Twilight

Chapter 3: Mamoru Tame ni (For Protection's Sake)

Standard Disclaimer Applies

-- Many thanks to Mato-ko and nekozuki1776 for reviewing the chapters uploaded so far. –

"Here." Sanzou tiredly prompted, opening the door to what would soon become his charge's bedroom. "This is going to be your room. If I find you sneaking into mine without my permission, I'm gonna kick your ass, got it?"

"Got it!" Goku chirped, smiling. "Ne, Sanzou, do you have any food for me here? I'm hungry..."

Scoffing mildly, though not really very annoyed, the temperamental blonde began the trek to the kitchen. "Fine. Just stay in your room and don't go anywhere, you hear me, bakasaru?"

"Hai!"

Now alone, the brown-haired teen grinned in a lopsided manner, running headlong into his bedroom and plopping headfirst onto his new bed. Life was certainly being much better to him now; he now had a shelter for the night, a comfortable bed, and even food to boot! Goku couldn't have been happier.

And Sanzou's really neat; even if he yells at me a lot...I wonder why he always looks so irritated? Did something happen to him? Not that it's really any of my business...but I'm still a little curious... Quietly sighing, the boy leaned back on his bed, pressing his back against the small pillow.

The sadness in his eyes isn't at all like Nataku's...it was as if something important had been taken away from him, and he had been jaded and angry ever since...somehow, I wonder if I'll ever see him happy...

Then, a grand idea came to him. Hey...maybe I could make him smile. Yeah, that's a GREAT idea! Sanzou could smile again if I maybe did something to make him glad...! But...what would make someone really happy...? A sudden gurgling in his stomach, however, reminded Goku of his plaguing hunger, and he lost the will to even consider such things. Ugh...well, maybe I'll think about it AFTER I get some food...so hungry...mouuuu, I hope Sanzou comes back with food soon, before I die of hunger...

Dammit...I don't even know why I'm DOING this...that bakasaru should be bringing ME food, not the other way around! Thoroughly pissed, Sanzou slammed the door to the food storage cabinet with a stubborn huff. It hadn't fully vented his frustration, but it was enough to calm his next thoughts, if only a little.

Maybe...maybe just for this first night that he's here I'll do it...but for the rest of the time Goku's here, he's getting the food himself.

That kid sure is freaky...does he EVER get upset or sad? It seems like he's always happy, like the whole world's a big game for him. Or maybe he's like Hakkai, whose constantly hiding behind a dumb smile to hide pain...

At least that much would explain those eyes of his...I've never seen a boy like that before.

"Oi, Goku. Here's your damn food. Consider it your last delivered meal, though; the next time you want something, you're gonna have to get it yourself." Upon reaching his destination, Sanzou tossed the bag of nikumans at the smaller male. It landed on the brunette's face and, startled, Goku hurriedly clawed at the parcel to rip it off. Sanzou smirked with the façade of derision, even though he was quite amused. The boy was almost cute, then; tugging hurriedly at the bag's upholding string, excitedly grabbing its contents like a child opening a gift on Christmas Day. Almost.

Except Genjou Sanzou did not call things cute for any particular reason, and Goku was certainly no exception.

"Sankyuu! Y'know, nikumans are my favorite food...I'm really glad that you have them! So how'd you know?" Goku chattered, speaking with a mouth full of food.

"I didn't, stupid. I just grabbed whatever was in the cabinet, and it just happened to be your favorite food. If you like them so much, then enjoy them quietly and don't bother me. I'm going to sleep."

Before the priest could leave the room, however, Goku clung to one of the long sleeves of Sanzou's robe. "Wait a second, Sanzou...can I...ask you something?"

Sighing for the second time that night, Sanzou reluctantly complied and sat back down on the bed. "...What is it, saru? This had better be important, because I'm really tired right now."

"Gomen ne. But I just wanted to ask you...while I'm here, can I stay with you?"

It was such a serious remark that even Sanzou's could not hide his blatant confusion and shock. "...What?"

"I mean...I really don't understand a lot of things...but I do know that you're a lot like my old master was. I wanna stay with you, Sanzou...it's really hard to explain why, but I just want to be by your side."

"Maybe I'm not the most perfect person...and maybe there were some things I want to change about myself. But I don't wanna be alone, Sanzou....someone's already left me before--" The image of Nataku's smiling face and another, shrouded in shadows, but as comforting as the aforementioned. "—and I'm not losing anyone else due to my own selfishness."

Firmly deciding upon the action, Goku tentatively wrapped his arms around his master's waist. He felt the monk stiffen against his touch, but the only thing on his mind now was to comfort a pair of sorrowful lavender eyes.

"So...if you're ever sad, I wanna make you happy..." Where is all of this coming from...?

"And whenever you're hurt, I wanna be able to help you heal..." Why am I being affected like this...?

"If you're happy, I wanna be happy, too..." These words...from long ago...I've said them before...

"I wanna be with you, Sanzou...if that's okay with you..." Somehow, I'm really scared of losing you...just like I lost my master, Nataku, and my memories...

Sanzou was almost inclined to silently walk away. He really was. Just turning away from all of this would be the best option; forgetting the conversation ever happened and pulling away from the boy's hold would be the best option. But malice towards this lonely child seemed like an almost cruel, unfathomable choice, even for someone as cold as Sanzou.

You stupid monkey...why can't I say, 'no,' to you...?

"Sanzou..." He turned around and watched as Goku's large, amber spheres welled up with tears. The boy was still pathetically hanging on to him. "Please, say something...anything..."

I could never hate you...I could never push you away without feeling guilty...

Instead of actually replying, the older male decided that actions would work best. He quickly scooped the teenager into his arms, and placed him gently on the bed.

"S-Sanzou...!? What are you doing...?" Those huge, impossibly experienced eyes shone vividly at him, a soft color befitting to his round, youthful cheeks.

"Look...I'll stay here tonight, just so you'll shut up...I don't want to hear your whining all night, so that's why I'm doing this, alright?" Sanzou did not look at the boy, in fear his faintly blushing visage would show. Why the hell am I acting like this for...?

"I'll sleep here. In this bed. With you. So you'd better be grateful." With this being said, Sanzou laid his head beside Goku's on the pillow, shutting his eyes resignedly. "Now, go to sleep... bakasaru."

Curling his form a bit closer to Sanzou's, timidly, Goku began to smile. "...Sure. Thank you, Sanzou."

Thank you for everything...

The constantly moving, glowing green code symbols shown behind the computer monitor, besides being threateningly blinding, were beginning to bore Hakkai. As an experienced computer hacker, he had long learned how to read computer code; it was just a matter of deciphering what was important and in which hacked mainframe that he was working with.

His coffee mug, with the liquid contents long gone cold, barely served as any comfort to his task--it seemed that finding the killers of Sanzou's master was becoming far more troublesome than he had expected. Quietly sighing out loud, the brunette leaned back in the computer chair, adjusting the spectacles that threatened to fall off the bridge of his nose. The emerald eyes, normally expressive and alive, now reflected exhaustion and a need for rest. But Cho Hakkai was a determined young man—as he always had been, and the trait had not changed as of late—and he always kept his promises.

"Jeez, 'Kai...what're you tryin' to do, kill yourself over this? Don't worry about that damn monk's problems; you look tired, so get to bed already." Gojyo leaned back against the backboard of his bed, staring worriedly at his superior's state of being.

"Iya desu...Sanzou needs our help, and I don't intend to back down on what I promised." He went back to searching, but the hand that had been typing for so long was now growing a bit more sluggish.

"Hakkai..." The redhead sighed, getting up from his spot on the mattress. "Am I gonna have to carry you to bed or what?"

"...Excuse me?" Hakkai turned as red as his friend's hair, but decided not to turn around in an attempt to hide it.

Gojyo smirked; and whether it was because he had seen the brunette's facial expression from his previous comment, or something else, one could not be sure. "Yup. Looks like I'm just gonna have to. You're so damn stubborn, you know that?" He tipped the chair around just enough to grab the other male by his slim waist, and started laughing suddenly. "You're pretty light for someone the same age as me!"

Despite their position, Hakkai's eyes were laughing, as well. "Or maybe you're just heavy, Gojyo."

"Me? You're the one who doesn't eat enough!" Gojyo retorted, nearly throwing his friend on the bed. "There. Now go to sleep."

A chuckle bubbled within the older one's mouth, and it was released. "You honestly are the most troublesome man I've ever had the misfortune of acquainting myself with."

"Same here, man. Just get some sleep, alright? I'm not as good as you with computers, but it's worth a try..."

Hakkai expressed a quiet, real smile. "...Thank you, Gojyo."