Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, plots, the whole load of Gensomaden Saiyuki. But I do own Yuki-chan and Soichiro-kun.



A Snowy Run-In


Chapter Five: A Sight For Warmth


Hakkai slowly opened his eyes, finding himself staring up at the wooden ceiling above him. His eyes led from the ceiling to the four walls that made up his single room, his bed against one of the walls and a window with a stream of sunlight hovering above the headboard. His arms that were plastered under a thick blanket wormed their way as Hakkai slowly trailed his fingers on his left arm where the wound was and found it neatly bandaged.
Hakkai sighed and sat up, looking outside the window, to find a snowy landscape of the village they had dropped by after their little snowy escapade. Hakkai noted the late afternoon sun disappearing behind the snowy hills. Early evening, it must be.


'I wonder where the others are...' Hakkai thought to himself until he remembered the scene back on the mountain when Goku fainted, 'Goku! I almost forgotten about him-'


Just when he was about to get out of the bed, the door swung open to reveal Gojyo leaning against the doorway, smoking. Hakuryu was perched on his shoulder and as soon as he saw Hakkai, he squeaked happily and flew to his master, nuzzling its tiny head against the chuckling man's cheek before settling onto his lap. The red-haired man gave a smirk to see his companion awake before he plopped beside Hakkai on the bed with a bounce.


"Na, Hakkai, are you as lazy as the corrupted Sanzo-sama? You've been asleep since yesterday afternoon," Gojyo took a drag of his cigarette.

Hakkai chuckled, "Sumimasen, Gojyo. I guess the whole incident took a toll on my strength."

"Hm, the baka saru must have been a lot of trouble, na, Hakkai?"

"Maybe..." he said half-heartedly, remembering of what happened in the cave when he held the boy close. Hakkai clenched his fists lightly, the boy's warmth was slightly present, giving him a light shiver, "But...not in a bad way, I have to admit."

"Eh?" Gojyo looked confused.

"Betsuni," Hakkai chuckled before he turned serious, "Where's Sanzo and Goku, Gojyo?"

"The corrupted monk and the saru?" Gojyo went to the window and pointed to a small house with a sign across from where they were staying, "Sanzo and Goku are over there in the clinic just across from where we're staying."

"Masaka..."

"Sanzo's been Goku's nursemaid since we've got here. The saru's in such bad condition that as soon as morning came, he took him to there and stayed there. Sanzo-sama is so shy. Oh and by the way...doesn't this belong to the saru's cloak?" Gojyo reached into his pocket and pulled out a blood-stained brown strip of material, placing it on the mattress. It was Goku's makeshift bandage, "This was wrapped around your arm when I was bandaging your cut. What has the saru been doing?"


Gojyo noticed a frown as Hakkai picked up the strip, holding it delicately between his fingers. Hakuryu kyuued with curiosity.


"I'm not staying in here any longer. I'm going to see whether I can meet a pretty girl for a date," Gojyo lifted himself from the mattress, "Ja na!"


Gojyo exited his room. His eyes reverted back to the clinic across the street, his sigh full of guilty remorse.


'Goku...'



Sanzo stood warily near the bed where the aging man was examining an unconscious and flushed Goku, his stoic face traced with genuine worry and concern. The physician was nodding to himself, muttering something inaudible.


"Sanzo houshi-sama," he bowed before Sanzo.

"Sensei, what's his condition?"

"He's very lucky, Sanzo-sama. Nothing serious to be worried about. He's just having a very high fever and he's also very fatigued. I can see the most recent wounds are these light scars...they're fully healed. Wounds such as these would take weeks to close and would make his condition more difficult to heal especially in the cold weather. Whatever happened back at the mountain, he's one of the fortunate survivors. A young body like his would've not lasted if he wasn't warmed up sufficiently."

'Warmed up? Scars? Hakkai was with him when they fell...' Sanzo's mind clicked into realization but he kept silent and nodded his head, 'Sou ka...that explains why Hakkai was worn out. Baka...'

"Houshi-sama, here are some prescribed herbs to boil for his medicine," the physician said as he handed a paper package to the monk, "Give him two medium helpings each day, he should fully recover by then."


He then went back to Goku and carefully propped the boy up so that he was sitting up. Goku groaned and held his head, his eyes dazed.


"Easy, young man," he turned to Sanzo who was then near Goku to help him stand up, "He needs at least three days to rest, make sure that he doesn't do much strenuous activity and he needs lots of fluids and food."

"Ah...wakata, sensei," he frowned slightly, 'He's going to be trouble with the kappa...'

"Anou...Sanzo-sama. Do you need help to carry the patient?" the physician offered, "I can ask one of my apprentices to walk you two back."

"Daijou ka. I'll carry him back myself," Sanzo grunted as he hoisted the boy and the package, "He's my responsibility."

"Ah...sou desu ka," the elderly man smiled, "You must care for your disciple a lot."

'Hymph! You wish...he's only a baka saru...'


After paying for the medication, he exited the ward with Goku and the medicine, giving cold glares at anyone staring at his way, mentally cursing about sick sarus. When he was a safe distance away from the prying eyes of passers-by and the clinic, he heaved a sigh of relief. Looking down upon the vulnerable sickly look on the boy's face, he allowed a trace of tenderness pass into his eyes as he walked back into the inn.



Hakkai had been thinking deeply since Gojyo left the room. His attention focused solely on the brown strip that was his early bandage. Goku was not brainless as the others perceived him. He couldn't imagine that there was so much innocence beneath those golden eyes. He smiled slightly when he now knew why no one could win over Goku's innocent optimism. From the incident back in the cave, he realised that Goku had his own insecurities...and that haunted fear in his eyes. The sight had made the man's heart bleed with pity.


'I guess even a person such as Goku has his own limits...' Hakkai grimaced slightly, gazing at the torn cloth but smiled when Hakuryu rubbed his head against the back of his hand. The smile then looked sad, 'Sumimasen, Goku. I should've watched over you more closely...'

Then he heard the door open, Hakkai looked up to find cold purple eyes of Sanzo, "Oi, Hakkai. You're finally awake."

"Sanzo."


Sanzo closed the door behind him and strolled to the window where he leaned against it.


"Where's Gojyo?" Sanzo asked as he lit a cigarette.

"He went out somewhere. I don't know when he'll be back though."

"The saru's in his room if you want to know," Sanzo took a long drag, "He's been so much trouble."

"Sou desu ka..." Hakkai sighed, "Sumimasen, Sanzo. I should've been more careful-"

"Urusei," Sanzo's sharp tone cut Hakkai's sentence short, "The saru is not weak or helpless. I know that, Gojyo knows that and you know that. You helped him all this while when we separated, did you?"


Hakkai nodded.


"So quit your moping. The doctor said that the baka's condition is not as bad as expected. He's only suffering from a frickin' high fever and fatigue," Sanzo gave a sideway glance to his companion, "If you want to help, you can carry on the nursing for the saru when I'm not in the mood for it. We're staying here for three days and no longer than that."

"Sanzo..."


Sanzo had figured out what happened when they got separated on the mountain. Hakkai felt a weight of guilt lifted off his shoulders as he gave the monk a small grateful smile.


"Hai...arigatou, Sanzo."

"Baka," Sanzo finished his cigarette, stubbed it and tossed it onto the pile of snow outside the window, "I'm going to check on the saru. Don't let me catch you moping over the saru again or else I might consider using the fan on you."

"Hai, Sanzo," Hakkai nodded.

"Good."



Sanzo quietly opened the door to Goku's room, his other hand carrying the small cup of herbal medicine Hakkai had boiled under the doctor's instructions. He sighed and shook his head as he sat on the side of the bed. Stripped of his upper garments, Goku looked small under the blankets. He was lightly perspiring since his fever broke the night before.


"Goku. Goku, wake up."


He watched as the young boy groggily fluttered his eyes open, much in a disoriented state. The boy said nothing when the monk gently helped him sit up.


"Drink it, saru."


Goku nodded but made no move. Seeing that Goku was still slightly drained even after a day of rest, Sanzo sighed with frustration but carefully guided to rim of the cup to the chapped lips. Goku drank it whole, lightly grimacing at the bitter taste. He coughed slightly as the liquid choked his throat. Sanzo repositioned his body slightly so that he could softly thump his back to clear his throat. Sanzo placed the boy back under the sheets when he was done. He didn't leave straight away as he would had. Instead the golden haired monk stayed put and ran his hand over the chocolate locks with an unreadable expression that could only be seen as a tender look by Goku. It was the closest sign of affection he ever showed to the boy when he was not cursing, shooting or slapping his head with the infamous harisen.


"Nanda yo, Goku?" Sanzo noticed that Goku was awake and looking up at him with half lidded eyes.

"Na, Sanzo...you didn't mind when I...helped you back at the mountain?"

"Why ask now, saru?"

"I just want to know."

Sanzo recalled that incident and snorted, "I didn't ask for it."

"Sou ka."

"I'm only doing this because you're sick. Don't think I'm going soft on you. How're you feeling?"

"Daijou ka," Goku shifted his pillowed head nearer so that he could feel the fingers combing his hair, "How long are we staying?"

"We still have two more days. You'd better heal by then or I'll kill you personally."


Goku nodded and succumbed to silence, feeling Sanzo's warmth nearby. After some time, he recalled the memories back at the mountain. Memories that viewed Hakkai when he was being warmed up and when he healed his scars. The sight of Hakkai's calm and peaceful demeanor intrigued the boy and he liked the smile immensely. He noticed that Hakkai wasn't around.


"Sanzo? Where's Hakkai? I haven't seen him yet."

'The saru must want to thank him...' Sanzo leaned back against the headboard, noting the door was not closed. There was a tiny crack open. His eyes narrowed with suspicion before he gazed down at the boy to give his answer, "He's somewhere. But you should sleep. I don't want to hear any more from you for now."

"Demo-"

"Urusei, saru. Sleep."


Sanzo watched the boy nod his head again before sinking into the fluffy pillow and fell asleep instantly. His eyes trailed to the door.


"Oi...I know you're there."


The door opened and Hakkai was standing, a guilty smile played across his lips.


"How long have you been there?"

"A few minutes, Sanzo. How's Goku?"

"Still sick. He was actually asking where you were."

"Sou ka..."

"Hakkai."

"Hai?"

"I'm going out for a while. Keep watch on the saru."


After seeing Sanzo leaving the room, Hakkai traced his gaze to the slumbering patient. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Goku didn't look as sickly like the previous day. He watched Goku who continued to sleep peacefully and smiled when the boy snuggled further into the pillow. Hakkai ran an attentive hand over the boy's hair, marveling its silky and thick texture.


'Goku...'


Hakkai was too absorbed in his thoughts to notice a small smile curved on the boy's lips.



Hakkai stopped at the door of Goku's room, his eyes trailing to the doorknob, then to the bowl of medicine in his other hand.
Tomorrow would be the day they would leave the village. So far, Goku was showing vital signs of improvement. Goku began to eat more and he regained his loud, temperamental self as he spent countless hours arguing with Gojyo as a form of 'entertainment'. Hakkai became the only witness to Sanzo's tender ministrations to the sick boy and Gojyo had to suffer near heart attacks from Sanzo's shooting 'practices' whenever he would tease them. However, the chi manipulator had noticed a slight change between the interaction of Sanzo and Gojyo when they were not cursing, mocking or shooting guns. The atmosphere between them was less hostile and tense, instead it was one filled with new companionship. Despite the changes, Hakkai hadn't made a visit to the boy's room until now.
It was now nighttime when Hakkai decided to be the one to deliver another dose of Goku's medicine. Sanzo and Gojyo were hanging out at a nearby bar. Hakuryu was sleeping on Hakkai's single bed in his room.


'Yare yare desu ne...'


Hakkai carefully opened the door and smiled when he found Goku sleeping as usual. Sitting on the mattress, Hakkai took his time to observe his young companion. Goku was snoring lightly and the moonlight from the starry sky streamed through the window, highlighting his features. He looked quite ethereally beautiful for a young man, he looked so innocent. Hakkai felt himself warm up at the sight. His eyes softened as he reached out and gently patted his head, slowly combing his chocolate coloured locks. He greeted the boy with a small smile when Goku fluttered his eyes open, wondering who or what was softly combing his hair this late at night. He gave a boyish grin when he saw Hakkai and immediately sat up. Days of rest had done wonders for him.


"Hakkai, what're you doing here?"

"I came to give you your medicine, Goku. I see that you're much better."


Hakkai chuckled when Goku made a disgusted face as soon as he drank it. He brushed the back of his hand against his lips as he gave the empty cup back to the older man.


"It's not funny!" Goku pouted, "It tastes horrible!"

"Sumimasen, Goku. But you look funny when you pull a face like that."

"Na, Hakkai."

"Nani, Goku?" Hakkai noticed that Goku looked serious all of a sudden, "Daijoubu desu ka?"

"I didn't have the chance to thank you properly back at the mountain. You haven't been visiting me ever since we got here," Goku said, his golden eyes illuminating in the semi-darkness, "Did I do something wrong?"

"Goku..." Hakkai scooted closer on the edge of the bed and wrapped an arm around the tanned shoulders, "You did nothing wrong. I just didn't want to disturb you when you're sick."

"I know that Sanzo's been nursing me. And I was kind of half wishing that I can see you, yet you didn't come," Goku admitted, "I recalled about us back there. You actually feel quite nice and warm. I thought Sanzo is the only one who protects me from the nightmares. Not only you warmed me up but you also protected me. I know that Sanzo cares for me but you seem not afraid to show that you really care. I like you when you're like that."


Hakkai's eyes were wide open at the boy's confession. After regaining his composure, Hakkai smiled softly at him, making Goku smile too.


"I like your smile, Hakkai," the boy stated, "You should do it more often."

"Arigatou, Goku," Hakkai said as he pulled the boy for a hug.


Hakkai watched the boy snuggle deep in his embrace, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and looking up at him with sleepy but bright golden eyes.


"Sou...Goku. I think you should be sleeping. We're leaving early tomorrow and you know how Sanzo is cranky when we don't leave early."


After tucking the boy under the sheets, Hakkai was ready to leave so that Goku could sleep in peace. He was met with surprise when his wrist was tugged insistently in an iron grip.


"Goku?"

"Stay with me, Hakkai," the boy requested, "Just like the time back in the cave."

Hakkai smiled and nodded, 'I guess I know why Sanzo couldn't say no to him...anyway, I can't disturb Hakuryu.'


Goku shifted to make room as Hakkai slipped under the sheets with him. As soon as he laid down, Goku clung onto him like a puppy seeking warmth from its mother. Hakkai tucked Goku's head under his chin and wrapped his arms around his body. A peaceful silence hung in the air as the two of them listened to each other's heartbeats. He was surprised when he felt a shy peck on his cheek. He looked down to see Goku smiling with a blush covering his cheeks.


"I didn't want to tell you but I felt your kiss too when I was sleeping."


Hakkai didn't expect the boy to feel the kiss back in the cave. But he didn't care less as he pulled the boy close and kissed the top of his head.


"We should catch some sleep now, Goku," Hakkai soothingly said as he rocked his younger companion like a mother would do to her baby.

"Un..." golden eyes fluttered close, "Oyasumi, Hakkai."


Hakkai stayed up to watch the boy sleep. As he gazed at the sleeping cherubic face, he felt the familiar pleasant feeling of peace wash over his entire soul.


'Goku never ceases to amaze me with his innocence and optimism...I hope that he will never lose those traits that mark him as the Goku we know.'


It was as if the stars in the sky heard his prayer as they twinkled more brightly against the darkness. Hakkai caught the sight at the corner of his eye and smiled to himself.


Hakkai was starting to feel sleepy, he gave a genuine smile as he laid back in the pillow, "Oyasumi nasai, Goku..."


Brushing another kiss on Goku's hair, Hakkai sighed and gave into a deep slumber.



Sanzo grunted as he hauled the unconscious Gojyo onto his bed. He raised an eyebrow when Gojyo unconsciously grabbed his elbow, incoherently murmuring his name. The grip was not iron strong but it prevented any sudden movements. As the golden haired monk was restrained, he took the time to gaze at his companion.


'Blood red hair and eyes...' Sanzo took in the sight of the crimson long red locks and the closed eyelids that were covering the crimson coloured eyes, 'That tie him to reality...'


There was something about this half-youkai that perked the monk's interest but he couldn't place it. Sanzo fidgeted when Gojyo moved in his sleep to further cuddle into the warmth the monk was emitting.
Suddenly the idea on checking on Goku and Hakkai seemed presentable as he tried all he could to disentangle Gojyo from him. He succeeded but Gojyo whimpered at the loss of the warmth he was bathed in. And for the first time, Sanzo could mark out the vulnerability that ghosted on the redhead's face. Sanzo sighed and rolled his eyes at the scene he created. He reached for a warm blanket and draped it over the redhead's body. He quietly left the bedroom but not before running his fingers through the silky red locks and stealing long glances as he left the room.


The monk walked down the dark corridor. He stopped to see Hakkai's room door ajar. He peeked inside and raised an eyebrow when he found only Hakuryu on the bed, 'Eh? Where's Hakkai? He's supposed to give the saru's medicine...'


He went to the door that led to Goku's room. Stealthily he opened the door and stepped in to see two figures sleeping in bed. With his arms crossed across his chest, he observed what was before him. Goku was cuddling close to Hakkai who was holding him securely. Both were bathed under the soft lights of the village combined with the starlight and moonlight from the sky.


"Hymph...I should've known...baka."


Sanzo was not the type to like mushy scenes such as the one presented before him. But this one proved to be an exception, he found it strangely...endearing and warm to the sight. A rare smile ghosted over the monk's icy facial features as he bent over slightly to brush his fingers across Goku's hair. Sanzo felt relieved that they didn't sense his presence or see his smile. Yet he felt a tiny twinge of fear and sadness he couldn't explain. But it felt strangely familiar when he was with his Houshi-sama.


'Ch! I suppose I have to thank Hakkai for his baby-sitting service.'


Without another word, Sanzo exited the room and closed the door quietly behind him. Just when he was about to enter his own room, the vision of the slumbering Gojyo crossed his mind. He could vividly still relish the warmth of the redheaded man and the soft texture of the man's crimson hair. His legs moved on their own accord, travelling back to Gojyo's room. The redheaded man hadn't moved or shifted since Sanzo left him. It was as if Gojyo was awaiting his return. Sanzo was caught with surprise when he noticed that Gojyo was wide awake with a strange teasing yet...tender look in his crimson eyes.


Sanzo regained his composure quickly, "I thought you're drunk, kappa."

"I can be a pretty convincing actor, Sanzo," Gojyo said with a slight smirk, "I don't get drunk that easily. The sake here is not strong enough."

"Ch...baka," Sanzo muttered under his breath, "And I thought you needed more warmth when you're sleeping."

"I do, Sanzo," Sanzo noticed a serious glint in the other's eyes before Gojyo flashed a small smile. Not a grin but a smile, "Hakkai and the saru are sleeping together, aren't they? Why not let us do the same?"


Sanzo grunted with some disagreement but the monk stripped off his top layer robes and laid next to the redheaded man who made no hesitation to wrap both arms around him. Sanzo was about to object at the close contact yet it relaxed his tensed muscles and he sank onto Gojyo's chest.


"How did you know about them?" Sanzo asked with piercing amethyst eyes.

"It's obvious that Goku has a lot of admiration for Hakkai," Gojyo chuckled slightly as he recalled his friend's soft look in his emerald green orbs when Goku was with him, "Hakkai will need that spunky kid to keep his hopes alive."


Gojyo thought he felt Sanzo stiffen in his embrace so he hugged the golden haired man tighter to give assurance for he knew how much the monk cared for the young boy although he didn't show and say.


"But that doesn't mean that he's going to leave you. He's still your loyal puppy. I guess it's his instincts to share his affections to another who desperately needs it."

"I know that, kappa. Baka..."


Sanzo listened to his companion's steady heartbeat and his breathing rhythm, his mind half reeling when he felt Gojyo's hands fiddling with his blonde hair. Sanzo unconsciously brought his hand up to gently brush Gojyo's crimson locks. For some strange reason, he felt peaceful when he heard the man's heart beating steadily, knowing that the person was well and alive. Unknown to Sanzo, Gojyo's eyes were filled with new admiration for the man in his arms, thinking with amusement of the quarrels with Goku and Sanzo's bullets he had to dodge for the past few days when he teased Goku and Sanzo. Gojyo himself was beside with surprise when he bent his head to kiss Sanzo on the forehead where the chakra was. Sanzo obviously felt the warm and moist imprint on his forehead as he picked his head from Gojyo's chest, his eyes filled with annoyance and questioning.


"Why did you do that for, Gojyo?"

Gojyo shrugged lazily and pulled the man closer, "I don't know. It just felt right."

"Whatever. Go to sleep, kappa, or perhaps we'd better leave without you tomorrow."


Gojyo fell asleep immediately but Sanzo took the time to stay up a little bit more to watch him. Sanzo felt himself blush as he recalled the gentle kiss on his forehead. It spurted a strange warmth in his soul. He recalled Goku's embraces and affectionate feelings but they were filled with a different warmth: the sort a child would show to his parents. This warmth was unexplainable and carried a different aura yet it felt comforting, just like the time back at the cave. Seeing the peaceful look on Gojyo's face made the monk feel comfortable. Then the monk did the unthinkable, he returned the gesture by kissing the redhead's forehead. Sanzo watched as Gojyo fidgeted but held a small smile on his lips. Sanzo shook his head and laid his head back on his companion's chest. He felt warm again and felt the desirable pang to close his eyes and fall into a deep sleep. As he did, the smile that appeared when he was earlier looking at Goku and Hakkai sleeping came back to adorn his thin lips, making him look beautiful and matching the smile on his companion's lips.

If anyone were to have passed by and looked into the row of the four rooms, they would find first room empty, the second: a tiny white dragon asleep on the bed, the third: a black haired male brunette with a brown haired young boy in his arms, asleep and the final and fourth: a redheaded man with a golden haired monk asleep in each other's arms. And if they were to look closely at the four companions' faces, they wore peaceful looks, a sight that was rare and beautiful, bringing warmth to anyone who had a heart.

And it was all because of a snowy run-in.


**owari**


Author's note: Whee! It's finished! What do ya think? Worth reading? Please send reviews! (smile)