Senko-san: Hi, again! I don't think there's much for me to say... except IRU IRU ARIGATO NE for your reviews!!! Okay!!! I think I've kept you guys waiting too long... (Didn't mean to!!! TT;;)

Riyo-san: Here's the next chapter.

My Unforgettable Vacation

Chapter 7

Hakkai's POV

I watched Yue leave, helplessly. I wanted to stop them, but couldn't. I wasn't sure of what to do next.

"Doshta, Hakkai?" A voice startled me.

"Ah...Sanzo..." I looked at him.

"Are you guys done? We should be paying now... Eh? Where's Yue?" Gojyo looked around.

"...She's gone..." I told them.

"Gone? What do you mean 'gone'?" Gojyo raised an eyebrow.

"She followed her brother home." Goku explained.

I looked at Sanzo. I could see dissatisfaction in his eyes.

"Could any of you explain from the beginning?" His tone was serious.

I took my breath and began to tell them everything, with a little help from Goku, of course.

"Demo, there was something strange about their relationship..." I muttered.

"What do you mean?" Gojyo lighted a new cigarette.

"...She seemed...to fear him..." I voiced out.

Silence swept between us. Suddenly, Sanzo walked ahead, towards the counter.

"Ikuzou..."

"...Sanzo...?" I caught up with him, questioningly.

"Ch! You knew there was something strange happening, but you didn't bother to do anything?!" Sanzo looked straight at me.

He walked on, leaving me speechless on my tracks. I looked at him bluntly. My mind was racing, but I wasn't sure of what to think...

Gojyo's POV

I watched Sanzo walked ahead. He muttered to Hakkai something, but I think I could guess what he was talking about.

I approached Hakkai and patted him on the left shoulder. He seemed to snap back to reality, and looked at me.

"Gojyo?"

"You okay?" I asked.

"Ah...um...Yeah, I guess so..." he chuckled softly.

"Don't let whatever Sanzo said get to you." I told him.

"...Yeah. Thanks." He smiled softly.

"Ne, ne! What are you guys talking about???" Goku looked at both of us.

"Ah, nothing..." Hakkai told him.

"Yeah, saru. It's adult's talk! You better mind your own business!" I ruffled his hair roughly.

"Ah! Hanase! Sarutei yunna! Baka ero kappa!!!" He pushed my hand away.

"You little-!!! Grr!!! Why do I even bother??? Go catch up with Sanzo before he starts having another grudge!!!" I told him.

With that, Goku sulkily catches up with Sanzo, leaving the two of us behind. I looked back at Hakkai. He still has that guilty look in his eyes. I hated it when he looked like that.

"Oi...it's not your fault. You couldn't do anything about it, so don't blame yourself." I tried to comfort him.

"I know...demo..." he looked down at his feet.

I looked at him knowingly.

"It's about Sanzo, right?" I questioned him.

"...Yeah...I never saw him like this..."

"Hmm..." I answered, deep in thought.

What he said was true. Even though I didn't know what Sanzo told Hakkai before, but I saw his expression was...

"Let's go. We better not keep them waiting for too long..."

"Aah..."

We didn't go for the picnic after all. None of us were spirited to continue with the plan. Even Goku was a bit quiet for the rest of the day. He only "turned back" to his "original self" when Hakkai told us that lunch or dinner was ready.

Sanzo's POV

During dinner - time, I began to feel much more restless. I don't understand why, though. It has been three days after Yue left... but I kept having this feeling that something's missing... I know I should feel better at least the "annoyance" in the chalet is reduced...but...

"Sanzo?"

"Nanda?"

"Anno...are you done?"

I looked at Hakkai and then, at the dishes on the table. Most of them were empty, and Goku was still eating some. I stared at my bowl. I haven't even eaten half of it.

"...Yeah. I'm done..." I placed the chopsticks on my bowl and went to clean up.

Hakkai said nothing, but began to clean the table. The other two were still bickering at each other, but I couldn't be bothered.

After cleaning up, I walked towards the veranda and lit a cigarette. Looks like this place has become my favorite spot in the chalet.

"Oi..." He closed the door behind him.

By his actions, I knew he didn't want Goku or Hakkai to listen to our conversation.

"Nanda? I thought you were still bickering with that saru?" I answered, without looking at him.

"Look, I don't care whatever you said to Hakkai that day, but don't make him feel guilty than he already is..." Gojyo folded his arms.

"Doshta? That isn't my problem..." I exhaled a chain of smoke, still not looking at him.

"Don't act like you don't care, DAMMIT!" He raised his voice.

"WHY SHOULD I??? I NEVER BOTHERED ABOUT ANY OF YOU ANYWAY!!!" I yelled back.

"TEMME!!! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST ADMIT IT, YOU ARROGANT LOUT!!!"

"ADMIT WHAT???"

"YOU MISS HER, DON'T YOU???"

"WHY WOULD I MISS HER??? SHE'S NOTHING BUT TROUBLE TO ME!!!"

"YOU F B!!! YOU'RE MORE STUBBORN THAN I THOUGHT!!!"

"AND WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT, YOU ERO KAPPA???"

Without me realizing it, he swung a punch at me, and got me on the cheek. I went few steps backwards from the impact and held my cheek, hard.

"WHAT'S THE MATTER, COULDN'T TAKE A PUNCH???" He asked, sarcastically.

I gave him a death glare. My anger was all flared up!!! He asked for it!!!

"I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!"

"HEH! GIVE ME YOUR BEST SHOT!" He grinned slyly.

We started fighting on the veranda. I never felt so infuriated in my whole life! Damn him! He really triggered off my "patience-scale"!!!

"YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE MADE HAKKAI AS A SCAPEGOAT!!!" He delivered another punch.

"I NEVER DID, YOU BAKA!!!" I countered it and punched him in the gut.

"CH! WHY IS IT...SO...HARD FOR YOU...TO ADMIT IT???" He held his stomach tight, trying to stand the pain.

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!!!" I tried to catch my breath.

"Heh...I think...it's the other way round..." His sly grin returned to his face.

"Nani???"

"I think you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about..." He stood straight once more.

"URUSEI!!!" I gave him another punch.

It got him on the face, but he didn't fight back. Instead, he stared at me straight in the eyes. He looked serious, making me feel slightly uncomfortable.

"...You're feeling guilty as well...aren't you? Guilty...for not being there to stop her..."

His question caught me off guard. I didn't know how to answer him. He rubbed his bleeding lip, still waiting for my answer.

"THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!!" I finally found my voice back.

"Of course it's not my business...but..." He gave me another "surprise punch" before continuing. "...but you've hurt a good friend of mine in the process...and THAT made it MY business..."

"TEMME...!!!" I was about to strike him when the door abruptly flung open.

"GOJYO!!! SANZO!!!" Hakkai stared at us with horror.

"SANZO!!! WHAT'S GOING ON??? STOP IT!!!" Goku ran towards me, and held me tight.

"HANASE!!! BAKASARU!!!" I struggled, but to no avail.

"Gojyo! What's the meaning of all this???" Hakkai pulled Gojyo back as well.

"I just wanted some answers...that's all..." he replied.

"Answers...?" Hakkai looked at him puzzled.

"Yeah...but it doesn't matter anymore..." He turned and entered the chalet with Hakkai slowly trailing behind.

He wanted to help, but Gojyo waved him that he was okay. He paused awhile and looked at me just before taking another step into the chalet.

"...Hakkai..." I heard myself say.

"Eh?" He looked back at me in surprise.

Goku loosened his grip now. I was able to calm myself as well. Dammit! Why did I call him??? It was my subconscious which took over me those few seconds before... No matter... Since I've already called him...

"...I'm sorry..." I muttered.

His eyes widened, so did Goku's. I wasn't looking at any of them, but I could "feel" what they were thinking. I couldn't believe it either. I never apologized to them before...

"Eh... Iya... Daijobu... Come on in. I need to aid your wounds as well..." Hakkai finally blurted out.

"...Aah..." I agreed.

Goku walked beside me into the chalet, speechless. He remained that way the whole night... Ch! That bakasaru!!!

I ended up sleeping on the couch that night, recalling Gojyo's words. In the morning, I heard a door creaked open. I looked up at the person and was face to face with Gojyo. He stared back at me in surprise.

"...I thought you were in your room, still asleep..." He stretched slightly.

"...Funny, I thought you were too..."

"Ch! Whatever..." He headed for the bathroom.

"...Hakkai told you...didn't he?"

He paused and exchanged glances with me once more. He gave a grunt and went on his way, grinning.

"Heh! Yeah, he did."

"...I thought so..."

"It still sounds weird though... You've never apologized before..."

"Urusei..." Veins start to appear on my head.

"Yeah, fine..." He chuckled and closed the door.

I could hear the water began to run, him splashing it on his face, etc...

Senko-san: Oh well! I wanted to make it longer, but I haven't the time!!! Please forgive me!!! I'll try to continue as fast as I can on the next chapter!!! TT Everything will be much clearer about Yue's background in the next one, so I hope you'll be looking forward to it!