Chapter 2: Cigarettes and Cotton Candy.

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Please let me know of any typos! Besides my lackage of apostrophe's, that is.... ^^;;

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"God, what a shitty day. I cant wait to get to the next town. What the hell kind of place is this? Its like, the temple over-run the entire city. No alcohol, no cigarettes, woman and men live on opposite sides of the town, and then Hakuryo had to go and get his fucking wing broken, so naturally, its going to be a week before we can leave. God dammit, just shoot me now."

Genjo Sanzo was sitting beneath a large tree on the outskirts of town, absentmindly chewing on the tip of his fan as he ached for a cigarette.

"This is it. I'm going to die. But not before I kill them." He thought as he heard Goku scampering about crying for food down at the base of the hill. Sanzo sighed and leaned backwards until his head clunked off of the tree trunk behind him.

"Hey....mind if I join you?"

"Only if you have a cigarette."

"Can do," Sha Gojyo said as he lowered himself down next to the priest while tossing him a cigarette. "I mananged to slip one pack past the idiots."

"You're going to need more soon. If you stay up here long, they're going to be gone by tonight."

Gojyo shrugged as he leaned over Sanzo to light his cigarette, and then his own. "Not a problem."

Sanzo inhaled a breath of nicotine deeply as he watched Goku continue to be obnoxious to the poor citizens of the town. "I'm not even going to dicipline him this time... maybe they'll succumb to him if he keeps it up, and we can get our essentials back."

Gojyo smirked. "Doubt it. More likely they'd throw us out and we'd be walking without rations for a week."

Sanzo rolled the cancer stick between his thumb and forefinger as he felt Gojyo's eyes upon him.

"So... whats been bugging you?"

Sanzo cocked an eyebrow. "What makes you think theres anything?"

"You've been more wistful than usual lately... and it hasnt even been raining." Gojyo said.

Sanzo shook his head. "Not wistful. Just annoyed."

"With?"

"Everything."

Gojyo laughed. "You need a break."

"From what? People? Then go away."

"No. You need to relax more. You're too stressed. Go someplace to get away tonight."

"Here? You're insane. Everything here is making it worse. God, I wish we could just leave!" Sanzo grumped as he flicked away his cigarette butt.

"I know....but..." Gojyo furrowed his brows as he gazed at the setting sun, trying to make a difficult decision in his troubled mind. ' God, he always looks so down. He never lets anyone help... Even Hakkai hasnt been able to break through, yet. Theres only one thing I'm good at... But is it worth risking our friendship over? Is it the one thing that could work?'

"..Gojyo."

"...eh? What?" Gojyo turned to face Sanzo, who was looking at him with an unreadable expression.

"I said your name 3 times. What is it? Now youre the one who's acting wistful."

"I'm sorry. Debating whether or not to risk my life today."

"Who're you to pass up an opportunity to live on the edge? And besides, Isnt that inevitable for our lifestyle?" Sanzo muttered as he ran a hand through his hair.

".. I suppose you're right, then.." Gojyo whispered as he leaned over to Sanzo, causing their noses to touch and their breath to intermingle. Sanzo merely looked mildly surprised, but then again, after knowing Gojyo for so long, he probably was expecting it eventually. Gojyo brought their lips together gently, tasting the nicotine and spice the priest had on his mouth, as Sanzo hesitated, before bringing his hands up to rest on the kappa's shoulder. They stayed that way for several moments, lingering, wanting to let the bright spot penetrate the weary day, but broke off when either could no longer breathe.

Sanzo gave Gojyo a wry smile. "I didnt know you swung that way."

"You should know me better than that. I swing every way."

Sanzo actually laughed. This brightened Gojyo's spirits considerably more.

'I did it. I used my expertise to cheer up my reclusive friend. These lips can cure anything!' Gojyo thought as he smiled ruefully, turning to face the priest again. "So...we can try to make things better while we are here..."

"More cigarettes?"

"Of course."

--- End.

       Or is it?