A/N: hey, I'm back! Finally had a little time and inspiration… You know, I should probably be writing this while I'm drunk…that might make it more real. I feel like they both seem too sober for what I've got in mind… *shrug* Anywho. Thanks to all who reviewed!

Disclaimer: Oi. Hate doing this, but I don't own these guys. Wish I did. Don't sue me. I don't make money on this either. It's not good enough for that.

Hakkai blinked, hoping to clear up more of his vision, but to no avail.

Those red eyes blinked, and the voice belonging to them floated through the haze clouding Hakkai's mind.

"Hey…you alright?" The hanyou's voice was filled with concern.

Hakkai blinked a few more times. "I…I'm not sure…" he whispered, leaning his head onto his friend's chest. "Everything's so fuzzy…"

"Yeah, it gets like that. You sure you're not gonna get sick?"

"I…don't think I will…"

"Hey, 'Kai. Don't strain yourself. Don't think too hard. It'll make things worse," the kappa said gently, rubbing his hand in circles on Hakkai's back. "After you've sobered up a bit, I gotta get you doing something, so you won't think too hard about it."

"Something? Like…what?"

"Whatever you want, 'Kai."

"Ever heard of Egyptian Rat Screw?"

Gojyo's eyes went wide. "Egyptian…WHAT?!?!?!?"

"It's a card game," Hakkai replied simply.

Gojyo blinked. And blinked. And blinked. "Egyptian Rat Screw. No, Never heard of it."

"I'll teach you."

"If you can remember it, that is."

"Remember what?" Hakkai blinked, looking up at the hanyou.

Gojyo sweatdropped. "How to play."

"Play what?"

The sweatdrop grew. Gojyo wondered if he had really forgotten the conversation. "Egyptian Rat Screw…the card game?"

Hakkai blinked, a vacant look in his eyes.

Oh yeah. He forgot. This was bad. No wonder Hakkai never really pushed himself to get drunk. He gets stupid, too. But…he seemed fine a few minutes ago. Well, he seemed to be thinking fine, at least. Now he couldn't even do that right. Gojyo made a mental note to himself: Never do this again. But at least this time, it should be amusing.

"You…Don't remember…"

Hakkai smiled. "Of course I remember how to play it. Do you really think I'd forget something that quickly?"

Gojyo blinked. He was faking it?! "Oi, 'Kai…"

"Hm?"

"You faker."

Hakkai smiled a lopsided smile. It seems that's all he's capable of in his current state. "Gotcha."

Gojyo glared teasingly. "Why you-" He pushed Hakkai lightly, still wary of the youkai's stability.

Hakkai laughed. "Don't push me," he smiled as he pushed back.

Gojyo raised his eyebrows, surprised. "Feeling better are we?"

"Yes I am, Go-jyo," Hakkai replied, emphasizing the kappa's name.

"Oi, rub it in whydoncha," Gojyo pouted.

Hakkai laughed, a real, genuine laugh.

Gojyo smiled, and found himself thinking Hakkai should laugh more. Laugh, and mean it. Then, he wondered if Hakkai was ticklish. His smile turned mischievous.

Hakkai stopped laughing. "What are you thinking, Gojyo?"

Gojyo's smile widened as he reached toward Hakkai. He grabbed the youkai's waist and pulled him closer, causing Hakkai to gasp. "Who said I'm thinking?" he whispered, as he started to tickle his friend's sides. "I'm drunk, remember?"

"Not that drunk," Hakkai corrected with another gasp. He pursed his lips, trying not to laugh.

But Gojyo could see the laugh in Hakkai's green eyes. He kept tickling, willing himself to break down that wall Hakkai was trying to keep.

Without warning, Gojyo succeeded. Hakkai's eyes squinted shut as he exploded into a fit of laughter. Gojyo grinned. Hakkai squirmed, attempting to free himself of the kappa's torture.

"Go-Gojyo, stop it!" Hakkai laughed, leaning away from the redhead. His own imbalance, however, caused him to fall backward, lying on the bed.

Gojyo's grip had been firm enough, oddly, to pull him down as well, landing in a somewhat…awkward…position, on top of the green eyed youkai. Gojyo grinned. This had potential… He leaned forward a bit, bringing his face closer to that of his friend.

Hakkai groaned. "Gojyo, I don't…feel so good…"

Gojyo rolled his eyes. His tickling had probably caused Hakkai to move more than his drunken body should have. Should have known. "Nauseous?"

"Yes."

"Then just lay still," Gojyo instructed. "I'm sorry, Hakkai. I shouldn't have tickled you."

Hakkai lay his left arm over his eyes, willing the nausea to leave. "Why do you say that?"

"I ended up making you move more than you should have."

"But you're drunk, Gojyo. I'm learning people tend not to think like they should when they're drunk…"

"Yeah, but I'm not that drunk, as you pointed out."

Hakkai reached his right hand toward where he knew his friend to be and touched his arm lightly. "You didn't mean to. I'm not mad."

"I know you're not, but I am. At myself."

"Don't be."

"…"

"Hakkai, are you okay?" Goku's voice sounded loudly through the silence.

"I'm drunk, Goku," Hakkai said, removing his arm from his eyes and sitting up slowly, though keeping his right hand on Gojyo's arm. "I'm really drunk."

"You don't seem it…"

"I'm the only one that ever does, saru," Gojyo muttered. "Even Sanzo pretty damn well stays his normal grouchy self."

Goku grinned. "You sure?"

"Yeah… You remember that time we entered the drinking contest? Except for the fact that he passed out, he was like he always is."

"He's not like that now…"

"Oh?" Hakkai asked curiously.

Goku's face reddened. "I just wanted to make sure you're gonna be okay…I've gotta go…take care…of Sanzo now…" Goku told him quickly before leaving as suddenly as he'd come.

Gojyo raised an eyebrow. "Was he inferring what I think he was inferring?"

"Either that, or your mind is even more dirty when you're drunk," Hakkai laughed lightly.

"I could have told you that much," Gojyo said with a grin.

Hakkai smiled.

Gojyo got up and headed for his neglected open beer. "I'm way too sober for this. I'm at least gonna be drunk with you."

"Get me one, would you?" Hakkai asked.

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Whatever man. You're nuts."

"I could have told you that much," Hakkai retorted with a smile. "And get the cards. I need to teach you how to play the game."

"Egyptian Rat Screw, huh? Where the hell'd they get a name like that?"

"You've got me."