Chapter 3: Omoi (Mind)

Standard Disclaimer Applies

I'm so sorry there haven't been as many frequent updates to this story...there's been a lot of craziness for me, mainly because I hadn't expected high school to be as busy as it was, but also partly due to my procrastinating. Don't worry! I haven't given up on Gojyo-san and Hakkai-san yet...I hope you guys haven't either. :D

Hurricane Frances is said to possibly hit Florida soon, but because of that, we have an even longer weekend. - I'm really not sure if that's a good or bad thing...either way, it gives me more time to study for my next tests, as well as concentrate on updating my fan fiction...so I'm fine with it.

That's all I can say, so please enjoy this (long-awaited, I'm sure. I'M REALLY SORRY! ), chapter.

"Kenji-san! Your face looks so terribly red! Is something the matter?"

Despite the blatant concern he knew Kikyou was trying to express, Kenji did not feel comfortable imposing on the young woman further. He shook his head. "Not at all, Kikyou-san. I'm perfectly fine."

However, a poorly timed hacking cough on Kenji's part was enough to convince the girl of quite the opposite. She pressed a steady palm to the shaking man's forehead. "My goodness...you're running a high fever it seems. You should go back to bed and get some rest; I'll be making breakfast today."

Kenji was not about to leave without protest, however. "Kikyou-san, please, do not feel the need to trouble yourself. I'll be just fine in a moment--"

"Please listen to me, Kenji...I'll be FINE." She replied firmly, lightly pushing the adult back towards his bedroom. "I'm not made of glass, you know, and I can cook very well, thank you very much. After all, I've lived on my own and fended for myself all the years you weren't with me, so do not worry."

The older male sighed hoarsely, pulling back dark red locks in a small plain ribbon. "All right, it seems I cannot argue with you. Be sure to take care of yourself, though, and not worry so much of this one."

It was in that moment that Hakkai coughed himself, and he placed down the book tiredly, rubbing his eyes. The congestion had not quite faded as of yet, and it had certainly given him a sleepless night. This insomnia, coupled with the hacking cough and the headache that was powerful enough as of late to make him collapse completely, was enough to have three more chapters of Guardian to be read. And as interesting as the book was becoming, one cannot really appreciate it when weak and ill.

He coughed again, but this time, he decided to do something about it. Perhaps with a streak of faint, small good luck, Gojyo would not be up yet and he could sneak into the kitchen for a drink? Hakkai almost snorted in derisive laughter such words were better suited to a child. The brunette had already made up his mind, though, and he stood up from his bed, laying aside the tangled sheets and slowly making his way through the corridor.

The youkai checked his roommate's bedroom on the way to his destination; just to make absolutely certain that he was asleep. He found the hanyou curled up under a blanket, with one arm beneath the pillow and the other hanging off of the bed. The normally sharp red eyes that could perceive the darkness in any person's soul were tightly shut; the crimson hair that was as beautiful as it was admonishing pooled out over the white sheets like blood over snow.

He pushed such thoughts aside, and began sluggishly moving once more towards the kitchen. Absentmindedly, Hakkai remembered that his birthday was coming up in a few weeks; September had already come upon their small residence without much bravado, other than the strange visitor of the night before. But Hakkai didn't want to dwell on Shouji or his own day of birth too much; there was something about the man that disturbed him, and the next time he would attempt to speak with him, he decided that further investigation of the subject would have to be required.

And as for my birthday...well, there are times I regret even being born at all. But those thoughts are reserved for another day, it seems.

A sudden, twitching change in the breathing atmosphere made the adult start, until he realized what that peculiar feeling was: the urge to sneeze. Clamping a hand hastily over his mouth, Hakkai attempted to withhold it, but—

"Ah-choo!"

Oh, no...Gojyo-san probably heard that much...should I continue towards the kitchen? Or should I head back to my room and act as if nothing happened?

He didn't have much time to dwell on such matters, however, because a familiar shuffle of footsteps behind him were enough to stop all thought processing from thence forth.

"Hakkai? What're you doing up so early? It's five in the morning, man; go back to sleep..."

Behind him was a very tired-looking Gojyo, which he found somewhat amusing to see. "Ah...sumimasen. I wanted to get something to drink...there was something in my throat that had been bothering me."

"Jeez, you sound like a kid who got caught with his hands in the cookie jar or somethin'." Gojyo smirked, suddenly waking up a bit more. "Quit soundin' so nervous, alright? You're making me all twitchy."

"Sorry..." His cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink, as a soft smile appeared on his visage. "I haven't been feeling well all night, and I wanted to get something to perhaps alleviate this terrible cough..."

"'Kai, are you sick or somethin'?" Gojyo frowned slightly, appearing a little bit worried. "You look like you're gonna collapse on me or something. You should get some rest..."

Why does this suddenly feel like déjà vu or something of the like? Hakkai thought this humorously, but didn't laugh. "I'm really fine, Gojyo-san, it's nothing you need to be concerned abou--"

"The, '-san,' thing, 'Kai. No, 'misters.'" The redhead reminded with a grin.

"Ah, yes...sorry."

"Quit apologizing and get back into bed already, dumbass." Gojyo responded affectionately, gently ruffling the brunette's hair. "You need to rest, so I'll make breakfast for us today, got it? And don't bother trying to stop me," --He quickly dismissed the already facially protesting Hakkai— "Because I've already made up my mind. You need to get better, so I'm helpin' the process."

Well, since it seems as though you're giving me little choice...

Hakkai smiled. "Hai."

Jeez...that guy really is something. Not only is he apologizing way too much, but he keeps thinking that he's some unwelcome visitor here or something...I wish he'd just lighten up a bit. Gojyo sighed heavily, cracking open yet another eggshell and dropping the yolk inside the frying pan.

Sometimes, I really have to wonder what goes on in that head of yours, Hakkai. One moment you're acting like a cute little kid, looking at the ground shamefacedly and probably half-expecting a lecture; the next, you're acting like the selfless bastard you always are. I really can't figure you out sometimes...

It was raining last night, wasn't it? That's why you were acting all weirded out today...and the lack of sleep on your face proves it. You're still blaming yourself for things that were beyond your control...dammit, why don't you just let her GO, Hakkai?! You don't need to be burdened anymore...and somehow; just thinking about you sad gets me really pissed off...

What's been wrong with me lately? I've been worryin' about you more than usual...it's actually kind of pathetic. Out of all the people I've met before, you're probably the only one who gets me to actually think about stuff like this...

There was a persistent knock on the door, and Gojyo, annoyed, stormed toward the offending piece of furniture. "Hai, hai, I'm coming!" Che...who could be comin' around here so early in the morning?! They'd BETTER have a good reason for bothering us...

Huh. So now I'm referring to this house as Hakkai's AND mine? I really am turning into a fucking weirdo...

The door was opened, and a flailing, tiny brunette with big golden eyes came attacking the hanyou.

"EROKAPPA!! WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG TO PAY ATTENTION TO US, DAMMIT?! THE WINDOWS WERE OPENED, AND YOU WERE TOO BUSY COOKING TO LET US IN?! WHAT THE HELL?!"

"Augh! Get off me, saru! And sorry if it took so long, but I'm cooking breakfast for Hakkai! And what th' fuck do you mean, 'WE?!' Who else is with you and your dumb self?!"

"If you would mind SHUTTING UP, then maybe Goku and I could explain why we're here."

Perking up, Goku leapt off Gojyo and went to obediently stand beside his master. "Sanzou! What took you so long? You were halfway through the forest when I started running! How'd you get here so fast?!"

Growling in faint annoyance, the blonde priest, at a loss without his trademark paper fan, whacked the boy with his fist. "God, you're so LOUD; shut up already! And if you were paying attention for once, you'd know that I ran after you when you started to run away without me!"

"Mouuuu, Sanzou, itai yo!" Goku whined, holding his head.

"You plan on telling me why you're here, monk, or am I gonna stand here and hold the door for you all day?" Gojyo said crossly.

The scathing tone was reflected. "Well, do you plan on letting us in anytime soon, or are we going to have to come in by force?"

The small boy, not liking Sanzou's tone, tugged on the older man's sleeve. The blonde's eyes softened a bit upon watching his charge's amber orbs fixated solely on him. "Sanzou...don't be so mean. Besides, Gojyo probably wants to hear about Shouji as much as we wanna tell him."

Gojyo was shell-shocked. "Shouji...you guys wanted to let me know about him? Hakkai told me already...that creep spoke with him last night, and he hasn't been too happy about it ever since. Said the guy wants to bring back Kanan 'cause he's related to her or somethin'."

Sanzou didn't even flinch as the new information was discharged, most likely because he already knew of it. "There's more to that, though, than wanting to revive a dead person. He's been killing demons...and taking their souls in the process, probably for his own sick needs. And he's attempting to get Hakkai on his side so he can steal away his, as well."