This was how the kappa found them, a few hours later. However, Sanzo was sleeping quietly, with Goku playing with the bottom of his robes – an action that would certainly get him shot if Sanzo was awake. At least it appeared Hakkai wasn't bleeding any more, and his face showed no more signs of pain, and this comforted Gojyo. He sighed, tired from the battle, and removed his bloodstained shirt in exchange for a cleanish one that Hakkai had given him for Christmas one year. As he pulled it on, he was flooded with memories of Hakkai – his smiles, the worry on his face when he thought of any of his friends in danger, those deep green eyes, filled with pain and regret, shielded from view to anyone apart from Gojyo. For a while now, Gojyo had been able to sense Hakkai's emotions when hidden behind that fake smile, he could see through to the true Hakkai, and sometimes it scared him. Perhaps that was because they had been travelling together for so long, and had forged a friendship, or perhaps it was because of some deeper connection. Either way, Gojyo didn't like to think of it that often, he didn't like to think that much anyway, about anything. It was easier to survive that way.
"Umm, Gojyo? How did it go?" Goku asked carefully, avoiding the kappa's gaze. Gojyo sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed, opposite Goku.
"Well the bastards paid with their lives, if that's what you're asking", Gojyo replied, applying plasters to his feet, and bandaging up his right forearm, which was cut in the battle.
"Why did they attack Hakkai, when he was on his own?" Goku queried, tears forming in his eyes again. It was clear that Goku looked up to Hakkai – the older man cared for the baka saru like a brother would, it was in his nature.
"Dunno really. Easy target I guess. Element of surprise and all that." Gojyo suggested, avoiding the young monkey's gaze. He didn't know if Hakkai had told Goku or Sanzo the full story of his past, and he was uncomfortable divulging information that Hakkai might not want everyone to know. That was up to him. "So how long has that lazy bugger been sleeping, eh?" Gojyo asked with a grin.
"I'm not asleep, idiot. And I'm not a lazy bugger!" Sanzo sat up, removing his fan from his robes and hitting Gojyo over the head, and Goku too, for good measure.
"Heeey! What was that for?" Goku asked, rubbing the lump on his head.
"For playing with my robes, that's what", Sanzo mumbled, trying to restrain a smile from escaping.
"You guys can take a break now, if you want. I'm sure they're serving lunch now saru." Gojyo suggested, feeling the need to be near his friend, alone. Sanzo picked up the hint, nodded, and got up. Goku eagerly beat him to the door and ran down the stairs practically salivating at the thought of food. He had missed breakfast for the first time in years to make sure that Hakkai was safe. Now was the time to make up for it, with interest! Sanzo rolled his eyes and followed, shutting the door behind him. Goyjo could've sworn he heard Sanzo kick the monkey down the last few stairs, and grinned. The monk was being too nice recently, and it was weird.
Gojyo shifted closer to Hakkai on the bed once they were alone, and lightly brushed the hair from his eyes. His fingers trailed from his forehead, across his elegant cheekbones, and down past the fresh cut. Gojyo traced the man's jaw line, admiring his beautiful, feminine features, peaceful in sleep more than ever. Those eyes that hold so much pain, that mouth that lies with false smiles, that face that's so hard to read. His thumb reached Hakkai's lips when he realised what he was doing and swiftly withdrew his hand, embarrassed. He immediately regretted the action, as Hakkai moved in his sleep and let out a small moan, missing the contact. Hakkai reached out to Gojyo's hand, and pulled it back to his face. Gojyo sat there, partly in shock, and partly because his heart was beating so quickly and loudly that he thought even Hakkai could hear it in his sleep. Suddenly he was nervous, and he felt ridiculous because of that – why would he feel nervous sitting by his best friend's bed? Especially when he was sleeping…Slowly, Gojyo's hand came to rest in Hakkai's hair and on impulse; he leant forward and kissed Hakkai's temple.
A few minutes later, Hakkai started to curl up into a ball, his hands clutching his abdomen. Hakkai started moaning in pain.
"Please no! Not…not again…not Gojyo! Noooo! Get off! Stop!" Hakkai began to say, tears running down his cheeks in his sleep. He was whimpering now, and starting to shake. Gojyo felt a wrench in his heart, and did the one thing that seemed natural. He slipped in beside Hakkai – facing him, lying down, and tried to comfort him by whispering,
"It's ok, I'm here, I'm safe. I'm right here", Gojyo repeated, as he wiped away Hakkai's tears with his thumb. Once again he stroked the brown hair out of the green eyes – eyes that were now open. Gojyo almost fell off the bed in shock. Hakkai was awake! Gojyo almost smiled with relief, but those green eyes held so much pain and fear that he felt concern flooding back. Hakkai sat up, confused, still clutching his stomach, and Gojyo quickly followed suit. Hakkai turned, as if seeing the kappa for the first time, then pulled him into a tight embrace, tears flowing onto Gojyo's shoulder. Gojyo, somewhat stunned, wrapped him arms around the youkai and kissed his hair.
"You're alive! You're safe! Thank God. I thought I had lost you…" Hakkai said, his body wracked with tears.
"Ssshhhh, Kai, it was only a nightmare. It's ok. I should be saying that to you!" Gojyo whispered, clinging tightly to his friend, praying that Hakkai's pain would leave him. The only thing that mattered now was the injured man in his arms.