:: Perfect World ::
Gensomaden Saiyuki
Disclaimer: I don't own Gensomaden Saiyuki, which rightfully belongs to Minekura Kazuya.
Rating: R
Pairings: Homura/Goku, hinted Gojyo/Hakkai and Goku/Sanzo
Warnings: AU-ish, angst, violence, language, yaoi, lime
Notes: Many apologies for the long wait. But we're finally all moved in, and things are starting to settle down again.
Thank you for the reviews. I was surprised to come back online to that many. Many thanks for the concrit.
Constructive criticism and feedbackare appreciated.
Chapter Fourteen
It had been a while since he'd been promised a good challenge. True, he had not once beat any of his instructors in training, and they were more than challenging enough. But this time it was going to be a real thrill. Goku could sense it. This was going to be a fight where no one would be holding back-- and his opponents were strong.
He didn't know how he knew it, but they were. It made blood pound in his ears with excitement.
"Come on," he said, grinning. "Let's do this already!"
He recognized the blonde man from yesterday. It was strange, he thought absently, that he should run into him the day before he had to fight him. Homura had told them they were going to find a certain group of people -- of which one of the members included a Sanzo who was in possession of something they absolutely needed -- but he hadn't given Goku a physical description. Zenon and Shien seemed to have known who they were looking for, but Goku had been kept completely in the dark. That made their first real meeting all the more exciting.
He was going to beat these men into the ground.
The blonde one, the one Homura had called Konzen, brought his gun up and fired. Goku had spent hours dodging Zenon's machine gun, so eluding a single bullet was simple in comparison. An arrogant part of him wanted him to show off, to slip to the side and make it look as though dodging it was easier than it looked. But the last time he'd tried that Shien had nearly taken his head off-- and would have if he hadn't pulled back in time to just nick Goku's throat. Homura had been furious and Goku had thought he'd never hear the end of it.
I can show off when Homura's not around, Goku decided. That was, of course, if these men somehow managed to escape alive.
"Gonna have to do better'n that," he said smugly, tightening his grip on the staff as he moved forward. If he swung hard enough he could probably take this man's head off.
Konzen stepped back and Goku got a brief glimpse of the hard glint behind them. Before he could actually make his move, however, the redhead behind Konzen ducked beneath the blonde's arm, a sneer on his lips. Goku barely had time to blink before the side of the man's weapon clipped him upside the head. The metal connected with his diadem with a resonating clang. Goku yelped as he fell back, stumbling before he managed to find his footing at glare at the man.
"Don't think we'll go easy on a brat," the redhead snapped.
So they are strong. Goku shook his head, the echoing in his mind finally fading. It annoyed him that he had been hit so easily, but at the same time it made him more excited.
Goku grinned. "Don't think I'll go easy on you, either," he replied. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice; he had more than one opponent to deal with, and he had to remember that. He only wished he knew if their other friend was able to fight as well.
"Your attitude gets on my nerves, kid."
"If that's so, then shut up and fight!" With a loud cry erupting form his chest, Goku leapt up, this time gripping Nyoibou at the center and swinging down. The redhead managed to dodge, but Goku was ready for that. He kicked out where he expected the man to be-- and was shocked to find their third friend catch his ankle.
The man's eyes bothered him for some reason. They looked normal enough, but strangely unfocused. Before Goku could take time to wonder why that was, the stranger smiled and said, "Sorry. I just found your greeting a little rude." With that he unclenched his fingers, giving the boy's leg a hard shove. Toppling off balance, Goku hit the dirt with a grunt. He dimly realized that the area behind his eyes was beginning to ache.
The sound of metal clinking reached his ears. Instinctively knowing it was the gun, Goku rolled over on his side, this time barely avoiding the hit without meaning to. He swore softly, pushing himself back and to his feet before Konzen fired again.
A short grunt told him the redhead had somehow gotten behind him. Annoyance sparked as Goku brought his staff up just in time to block the attack. The man with unsettling eyes hardly gave him a chance to draw back; the moment their weapons parted he moved in, one of his palms glowing. Belatedly realizing it was something Shien had once taught him was chi -- power that was semi-solidified, just enough to hurt an opponent -- Goku had to throw himself to the side to avoid the blast. The result was him crashing into Konzen.
Both of them tumbled to the ground, Konzen on his back and Goku to his side. The blonde cursed him loudly, sounding winded from the fall. Goku had to scramble to his feet, which luckily turned out to be in time to avoid Konzen hitting him on the head with his gun. The discomfort behind his eyes was growing to a noticeable pulsating pain.
The four paused in their scuffle for a quick breather. The redhead was the one to break the momentary silence. "You're just like any other brat out there, aren't you?" He sneered a bit. "All talk; hardly any action."
"I didn't see you land a hit," Goku retorted, spitting on the ground. Good. No blood in his mouth.
To his surprise, the disturbing-eyed man chuckled. "He does have a point," he said.
The redhead shot him a disgusted look. "Don't get high and mighty just because you pushed him down."
"Is that what I was doing, Gojyo?"
"Yes!"
"Ah. My apologies, then. I'll watch my ego next time."
Goku blinked, puzzled by the odd exchange. He tightened his grip on the staff; now that he had caught a moment to breathe and somewhat sort his thoughts he was excited again. The fight had turning out to be a little tougher than expected-- even if it was three against one. And he now had a name for the redhead. Gojyo. He wasn't sure why this knowledge felt important, but it did.
Goku noted with relief that his headache had faded somewhat.
"If we're done screwing around, I believe we have a situation to finish attending to," Konzen said to his companions, his voice clipped. He turned his seemingly everlasting glare to Goku, raising and cocking his gun again. Goku smirked in response, lifting his own weapon. He was ready.
This time he made the first move, launching himself at Gojyo. Their weapons clashed, tremors from the brief aftermath making Goku's hands shudder momentarily. The same tremors startled Gojyo and he immediately applied pressure, managing to tear the weapon free of one of the redhead's hands. He still grasped the shakujyo, but Goku's force had knocked it to his side, leaving Goku an opening to throw a punch at the man's face.
Instead of connecting with flesh and bone Goku's hand hit something invisible but agonizingly solid. He cried out, stumbling back and clenching his fist to his chest, seething as the sharp pain stung through his knuckles. What the hell was that?!
"Are you all right?" the creepy-eyed man was asking Gojyo.
"Yeah, barely," Gojyo muttered. "Thanks, Hakkai."
"Barely" my ass, Goku thought irritably, stooping to pick up his fallen staff. What had he hit? It had felt like a stone wall-- and a rough one at that. Glancing down, Goku noted that the skin over his knuckles was scraped and red.
Whatever it was, it seemed to have come from the brunette beside Gojyo. Goku would have to be more wary of him. He wasn't sure if it was a result of hitting the invisible wall, the stinging in his hand reminding him about the rest of his body, but the headache was back and nearly doubly strong.
In any case, it seemed as though it would be safer for him to only use his staff. Goku huffed, narrowing his eyes and digging one heel into the dirt. He willed one of his opponents to make a move.
He saw Gojyo glance sideways at Hakkai, a tiny secretive smile on his lips. Oddly enough, Hakkai didn't look back, but he was the one to make the first move. He strode forward; his mouth set in a grim like that somehow struck Goku as unusual. Watching in momentary mute fascination, Goku saw light throb between Hakkai's hands.
He dodged just before the chi erupted. Grinning, Goku raised his staff to hit Hakkai on the back of the head, a yell half formed in his throat.
A clatter of chains was his only warning. Too late to dodge, Goku gave out another cry. This one was one of pain as a string of linked chains wrapped around his wrist, pulled tight by the heavy, pointed crescent-shaped object at the end. Nyoibou fell from his hands. Goku hit the ground, choking on a squawk of pain. Shit--!
"Got ya, you little punk," Gojyo's voice ground in through his thoughts.
"Bastard," Goku gasped, writhing and tugging fiercely on his restraints. From the corner of his eye he saw Zenon step forward, but then he hesitated. Homura must have silently motioned for him to stop, because his lips were pulled tight in a cross expression.
That basically meant he'd have to fight his own way out. Well, that was fine with him.
At least, it was until Konzen stood over him with a withering look that somehow only made Goku feel guilty. He couldn't explain why, but the man's face made him flinch.
"You idiots messed with the wrong guy," the blonde said, his voice callous. One eye narrowed as he took aim, the muzzle directed at the boy's chest.
Zenon seemed to have grown impatient, because Goku could hear him readying the machine gun at the same moment the boy got an idea. With a loud grunt, Goku raised his foot, kicking out hard at the blonde's closest knee. It connected with a sharp sound. A shriek ripped itself out of Konzen the same time his finger pulled the trigger.
When he toppled back and the chains abruptly loosened on Goku, he realized the man had missed. He ripped free of the restraints even as he heard his opponents shouted out a name Goku didn't recognize. Gojyo was running forward, swearing violently as he tried to help the blonde to his feet. Konzen snarled something, trying to swat at him, but was forced to let him help when they found out he couldn't put his weight on the leg Goku had kicked without falling over.
Goku took a few steps back before he turned to grin at Homura. "I did it!"
Homura didn't look pleased. He lowered his eyes, staring at the boy's hands. Firmly, he said, "We'll withdraw for now."
"What?" Goku demanded.
"We will withdraw," Homura repeated. Zenon was moving swiftly toward them.
Goku didn't understand, though he thought he did a moment later when he shook his head, rudely reminded of the ache behind his eyes. He hissed, doubling over on the ground as the pain palpitated. He whimpered and reached up to press his hands into his eyes, but Zenon cuffed him on the side of the head.
"Stop that, you moron!" Zenon grabbed the boy's left wrist in a tight grip. "Look at your damn hand!"
Confused, not really wanting to look at anything, Goku forced one eye open to do as he was told. His face tingled from the sudden loss of blood as he paled. He couldn't remember feeling it, but there was a round wound in his hand, penetrating all the way through.
"What," he murmured, and then hissed. His brain finally made the connection with his palm and now it felt as though his hand had suddenly been thrust into the middle of a fire. Goku jerked away from Zenon, gripping the wrist and curled over completely on the ground as he struggled not to scream. The drums banging between his ears and the flame engulfing his hand made it hard, and he couldn't hold back strained cries.
"You idiot," he dimly heard Zenon mutter. The man forced him to his feet, though he was generous enough to keep an arm encircled around the boy's midsection. Goku wanted to kick him, but the headache was worsening, making it hard for him to remember how to breathe.
"I apologize about the unexpected setback." Homura's smooth voice barely reached his ears; Goku struggled to listen. Somehow he thought the man's words would be important. "We will return once both our parties have had time to recuperate."
"How generous of you," Goku heard Gojyo sneer. "Real damn generous."
With an exaggerated bow and a mocking smirk, Homura turned back to his friends. His eyes fell on Goku a moment before he looked up, past Goku's current field of vision. He leaned against Zenon, opening his mouth to speak, but Homura beat him to it.
"Let's go."
Without knowing why, Goku lifted his head to look back at his adversaries. He caught a glimpse of the blonde man, one thought crossing his mind before his vision went out of focus.
It's golden... just like the sun.
------
He didn't look up when he heard the door open. Already knowing who it was, he only opened his eyes when the man spoke.
"I know you're awake. Sit up."
Goku reluctantly obeyed. He pushed himself into a sitting position, rubbing one of his eyes groggily before a glass of milk was pushed into his field of vision. Blinking, Goku quietly accepted the gift and gulped down half the contents.
Homura pushed on his arm, making him lower the glass. "These will help your headache," he said simply, handing the boy a couple small white pills.
His migraine had disappeared upon awakening, surprisingly enough, but Goku decided not to say anything. Homura expected him to still have a headache, so why shouldn't he? Nodding, Goku took the pills and popped them both onto his tongue, taking a mouthful of liquid and using it to help swallow the medicine down.
"Thanks," he mumbled.
Simply nodding, Homura sat down beside the boy, taking his glass when it was empty and setting it aside. "I really am disappointed in you."
Goku's head snapped up, his eyes widening. "What? What'd I do?" he demanded. Panic forced a lump up in his throat, and his first wild thought was if he'd done something to make Homura angry. After getting a few moments to think, Goku realized the man wasn't at all angry-- he was exactly what he'd claimed: disappointed.
He carefully chose his words again. "What'd I do to make you... upset?"
"Not upset," Homura corrected. "Disappointed."
"Okay, okay. What'd I do?" he repeated, growing annoyed.
Homura shook his head, scooting so his back was to the wall. He brought one knee up, locking his fingers at his shin and closing his eyes. His voice mild, he said, "I did say the three of them might overwhelm you, but I hardly thought you were so weak that you would let Konzen shoot you."
Now that wasn't fair. Bristling, Goku said hotly, "It's not like I wanted him to! And least I avoided getting killed!"
Homura opened one eye; his golden one. He pinned the boy with a stern look, and even using only one eye he sent foreboding chills down Goku's spine. "That is not good enough," he said. "You weren't able to take even one of them down. I know we have been putting you through harsh and extensive training. I expect better next time."
Flushing, Goku looked down at his hands. The left was wrapped several times with bandages, but the bleeding had long before stopped. Hesitantly, he began to unwrap the injury, his movements quicker when Homura made no move to stop him. He cringed when he saw the damage; some of the skin around the mark was burned and raw-looking.
Even if the criticism hurt, Goku knew Homura was right. He should have done better. It had been his own damn fault for not watching all three of his enemies, for concentrating on one at a time instead of keeping his senses open.
It was just that, for some reason, Goku felt comfortable with them. A part of him said he shouldn't have to keep his guard up around those men. It was stupid and wrong to think, but it was a gut-deep feeling he had been unable to shake.
"You should wrap it back up," Homura advised, picking up the bandages before Goku could even blink. The brunette nodded slowly, reaching for them with his good hand, but Homura ignored him and held the strips of cloth out of reach. He grabbed Goku's wrist with his free hand, tugging insistently. Goku obediently hitched across the mattress and Homura began to meticulously rewrap the wound.
"Does it still hurt?"
"A little," Goku muttered, wiggling his fingers impatiently.
Homura nodded, finally finishing the job by using a metal clip to hold the bandages together. "If you would rather have it knotted again, ask Zenon. I don't tie knots very well."
Goku snorted. "You? Can't do something? That's real funny..."
"Even I have flaws," Homura smirked. He still hadn't relinquished his hold on the boy, and when the smirk faded Goku found out why. Without taking his eyes off the boy's face, Homura brought Goku's bandaged hand to his mouth, his lips pressed gently over the wound area. It wasn't quite a kiss, but not quite a simple touch, either.
When he found his voice again, Goku was embarrassed to realize his voice was a little hoarse. "Homura... you're acting weird."
Snorting, Homura let go of him. "Not one to easily romance, are you? I thought that was what you wanted."
"I don't wanna be treated like a girl," Goku said irritably, absently rubbing his wrist.
Homura shrugged at his response, sighing as he stretched out across the bed, his feet resting beside Goku. "As you wish."
Despite Homura's easy attitude, Goku had the sinking feeling he'd hurt the man on some level. He wasn't sure exactly how, but the man's eyes had dimmed a little when Goku had reminded him of his masculinity.
Goku made a face, crawling on his good hand until he could lean down with his face level to Homura's. The god watched him, unblinking, his expression unchanging. After a few moments of staring Goku huffed, squirming on top of the man, his left arm draped over Homura's shoulder. "I didn't mean that I don't appreciate you doin' nice things," Goku said.
Placing a hand on the boy's side, Homura nodded, the corner of his mouth tugging upward. "I've never pegged you as the ungrateful type."
Goku pretended he hadn't spoken. "I just meant that... it feels weird when you do things like that."
"Weird as in uncomfortable?"
"I dunno," he admitted.
Homura pursed his lips. After taking some time to think -- though over what, Goku didn't know -- he nodded. "Complaint considered," he said. "But as I am not a mind reader, you will have to help me out."
"Deal." Grinning, Goku squirmed upward, pretending not to notice when his crotch rubbed against Homura's. He nipped playfully at the man's lower lip. "But if it's obviously girly, I'll kill you."
"Will you, now?" Homura arched an eyebrow. "Not very considerate for a lover, are you?"
"I'm very considerate," Goku retorted. "In fact, I'm so considerate I'm going to let you give me a massage."
Seeming more amused than put off, Homura asked, "What makes you think I will?"
"So you can prove you can turn me on without groping me," the boy suggested. "And because my head still hurts a little, and you're just nice like that." It was a lie, actually. His headache still had yet to return, something that actually perplexed Goku. Still, it wasn't fair that he had to go through all that pain and only get a lecture and a hug or two in return.
Looking skeptical, Homura slid both hands over the boy's sides before sliding them around his back, moving slowly from his neck to his lower spine. All he did was sink the pads of his fingers into certain pressure points, but that alone was enough to make Goku closed his eyes and sigh in contentment.
"You are easily pleased," Homura said quietly. Goku didn't miss the touch of mirth coloring the god's voice.
"Am not," he murmured, letting his cheek rest against Homura's collarbone. He could feel the man's chin on his head and nuzzled against him unconsciously. "Higher."
For once not cracking a smart-ass joke, Homura simply did as requested. This time he applied more strength with his touch, kneading the muscles at the base of Goku's skull. Goku hadn't realized he was so tense until he actually began to relax. He mumbled senselessly, enjoying Homura's strong fingers massaging the back of his neck, and then between his shoulder blades.
"Feel better?" Homura asked lightly.
"Mm... much," Goku agreed. He used his right arm to prop himself up a little, shifting so he could look directly into Homura's eyes. He grinned before leaning down, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips. "Thanks." Hoping he gave nothing away in his expression, Goku shifted so his thigh was pressed comfortably between Homura's legs.
Naturally, the movement didn't go unnoticed. Quirking an eyebrow, Homura glanced down, though it did him little good since Goku was still lying atop him. "Your leg--"
"You stopped," Goku interrupted with a whine. He wriggled against Homura; the feeling of the man's firm abdomen beneath his crotch sent shivers through his spine. "Keep rubbing."
Homura scoffed lightly, but did as he was told. He resumed the massage, gradually working his way down to Goku's lower back. "You," he murmured, "are not a very good actor."
Something akin to a purr stuck itself in Goku's throat. Curving his spine to press his body harder against his lover's, he said in a slightly shaky voice, "Yeah, but... it feels real good. I like it."
Homura smirked. "Most people prefer it without their shirt on."
It took a moment for the comment to register in Goku's mind. He blinked, pulling back slightly before he grunted and pushed himself up. A sting of pain shot through his hand, making him grimace, but he ignored it and quickly tugged his shirt off and tossed it aside. Before Homura could reach for him again Goku grabbed the man's chains, pulling.
"Hey. Why can't you take these off?"
Bi-colored eyes narrowed slightly, but Homura's voice remained the same. "I'm not allowed to."
Puzzled, Goku tugged on them again. "But you took 'em off once and--"
"I may remove one shackle to undress," Homura cut in. "And even then, it has to be quick."
"But you're not in the heavens anymore."
Sighing, Homura gently pried the chains from his lover's hand. He forced Goku to move back a little and sit on his thighs as he sat up, placing a hand on the back of the brunette's neck to pull him forward for a kiss.
"No more questions," he said quietly when they parted. "Unless you would rather talk instead." Goku shut up, pushing at Homura's chest. The god fell back to the bed easily, the beginnings of his familiar smirk on his lips. "I thought so."
"Shut up," Goku muttered. He lowered his mouth to Homura's, tilting the man's head back into the pillow with the barely-chaste kiss. At the same time he moved his leg back between both of Homura's again, rubbing against him purposefully. The soft hiss he drew from his lover pleased him. The last time had been his first experience with any sort of sex, so things had been focused on him. This time around he was going to make Homura feel something. He had to, especially if he wanted to call the man his lover.
"Mine," he mumbled when the kiss broke, his breath already coming in short. He shifted his hips against Homura, making the slight bulge in his pants more apparent. Homura moved slowly, his hands sliding up the boy's side, then going to his head as he threaded his fingers in Goku's hair. The petting felt nice, and Goku couldn't help the soft rumble in his chest that resulted from it.
Slipping down until his groin rested over Homura's, Goku used his good hand to grip the man's arm. He shuddered as he ground his hips against the man, enjoying the slight but noticeable tremors that shook Homura's body.
I can turn him on, he thought, pleased by the revelation. Goku's eyes lapsed shut, a soft murmur escaping as Homura tightened his fingers against the boy's skull. After all his petting there would be no knots left... unless he messed it up again, of course.
Goku dug his fingernails into Homura's arm, biting his tongue to muffle the small moans already rising in his throat. He was startled when Homura suddenly released his head, instead grasping the boy's waist to still him. When Goku protested Homura clamped a hand over his mouth. Only slightly winded, Homura said, "Most people... remove their pants for this part, too." His mouth twisted in a humoring smirk.
Conceited bastard, thought Goku a few minutes later; he wisely kept his inner comments to himself. He tightened his grip, rubbing his lover faster. "Just... tell me if I'm doing it right," he said, unable to hide his nervousness.
A barely audible scoff sounded above Goku. "If I can't speak properly... then you're exceeding my expectations."
Stung by the remark, Goku let go of the man and looked up. "What's that supposed to mean?" he demanded.
Homura sighed and pushed himself back up on his elbow, motioning for Goku to come closer. When he obeyed Homura grabbed the boy's chin with his thumb and forefinger, bringing him forward. Goku closed his eyes, expecting a kiss, but none came.
"I'm simply saying," Homura said in an undertone, "that for your first time, it would not be wise to expect to affect me much."
"You did plenty to me," Goku pointed out, opening his eyes.
Homura didn't blink. "It wasn't my first time."
Goku's eyes narrowed. He pulled free of Homura's grasp, the words falling out before he could think about them. "With who?"
Homura sighed. "Does it matter?"
"Yes," Goku insisted. "It does! I hate secrets and you know it!" Shaking his head, Homura gently but insistently pushed the boy off him. He pulled his pants back up, buttoning them before Goku could find his voice. "Where're you going?"
"To take a shower," was the simple answer.
"But--"
"I'm tired." Homura paused long enough to tug affectionately on a long strand of the boy's hair. "I won't be long. You ought to get dressed," he added firmly. It was clearly the end of discussion-- and the end of their nightly activities. Sulking, Goku gathered his clothes, taking exaggerated care to not look up as Homura walked out. Once the door shut behind Homura, Goku cursed softly.
He gave the rumpled bed an angry look, as though to blame it for his problems. Today had just been a bad day. He'd lost horribly in the fight, had gotten injured (and would most likely have the scar to prove it), and worst of all, he had somehow screwed things up in an attempt to get laid.
Life sucked. Goku scowled, sitting down on the bed again and kicking at the covers childishly. Really, what was Homura's problem? Whatever it was, he was really good at hiding it most of the time-- too damn good. It was difficult for Goku to realize there was something bothering him, especially when it involved something Goku was sure didn't have everything to do with him.
Sucks, sucks, sucks, he reiterated. He didn't stop kicking until he'd rid the bed of its top blanket. Then he rolled over on his stomach, sighing heavily and burying his head in his arms. Geez
He tried to relax and found that helped a little. He allowed his mind to wander, thinking aimlessly over various things-- and then, of all things, he remembered Konzen.
That man had been intriguing, he remembered. The first time they'd bumped into each other Goku had hardly given him a second glance, but the face had somehow burned itself in his mind. Something about those piercing violet eyes and blonde hair was appealing. Especially the blonde hair. It reminded Goku of what he would think about in his cave, about his wish for the Sun.
Maybe he was supposed to find me.
The thought was idle, but when Goku held on to it for more than a fleeting moment he suddenly found it hard to breathe. His head snapped up, eyes widening. What if that man was it? He conjured an image of the sun so vividly in Goku's mind, made him almost able to feel its warmth.
"Oh, gods," he breathed, scrambling to his feet. He was jamming his boots on without thinking. He briefly wondered if he should leave Homura a note of some sort. Lingering annoyance at his lover made him dismiss the idea. Goku hurried out of the room, and to his good fortune he didn't meet Homura in the hallway.
He slammed his hand against the button at the far wall, feeling his heartbeat quicken with excitement. Thoughts of betrayal weren't on his mind, and nothing akin to disloyalty made him hesitate, either. He just had a strong, unexplainable urge to see this Konzen person. I have to see him, he thought.
By some miracle, he didn't run into Shien or Zenon, either. Before he knew it he was outside, running away from the tower and in the direction they had visited Konzen and his companions earlier.
