo's face. He reached for the basin of water, and wiped the cloth across Sanzo's foreheads again. He was about to remove is hand, when something held his wrist.
"S-Sanzo! Y-You're awake!" Goku said joyously.
Sanzo was indeed awake; his eyes open as though they haven't been closed at all for the last 8 hours or so. He held to Goku's wrist tightly.
"What do you think you're doing, baka saru?"
Goku flinched fro the harsh tone.
"Nothing. Hakkai said you were sick so I..."
"So what?"
"So I had to take care of you!"
"Hmmp. I don't need your help, saru."
"Well, duh. You were barely alive when we got out from that tower. I had to try to keep you alive, you know."
"Well I wouldn't be nearly dead if you hadn't slashed me in the chest, exactly in the same spot where Homura had stabbed me."
Goku cringed and visibly paled. His face crumpled with tears.
"Sanzo, I'm really, really sorry. If it hadn't been for me, you wouldn't be caught up with this."
Sanzo merely stared.
"I didn't mean to run away, but it just hurt, okay? I felt that I was becoming a burden to you, and I hate the feeling. I'm really, really sorry."
"Don't be sorry, Goku. Don't you remember what I've told you? In this world, there's no place for regrets. Regrets are only for those people who are weak. We should be responsible enough for our actions; we should do something that we know we are quite capable of. It is the same with killing. If you kill, be ready to die as well. No regrets."
Goku smiled through his tears.
"Arigatou, Sanzo."
"By the way, saru, what are you doing in my bed?"
"This is where I intend to sleep, Sanzo, whether you like it or not!"
"Teme! You get away from my bed!"
"No way! I've carried you all the way across the desert and I have to get a proper sleep!"
"No! Sleep down there!"
"But Saaaannnnzzoooo-!" Goku whined loudly in his ear.
"Urusai! Fine! You can sleep in the bed."
"Yay!"
"And no noise!"
"Okay!"
Goku dove under the covers, loving the softness of the pillows and the smoothness of the sheets. He felt sleepy already. Beside him, Sanzo laid stiff, face red. Goku's face lined with concern.
"Sanzo, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Go to sleep."
Goku pressed on, but Sanzo was being his tight-lipped self again. Goku took Sanzo's hand and they felt icy.
"Sanzo, you're cold! Here, let me warm you up."
Something about the way Goku said 'warm you up', inflicted several emotions deep within Sanzo. Emotions that would surely alert the Buddhas. Goku spread his short arms and legs, enveloping Sanzo in a bear hug. Sanzo's face turned even redder.
"Do you want to die so much?"
"Maa, Sanzo. Be quiet. You're cold, and you have to keep warm. Stop squirming." Goku said in his ear.
"How could I not squirm when a monkey is holding me?" Sanzo asked sarcastically, rolling his eyes. But Goku did nit hear him.
"You know what Sanzo, a while ago, I thought I heard some voices."
Sanzo stopped squirming, and just gave in to the embrace.
"Voices? What voices?"
"I don't know, your voice. I heard it when I lost consciousness."
"And what did you hear?"
Goku blushed before answering.
"You said you loved me."
Sanzo's heart drummed in his chest, his breathing sallow. He didn't know what to say, and he fought with the ranting in his head, and the emotions in his heart. Suddenly, he gave in to what was stronger.
"Goku, do you remember what I told you about voices?"
"Not really."
"When you hear a voice from deep inside you, and it seems that only you yourself can hear it, it is the voice that remains unspoken."
Goku listened silently, letting it all sink in. Suddenly, his face erupted in smiles and tears.
"Sa-sanzo? What are you trying to say?"
"And here I thought you couldn't be as dumber as you look."
Goku smiled even bigger, and the tears streamed down his face. Sanzo brushed a tear with his finger, his touch light.
"I love you, Sanzo." Goku said, pulling Sanzo closer to him, burying his face in his hair, inhaling his scent. He did not wait for any reply, because he heard it. Somewhere far within him, he heard a voice.
~owari~
A/N:
There goes! I would like to thank everyone who reviewed, it meant so much! You guys rock! I'm not happy with the ending, but I had to finish it somehow or the other. So, there, please review okay? ^__~