Disclaimer: The usual. Don't own 'em, wish I did.

A/N: Yaoi in later chapters. Pairing is Hakkai/Gojyo.

Thanks to Crimson 1, YukitoK and tigermink for your reviews! I hope the next chapter is to your liking. Sorry it's shorter, I'll make it up to you next chapter.

Friendship With Benefits

Chapter 2

Hakkai watched the redhead out of the corner of his eye. He'd come back earlier than expected from his night of drinking and gambling, grumbling under his breath. He'd barely answered Hakkai when the demon inquired about his early return, slamming the bathroom door behind him. Hakkai hadn't taken offense, figuring he'd lost too many hands of cards and now he was pissed with himself.

But when he came out of the bathroom, he glared at Hakkai before throwing himself into bed. Hakkai pretended he didn't notice, seemingly keeping his attention on the book at hand, but the look had caused a stab of worry to penetrate his insides. What could I possibly have done wrong? I've barely left this bed. Or was that the problem? Is he tired of taking care of me?

Hakkai let these thoughts plague him for the next few hours to the point of obsession. He couldn't read the book, he couldn't sleep. He just had to know.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Gojyo lay with his back to the demon. He was thankful that Hakkai hadn't tried to talk to him once he came out of the bathroom. He was afraid of what he would have said to him. The night had been going well. He was up over $400 and not only was Lady Luck on his side, but so was a beautiful brunette named Sarah.

Gojyo had bowed out of the high stakes game early having won over $600 and becoming more interested in Sarah than the cards. So he escorted Sarah back to her place. Things were going as expected, he and the brunette hastily making their way to her bed, kissing and groping and dropping clothes as they went. They had collapsed on the bed, the woman resting on top of Gojyo looking down at him with that lustful glint he knew so well. But suddenly, the green eyes he was looking into were not those of the woman. He blinked a few times, thinking the alcohol was playing tricks on him. When he opened his eyes and looked up at the woman again, he wasn't seeing the brunette. He was seeing Hakkai.

Gojyo shoved the shock of the image aside and rolled over, growling, pinning the woman under him. He decided he wouldn't look at her. Maybe she looked a lot like his friend and he just hadn't noticed it before. But as he satisfied himself, focusing on the pleasure of the moment, flashes of Hakkai kept assaulting his mind. Gojyo pounded harder and harder as if slamming into the brunette below him would rid him of the images of his best friend.

Gojyo hadn't stayed long afterwards. He normally wasn't so selfish a lover or so callus as to leave so soon, but he needed some fresh air. He needed to get away from the brunette and just clear his mind. He wandered the town trying to focus on anything other than what his mind was insisting on thinking about. He stomped out his cigarette and reached into his pocket for another only to come up empty-handed. "Fuck." The redhead sighed in defeat and headed back to the inn.

As he entered the inn, the innkeeper's wife spotted him and smiled. "Good evening young man. Will you be needing any food or drink for you and your friend this evening?" Gojyo narrowed his eyes at the jovial woman. My friend? I don't like the way she said that. What the hell was that supposed to mean, 'my friend'? Gojyo just mumbled and shook his head 'no' as he bounded up the stairs two at a time.

By the time he reached his room, he was dreading seeing Hakkai and that pissed him off even more because he was his best friend. So he had decided not to hide his frustration, hoping the astute demon would catch on and not talk to him. And things were going just fine until he heard that voice.

"Gojyo?"

"What?" He sounded annoyed. Take the hint Hakkai.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"About what?" Shit! Never answer with a question.

"Well, you're back pretty early, obviously angry and well….you gave me a dirty look when you came out of the bathroom."

Is there anything he doesn't notice? He was reading his book for heaven's sake! "Just an unlucky night. Go to sleep Hakkai."

"But Gojyo, why---"

Gojyo sat up and spun around to face the inquisitive demon, "Just drop it Hakkai!"

Hakkai started at the glinting crimson eyes fixed on him. Gojyo had never, in four year's time, yelled at him. What is going on? What did I do?

Gojyo saw the hurt in those green eyes even from across the room, but he didn't care. He just wanted this day to end. Hakkai was just going to have to accept not knowing everything.

"Ok, sorry. Goodnight Gojyo." Hakkai lay down, his back to his friend. Gojyo sighed and lay back down, feeling guilty. Without knowing it, both were having the same thought: Now I'll never get to sleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The next morning Hakkai woke up to find himself alone. He sighed and got up, washed and dressed. It took him awhile to get ready, his body stiff and sore from his injuries and lack of movement. By the time he made it downstairs, Sanzo, Goku and Gojyo were almost done breakfast.

"Good morning everyone."

"Hakkai!"

The demon smiled at the genuine and enthusiastic greeting from their 'youngest' member. "Hey Goku." He sat down and the waitress came over to take his order. It felt good to be out of the room and with his friends again, doing something normal. "So what are everyone's plans for the day?"

"The same thing we've been doing for the past eight days. Waiting for your ass to heal." Sanzo ruffled his paper back up in front of his face, not bothering to meet the crimson glare he knew was aimed at him.

"Ok." Hakkai cast a quick glance at Gojyo, but the redhead was still leaning on his elbows staring down into his coffee cup. "You know, I think I'm going to head back upstairs. Maybe I'm not ready for this yet." The sullen demon headed upstairs to his room, having suddenly lost his appetite.

"Hakkai, wait!" The demon stopped and turned to see Goku bringing him a plate of food and a cup of coffee. "I'll bring this upstairs for you. You have to eat something."

Hakkai ruffled the mop of brown hair and smiled. "Thank you Goku. That's very sweet." One more glance at the table to confirm Gojyo was completely ignoring him, and Hakkai followed Goku upstairs.

The two demons headed upstairs while Sanzo and Gojyo sat at the breakfast table, both angry at Hakkai for their own reasons. "I'm outta here. Later monk."

"Not playing nursemaid today?"

"Go to hell."

"All in due time."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hakkai sat at the small table with Goku and ate his breakfast, enjoying the other demon's company. "Ok. So the thing to remember is to never show any emotion. You'll give yourself away."

"Oh, ok." Goku stared at the cards in his hand. "How's this?"

Hakkai chuckled. Goku was holding his cards so close to his big golden eyes, he could read the cards in the reflection. Just like Gojyo. A frown took over his face as he thought back to Gojyo yelling at him last night and then not even acknowledging him this morning.

"Hakkai? What am I doing wrong?"

"Huh? Wrong? What do you mean Goku?"

"Well I asked you if my poker face was any good and you frowned. What am I doing wrong?"

Hakkai sighed and put his cards down, "I'm sorry Goku. I wasn't frowning at you. I'm really not feeling great right now. Do you mind if we continue this later?"

"No, that's fine. You rest and I'll stop by later, ok?"

"That sounds fine. Thanks for breakfast Goku."

"No problem. Sorry about Sanzo. He's just grumpy this morning. He didn't mean it."

Hakkai gave Goku a knowing smile as he closed the door. He sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, face resting in his hands. Sanzo did mean what he said. And normally, Hakkai could shrug him off or retort with something that would shut the monk up for awhile. But this morning he didn't have the energy to face Sanzo. He was worried about what he did to make Gojyo so angry with him. I can't apologize if I don't know what I did wrong.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Gojyo wandered through the town making his way to the outskirts, not wanting to be around anybody at the moment. He hadn't slept well last night after he yelled at Hakkai. He felt bad for being angry at him but he didn't know how else to feel. He sure as hell wasn't going to let the feelings he had with the brunette last night come through again. What the fuck was that! Gojyo threw himself against the tree and sank to the ground, thankful for the bark scraping his back. Now that was a feeling he knew how to handle.

He lit a cigarette and stared up into the forest canopy. Maybe it was just a fluke. Some weird ass waking dream, no nightmare, brought on by too much alcohol. That had to be it. Gojyo scoffed and took another drag. There's no way I'm attracted to Hakkai. That's ridiculous! The red-haired half demon started to relax, realizing just how stupid he was acting. Attracted to Hakkai? He chuckled out loud at the thought now.

Gojyo sat under the tree and finished his cigarette, deciding that when he got back he would apologize to Hakkai and make it up to him by letting him beat him mercilessly in cards.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Gojyo returned to their room to find it empty. Hmph. Where the hell did he go? He should be resting, the dumbass. The redhead threw himself into his bed and decided to take a little nap and wait for his friend. Won't get a chance to do this for a long time, might as well enjoy it while I can.

The redhead lay there, eyes closed, relaxed. He let his mind wander to whatever it chose, knowing he would be asleep soon. Nothing notable came to mind and Gojyo fell asleep as vague images and colors danced before his eyes. Then he saw a pair of smiling lips. Without seeing the rest of the face, Gojyo knew it was Hakkai's. His friend had given him that smile enough for Gojyo to recognize it anywhere.

The image faded and Gojyo's dream continued. He heard voices that were laughing and shouting. He immediately recognized Sanzo's voice. The monk's voice dripped with disdain and Gojyo frowned. Damn monk. Then he heard Goku whining about food, Hakaru's squeaking and Hakkai's laughter.

The voices continued and were soon accompanied by images. This was his life. These were his friends and comrades. Suddenly all the images disappeared except for Hakkai. He watched as images of the green-eyed demon flashed by. Hakkai smiling, driving, sleeping and fighting. He was fighting that overlord. He was bloody and on his knees waiting for the death blow. Gojyo reached for his jakujou, but it wasn't there. Hakkai! Watch out!

The demon didn't hear him and he hung his head and Gojyo watched as the overlord brought the blade down and beheaded Hakkai. Gojyo ran for his friend but he dissolved into a pile of ashes. The overlord just laughed and faded away as Gojyo landed on is knees by the pile of ashes. Tears streamed down his face as he stared at the remains of his best friend. No! Hakkai! You can't leave me! You bastard you can't leave me here all alone! I'm sorry I didn't stay and help you. I'm so sorry Hakkai. Please come back Hakkai….!

Gojyo woke up panting, sweat covering his body. He stayed lying on his back staring wide-eyed at the ceiling getting his breathing under control. As he ran his fingers through is hair, he felt something wet. "What the hell?" He ran his hands over his face. I'm crying? What the hell is going on with me?

The frustrated half-demon got up and grabbed his cigarettes and vest. He knew exactly what he needed to get his mind clear and back on track. Within two hours Gojyo was playing cards, drinking, smoking and enjoying the company of a blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman who was kind enough to let him stay the night.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hakkai slowly made his way up the stairs to his room, hoping not be seen by any of his friends. Gods I'm tired. It was already dark outside and he assumed the others would be eating dinner by now. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it for a few moments to rest. I shouldn't have pushed it today. Stupid. Very stupid.

He pushed himself off the door and made his way to the bathroom to wash up before collapsing in the bed. He didn't bother to turn on any lights other than the small one in the bathroom while he was in there. He slipped under the covers and shivered just a little as the cool sheets made contact with his mostly naked body.

He closed his eyes and felt his mind drifting into sleep immediately when he heard a telltale squeak. He sat up and opened the window. "I told you that you could sleep with me before. Why were you being stubborn?"

He was answered with a few drawn out squeaks as the little white dragon flew inside and proceeded to make itself at home on Hakkai's bed.

"Well that's very considerate of you Hakaru, but Gojyo and I are not in a fight. We don't need time alone to work out anything." He chuckled as he closed the window and settled back down into bed. "You act like we're a couple you crazy dragon."

A muffled squeak sent Hakkai sitting upright and staring down at the curled up dragon. "What? We are not! Gojyo and I are just friends." He listened to Hakaru for a few moments, his face getting warm at the little dragon's comments. "I should have never told you that Hakaru. Just because I said I loved him doesn't mean what you think it means. We care about each other, that's what best friends do." A high-pitched growl could be heard from the small dragon and Hakkai smiled and pet the small white head. "You're my best dragon friend Hakaru. Gojyo is my best demon friend. Now stop thinking such silly thoughts and get some sleep."

Hakkai lay back down on his side, staring at the empty bed across the room. What a ridiculous thought! I think I may have pushed Hakaru too far today as well. Poor little guy has lost his mind. The green-eyed demon sighed and rolled over onto his other side not wanting to face the empty bed or the empty feeling it gave him.

to be continued...