A Fools Dream
Chapter: 9The town was bustling with people, making it barely possible for the two friends to walk more than a few feet before bumping into someone. According to the innkeeper, it was just their luck to arrive during the preparations of a festival, dedicated to the town's founder.
The group had arrived at the town shortly after midday. Not wanting to waste any time, Hakkai had managed to cajole Gojyo into accompanying him to purchase supplies for their continuing journey. Both men were ladled with bags and added to their burden, they had to carefully manoeuvre between children running this way and that, and the residents of this town. All about them, the shops and market stalls were doing good business; vendors calling to customers, women chattering excitedly about the coming event, children laughing as they played, men accompanying their wives, friends and loved ones, doing what they did best in these situations. More than once Gojyo had been close to snapping at the little ones that ran into him, while Hakkai watched on in amusement, chuckling lightly.
"You know, instead of getting a kick out of these kids running into me, why don't you do something useful, like checking what's next on the list," Gojyo growled, casting a dissatisfied look towards his friend. Hakkai's smile widened, as he complied with the redhead's wishes and dug out the list from his pocket. As he looked over it, the half-breed dug out his pack of cigarettes, pushed one out and trapped it between his lips.
"You know…" Hakkai said idly, "it's been about two or so weeks since Ena joined…"
"…So?" the other asked, his tone marking his disinterest as he looked for the vital component for his craving – the lighter.
"Nothing really…" he paused a moment, casting his eyes towards his friend as he attempted to light the cigarette, "just that she seems to be a little more relaxed since she opened up a little…"
"Again…so?" he prompted with the same disinterest, though a slight tone of annoyance could be heard. He cursed when his lighter failed on him again and promptly threw it into a nearby bin, proceeding to dig out one of the many spares he always kept.
"I still don't really trust her…" Hakkai said, his tone expressing the guilt he felt. He couldn't understand why he felt guilty, he rarely trusted very many people as it was. Maybe it was because she had travelled with them, ate with them, fought by their sides; all of her actions indicated her alliance, but still the trust was not there.
"None of us do," Gojyo said around the cigarette that he had successfully lit, removing it as he exhaled, "she hasn't really done anything to earn it…well anything that we could acknowledge anyway,"
"I know…but I'm curious to know what she's hiding…" the other mused, "she isn't malicious in any way, I can sense that…her reason for joining us could be legitimate, but I just feel that there's more to this whole thing…more to what her…Gojyo?" he came to a stop upon realising the absence of his friend, and turned about to locate him. Sure enough, a little ways away, there he was chatting to a somewhat alluring woman, 'Correction…apologising to a somewhat alluring woman,' the green-eyed man thought as he took in the scene, noting her bow in an apologetic manner. As he watched the two for a while, he also came to realise that he had seen the woman somewhere before…and he'd also seen that look in Gojyos eye before too, 'Looks like I'm going to be continuing on my own…' he sighed, 'why didn't I bring Goku instead…' with this final thought, he made his way towards his lecherous friend and the poor woman he had ensnared.
-o-
"You don't have to apologise, it was my fault," Gojyo said, smiling kindly at the young woman who wouldn't stop apologising, "I should have been watching where I was going,"
"Oh, but it is my fault," the woman insisted, her big eyes shining with her worry and shame, "I'm so clumsy, I should have been focusing on where I was going instead of having my head in the clouds," the redhead smiled and noted how cute she looked, maybe she'd be up for a little fun later, "Is there anything I can do to apologise?"
"Well…"
"Gojyo!" he looked up at the sound of his name and saw Hakkai coming towards them. The green-eyed man made his way through the crowd, apologising when bumping into someone, until he reached his friend.
"Uh, Hakkai," he said, smiling in an apologetic manner, "look…I'm really sorry, but do you think you can continue on your own…I kinda…" he trailed off, cocking his head towards the woman. Hakkai sighed and nodded, smiling as he did so…he had, after all, known this was coming.
"Okay," he agreed, hoisting his bags a bit for a better grip, "I'll see you back at the inn," Gojyo looked at his friend, noting his tone and shifted the bags he was holding, so as to reach out a hand.
"How about handing me another bag," he said, to which his friend blinked in slight surprise, "least I can do is take some of the stuff back since I'm heading there anyway,"
"If you insist," the brown-haired man smiled gratefully, handing another bag to his friend, "leave them in Sanzo's room, they should be safer there…I hope," the half-breed smiled and turned back, beckoning for the woman to come with, to which she complied. Hakkai stood where he was, watching the two walking away, a strange feeling welling within as he sensed something strange about his friend's female companion.
-o-
Sanzo lay on his bed, facing the wall as he attempted to block out the sound of the monkey playing with the dragon. It had been a long ride and all he wanted was to sleep, until Hakkai and the cockroach came back then they could order food. He couldn't understand it, even after all this time, how could Goku be so annoyingly full of energy…even a normal youkai would be tired after their journey. On another note, just why was the energetic boy in his room anyway, he had his own room to play in, they all did.
"Sanzo," Goku called, the cheerful tone making the blond monk twitch in annoyance as he grunted in reply, "Hakuryuu and I are gonna go to Ena's room, 'kay?" Sanzo grunted in response again, looking forward to the quiet, 'Maybe then I could get some sleep,' The young man stayed where he was a moment, looking at his master and dearest friend's back, before letting out a sigh and coming to his feet, "Come on Hakuryuu, let's go see how she's doing," as he reached the door, it opened and he collided with whoever had opened it.
"Shit! Watch where you're going, you clumsy ape!" the brown-haired teen looked up at the remark and his eyes narrowed. Just what was he doing here so soon, and what right had he to yell at him.
"You should have knocked, bastard kappa!" he shot back, letting out a yelp as a pillow hit him in the back of his head, "Ow! Sanzo, Gojyo started it!" he exclaimed, rubbing his head and pointing to the real one at fault.
"I don't care! I've been trying to sleep and all I hear is your annoying voice!" the monk snarled, sitting up and bearing a dangerous look in his eyes, "Get out already," Goku scowled at the man he held so dear and exited the room, muttering under his breath as he cradled the little dragon. The redhead watched after him, then turned back to the ill-mannered monk.
"Yo, I've brought back some supplies, just thought I'd leave'em here," he said, stepping in and placing them in the corner as the blond man made a disinterested sound. Once he was done, he turned back to their leader, who had gotten up to pick up his pillow, "Hakkai'll be back soon, I'm off for some TLC,"
"Hmph, whatever," he grunted, throwing the pillow atop his bed and lying back down upon it. Gojyo smirked, expecting nothing less, and exited the room. He looked down both ways and saw Goku outside a room some doors down the left side. He frowned when Ena answered it, not really surprised as to where Goku had gone. He watched the youth enter, and froze when his gaze met hers for a fleeting moment before she disappeared into her room, 'Che…typical…' He turned down the hall to his right and made his way through the inn to the bar, where he stopped at the doorway and looked for the woman he had brought. His eyes narrowed as he found her, surrounded by four men who had no business being near her. He started to move towards her, spurred by the split-second glance she had given him; she was asking for his help.
"Yo boys," he jeered, coming to a stop just before them, "I believe the lady's with me," the four men turned to him, each one seeming to be of decent build and would have posed a threat to any normal person. Then again, Gojyo wasn't normal.
"Oh yeah, what makes you think she hasn't changed her mind?" one of them asked; a definite challenge designed to intimidate.
"Yeah, why'd she want you when she's got us four?" another piped up, casting a lewd look towards the young woman. The half-breed raised an eyebrow, he really had to give these guys points for their guts, oh and the other two too, since they started moving in on him. He decided to humour them a little and stepped back, raising his hands in a submissive manner.
"Ah well…I guess you're right," he said, catching the satisfied looks on their faces, "do we still need to fight, 'cause I bruise easily, and yeah…women don't really go for the punch-bag," the four men had moved in, tightening the circle about him.
"Well, you upset us and ruined our mood, so we're gonna have to teach you a lesson," the first man spoke again, his grin widening as the redhead gulped.
-o-
"Dammit, you asshole!" the man cried, cradling his broken arm as he knelt among his fallen comrades. A fight had broken out and all four of them had been severely punished; now the supposed leader was alone, the other three lying unconscious on the ground outside the inn.
"Who's an asshole?" Gojyo asked, stepping out of the inn and grabbing a fistful of the man's hair. He yanked the fool up to eye-level, his gaze burning into the other's now fearful eyes, "Listen, I just beat your asses…you sure you're not a glutton for punishment?" The man looked back at him, his eyes wide upon his bruised and bleeding face. All four of them were in bad shape; he couldn't risk taking more damage from this man…no monster. The redhead let go of the man, and looked down upon him, "Good, now bugger off before I lose it," Not wanting to spend another moment in the same space, the wounded man set about to waking his friends before making a run for it.
"My hero," came the soft, grateful words as the woman came up and slipped an arm through his, "that's three times you've saved my life, I am in your debt…"
"Gojyo," he turned to look at the woman, who smiled warmly up at him.
"Yuri," she replied, then tip-toed up to whisper in his ear, "please, allow me to reward you," he gazed into her eyes and caught her meaning, 'It's been a while,' He smiled and took her hand, leading her to his room. Upon reaching the door, he allowed her to enter first, but stopped when his name was called.
"I'll be there in a bit okay, make yourself comfortable," Yuri smiled and nodded as he closed the door. Gojyo turned about, sighing in annoyance, meeting the disapproving look of Ena, "Oh, it's you…where's Goku and what do you want?"
"Goku's with Hakuryuu, in my room," she replied, placing a hand on her hip as he folded his arms, "is it wise to spend the night with a woman you just met?" A displeased eyebrow rose up and he leaned towards her.
"It's none of your business," he sneered, then he smiled as his eyes twinkled with dark humour, "Why do you care? Are you jealous?"
"No way in hell," she hissed, scowling at his accusation. Her gaze flits to his door then back at him, "All the same, you should be careful…Y-there's something strange about that woman," The half-breed smirked, was she actually worried about him?
"Don't worry," he assured, unfolding his arms and cupping her chin with one hand, "I'll make sure that there'll be plenty left for you," He winked, smirking as she shot him a dirty look before pulling away and storming off to her room. He watched her go, unfazed by the resounding slam of her door, and chuckled as he returned to his own – he had a guest to entertain.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A/N: I'm sorry for the lateness, but writer's block is a horrible thing, plus I had to rediscover the direction I wanted this to go in.
SwitchVale: Thanks for sticking with the story this far, I really appreciate it (smile) I know it's been 5 months since the last update, but I hope to finish this story quick, but with no lack of quality so it won't look like a rush-job…heck I'm not rushing anyway, but please stick with me on this…I just hope the ending won't be a disappointment, hehe