Title: Predilection
Authoress: Hikaru R. Kudou
Ratings: PG – simply because it involves shounen ai
Chapter: 2/?
Genre: Shounen ai / Mild yaoi, General – a spoonful of romance, a dash of humour and a sprinkle of angst
Pairings: Sanzo/Goku, Gojyo/Hakkai, and one-sided Homura/Goku (as always)
Warnings: Minor OOC-ness (in my humble opinion), clichéd plot, the authoress' poor command of English, grammatical errors, late update, etc
Summary: Struggling with their inner conflicts and fears, Sanzo and Goku reflect and explore one of life's most complex and important questions…the definition of love (…cheesy summary, I know…)
DISCLAIMER: For the obvious fact that the name Hikaru R. Kudou is nowhere stated in the opening or the ending credits, it is naturally implied thus that she holds no ownership on Saiyuki whatsoever.

Authoress' Notes: Depression strikes again, and my author's block is worse than ever. Forgive me! *bows down*

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            Zenon gave a yawn, finally surrendering to the strong urge to announce his overflowing boredom, resulting in Shien looking at his partner in reproach.

            "Hey, don't look at me like that," protested Zenon. "It scares me."

            "You're not very polite."

            "Not polite? Me? Don't you think you should be telling that to a certain war god? Making others wait for—" Zenon glanced out of the window, "—ages is more impolite than—"

            Precisely at that second the door was thrown open, giving way for Homura to march into the room in his trademark stride, his cape flowing majestically behind him, accompanying his every step. Finally coming to his throne, he tossed his cape and proceeded to sit down.

            "I trust you did not wait long," declared he, resting his head on his hand as he gazed at his subordinates.

            "Long?" repeated Zenon bitterly. "No, of course not. Only five &%^$&^@ hours. Nope, not long at all."

            Homura waved the jagged sarcasm aside placidly. "I've a revolutionary idea, after hours of meditating and today's edition of The Heavenly Gazette."

            Shien produced his own copy. "What about it?"

            "Turn to page 4."

            "Kanzeon Bosatsu emerge champion in Tenkai's annual beauty contest?"

            "No, not that one."

            "Slippery accident; Ritouden sues his bar of soap?" offered Zenon, sniggering.

            "No. The right-hand side…"

            "A new god announced?" both Zenon and Shien read aloud.

            Homura's amused lips crept into a sly smile. "Let me introduce you to him." Homura beckoned his guest, who was standing outside, to make his entrance.

            The fourth god complied. Zenon and Shien could not help but to stare at him wordlessly.

            "Meet Shihou Narusu—the God of Misdirection."

-+-+-+-

            Sanzo flung his cigarette end out of the window. Grumbling to himself, he then got rid of his empty cigarette box, employing the same brusque method.

            Hakkai sat up on his bed, stretching his arms. "Oh, good morning, Sanzo. You're up early. Did you have a good night's rest?"

            It took awhile for Hakkai to notice Sanzo's eye bags. The latter got up from his chair and left the room, not without grunting, complaining about some things Hakkai's ears could not catch.

            "Wonder what's wrong…ah, well…"

-+-+-+

            Sanzo paused in front of Goku's door. In two minds, he was debating with himself whether should he open (read: shoot) the door and act as cool as possible, or just leave the scene unnoticed. He was still trying to decide, when all of a sudden he heard Gojyo yelling "****!!"

            Instinctively the blond kicked the mahogany open viciously. Inside, Gojyo, only clad in his pants, stared at his unwelcome guest, dumbfounded.

            "Geez, Sanzo, don't you know how to knock?" scoffed the half-youkai.

            "What the **** was that **** all about?" Sanzo ignored Gojyo's remark.

            "Oh, the ****? I didn't think you'd be interested, but since you asked, I'll be glad to tell you. I had a dream last night. It was so real that I thought Hakkai was indeed with me. But when I found out that it was only a—"

            Not paying much heed to Gojyo's ramblings, Sanzo's watchful eyes scanned the room for any sign of Goku.

            "—so disappointing, you know? Hey, monk, are you listening or not?"

            "Where is that saru?" Hiding his anxiety was no easy task, but Sanzo pulled it off all the same.

            "Ano saru? Eh…I didn't notice he's not here…Maybe he's already waiting for us in the restaurant downstairs. You know how food-oriented his brain is—that is, if he has one."

            No longer interested in spending any time with Gojyo, Sanzo straightened his robe and made his way to the door.

            "Oi, monk…"

            'If he asks me why am I worrying myself because of that saru…he'll find his head ten hundred light years away from his body…'

            "Is Hakkai up yet?"

            '…what do you know…this cockroach has longevity after all…' "None of my business." Sanzo walked away out of the door, to the staircase.

-+-+-+-

            "God of Misdirection, ka…" Zenon nodded in acknowledgement. "Fascinating, uh, job description."

            The god who stood before them was truly a sight to behold. His rich, neatly combed auburn tresses complimented his waxen complexion unerringly. His white vest hung over his broad yet lean shoulders like curtains, draped over his azure sleeveless top, hiding his slightly visible muscles. A necklace adorned his neck, the locket in the shape of a mini-compass. He also wore a ring and an earring on his left ear, each bearing the crest of an arrow—probably his emblem.

            "Ah, you think so?" he spoke, his voice euphonious. "I do think I'm the perfect god for that position."

            "Is that so, Homura?" Shien asked incredulously.

            Frowning, Homura replied, "You have no idea how gruelling it was for me to find him…I spent the whole night looking for him in Tenkai…"

            Zenon sweat-dropped. "Sou…five hours…"

            "More, actually."

            "So, um, how did you end up getting involved with our war god?" Zenon asked Shihou conversationally.

            "The upper management of Tenkai arranged that Homura-sama is to take me under his wings—err, cape." Shihou fixed his bright eyes on Homura. "He's so kind to me."

            "He scares me," whispered Zenon to Shien, "more than your look does. The worst part is, I don't know why."

            "Should I get jealous, then?" replied Shien dryly.

            "Homura-sama, where will I be staying?" Shihou asked the heretic god.

            "The sixth room in the right wing," replied he. "You can't miss it."

            "I thank you." Shihou bowed courteously and departed, setting off for his room.

            "So you're his mentor now?" asked Shien.

            "If you're going to put it that way, yes." Homura massaged his temples. "At least, that's what the article referred to me as. Zenon, I need an aspirin, Wait, scratch that. Bring me aspirins, plural."

            Zenon brought him the transparent phial and a glass of water. He eyed Homura as the latter emptied the last two white pills. "I thought I just bought those yesterday."

            "Hey, hey, do you know how much I miss Son Goku every day and night? And I could've sworn I found five white hairs last night."

            "You'll disappoint your fangirls!" exclaimed Zenon in mock horror.

            "Homura…as much as I'd love to hear about you and your phobia of white hairs, I prefer to learn more about Shihou," interrupted Shien.

            "Oh, Shihou." Homura, having gulped two pills at one go, leaned back with a weary sigh. "It's what I get for being a heretic."

            "Is he—"

            "Hell, yes. Why else do you think they conferred a crappy rank to him? And you know what they say about heretics flocking together."

            Zenon disagreed to that, silently maintaining that he was not, and would never be a heretic. He pointed out, "But he has hazel eyes."

            "Ah, that's something remarkable about him." Homura leaned forward, lowering his voice. "They change colour at times—to gold."

            Zenon sucked his breath hastily that he coughed several times. "I—I see."

            "Excuse me…"

            The fourth voice, coming from behind Homura's seat, made the trio turn to look.

            "Pardon me, Homura-sama," said Shihou, embarrassed. "But I cannot seem to find my room…"

-+-+-+-

            "I'm sorry, but we're not ready for business yet," said a restaurant waiter. "We'll be opening in one hour's time. If sir would be so kind to wait—"

            Sanzo, without another word, turned away intolerantly and ascended the staircase, wondering where Goku could be. In normal cases, the monkey would still be snoring away in slumber land, waiting for Sanzo's harisen (or gunshots) to bring him back. Something was horribly amiss.

            Sanzo refused to accept the proposal. Too preposterous, too irrational to be true. Why would Goku—Goku, of all people—leave his side?

            'Great, just great.' He clutched his forehead with one hand, the other holding the rail for support when in a trice his vision was blurred; his head felt like it was weighing a thousand tonnes. 'One sleepless night and my brain is already half dead.'

            "Goku…damn it…"

            "Ah?"

            Sanzo's eyelids flew open, the fog slowly disappearing. Raising his head to look at the source of the sound, he came eye-to-eye contact with a bewildered Goku.

            "Sanzo, good morning!" Goku delivered his typical cheerful greetings to his master. "Is the restaurant open yet?"

            Instead of succumbing to his joy in finding Goku by running up the stairs, Sanzo settle for slow, long strides. In a flash he took his harisen out, and let it fall upon Goku's head, ala Genjo Sanzo.

            "Aiiee! What did I do?" Goku grimaced.

            "Ahou ga! Where did you go, you mindless monkey?"

            "I wanted to take a bath, but there was something wrong with the water tap in my bathroom. So the generous innkeeper allowed me to use another one."

            "Idiot!"

            "It hurts! Sanzo! At least I'm still here!"

            "Don't change the topic! Don't do it again!"

            "Sanzo, I said I'm sorry! You don't have to—gyaahhh!!!"

-+-+-+-

            They continued their trip shortly after having breakfast. Hakkai revved Hakuryu up, and after making sure his companions were seated nicely and comfortably, drove away.

            "I need my cigarettes," said Sanzo curtly.

            "We'll stop by a store, then," Hakkai suggested. "If I'm not mistaken, Gojyo needs his as well."

            Sanzo glared sideways at the driver beside him. He was starting to get vexed to notice that in every sentence of Hakkai's, there would be some sort of reference to the half-youkai.

            "Ne, Hakkai, here's a bun stall next to the store," said Goku. "Is it all right if—"

            "—I buy some for you?" finished Hakkai. "By all means, if Sanzo finds it acceptable. But promise me you won't argue with Gojyo?"

            The blond monk's eyebrows quivered at his newly found and proven discovery.

            "I won't if Gojyo won't steal."

            "Excuse me? The last time I checked, whenever Hakkai bought them, they were meant for all of us. I wasn't stealing!" maintained Gojyo.

            "You ate my portion! That's stealing!"

            "Another sound from either of you, both of you idiots will be too deep underground that you'll be munching on dirt, sand and rocks!" Sanzo threatened crossly.

            "Maa maa, Sanzo, we're here." Hakkai, parking Hakuryu on a vacant spot, took the golden credit card from Sanzo. "I won't be long."

            "Matte, I'm coming with you!" Gojyo hopped off the jeep. "I don't want to get fleas."

            "Hey! I don't have any!" objected Goku hotly.

            "Yes, you do. You've been scratching yourself ever since this morning."

            "NO!!"

            "You can't fool me, saru. Come on, Hakkai." Gojyo, sliding an arm in Hakkai's, pulled him into the shop.

            "Sanzo, tell me you don't believe him!" Goku said, defending his claims. "I don't have fleas!"

            "Don't drag me into this, saru."

            "But I'm not lying! I was having bad muscle cramps! That's why I've been flinching—"

            "That's what you get for spending a night on the floor. Blame yourself for it."

            "I was asleep! I didn't notice I had fallen off the bed—eh? How'd you know I slept on the floor last night?"

            '&^%$…me and my big, &^%$(*@ mouth…'

            "Did you come into my room last night?" Goku was as puzzled and even more confused than ever. Furthermore, he was curious.

            The question earned him yet another swipe from a secretive Sanzo. Predictable, isn't he?

            "Baka! What would I be doing in your room!?"

            "How am I to know?"

            "Hello, and good day to you folks." The interruption seized Goku's undivided attention. "Would you like to buy my buns?"

            "Hello, bun vendor-san!" Goku greeted the man genially. "Your buns smell great!" He sniffed, and sighed dreamily.

            Sanzo was, in reality, thankful for the timely interruption. He dared not imagine what would have happened if Goku had kept on…

            "Hey, I remember you! You're the one who was asking me about that subject yesterday, aren't you?" said the old man, recalling. "Did I help?"

            Goku paused. The man had one awesome memory—Goku himself had forgotten about the question. He could try to be honest to him, but to expose the whole story—that he was searching for the real meaning of love—in Sanzo's presence could be fatal. Sanzo would go berserk if he finds out that Goku has been asking around—especially to strangers.

            'Sanzo!!'

            "Is there something I should know?" Sanzo glared sharply in Goku's direction.

            Feigning laughter, "No, it's nothing! Nothing special, Sanzo!"

            "Nothing special?" echoed the vendor. "How could you say that? It's the force that spins the globe!"

            Words failed Sanzo as he stared at him, half-quizzical and half-irritated. "What have you been telling him!?" Sanzo let out a menacing whisper.

            Goku gritted his teeth in fear. 'Sanzo must not know…Sanzo must not know…Sanzo must not…'

            The vendor goggled at the monk. "About lo—"

            'Oh, no!! Sanzo will know!' "Buns! Pork buns, beef buns, chicken buns and duck buns!" Goku blurted out whatever crossed his mind at that moment.

            "…duck buns?" repeated Sanzo coldly, disbelieving.

            "Wrong!" corrected the vendor. "Was that all you managed to catch after our talk yesterday? No, I was solely using my buns to portray lov—"

            "But I love your buns!" added Goku quickly.

            "Precisely what I mean. I'll just go over everything I taught you yester—"

            "Ne, Sanzo! Can you buy his buns for me? I'm hungry!" 'Distraction should work…please work…'

            "Idiot! The card's with Hakkai!" Sanzo reminded him coldly.

            "Ah…if so, can he pack the buns first? Hakkai can pay later."

            The bun vendor, shortsighted as he was, could see through Goku's rash but evident attempts as if he was looking through glass. "Is he the one?" he asked Goku.

            "Huh?" Goku froze on the spot.

            "What are you babbling about now?" Sanzo growled. He had half a mind to summon upon his Smith & Wesson to, err, assist the old man to explain more coherently, but the result would be disastrous if the poor old man faints in total shock.

            Not that he really cared, mind you. He just did not want his only witness to die because he needed his confession badly.

            "It's him, isn't it?"

            "Ah…I don't know what you mean…" Goku stammered. This was not entirely false. Part of him understood what the vendor was implying. And the other part was—well, clueless. It would be more accurate to say that Goku was stumped. 'I'm so going to get it from Sanzo…'

            Sanzo, now shifting his concentration back to Goku, folded his arms. "Have you been badmouthing about me to people?"

            Devastated, Goku denied it hastily. "Sanzo! I would never do such a thing! You're my sun—I wouldn't dream—"

            As Goku spoke, Sanzo's eyebrows furrowed with mixed feelings. The vendor, on the other hand, inferred that his assumption was verified.

            "What's the commotion all about?" asked Gojyo, who just appeared with Hakkai, with a brown bag in his arms.

            "My, my, Goku…what have we missed?" asked Hakkai good-humouredly, handling the credit card back to its rightful bearer.

            "Stop all this nonsense!" insisted Sanzo, irritated. He flashed the shining card in front of the vendor. "Give me all your damned buns."

            Even though he was dying to know what the deal was with Goku and the old man, nonetheless it must wait. Not in Gojyo's presence—he would make fun of Sanzo, overdoing it, that Sanzo would be forced to silence him using his trademark technique. Once Gojyo is out of the picture, who knows what Hakkai would resort to.

            Sanzo still needed a driver, at least until this godforsaken journey is over. Then Gojyo can have Hakkai all he wants – that is, if he managed to stay alive long enough.

-+-+-+-

            "Was he like this before he's appointed God of Misdirection?" Zenon put forward. Shien had accompanied the (poor) young god to his room.

            "I don't know about that." Homura shrugged. "All I know is he left on a journey a few thousand years ago to the Academy for Future Gods. I suppose the post is meant for him after all. Whatever it may be, he said he'd been trying to find his way back to Tenkai in the last—four hundred years."

            "And you were announced as his—caretaker?"

            "I resent that. I'm his mentor – mentor, get it?"

            "You're to teach him a thing or two about what being a god is all about?"

            "I'm confounded myself as to why I am chosen for this task. I'm starting to suspect that they are aware of our plan to create a new world. Perhaps they're trying to buy some time to counter my plan by keeping me busy."

            "Hmm…"

            "But look on the bright side…" Homura stood up, slightly groggily.

            "There's one?" 'Wow, since when did Homura become so optimistic…'

            "Of course there is. We can use him to get Konzen and his party lost in their expedition. Except Son Goku, that is. The only place for him is next to me..."

            "You're right!" Zenon snapped his fingers. "Why didn't I think of that?"

            "Because the only thing you should be thinking of right now is to buy me some more aspirins."

~to be continued~

More Authoress' Notes: A little background information about the OC, Shihou Narusu. The so-called inspiration for his character came when I saw this other anime character with an awful sense of direction. Realizing that Sanzo-ikkou have never actually faced such an adversary before, I decided to give it a go. Shihou means 'direction', and Narusu means 'to lose something'. So I just added the two together, regardless of its grammatical accuracy.
            Oh, and thank you so much for the generous reviews! I'm so sorry for not able to update regularly – with schoolwork piling on my table, both my muse and I down with depression at once…I wonder why this fic doesn't seem to have much angst, though…
            Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for the next chapter, onegai shimasu! *bows*