Disclaimer: not mine

Sanzo leaned back in his chair obviously fuming. Nothing changed, the Priest assured himself. Hakkai getting that dumb book doesn't mean a thing. Sanzo of course, wanted the group to stay away from the whole God/afterlife thing. It wouldn't help them in their mission. He glared increased as the "born-again" youkai stepped into the room. Hold it, Sanzo thought, wasn't Hakkai brought up around that kind of stuff? And yet, he's acting like it's all new. Ch', Sanzo once again buried himself in his newspaper, not my problem.

Oblivious to the monk's thoughts, Hakkai continued his futile attempt to sedate Goku's appetite with mountains of pancakes. "Oi Hakkai," Gojyo said around his cigarette, "Be careful, or you might lose a finger or two." The healer couldn't help but smile. "Hai," he said while bowing straight-faced. "Domo arigato gozaimasu for your concern, Gojyo-san." "Haak-kaii!!!" Persistent whining and pouting from the saru forced Hakkai to return to his cooking. It was a miracle Goku's head still remained unharmed by certain paper fans.

After cleaning the dishes, Hakkai reached for his coat. "Everyone, I'm going out for a little while, but I'll be back in time to cook lunch. OK?" Receiving no complaints, the green-eyed youkai pulled on his coat and stepped out the door. Gojyo stepped into the room just as the door closed. "Hey Hakkai, what were you..." No brunette in sight. The kappa sighed, "Yare yare Hakkai, trying to go for a walk without inviting me along?" A grin creped up slowly, "Shame on you."

Hakkai fixed his green eyes on the large stone building the old steeple towering overhead. Wow, he thought to himself stepping back a little, are they all this big? Swallowing his uneasiness, he stepped into the church. Not too far behind, the kappa followed stubbornly. So this is where you were going, Hakkai. Gojyo remembered that he had previously showed his willingness to visit a church. He wasn't lying when he said it but... maybe this time he'd just watch from outside.

The pastor stepped up to the pulpit. "Please turn in your hymnal to number 513: O, How He Loves You and Me." Hakkai watched as the congregation stood and began to sing. It all seemed so unfamiliar...maybe it was. Deep in the shadows, a voiced laughed mockingly. Ha! You can't plead ignorance forever Gonou. Sins can't be taken away! Forcing himself to ignore the voice, Hakkai simple sang along with the others. Outside, the redhead watched his friend intently and slightly worried. "Hakkai, you seemed to be searching for something...I hope you find it."

Gojyo was a little confused during the sermon which he guessed was about a kind of spiritual armor or something. Surprisingly, Hakkai seemed a little confused too... The service ended and Gojyo laid a hand on his friend's shoulder as he came out. "Eh!?" Hakkai gasped, not expecting the warmth on him. Frowning, the kappa leaned even more on the healer. "C'mon! Am I that scary?" Hakkai finally recognized his friend. "ah gomen nasai Gojyo. I must have been lost in thought."

Gojyo shrugged it off draping his arm around the brunette. "Sa, lets hurry and get back before the saru has a fit." The brunette nodded so the two headed down the street in peaceful but awkward silence leaving Hakkai to combat his demons alone. The healer's head hurt from too much thinking. What's wrong with me? He thought. It's just that that sermon seemed so...

What? A sneering voice from the depths of his head asked. Haven't you already heard this sermon before? Don't tell me you forgot already. Your memory isn't that poor. Well, I guess... A thought struck Hakkai's mind like lightning. He looked the being straight on. No, I've never been to church before. I just recently found out about it. You are mistaken. The voice shrunk down noticeably but still held strong. Just because you can forget doesn't mean the others will. Hm...this time it was Hakkai's turn to laugh. Those others...are my friends, my family; they have, out of the goodness of their hearts, accepted me for what I am. How? The tiny voiced asked as a last resort. Because, I am not Gonou, I am Hakkai. Hakkai didn't stop there and smiled brightly. This also means, I don't have to suffer the guilt of Cho Gonou anymore...

In the present, the continuous silence was making Gojyo feel kinda guilty. "Look Hakkai, I'm sorry I spied on you like that, OK?" No response. Hakkai must be really mad at me, Gojyo thought. Frustrated, he grabbed Hakkai's wrists forcing him to look at the kappa. "At least say somethin'!" Hakkai finally realized Gojyo was anxiously expecting an answer from him. He blushed slightly, "Um...what was the question?" Gojyo, as much sorry as he was annoyed, put it bluntly. "Are you angry?" He winced slightly as the very grim looking brunette laid a hand on his shoulder. Instead of a punch though, Gojyo felt arms squeezing him tightly as his friend laughed. "Angry? Why I haven't been this happy in a long time." Gojyo eventually returned the hug breathing a sigh of relief. "Good. I was worried that you were really angry with me." Hakkai sympathetically patted his back, "I'm very sorry you worried in vain."

Around noon, Sanzo enter the dining room to find the two had come back and Hakkai had made lunch. He sat at his spot at the table once again behind a newspaper. Nope, Sanzo lit his cigarette, something has changed. Peering beyond his paper, he could clearly see that Hakkai had changed. He was smiling like always, but it was different. Not that he'd admit it, but Sanzo knew he was truely smiling. Also, the kappa seemed to be fighting less heatedly with the saru. The priest could almost tolerate it. URASAI! WHACK! WHACK! Almost. With the noise silenced, Sanzo leaned back in his chair practically appearing content. If these were the only changes, he could live with them.

Owari

Kumon: Rei (Thanks) to everyone who reviewed. I appreciated all the suggestions. bows

Kekkon: Kumon is also dedicating this story to Rev. Hobson (his dad) for the original idea for this.

Kumon: Later.