The two men walked back to the small house that they shared in silence. Gojyo tried to peek at the bundle more than once, but never could get a good look at it. Too dark.

When they reached the house, Hakkai shifted the bundle to one arm and opened the door, holding it for his companion to enter. Gojyo plopped the bags near the sink and made his way to the table as his friend carefully unwrapped the bundle. All he could to was stare at the small creature lying, bleeding in the jacket.

"...Hakkai?"

"Yes?"

"That's a dragon."

"Yes, it is."

"There's a dragon on my table."

"Yes. Yes, there is."

"There's a dragon bleeding on my table."

"Hmm, it appears that way, doesn't it?"

"Why is there a dragon bleeding on my table?"

Hakkai began rummaging around the main room, looking for rags and bandages as he explained, "I heard something crying out in pain, so I went to investigate. I came across a pair of dragons, attacking something. I'm guessing this little fellow was the runt in his family and the elder two were trying to be rid of him."

"So," the kappa interrupted, "why didn't you just let nature take its course and leave 'em alone?"

"Because," Hakkai bent over the tiny dragon, cleaning his wounds, "he looked at me with the most heartbreaking expression. He wasn't ready to die."

Gojyo sat down and watched his friend tending to the dragon. There seemed to be many things wrong with keeping a dragon around. Mainly the fact that dragons tended to get big. Fast. He voiced his concerns to the youkai.

"Yes, I know," Hakkai sighed, "I'll let him go once he recovers." He tied the last bandage and scratched between the creature's horns. He chirped happily, enjoying the attention.

"You outta get your own wounds taken care of," Gojyo said, "C'mere."

"It's just a scratch. It's not even that deep. I'll be fine," Hakkai replied, touching his cheek.

"No, I think I need to look at it. And this is the last time I'm gonna be nice and ask." The kappa grinned and patted his leg. Smiling back, Hakkai perched himself on Gojyo's lap, looking forward. Gojyo eyed the wound. It wasn't deep and looked as though it had stopped bleeding some time ago.

"You're lucky they didn't take your face off," he chided as he cleaned the wound, "Dragons can be vicious little bastards."

The little white dragon's ears twitched.

"Since when did you become so motherly?" the green-eyed young man teased.

"Beats me. Think I got it from you."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You know..." Gojyo grinned, leaning forward, "this means I get to do the mommy thing and kiss your boo-boo and make it all better."

"I cannot believe you actually just said that," Hakkai laughed as the other lightly pressed his lips over the scratch.

"...yeah, not one of my better pick-up lines, was it?"

"You mean you have good ones?"

"Hey, now, I've got one or two great ones!" Gojyo pouted.

"Have they actually worked?"

"...you talk too much..." the kappa muttered, moving his lips to Hakkai's neck. The youkai chuckled.

"Do you think so?"

Gojyo didn't bother to reply. Instead, he growled playfully and lightly bit down on his partner's neck. Hakkai gasped... and nearly fell off of the kappa's lap when Gojyo suddenly screamed.

"Gojyo? What-...?"

"It bit me!"

"..."

"That little shit BIT me!" Gojyo pointed accusingly at the little dragon on the table, who was up on his hind legs, stretching his wings wide and snapping his teeth. Gojyo rubbed at his arm, swearing when he noticed the blood. He swore once again when he heard his friend laughing.

"That was NOT funny!" Gojyo hissed, sticking out his bottom lip. The dragon hopped into Hakkai's lap, screeching furiously.

"He probably thought you were trying to hurt me," he chuckled, scratching between the dragon's horns. The tiny creature purred and relaxed, curling up contentedly.

"Yeah, real cute..."

Hakkai leaned against the half-breed's chest, still petting the dragon.

"You sound jealous."

"Me? Jealous?" Gojyo did his best to look innocent.

"Yes, you," Hakkai replied, with a yawn.

"Alright, since I'm still playing mommy," the kappa raised his voice to a falsetto tone and waved a finger, "put that thing down and get to bed, young man!"

Hakkai grinned and stood, cradling the dragon in his arms.

"I'm not going to leave him out here all by himself. He'll stay in my room."

"You never let ME stay in your room..." Gojyo whined, pouting.

"You never asked."

"Well, then, ca-..."

"Not tonight."

"...damn."

A/N: Couple things...

1. Wow! Much thanks for all the positive feedback. Wasn't expecting it, but it was greatly appreciated!

2. I wasn't sure if there was a story in canon that told how Hakkai came to be Hakuryuu's owner (and, yes, I did research and came up blank.). So, if there is one, I'd love to hear it. (And also, if there is, consider this mild AU/"what if?")

3. Sorry my chapters are so short. I'm still trying to find that balance, y'know? And, hopefully, Sanzo and Goku will show up in the next one.

4. Gonna be setting this one on the backburner for a little while. Working on a new story.