"He hasn't come to work for the last four days, actually."
Sanzo's eyebrows lifted. "Really? I thought he enjoyed this job."
Youko, a girl whom usually worked the same shift as Goku, shrugged. "So did I. Apparently, he didn't tell anyone he was quitting, and he hasn't answered his phone. I'm surprised you didn't know." It wasn't much of a secret that the two of them had been dating when it came to the people that saw them together so often.
"No, he hasn't been answering my calls either," Sanzo admitted.
Youko frowned. "I hope something hasn't happened to him. He told me he lived in the Touren Apartment building, quite a distance from here. I don't know which apartment number or anything, but maybe he's there. I can get the address from the back for you."
"You wouldn't get in trouble for that?" Sanzo was rather certain she would, if she was caught.
The young girl shook her head. "I think, if he's in some kind of trouble, it would work out for the better. He lives alone, you know. What if he were hurt? Someone else came in asking about him and I refused to give the information. But you're... well, you know."
Sanzo doubted that Goku being hurt was the reason, but he still worried during the bus ride. It seemed to take forever to get to Goku's street. After what Goku had said on the phone, he was probably hiding himself away. But what if he had gotten hurt? It didn't sit well with the blond that Goku was living alone. Never mind the fact that he was too, at least he had his parents who called to check on him every weekend.
The blond glanced down at the napkin in his hand, and his frown deepened. Whomever the other person was that had checked on Goku, he'd left his number should Goku happen to show up. Youko had given Sanzo a copy, just in case Goku didn't answer at his apartment. She was just as clueless as he was as to whom it could of been, but Sanzo wasn't about to take anything for granted right now.
He was lucky that the last names were printed along with the apartment numbers at the front door. It took three rings, but Goku finally respond.
"Who is it?"
"It's Sanzo. Can I talk to you?"
His heart pounded with each passing second before Goku replied.
"I can't. I'm sorry. Please don't make this harder than it has to be."
Sanzo's heart thudded in his chest as the intercom went dead. He pressed the buzzer again. Three, then four times, before he finally gave up. Sanzo slammed his fist against the wall in front of him, his teeth clenched. Why wouldn't Goku even talk to him? He'd thought that Goku cared about him at least as much as he felt for the other. How could Goku just cut off all of their contact, without even telling him why? What was going on in that mind?
Feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders, an ache in his chest, Sanzo slowly made his way toward the bus stop. What else could he do? If Goku wouldn't open the door or answer the phone, then nothing. Just was he was already doing, trying to prove the brunette was innocent.
Even after Goku's confession, he didn't believe that was all to the story. Nothing was making sense, not the case, not Goku's words or actions, and not even his own thoughts half the time.
In that one week, he'd been the happiest he could ever remember. He'd fallen, quick and hard, deeply in love. He hadn't even been able to imagine what it would be like to go a day without seeing that smile. He didn't care if Goku was guilty or not! He just wanted to see that smile again.
The payphone at the bus stop caught his eye, and Sanzo paused. The slip of paper was still in his hand, and it suddenly seemed to burn. The blond wasted no time retrieving his phone card from his wallet. He didn't know who would answer, but maybe they could tell him what Goku seemed unable to.
"Geez, I'll never get over how different you can be!" Gojyo exclaimed.
Sanzo was slightly startled, then reminded himself that these two actually knew him despite the fact he didn't know them. The two elderly men had had a lot to say, but he hadn't believed a word of it until they mentioned the dreams. He'd wanted an explanation for so long, it seemed almost shocking that they could just hand him one so easily. They'd told him about the second knowing of each other, how he'd met Goku way back then. And it was in that moment that he'd known the outrageous story they were weaving was true.
"I was a lot different before?" he questioned, curious.
Gojyo laughed outright, and even the more polite Hakkai laughed behind his hand. "Man, I could never understand what he saw in you. We were like brothers, of course, but you were always such a cold bastard. No offense, but I think I heard the words 'shut up' more than any other from your mouth. Shocked the hell out of us when you finally let Goku kiss you in public without cracking him in the face."
Seeing his expression, Hakkai quickly held up his hands. "Don't get us wrong, it wasn't like you were heartless or anything. It was always obvious that Goku was special to you. You were just like Gojyo and I, not wanting to admit an emotional weakness in the face of what it could mean. It was just a matter of time, though, before he wore down your defenses."
"It's nice," Gojyo said quietly, his laughing fit having passed to be replaced by a warm smile. "After all that he's gone through, it's nice to see that you're in a situation this time that allows you to care for him so easily and openly. He really needs that, especially now."
"You've talked to him already, haven't you? Did you tell him all of this? Was he upset by it?"
Gojyo and Hakkai exchanged glances, which spoke volumes in itself. "Well, there's a little fact we left out. I don't know how well you'll take it. We tried to break it gently to Goku, tried to tell him things would be alright, but he still got upset about it."
"I don't care what happened with Yamakura!" Sanzo exclaimed. "I don't care how or why, I just want to know how to make it better. What can I say to him, to let him know that it's alright?"
"It's more than that," Hakkai stated calmly. "I would of rather had it that Goku told you himself. But if he's gotten himself locked away from everyone, something has to be done. I don't know if telling you will actually turn out for the better, but if there is one person Goku needs right now, it's you."
Gojyo grinned and got to his feet. "I'd better grab you beer."