"Two days, Goku," Gojyo said conspiratorially as he yanked the younger boy behind. He watched Sanzo and Hakkai walked into the inn, before he continued. "Do you know what does that mean?"
"Hey, quit with the yanking!" Goku said, mostly out of habit. "What does that mean, anyway?"
"Silly. We've got two days off from this bloody journey and we can work out something to solve your little problem," Gojyo said, rolling his eyes as if it was the most obvious answer.
"Problem?" Goku asked in small voice, half-afraid with Gojyo's answer.
"You know, the little problem you told me a few nights ago, about the monk." Gojyo's voice dropped down into a mere whisper.
Goku groaned. Somehow, he knew Gojyo wouldn't let something like this alone. Despite Gojyo's coarse talks, he was really a romantic person. But… but this was Sanzo! Not some wide-eye, eager girls that Gojyo used to encounter before. "Gojyo, whatever that is you're planning, forget it."
The half-breed widened his eyes, feigning innocence. "What? Must I always be scheming?"
One look from Goku answered Gojyo's question. "Okay, maybe sometimes, but we must do something if you like him, don't we, Goku. I mean if you want to catch his attention, then, we must give something worth for his attention."
"I know that!" Goku pouted when he recalled Sanzo's continuous ignorance. It was really frustrating! "It's not like I'm that unattractive! …I am not, am I?" Goku looked up at Gojyo.
"Hell yeah!" Gojyo declared, amused at the boy's insecurity. "Anyone can see that. Only Sanzo is that blind."
"Then, what am I lacking?" Goku frowned in frustration. "Tell me, Gojyo, what should I do to make him sees me other than an obligation and a kid? I'm eighteen for heaven sake!"
Gojyo's eyes softened a little at Goku's question. Somehow, he saw his younger version in Goku's words. What should I do to make her loves me, Jien? Perhaps, that was the reason why he felt so responsible in helping Goku to win Sanzo's affection. He never wanted to see anyone to suffer like he did. "That's why I'm planning something. Sanzo will not be able to resist you after this."
The golden orbs shone like priceless jewels at Gojyo's statement. "Really? I mean, Sanzo seems more uptight than usual these days. I don't want him to be angry."
Gojyo grinned. He noticed that the high and might Sanzo was uptight and he knew why. The righteous monk was in denial. The half-breed caught a few moments when Sanzo looked at Goku indecisively. Hakkai noticed that too. Only the ever-oblivious Goku missed that. "I'm positive. Don't worry."
Goku was hesitated, but only a while. He was not going to wait anymore; he had waited long enough. "Okay, what are we going to do, then?"
"Great!" Gojyo delighted. He was helping the monkey to gain Sanzo's attention, but he would be lying to himself if that were his only purpose. Sure, if the plan worked out, Goku probably got more than just attention. But he wanted something too. What Goku didn't know was while the monkey was carving for Sanzo, he, in the other hand, wanted Hakkai. For so long that it bordered to obsession. And he had nothing to lose; except for their friendship … which was the part he didn't want to dwell to deep. He was not Gojyo if he wasn't impulsive.
"Here is what we're going to do…" Gojyo leaned forward until his mouth touch Goku's ear to whispered his plan. Goku staggered backward a little at Gojyo's weight, so he reached out both of his hands to grasp Gojyo's shoulders for support.
Anyone, who passed by would think that both of them were necking… passionately. Unfortunately, that 'anyone' just had to be Sanzo and Hakkai, who had just finished checking in and came out to get their stuff. And their expression was… priceless as Sanzo's eyes widened in disbelief and Hakkai's hand flew to his gaping mouth, stifling an inevitable gasp.
Goku's back was facing the gawking Sanzo and Hakkai and since Gojyo leaned down to whisper his plan to Goku, the half-breed didn't see them either. In other word, they didn't know they had an audience. A shock and angry one.
"Stop!" Goku pushed Gojyo away as his face went red at Gojyo's bold suggestion. "I…I can't do… it… Not in public! " The 'it' word came out in whisper.
Sanzo gritted his teeth silently and Hakkai's eyes narrowed in anger. Goku's words were confirming what they had just witnessed just now.
Gojyo curved up a grin, still hadn't noticed the two seething people. "Why not… it's not like I ask us to have sex in the middle of the dance floor…"
Sanzo's hands clenched in dangerous fists and Hakkai bit his lips.
Goku blushed so much that his face nearly resembled a tomato. "But… but it's worst than…" He stammered.
Gojyo took a pity on Goku's embarrassment, so he grabbed both of Goku's shoulders. "Look at me, Goku…" His voice suddenly turned soft and understanding. Goku bit his lips and looked up. "Trust me…"
Goku took a deep breath as he thought of what Gojyo had suggested. Okay, maybe he had exaggerated a little when he said what Gojyo was suggesting was worse than having sex in the middle of the floor. And what he had to lose? If anything, Sanzo would not say anything at all… "Okay… It's worth the try…" Goku smiled.
"Now we're talking…" Gojyo stopped abruptly and his whole body tensed when he saw Hakkai and Sanzo stood like hungry predators. Or should he say angry predator instead? Damn it, he hoped Sanzo and Hakkai didn't know anything of what they were about to do. Quickly, he regained his composure and grinned. "Hey guys. You finish checking in?"
"Yes, we have," Hakkai curved what he hoped as a smile awkwardly. Why was he angry when he saw them practically necking each other? It was not like he had any right to begin with. …Maybe he was angry because Gojyo didn't tell him that he was having a relationship with Goku… Yes, that was it… Nothing more.
Sanzo frowned as confusion slowly took over rage. He had never felt anger this fast and this hot before. What was wrong with him? …Of course! He was angry with Gojyo for corrupting Goku… "Four rooms. I'm going upstairs. Call me when it's dinner time." With that, Sanzo walked forward to retrieve his backpack from Jeep and marched stiffly back into the inn.
Goku looked after Sanzo. "Is something bothering Sanzo, Hakkai? He doesn't look good."
It is bothering me as well… Hakkai thought as he eyed the still grinning half-breed, looking as oblivious as ever. "You know Sanzo, Goku. There will always be something that's bothering him," Hakkai tried to smile but faltered slightly. Honestly, if you suddenly saw your best friend necking your student, you would be flabbergasted as well!
Gojyo studied the older brunette in front of him thoughtfully. Perhaps Hakkai really didn't know what he and Goku were planning just now. Relief, Gojyo sauntered casually to Hakkai and draped his arm around the latter. "Yeah, you said it, Hakkai."
After witnessing the 'incident' just now, Hakkai couldn't really blame himself for having his heartbeat skipped a beat when he felt Gojyo's warmth spread across his shoulders. Not when he just realized his best friend, the most famous skirt-chaser, swung that way too. "You should carry your stuff to your own room, Gojyo. And you too Goku."
Goku watched Hakkai put down their bags on the ground and Hakuryuu transformed back into his usual white dragon form. "You go ahead, Hakkai. I want to talk Gojyo for awhile."
Hakkai couldn't help but feeling a little irritated. Talk? Hah! Do they think I'm blind? But outside, Hakkai smiled again and walked back into the inn.
Gojyo waited until Hakkai's slender form vanished behind the inn door. "So, talk, saru."
Goku's face went red once again as he fumbled with his fingers. "Um… before we… we do that…, aren't we going to practice first?"
Gojyo blinked. "Practice? You mean you didn't know…"
"Hey!" Goku protested indignantly, wishing hard he would stop blushing. "I lived with Sanzo in a temple. Excuse me for not knowing those things!"
"Well, I never learn either! It's not something that people teach others formally," Gojyo chuckled. "But fine… if we're going to do it to impress the stoic monk, I guess we have to practice first, right?"
"We're only going to stay here for two days. Do you think we have enough time?" Goku scratched his head nervously.
"Hey, you're looking at a professional. Don't worry, in a day, we're going to look good and do good!"
Hakkai arrived at the inn's restaurant and was greatly surprised when he saw only Sanzo occupied the rounded table. As he slid in, Hakkai asked, "Where are Goku and Gojyo?"
Sanzo folded his arms, trying to surpass his irritation. "Damn if I know! Ever since that, that bloody incident earlier this evening, that saru is acting real strange!"
Hakkai bit his lips uncertainly. "Sanzo, do you think they…"
"I don't want to know!" Sanzo bit out harshly. He didn't know why, but the thought that Goku preferred the horny kappa made him angry as hell. "But if I found out that Gojyo is doing fucking anything to Goku, I'll shoot the damn kappa before he could say anything!"
Hakkai raised his eyebrows. For the last few days, he had noticed the way Sanzo looked at Goku. Those looks that Sanzo gave weren't the looks the guardian usually gave to his keeper. More like a man hesitated about his feelings to another. Hakkai knew Gojyo noticed that too. And now suddenly, Gojyo was having a relationship with Goku? Something was slightly off. Or he hoped it did…
"I… I trust Gojyo," Hakkai said defensively. But did he? The earlier incident looked so convincing that Hakkai knew he couldn't mistaken it with any other else. As much as Hakkai didn't want to acknowledge it, he must admit that seeing Gojyo and Goku like that did hurt him. "He wouldn't do anything to hurt Goku. He cares that boy very much."
"That's the damn main problem, isn't it?" Sanzo said sarcastically. Hakkai couldn't help but to agree.
Both of them went silent; Sanzo with his silent anger and Hakkai with his quiet displeasure. The knowledge was so sudden that it was like a bomb dropped without warning. Sanzo was having a hard time to believe that Goku and Gojyo were having a relationship and Hakkai just couldn't accept the fact that somehow Gojyo kept something as important as this from him. Without Goku and Gojyo, both of them just couldn't see the point of ordering food.
They waited for another thirty minutes when Sanzo suddenly thought he had enough and started to slam his palms onto the table in frustration. Suddenly, they heard Goku's familiar voice and Gojyo was as usual bickering with the younger boy.
"We're late! Sanzo's going to be angry with me! It's all your fault, horny kappa!" Goku whined.
Both of them walked into the restaurant, looking slightly breathless and still didn't notice the fuming Sanzo. Hakkai really, really didn't want to know the reason of their breathlessness. Gojyo rumpled Goku's already messy chocolate hair and chuckled. "You wanted so many, and you dare say it is my fault!"
Sanzo really, really didn't want to interpret their words.
"Well, if you hadn't show me so many tricks, I wouldn't want to try it!" Goku said back and his face was slightly red.
"But still, you've got to admit, they're good tricks," Gojyo said defensively, unwilling to back down.
Sanzo and Hakkai really, really wished that they didn't understand anything.
"But I…" Goku stopped abruptly when he finally spotted Sanzo and Hakkai stared at them as if they had sprouted extra heads or something. Suddenly, Goku felt his face went warm. He hoped their conversation didn't give out what they planned to do tomorrow night. "Sanzo! Sorry I'm late…"
Sanzo, being Sanzo, pulled out his paper fan out of habit and swung onto Goku's head. "Idiot! Where did you go?!"
"Ouch! It's all Gojyo fault! We went out and we just lost the track of time!"
"Are you having so much fun, Gojyo? It must be because you apparently succeed in making Goku late for his dinner," Hakkai said sweetly but Gojyo could almost see red aura blazing around Hakkai. The redhead staggered back unconsciously at Hakkai's eerie smile.
"Ah… we're just looking around the town, that's all," Gojyo sweat-dropped. He didn't understand Hakkai's strange mood. Sure it was pretty strange when Goku forgot dinnertime, but Gojyo had excused himself from dinner once a while and Hakkai never seemed to be this mad. And the evening wasn't cloudy or even raining!
"Took you long enough!" Sanzo retorted. "And this fucking town isn't that big for both idiots like you to get lost!"
Gojyo frowned and Goku raised his eyebrows in confusion. "Hey, has it ever occurred to you that perhaps both of us spotted a good place or two and just too excited to notice the time?" Gojyo said.
Yeah, like brothel… Sanzo thought sourly. Yeah, like somewhere quiet and dark… Hakkai frowned.
"Well?" Goku asked timidly. Goku had never, never ever saw Sanzo this mad before that the blonde turned red in surpassed anger. "Are we having dinner tonight or what?"
Sanzo glared. "Whatever. I'll bet both of you are eager to replenish the lost energy!"
Gojyo's eyes went wide in disbelief and confusion. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Sanzo just glared at him and Hakkai shrugged maddeningly.
What the hell had happened?