"Sanzo," Hakkai murmured, "Are you sure you want to leave Mitsuya alone like that?" Hakkai jogged after Sanzo's quick pace down the winding steps of the tower.

"Very sure. Don't ask me again,"

Gojyo raised a skeptical eyebrow, but said nothing.

Hakuryuu was healing well with Hakkai's power, and the city populace were grateful enough to treat the party with offerings, fine food and warms beds (with possibly warmed by a body, in Gojyo's case.) Hakuryuu, they said, would be ready in few days time. 'Till then, they said, feel free to give yourselves the luxury of freedom and independence all around the city.

Sanzo spent his time alone in the inn dorm room, smoking away at time while Hakkai followed Gojyo to bars and restaurants to enjoy the city's evening festivals. Goku ate happily to his hearts' content.

The same evening of the Bell Toll Happening (the villagers name for the day when the Creator was justified, in respect to the Sanzo party.)

Red lanterns adorned the streets for a crimson glow, and some children danced and ran with small glowing orbs in their hands. It was a paranormal, mystical, ravenous, musical, happy night. As dusk approached, man and woman raised their glasses to the heaven in tribute to the saviors. There were parades, puppet shows and street venders flaring their stuff. Exotic female dancers were given the limelight as they enchanted and awed visitors with foreign chants and techniques. There was a meal for everyone, bars and restaurants and taverns closed later at night. More drinks, more celebration. Gojyo and Hakkai roamed the newly paved streets, promenading and spending the time with great leisure. They found a less crowded bar and got themselves a table.

"Do you think Sanzo will be o.k, Gojyo?" asked Hakkai, sitting down comfortably.

Gojyo frowned.

"Honestly, no."

"Yeah,"

"Seemed a bit abrupt, Sanzo stalking away like that, just leaving Mitsuya, huh?"

"It did. There will be tension when we leave, you understand that, don't you Gojyo?"

"Damn sure I do,"

The conversation ended as a tall waitress with a slinky short skirt and blouse walked to their table. She placed two beer bottles in front of the men.

"How can I help you sirs tonight?"

Gojyo looked at Hakkai, and took a long swig of booze.

"I'm not sure," he said simply, shrugging and then letting his cigarette fall to the ground slyly.

"Oh, I'll pick that up for you, sir," as the waitress bent over and grabbed the burning roll of paper. Her skirt was inefficient to cover what needed to be covered.

Gojyo whistled and whispered to Hakkai, "That's a nice view,"

The waitress flushed and smirked.

"Can I serve you, sir, any other way?" she asked sweetly, her tongue moistening her bottom lip in anticipation.

"Yeah, I can think of few ways," muttered Gojyo, his eyes glued to her blouse and the goods underneath.

The waitress shifted bent over to whisper a few words in Gojyo's ears. Hakkai couldn't hear, but the way Gojyo was smiling, Hakkai had a feeling he didn't want to know what the waitress was discussing. The waitress walked away with a small seductive smile on her face. Gojyo leaned back and grinned.

"Those women are a piece of cake, and damn! With my appetite, I think I'll still be hungry after one slice,"

Hakkai sighed.

"One lady after another, huh, Gojyo?"

"That's the way I work. Maybe the monkey will get laid tonight too,"

Hakkai chuckled.

"Yeah, I could see him getting some," said Hakkai as Gojyo laughed.

"What about you, Hakkai? Are you craving some nasty fun?"

Hakkai thought for a second.

"One nighters aren't my thing, Gojyo,"

"You kidding me? Free sex, and you never see them again. No commitment,"

"I'd like sex. But not without commitment,"

"Whatever. I'm set for tonight!"

The waitress reappeared minutes later with two steaming plates of dumplings, rice, sauces and other delicacies.

"But we didn't order or pay—"

The waitress laughed.

"Hon, how I'm gonna get paid tonight by your friend, you go ahead and eat,"

Gojyo offered to buy her a drink. She nodded and he handed her money.

"Make it three of whatever you're getting," added Hakkai as she slinked away. "Gojyo, I hate to admit this, but you're smooth,"

Gojyo smirked.

"Experience, good looks, and a long—"

"That's very nice, Gojyo, but please! Let's just keep this sortive talk at a minimum,"

The dinner and drinking continued late into the night, when the party of three proceeded to go back to the inn and rest (I think.)

Sanzo was not in a good mood. He was pissed at everyone and everything.

It was my fault.

He took a long puff of the cigarette and wiped his forehead.

I should've listened to her.

He rammed a fist down on the bed he lying on.

I need her. I could find her. Now. Later. Never…

There was a knock on the door.

"Leave me fucking alone!" he yelled, cocking his gun dangerously.

The door creaked open slowly.

"Hey, Sanzo—" Sanzo fired two bullets into the wall.

"It's just me, Hakkai, we're back, just wanted you to know—"

"What?" growled Sanzo.

Go away.

"Gojyo will be busy tonight, so out of warning, you don't walk in on him,"

"As usual,"

Hakkai popped his head in the room.

"I'll be—Sanzo, are you crying?"

BANG!

"LEAVE ME ALONE,"

"See you in the morning, Sanzo,"

BANG!

After the quick rendezvous with Hakkai, the monk went back to sulking and moping and smoking his soul out like there was no tomorrow. After an hour or so, Sanzo was drifting off to sleep, soothed in an peculiar way to the rough sounds of Gojyo and the waitress in the room next to his. With each thump and groan or giggle, Sanzo's eyes lowered slowly. His rest was interrupted though, as the door was creaked open slowly, ever so sudden. A pale hand rested on the doorknob, as a young woman with hair like a ravens' wing walked inside, shoulders slumped and eyes bloodshot from tears…