Had to be Fate
Emerald eyes blinked at Sanzo. The man moved away from the teacher's desk while lifting his glasses up the bridge of his nose and then glanced Sanzo's way once more. He was still staring at him.
"Ano…Son-san?" He quietly spoke and watched the silent man blink at his words; they having widened a little at hearing him before a frown plastered his lips.
"I am not his father." Sanzo grounded out through clenched teeth, one hand fisting at his side and a vein throbbing at his temple.
"Oh, I'm sorry, then you are?"
"My name's Genjo Sanzo. I'm that saru's owner." By this time the pretty face of the emerald-eyed teacher had tilted at Sanzo's choice of words and it wasn't long before a hint of a smile broke onto his lips.
"Is that so?"
"What's he done this time?" Sanzo questioned wanting to get straight to the point.
"Please have a seat Sanzo-san." Amethyst eyed emerald as Sanzo moved over to the chair, which was situated in front of this teacher's desk. Sanzo only sat after this emerald-eyed man did.
"My name's Cho Hakkai and I'm Goku's new History teacher. I'd like to speak to the parents…err…guardians…or owners in this case of my students who have had a bit of trouble in the past semester." Sanzo felt his eyebrow rise as this teacher seemed to actually care for Goku's studies more then he did. Sure these days he was making the saru do his work so his "hard" earned money wasn't being wasted. Not only that, but Sanzo found it odd that this male teacher, from afar no doubt could possibly be mistaken for a female at a quick glance. He had an unusual beauty about him…and not even the stubbornness of Sanzo could deny that…in his own mind of course. There was no way in hell he'd voice any such comment out loud, but still it was odd to see such a casual smile and a chiseled pretty face to boot.
"And?" Sanzo finally spoke, mentally frowning as he had stared too long at this stranger.
"Well Goku is very…hmm…withdrawn in class. I've only known him for a single lesson, but he kept drifting off and I was curious as to why he is that way."
"So you thought there was problems at home as though I had a wife and we argued non stop which would then affect Goku's studies correct?" Sanzo watched as the casual smile slipped from Hakkai's face and observed as he lifted his hand to scratch at the back of his brown locks of hair.
"Well…" Hakkai began but was interrupted by Sanzo waving his hand boredly while leaning on the desk.
"The saru is fine and there are no problems at home. Its clear to me Cho-sensei that your teaching skills aren't fit for students like the saru who easily become bored."
"Well for one, you can call me Hakkai and two, I assume you are not married then?" Hakkai questioned as he ignored the negative comments about his teaching ability from the golden haired man that didn't even know him.
"I'd drive the woman insane."
"That would be a no then, ne?" Just the annoyed look in those amethyst eyes made Hakkai slightly nervous. He had seen the surprise written on his face when trying to take a silent glance his way the other day back at the restaurant and yet now…he seemed a completely different person. Clearing his throat, Hakkai continued on.
"So, I assume since you are Goku's guard…err…owner it means you have adopted him? What of his parents?"
"Why are you so interested?" Sanzo snapped back.
"Because I like him." Amethyst eyes widened at those words and read the truth within the depths of Hakkai's sparkling eyes. Sanzo sighed irritatingly while he shifted his gaze to look outside and noticed clouds were starting to build up again. It would rain soon…
"I found him on the streets of Tokyo. I walked past a particular alley everyday and one day there he was looking out of touch with society. I'd never noticed anyone there before…and then one day there he was. It looked like rain that day and when I saw the look in the saru's eyes…" Sanzo stopped as he watched a flash of lightning and then thunder crackled through the sky. He halted in his little flashback and turned his eyes towards emerald and leant back in the chair in surprise at gaining the full attention of the man opposite him.
"What look?" Hakkai inquired softly as his elbows were on the desk and his hands cupped his face. He was completely mesmerized by the man looking out the window in front of him…and then shocked that the man hadn't bitten his head off for asking so many questions. As the two silently stared at one another, for a moment Sanzo thought he was staring at a child in a man's body as he noticed the eager look in Hakkai's eyes. Not to mention he hadn't the faintest idea why the hell he was even speaking about matters of the past to a complete stranger as well!
"It was just a look that pissed me off so I reached out and grabbed him up from the ground. Next thing I knew we were at my home and he was eating out my entire fridge. I swear I must have been drunk that day." Sanzo listened to the melodious chuckle of the history teacher.
"That's quite a story Sanzo-san. Should I be honoured that you shared it with me?" Amethyst narrowed at shimmering emerald before Sanzo stood from the chair; eyes now trained back at the window or more importantly the clouds growing closer to the outskirts of the city.
"Yes…you should be. It's going to rain and I need to get the baka saru home." Just staring at the confused look on the man's face Sanzo frowned even more as this was bringing up past memories that he didn't want to remember.
"He prefers to sleep through the rain." There that was a simple enough explanation and Sanzo would not elaborate anymore on the subject.
"Aa, I dislike the rain as well." Hakkai muttered as he gazed out the classroom windows just like Sanzo had previously done. Staring down at the brunette, Sanzo realised this was the first time the man had actually spoken about himself. Sanzo found it odd that this stranger…who was the saru's teacher and the man he had become intrigued by previously had something in common with himself.
Sanzo finally turned to gaze at the still sitting teacher and this time allowed himself to really look at him while Hakkai zoned out for a moment. He seemed quite young…well younger then him in any case, but his eyes were a completely different story. Though they sparkled showing off different shades of emerald to anyone that noticed, always seemingly being happy, there was a deep sadness behind them which he desperately tried to keep hidden from others. It was a given this man was troubled but it was not Sanzo's business and thus he darted his eyes away when the man sighed and rose to his feet.
"I apologise, I have kept you here too long, but there was something I truly wished to discuss with you about Goku." Gaining Sanzo's attention again Hakkai couldn't help but notice that up close the man was quite stunning to look at. He had a lean slender build and his dark clothing went well with his pale skin. Though he seemed to like the idea of always frowning, his eyes were sharp and alert as though he knew a great many tales and he had hair…
"Like the sun…"
"What?" Sanzo retorted having caught the whispered voice of Hakkai, as he had not continued with what he had mentioned merely seconds before. Sanzo could have sworn there was a flush crossing the history teacher's cheeks as he shook his head, arms lifting up as he quietly apologised before getting back a more serious look and continuing on.
"A tutor is what Goku needs. I believe one on one time with him will help him through his history lessons…or at least I hope so. It will not cost you anything as I already tutor several other students from other grades as well, but I think Goku needs special attention for he lacks the knowledge of even his own national history. All I need from you Sanzo-san is your consent and whether you prefer it to be done at school or at home."
"He will not like this."
"But you are his owner Sanzo-san. Surely your pet will not go against your orders." Hakkai continued with a slight grin on his face. Sanzo did nothing but blink and his lips parted as though ready to bite back a remark but nothing would come forth. Was this history teacher trying to joke with him?
"Fine…" Sanzo suddenly heard himself remark and was even surprised within himself at having agreed so quickly.
"Then it's settled. I'll start to tutor Goku after school on Wednesdays." With a nod of his head Sanzo headed for the door along with Hakkai who had opened it up for him. The both of them watched as Goku abruptly stood from the bench with his head still bowed. Amethyst and emerald glanced at one another before Sanzo stepped out of the classroom and began walking down the hallway.
"Lets go…" Sanzo mumbled while fishing through his pockets for a crumpled packet of cigarettes and brought one out and placed it between his lips. Golden eyes glanced up at Hakkai watching as the man smiled at him and then gestured for the teenager to follow Sanzo. Goku turned away from his teacher and headed for Sanzo who had actually stopped at the end of the corridor to wait for the slow monkey.
Not even glancing back at the teacher Sanzo stepped out of the building. A gust of wind caught strands of Sanzo's hair and brushed his unruly bangs in front of his eyes.
"Like the sun? What the hell does that mean?" He grumbled to himself before catching the large blinking eyes of Goku.
"Che!" He remarked once more before lighting the cigarette and headed for his car with Goku walking quietly beside him. Nothing was spoken on the ride back home.
# Sanzo's Residence #
"Ne Sanzo?"
"What?" Sanzo remarked as he stopped typing on his laptop as Goku appeared at his study door.
"Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry…" Just hearing the pitiful voice Sanzo frowned even more before getting up and heading for the door.
"Lets go."
"Go where?"
"Out monkey. You want food don't you?"
"Yay food, food! I want! I want!" Goku ecstatically remarked and missed the twitch in Sanzo's lips. Though the teenage boy pissed him off immensely, he still couldn't understand why he hated to see that miserable voice in the usual genki and always complaining about being hungry monkey. Sanzo still didn't know why he picked the boy up and couldn't work out why even for a moment he felt better at having some company around him these days…even if it was Goku who was now running ahead of him as they walked casually down the street. The storm hadn't hit their suburb yet, but Sanzo knew it would so it was time to get the saru some food so he'd sleep through it all.
"Oh saru, we go in here." Sanzo remarked and watched Goku skid to a halt and turn to look where Sanzo was pointing. A grocery store.
"What? You said we were going to a restaurant!" He complained but was smacked upside the head as Sanzo headed through the automatic doors and corrected the monkey on what he really said.
"I said we were going to get food, not heading for a restaurant. I'm not rich baka saru and you'll just have to cook your own food tonight."
"But…"
"Shut up or I won't buy you meat buns from the frozen produce section."
"Yay, meat buns! Meatbuns!" Goku happily chimed away and went racing past Sanzo with the shopping cart.
" Saru slow down or you'll…" It wasn't long before Sanzo watched as Goku's trolley collided with another customers and the boy went sailing through the air and into cereal boxes while both trolleys fell to the ground and spilled out the contents.
"Teme…" Sanzo grounded out as a vein throbbed at his forehead and one at his now fisted hand as he stormed towards the crashed trolleys and then squirming monkey. The silence was broken by a certain melodious laugh as amethyst eyes watched a tall brunette bend down to fish Goku out of the cereal boxes.
"Yare, yare desu ne. You sure have gotten yourself into some mess ne Goku?" Blinking large golden eyes, Sanzo watched as Goku took the offered hands and stood up while laughing at the man's words.
"Ah Cho-sensei, gomen nasai!" Ruffling the boys head of thick brown hair Hakkai turned to look at the statue like Sanzo and placed on a smile.
"Konbanwa Sanzo-san." Giving the history teacher a quirt nod Sanzo stalked to the oblivious monkey and smacked him once over the head.
"What the hell were you thinking saru! This is a supermarket not somewhere where you can play!" Sanzo griped loudly and began to gain a small audience of onlookers while Hakkai parted Sanzo from the slightly cowering boy.
"Maa, maa this isn't the place to argue so loudly Sanzo-san." Taking a deep breath Sanzo watched, an eyebrow raised as Hakkai went over to the shop assistant and apologised for the mess and the disturbance. It had been a mere two minutes and the young lady was gushing at Hakkai's politeness and forgave him for the interuption.
"Goku, could you help me clean this up? I'll shout you meat buns again?" Hakkai walked back over voicing this and then observed along with Sanzo whom he was now standing beside as Goku's face erupted into a bright smile as he quickly moved around the floor to gather up the cereal boxes which weren't overly damaged.
"He is too easily bribed." Sanzo remarked as he watched the blur that was Goku as he rushed around getting everything in a semi neat order.
"True, but it does work ne?" Glancing at the smiling face of Hakkai, Sanzo silently watched as the history teacher moved forward and helped Goku stack up the cereal boxes.
"There we go, all done." Hakkai remarked as he dusted his hands off and by now customers had left the area as did the sales assistant having given her full trust into Hakkai at cleaning everything up. Sanzo frowned slightly at how easy that woman was sucked into Hakkai's words and wondered only a little if that too would happen to him if he kept running into the guy.
"Thank you for your help Goku, should I shout you meat buns now…or would your owner be displeased by the offer?"
"Meat buns, meat buns!" Goku chimed happily while tugging on Hakkai's arm wanting to drag him off to an actual restaurant.
"Saru, clean up this before going anywhere."
"What? Why couldn't you clean it up ya lazy…" Stopping in mid sentence golden eyes were trained onto bright emerald as Hakkai leaned down to Goku's short height.
"I'll help you Goku which it'll go a lot faster and you can have as many meat buns as that stomach of yours will fit in."
"HAI!" Goku yelled happily as he picked up the grocery items that had fallen from his teacher's trolley while Hakkai picked up the contents of theirs.
"Well shall we go then?" Hakkai spoke and watched as Sanzo walked on ahead towards the checkout.
"Why have such a big cart if you were purchasing so little Cho-sensei?" Goku remarked in slight confusion as all that he had collected up from Hakkai's over turned trolley were instant noodles, well shaken milk and some instant coffee.
"I forget…I'm only buying for one these days." Sanzo turned his amethyst gaze to down turned emerald eyes as Hakkai was busy placing the milk, juice, coffee, oranges, noodles and other various frozen goods onto the counter just after his own small amount. Though his voice was emotionless, Sanzo felt the sorrow within it. He didn't know how he just knew that this man was holding back from breaking. Eyeing Goku sternly, Sanzo watched the confusion wash over Goku and hoped the boy wouldn't say something stupid…and for once he was thankful that he didn't.
Groceries were purchased and the three of them left the store, one heading towards the carpark while Sanzo dragged the complaining monkey away and down the street to head for home.
"Demo Sanzo, Cho-sensei said…" Goku stopped his rambling when headlights disrupted his vision and a green jeep pulled up along side of them.
"If its not too much trouble with you Sanzo-san, I'd like to thank Goku with buying him meat buns as I said earlier. I know a vendor down the road from here and since you are heading in that direction I'd assume your house is this way and I can drop the both of you off so no one is caught in the rain." Starring at the smiling man in the drivers seat and then looking at the eager face of Goku Sanzo stepped forward.
"Fine…" He remarked plainly once more and observed as Goku climbed into the back chanting about meat buns once more before Sanzo hopped into the passenger seat, closed the door and crossed his arms over his chest.
Just as Sanzo was getting comfortable, which was odd to him as to why he would in a strangers vehicle, the ride was over as Hakkai turned off the engine of his jeep.
"Should I order you take away so you can take them home?" Hakkai questioned and just before Sanzo could answer, Goku did it for him.
"Yeah cause Sanzo gets all grumpy if he's not home and cooped up in his study typing away on his computer. OW!" That notion had earned Goku a smack over the head and Hakkai couldn't help but laugh at their antics before coming with his own reasoning.
"Well, you have school tomorrow and an early night is probably best since you have a double lesson of history with me tomorrow Goku." Watching the boy pout Hakkai chuckled lightly once more before getting out of his jeep and placed an order with the elderly man behind the vendor. Quietly gazing at the taller man, Sanzo thought this was the best time to tell Goku what had been discussed earlier today, but in fewer words of course.
"Saru, he will be your tutor on Wednesdays." Sanzo sternly spoke and silently dared the monkey to complain, but nothing came forth except a small pout of the lips.
"Okay…"
"Okay?" Sanzo repeated while trying to hide his surprise.
"Well Lirin-chan and I usually go into town on Wednesdays and she said she'd introduce me to Kougaiji's girlfriend this time. I'm sure after tutoring Cho-sensei won't mind if I run off…or he might wanna come with us! He's real nice Sanzo."
"You don't even know him." Sanzo blandly retorted.
"Well, maybe that's true, but he's nice to me even if I don't know the answers in class. He doesn't kick me out like the other teachers do and…and I can just tell he's nice." Sanzo stared at Goku through the rear vision mirror as he rummaged through one of the paper shopping bags looking for something to consume.
"And besides, you and he would get on well Sanzo." Goku piped up once more.
"Why is that?"
"Cause he's quiet like you, but stern as well and that scares some of the students. He reads a lot…and sometimes smokes like you as well, though not as much."
"How do you know this?"
"I see him sit by himself at lunch and he's not bothered at being left alone, its like he enjoys not being annoyed by students."
"Like me with you." Sanzo contemplated out loud to himself before snapping his lips shut as the drivers side door opened at Hakkai got back inside.
"I'm sorry I took so long. The vendor began a conversation about Chinese history that I couldn't pass up and listen too. Here you go Goku." Hakkai explained his reasons while handing the large bag of meat buns to the excited boy in the back and then started his vehicle and drove off.
"Just tell me where to go." He spoke once more and the silence of the jeep was occasionally broken by a "take the next left" or "take the next right" here and there.
"It's this apartment building just on the left." Sanzo muttered and then felt a vein throb at his temple as Goku was talking (even though neither he or Hakkai could understand a single word of it) and eating at the same time, random ingredients from the meat buns falling onto his uniform and of course into Hakkai's jeep.
"Baka saru!" Sanzo yelled turning around to smack the boy senseless and as though it was now a natural occurrence, Hakkai's laughter followed soon after. Sanzo had felt it vibrate into his left arm and that's when he noticed he had placed his hand on Hakkai's shoulder instead of the back of his chair for more stability so he wouldn't fall over while smacking Goku. Quickly darting his hand away Sanzo sat back down in the passenger seat.
"Maa, maa Sanzo-san its quite alright. He's just overly excited about meat buns and besides I'm cleaning Hakuryu tomorrow after work anyway."
"Hakuryu?" Goku muffled out as he bit into another bun.
"Aa, it's the license plate of my jeep."
"Cho-sensei, your really strange." Goku chirped out while hoping out of the jeep with the shopping bags in hand. "But I really like you." He voiced once more and then raced for the ground apartment that he and Sanzo lived in.
"He's certainly a strange boy, but an extremely innocent and lively one at that, which is always a good thing in my opinion." Sanzo got out of the jeep and closed the door.
"Well, good night Sanzo-san."
"Good night…" Sanzo voiced back and watched the brake lights of "Hakuryu" disappear down the road before turning the corner.
"…Hakkai-san…"
"Sanzo come on already, I want my meat buns hot not cold!" Shouted a certain intrusive monkey into Sanzo's thoughts as he placed a usual scowl onto his lips as he turned around and headed for his home.
Heading inside Goku raced to the fridge to place the groceries away while Sanzo headed back to his beloved study. Plonking himself down into his leather desk chair Sanzo began to delete the paragraph he had previously typed up and began with something different…different in the form of mesmerizing emerald eyes that is.
TBC…